Head of Programmes

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Head of Programmes for our operation in Sudan.

Background

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been operational in Sudan since 2004. From the outset, the intervention has focused primarily on Darfur with the aim of promoting durable solutions for the conflict-affected population through community-driven processes, livelihood programming and infrastructure support. DRC also undertakes emergency assistance when necessary.

The programme focuses predominantly on the conflict-affected population living outside of camps in the rural areas, and to a lesser extent, the displaced living in camps. The programme seeks to improve livelihood possibilities while increasing community cohesion. The main activities implemented include agricultural/horticultural and livelihoods support; community cohesion and peaceful coexistence support; rehabilitation and reconstruction of schools; community development projects and various social projects including literacy & skills training, support to extremely vulnerable individuals (EVIs) and distribution of food, vouchers and NFIs. The activities are implemented with a community-based approach with community-driven recovery and development being a key programme area.

DRC operates primarily in Central Darfur from 5 field offices: Nertiti, Golo and Zalingei, Um Dukhun, and Garsila.

DRC has its main office in the capital Khartoum, which is predominantly for representation, operational support, coordination and fundraising purposes. The Sudan operation consists of approximately 100 national staff and 7 expatriate staff members. The primary donors are Danida, ECHO, EC, UNDP, UNICEF, SHF, WFP and DRC itself through private fundraising.

About the job

The Head of Programmes reports to the Country Director and has direct line management responsibility for 4 staff, including Protection Advisor, CDRS Advisor, Cash Advisor and Programme Officer. 

This role has a country focus and ensures compliance with 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 expected programme turnover for 2018 is USD 5 million.

Main areas of responsibility:

• Responsible for project activities within the programmes, ensuring good implementation and Project Cycle Management processes within the country team, and that there is a distinct cycle of learning and development in the DRC program.
• Take a lead role in proposal and strategy development, delivering strategic and operational input to policies, processes and standards within respective areas, where decisions are of a tactical and operational nature within a defined scope
• Enable and oversee the implementation of policy or activities considered critical to the achievement of organisational objectives, providing necessary surge capacity for each office in Central Darfur to ensure DRC achieves deliverables according to project plans and budgets, working closely with the Area Managers based in Central Darfur.
• Frequently represent DRC with key external partners at both local and national levels

Specific duties and responsibilities will include:

Project Management and Development

• Enable and oversee effective, efficient and timely implementation of all projects according to agreed contracts, budgets, policies and in accordance with specific donor requirements
• Coordinate with Area Managers and Programme Advisors to ensure the implementation of the program
• Lead assessments for emergency or longer-term programming in existing or new project locations
• Lead the planning and development of concept papers, budgets and project proposals with support from country team
• Take a lead in the development of programme strategy, conceptualizing, developing and documenting sectoral and local strategies in close co-operation with Programme Advisors and the Country Director
• Ensure effective coordination and visibility of the implementation of the projects with all humanitarian and development actors, including local partners and authorities.
• Ensure that the DRC Sudan programme is implemented in accordance with DRC standard regulations and operational procedures
• Ensure correct and timely reporting to donors in coordination with the Grants Manager
• Ensure that at all times contact with beneficiaries, target groups and representatives of authorities is conducted in a sensitive and respectful manner
• Lead accountability improvement processes and Core Humanitarian Standard compliance in country
• Support the country implementation of DRC administrative guidelines and policies, safety and security procedures, logistics support and other tasks associated with efficient day-to-day running

• Train and support field teams to implement integrated monitoring and evaluation processes in coordination with the M&E Manager and coordinate with the M&E team to build programme quality through learning
• Supervise implementation of the projects by monitoring and evaluation (quality control, monitoring objectives and indicators) to ensure that projects are implemented in accordance with agreed strategies, principles, implementation plans, and donor requirements

• Increase the visibility and credibility of DRC’s program and maintain close relations with all relevant stakeholders including donors as agreed by the CD
• Support Area Managers and Country Director in identifying partnership opportunities and maintains oversight of local partners concerning activities and implementation
• In consultation with CD, coordinate with national, local and international actors and participate in working groups and other sector meetings on programme related issues
• Stay abreast of developments in the humanitarian environment in Sudan and provide timely analysis on key issues on a regular basis

• Lead and manage the programme staff under direct supervision (including people planning, performance, well-being and development)
• Advise on and promote understanding and application of DRC policies, procedures and principles.
• Raise issues of non-compliance
• When relevant, drive development of policies and standards in country and localize global policies to country level
• Support Area Managers and field teams with capacity building and improving quality of programme implementation, including training and development of programme teams
• Participate in relevant staff recruitment processes, new staff onboarding and induction process, capacity building, and performance appraisal of programme staff

About you

In order to be successful in this role, you should have the following:

Required

• University degree or higher education in social sciences or a related field
• At least 5 years of proven international experience in managing programme operations, including at country senior management level
• Fluency in English
• Detailed understanding of humanitarian and protection principles and their application, including community safety and rights-based approaches
• Extensive practical experience working with all steps of project cycle management (needs assessments; proposal writing and development; implementation; monitoring; reporting and evaluation) 
• Ability to communicate key programming concepts and messages in clear, contextualised and practical terms
• Proven leadership skills and a competence in people management
• Knowledge of humanitarian, technical and accountability standards and guidelines
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills
• Demonstrated experience and ability to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate and defend DRC’s interests with a diverse range of government officials, local organizations and other groups.
• Ability to work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid environment: Cultural sensitivity and respectful of local contexts
• Effectively engages and communicates with communities in a responsible manner and undertakes to ensure the Core Humanitarian Standard

  Desirable

• Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage. 
• Experience working with DRC and familiarity with DRC processes and procedures
• Experience working in Sudan or experience from remote and rural contexts
• Experience working in conflict-affected and insecure environments
• Proven experience in providing technical guidance and training including development of training materials

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies: 

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 

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

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 

Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with DRC’s vision and values. 

We offer

Contract length: 24 months, with possibility of extension (subject to funding)

Start date: April 2018

Level: A10

Duty Station: Khartoum, Sudan – with frequent travel to other DRC offices in Sudan. The position is unaccompanied.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: Please submit your application no later than Sunday 11^th February 2018 via our online application system on www.drc.dk under Vacancies > Current vacancies > Head of Programmes – Sudan.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact our job support at drc.ngo/jobsupport.