Country Director

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified candidate to lead DRC’s Niger country operation through qualified leadership to reach our mandate to support vulnerable people in displacement crisis. 

About the job

DRC/DDG has been operating in Niger since 2014 with a cross-border Border Management and Security program in the Liptako Gourma region – (border region between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger) with the objective of reducing armed violence, improving community safety and strengthening border management and security in collaboration with communities and border authorities. By the end of 2015, taking into account the growing humanitarian crisis in the Diffa region, DRC/DDG conducted an assessment mission on security and humanitarian needs. The results of this mission have enabled DRC/DDG to establish in the region and implement a Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) program, with assistance in shelter/NFI kits, protection monitoring, training and sensitization on human rights, and food security through general food distributions. Since 2018, DRC has scaled up it RRM program to include the Tillabéri region, where it implements emergency response activities, as well as a protection monitoring program. In 2019 DRC will implement a challenging access and protection project in this region; including access negociation, special needs funds distribution and protection assessments activities.

. Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Provide strategic leadership and operational development in Niger, undertaken in coordination and consultation with local and international partners.
• Together with the Head of Support Services (HoSS), oversee the setting up of a new financial and management system for the county programme and provide overall budget monitoring, financial management and expenses control including compliance with minimum DRC/DDG and donor requirements.
• Overall responsible for security including development and ensuring adherence to security procedures, monitoring the development in the security situation, analysing in coordination with the Safety Coordinator.
• Act as representative for the programme to authorities, donors, partners, and in various co-ordination forums together with the head of programme.
• Represent Danish Demining Group, DRC’s Armed Violence Reduction (AVR) unit, and identify opportunities for integrated DRC/DDG programme development that focus efforts on conflict transformation and community safety.
• To provide strong fundraising abilities and play key role in fundraising and donor contract management.
• Design the Results Contract annually in line with the Regional Strategic Programme Document and report on it quarterly, incorporating adjustments as needed
• Contribute to the integration of the Niger program into the DRC’s regional strategy and set up.
• The County Director for Niger will report to the Regional Director for West Africa who is based in Dakar, Senegal

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have the ability to motivate and guide staff working in complex and unpredictable environments and relish the capacity building side of your job. You are known to be a strong and confident leader; who on the one hand is inclusive, approachable and good at delegating while on the other hand is not afraid to stand alone and take tough decisions, all the while able to focus on managing your country at a strategic level.  You have a natural talent for working analytically and find that you excel in tasks concerning negotiation, advocacy and interpersonal communication. Last, but not least, you thrive by working in complex emergency operation within a changing and insecure environment and as a result have a natural ability to work well under pressure - that mirrors your solid personal stamina.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• You have a minimum of 8 years of senior management experience with a humanitarian agency, including experience with starting up new country programmes and operations - and a relevant educational background (e.g. Master in political or social science, international development, economics).
• In-depth knowledge of and experience working with displacement issues of both internal to displaced persons and refugees and related international standards/frameworks.
• Proven ability to design, manage, monitor and evaluate programmes, preferably with a focus on protection and durable solutions for refugees, returnees and displaced people.
• Experience with financial management, administration, human resource development and logistics.
• A systematic and ‘by the book’ approach with programme and operational support.
• Strong ability to collaborate, network and negotiate with local partners, Governments, UN, donors and other NGOs.
• Proven management experience at senior level including capacity building, training and mentoring, especially in complex humanitarian environments;
• Experience in developing fundraising strategies.
• Fluent in French and English is essential (spoken and written).

   

  Desirable

• Work experience from Niger and, or the West Africa region is desirable.

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: 2 years contract

Level: Management Level D

Designation of Duty Station: Accompanied Family Duty Station

Start date: 1st of March 2019 

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 regional human resources coordinator, hra-wa@drc.dk.

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: 23rd of January 2019

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.