Chief of Party - Head of Consortium Coordination Unit

About Us

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than thirty countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.

As part of its global mixed migration strategy, DRC has set up a unit that manages multiple mixed migration grants covering West and North Africa. These grants were established through two consortia with a route-based approach designed for migration to be safer and more orderly, along the Central Mediterranean routes with the goal of limiting suffering and reducing deaths en route. As part of the unit, DRC leads a DFID-funded consortium in partnership with IRC and the Start Network, covering West and North Africa with a particular focus on Mali, Niger and Libya. DRC also leads on a Libya focused EUTF-funded consortium in partnership with IRC, IMC and Cesvi implementing a programme which is providing protection and assistance to migrants, IDPs, host communities and other vulnerable groups in Libya. The head of CCU will be responsible for managing the unit that implements both grants as well as any other grants that may come in the future.

About the job

This role provides oversight and direction of the Consortium Coordination Unit (CCU) and its staff acting as the liaison between the Steering Committee and the implementing organisations. While not directly managing project implementation staff, the Head of CCU is responsible for ensuring coordination of approaches for impactful and efficient programmes. This will be accomplished through coordination and allocation of resources from the implementing agencies. The role will also involve high level representation with key policy making stakeholders and donors.

The Head of CCU will be based in Tunis but will cover activities throughout West and North Africa implemented by consortia member agencies and national implementing partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategy and policy development

• Provide technical expertise to shape and guide the consortium and its members on the elaboration of a routes-based migration strategy focusing on the specificities of people on the move;
• Lead on the strategic development of the CCU as a unit including potential business development opportunities;
• Maintain an overview of migration-related developments affecting people on the move, monitoring trends and policy changes in the countries;
• Contribute to the development of operational guidelines for delivering mixed migration programming with a rights-based and do no harm approach;
• Represent the consortium in technical communities of practice, and with external partners. This will include building relationships and networks with Governments, UN agencies and civil society organisations working on migration;
• Develop partnerships with relevant NA and WA regional institutions, organisations & donors for funding, learning and advocacy.

   

  Evidence and learning

• Coordinate the generation of learning on the dynamics/complexities of migration programming in the regions covered and how they impact on vulnerable individuals;
• Identify and document appropriate programme operational models and best practices on migration to build DRC and other consortium partners’ expertise on Mixed Migration (trainings, developing DRC’s knowledge base on MM, supporting DRC’s overall MM strategy, developing a MM response framework, etc.);
• Strengthen coordination (including information/experience sharing) between all consortium members – country offices, regional offices, HQ based teams and the CCU;
• Support ongoing monitoring and evaluation systems through capacity building for collecting and disseminating evidence to improve programming and cross-country learning;
• Support the generation of evidence and learning at country, regional and global level to feed into publications, policy papers, research reports and external events (e.g. conferences).

   

  Support to Programme Design and Implementation

• Provide technical expertise to support the development of routes-based programming, ensuring that robust situational analyses inform its further development;
• Ensure interventions are evidence based, meet quality standards (including on gender, participation and accountability), and are consistent with established best practices and international and national standards, policies and strategies;
• Ensure that new projects and or programme components include monitoring and evaluation systems that are robust, adequately resourced and capable of generating cutting-edge evidence;
• Assess and where possible ensure that operational research is factored into the design to ensure high-quality and relevant data is generated when the project is implemented;
• Support and provide guidance on building strategic partnerships in country, regionally and globally, to promote quality programming, innovative approaches, evidence generation and sustainable impact at scale.

   

  Staff Management

• Responsible for staff management in the consortium management unit, including recruitments of key positions, appraisal processes and daily supervision

About you

The successful candidate is expected to have at least 5 years’ experience in a senior management role (Country Director, Chief of Party, Head of Programme or similar) with International NGOs, preferably working in complex emergencies in West Africa or North Africa. 

Required experience and technical competencies

• Proven experience in strategic development and programme design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
• Demonstrated technical expertise in protection, mixed migration &/or resilience programming
• Experience with a range of donors, with specific experience and knowledge of DFID and EU an advantage
• Experience working with national NGO partners and local/government authorities
• Strong knowledge of MEAL processes, including in complex programmes with high-profile evaluations
• Experience in organisational representation, coordination and liaison
• Experience in managing and leading projects within partner networks or consortia
• Experience in strategy development and resource mobilisation plans
• Networking, influencing, and representation skills and ability to develop effective relationships with a range of actors
• Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills
• Excellent conceptual, planning, organisational, and leadership skills
• Willingness to travel to and work in insecure environments
• Ability to manage stress, multi-task and take decisions
• Experience managing staff
• Ability to converse and work in French language will be an advantage but is not required

Required Educational Qualifications

The candidate should preferably hold a post-graduate degree (Bachelor degree as a minimum) in migration, international relations, development studies, or other related field from a recognised institution. Studies related to migration would be of particular interest.

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 our vision and values.

What we offer

Job title:            Chief of Party - Head of Consortium Coordination Unit

Reports to:       Regional Director, North Africa

Reportees:         Consortium staff, including a CCU Head of Programmes and a MEAL Coordinator.

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

Starting Date:  As soon as possible

Salary band:       The position is Management Band E, with conditions according to DRC’s Expat Terms of Employment

Benefits:              Tunis is a Family Duty Station. This is an unaccompanied position. Housing and other benefits provided according to Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies.

Duty station:      North Africa Regional Office in Tunis, Tunisia – with some travel for programming and representational purposes

Application and CV

Only applications with CV and application letter that address the stipulated duties and responsibilities and meet the required qualifications will be considered. CV-only applications will not be considered.

Your application should be sent through our online application system on www.drc.dk under Vacancies. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Deadline for applications: Thursday 07 February 2019. Please contact job@drc.dk, if you experience problems with your online application.