Head of Support Services

DRC has been operating in Greece since December 2015, providing support to the Greek Ministry of Migration Policy in ensuring dignified reception conditions for refugees and migrants arriving on Lesvos island. In March 2016, DRC expanded its operations in Athens, in response to the changing context and the build-up of refugee population on mainland Greece. In May 2016 DRC opened an office in Thessaloniki (North Greece) and in July in Larissa (Central Greece). 

Overall purpose of the role

• Covers support functions: Finance, Human Resources, Administration, Logistics, Procurement;
• Ensures compliance with DRC’s Code of Conduct countrywide in close coordination with all Area Managers and under the overall supervision of the Country Director;
• Oversee, develop and provide strategic direction to her/his areas of responsibility countrywide.

Geographic scope: Country

The Head of Support Services (HoSS) has a country focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the country. The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to country operations while overseeing country activities. The HoSS is deputising the Country Director during her/his absence and represents DRC upon agreement with authorities, UN agencies, other NGOs and Partners.

Main Responsibilities

Management 

• Lead and manage the support managers (including people planning, performance, well-being and   development); 

• Manage, deliver and report on current operations programme support in geographic scope; 

• Establish high performing support teams ensuring high-quality approaches are maintained; 

• Develop and improve operational approaches, compliance and systems, and support the Country Director to build and deliver effective and sustainable interventions;  

• Responsible for the strategic development, management and implementation of the support operations; 

• Ensure appropriate technical support is available to programs, in line with organizational priorities;  

• Ensure support for annual planning and review processes;  

• Direct responsibility for ensuring that the DRC Programme operates in accordance with DRC’s support function guidelines. 

 

Operational Management 

• Support the Country Director and the Senior Management Team in liaising with donors and authorities, especially as relates to issues of compliance, registration, and audit; 

• Oversee the operational support units for the country by providing strategic leadership and technical support to the areas under her/his supervision; 

• Supervision, audits and controlling and implementation of corrective actions related to DRC’s operational standards within support functions; 

• Ensure that DRC retains and continually develops its operational capacity to provide rapid emergency response in particular within its procurement and logistics systems; 

• Develop a risk management plan for the country that identifies the major financial and operational risks and implement a mitigation strategy; 

• Ensure that all administrative and legal-related systems are accurate and maintained; 

• Work to build the capacity of the operational support staff throughout the operation though frequent in-service training sessions and mentoring support; 

• Contribute to the development and implementation of DRC’s global development initiatives.

 

Technical Line Management Responsibilities 

• Provide technical guidance to other Employees in the support departments, who report to a different Manager; 

• Advise on and promote understanding and application of DRC policies, procedures and principles; 

• Raise non-compliance; 

• When relevant, drives development of policies and standards in the country programme and/or localizes global policies.

 

Direct reports

Country Office support staff and Accountability Officer

Reports to

Country Director

Required experience and technical competencies

Minimum 5 years of senior leadership experience in operations management roles with at least 2 years of experience in a similar role in an international NGO; 

• Proven leadership skills and a competence in people management ; 

• Proven operational management experience and capability; 

• Proven significant financial, information and systems management experience; 

• Significant experience in procurement and tender processes; 

• Proven analytical and critical thinking skills; 

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills with a well-developed ability to motivate and persuade at high levels; 

• Proven ability to lead and work effectively with others to achieve results; 

• Understanding and experience of institutional fundraising; 

• Understanding of the local context in Greece; 

• Full professional proficiency in English. 

 

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’ core competencies:  

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.  

• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.  

• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.  

• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.  

• Demonstrating integrity: Acting in line with DRC's vision and values.

 

 

Required education

Relevant university degree (e.g. political science, international development, or economics)

 

Terms and conditions

DRC will offer the successful candidate a challenging job in our interesting program in Greece, based in Athens with frequent travels to other locations.

The contract is currently until December 2018, it will however be renewable dependent on both funding and performance.

Salary and other conditions will be placed at A10 for expatriates in accordance with DRC's Terms of Employment for Expartiates, which can be found on our website www.drc.dk under vacancies. Greek Nationals are encouraged to apply, in which case the salary scale and the final salary package will be based on experience and qualifications and the contract will be under the Greek Labor Law.

Greece is a family duty station. The position is classified as un-accompanied. The selected candidate is expected to start mid-February 2018.

We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of age, nationality, gender or age. 

 

General Regulations

The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework.   

The employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization.   

The employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period.   

The employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization.   

The employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request.   

 

Further Information

You are welcome to contact the Country Director, Kyriakos Giaglis at country.director@drc-greece.org, for additional information regarding the position.

For general information about DRC, please consult www.drc.dk

 

Application Process  

Interested? Then apply for this position on line: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies  

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.   

Applications close on 21^st of January 2018.

Due to the urgency of the position DRC reserves the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.