Area Manager - Kandahar

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Area Manager who is responsible for the management, implementation, development and representation of DRC programming in Afghanistan eastern region.  The position includes an overall management of 84 both support and programme staff in Kandahar. The Area Manager will report into the Deputy Country Director.

About the job

The AM  will assist in the program coordinators and managers’ follow-up of technical departments’ field work, promoting program integration while acting as a conduit and focal point for coordinationYour main duties and responsibilities will be:

Management

• Provide leadership, coordination and integration of DRC activities in the area including, but not limited, to protection, emergency response and livelihoods & empowerment
• Direct line management of the all programme and support staff based in Kandahar, including recruitment, coaching, capacity building and ensuring interdepartmental co-ordination;
• Liaise and closely coordinate with the senior management team in Kabul (PCs, PMs, HOP, HOSS, Safety Advisor etc.) and fellow AMs in other regions
• Lead the process of adapting DRC national strategy to the local context and circumstances, including the engagement strategy to gradually increase humanitarian access for DRC in the area;
• Be a driving force in terms of developing DRC’s program in Eastern Afghanistan and provide input to fundraising efforts, in coordination with the Programme Development Unit and the Country Director;
• Draft and present to the DRC country office regular analysis on the context and humanitarian situation in his/her area of responsibility to inform future proposal development processes in the area
• Ensure budget spending is in accordance to approved budget and plans for both support function and program activities allocated for the area
• Provide budget monitoring, financial control in compliance with DRC country office requirements and as per the Operations Handbook;

  Coordination, Representation and Reporting

• Act as the main DRC representative in the area and attend all relevant forums/meetings including active participation in the Humanitarian Regional Team (HRT) with the objective to strengthen DRC’s position in the area;
• Identify and build relationships with authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the area
• Ensure partners are delivering their activities as per signed grant agreements, and agreed plans and budgets in his/her area
• Guided by the DRC Programme and operations Handbooks, continuously monitor and suggest relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthen the effort to document the impact of DRC activities in the area
• Ensure implemented projects are in compliance with DRC monitoring, evaluation and learning minimum operating procedures (MELMOP) and country M&E framework

   

  Safety and Security

• Act as security manager in the area ensuring adherence to security procedures and monitoring developments in the security situation;
• Actively support the country safety department to develop and regularly update the local security plan for his/her area of responsibility;
• Be a member of and/or actively support the Crisis Management Team as required and if requested;
• Develop and maintain a security focal persons' network in his/her area of responsibility

   

  About you

  To be successful in this role we expect you to ensure:

• Timely program deliverance in accordance with approved area plans and budgets
• Complete finance, HR and administration authorized documents in accordance with program and operations handbooks
• Continued acceptance and reputation of DRC programming in the area by communities, government and other stakeholders
• Compliance in MOSS, MELMOP and OH self-compliance check

  Moreover, we also expect the following:

   

• Degree/Diploma in management or related field
• Strong leadership skills and a competence in programme and support people management
• Proven stakeholder management especially with local authorities
• Minimum 5 years relevant professional work experience;
• At least 3 years in dealing with displacement issues of both internally displaced and refugees and related international standards/frameworks;
• At least 3 years in project management in both development and crisis areas;
• Great communication skills and proficiency in English

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: One Year (extendable)

Level: A13

Designation of Duty Station: Non-Family duty station

Start date: 15 June 2018

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact tanja.krstovska@drc.ngo

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: 15 June 2018 (rolling basis)

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

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.