Area Manager – National Contract – Caquetá - Colombia

Area Manager – National Contract – Caquetá - Colombia

Danish Refugee Council/Danish Demining Group (DRC/DDG) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in more than 30 countries to provide adequate assistance with a rights-based approach to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees and migrants. DRC/DDG is currently looking for a highly qualified Spanish and English-speaking Area Manager for a 12-month contract (renewable depending on funding and performance), based in San José del Fragua, in the province of Caquetá in southern Colombia. This represents an exciting opportunity for an experienced Area Manager to join a dynamic team and support the development of our DDG Mine Action operations in the area.

About the job 

DRC/DDG has been present in Colombia since 2011, focused on capacity-building, setting up of mine action programming and providing support to conflict-affected populations in the south of the country. The onset of large mixed migration flows into Colombia due to the crisis in Venezuela requires a major integrated humanitarian response to meet the urgent needs of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, Colombian returnees, and host communities.

The Danish Demining Group (DDG) has been active in Colombia since late 2010. With an office set up in Bogota and an operational base in San Jose del Fragua, Caquetá department, DDG’s presence in Colombia is about to complete 10 years. Between 2014 and 2016, DDG was involved in a significant capacity building project and provided technical support to the Colombian government in Land Release, Technical Demining, National Standards and Impact Monitoring. DDG saw its Humanitarian Mine Action desk accreditation renewed in 2019.

Since April 2018 the organization has deployed Community Liaison/MRE and NTS capacities in two municipalities in Caquetá - San Jose del Fragua and Belen de los Andaquies. DDG is close to initiate the deployment of 3 clearance teams in the four Confirmed Hazardous Areas (CHA) and one Suspected Hazardous Area (SHA) identified so far in the municipalities.

The AM Caquetá will be based in the San Jose sub-office, Caquetá Department, and will be responsible for the overall management and activity follow-up in two municipalities: San Jose del Fragua & Belen de los Andaquies. Finally, the AM Caquetá is expected to frequently travel to rural areas, and Bogotá main office as required.

The position will include the line management of  national team, close technical reporting to international staff, capacity building of national staff on management and coordination, support tasks and procedures.

Main responsibilities                                                                         

Management    

• Line manage area support staff

• Ensure inter-department co-ordination at area level;

• Closely coordinate with the senior management team ensuring regular information flows;

• People management of direct reports (including development, people planning and performance);

• With supervisors, supervise the programme activities budget lines; ensuring effective and efficient use of resources including financial, human and all assets;

• Ensure overall provision of and adherence to DRC policies (including Code of Conduct), procedures, guidelines, systems and standard practices;

• Provide leadership in overseeing logistical/procurement, Human Resources/administration and office services activities and ensure their timely/efficient delivering.

Representation, coordination and reporting 

• Primary DRC/DDG representative in the area of operation and attend with support from DRC/DDG technical staff all relevant fora/meetings in order to strengthen DRC/DDG’s position;

•  Foster relationships with Government authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the area of operation;

• Support working relationships with donors, national and international organizations and local counterparts;

•  Comply with internal reporting requirements, contribute to, and provide quality assurance of external reports from area of operation;

Programme development

• Lead the process of adapting DRC/DDG national strategy to the local context and circumstances;

•  Provide regular analysis on the context and humanitarian situation in the area for the development of project proposals and safety assessments in cooperation with the Country Director and programme staff.  

Safety               

• Ensure a safe and secure environment for DRC/DDG staff, beneficiaries and assets by ensuring the local security procedures are up to date and SOPs are being followed in line with the SMP and DRC policy.                                                                         

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:

• Accountable for achieving DRC/DDG’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility;

• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources;

• Accountable for people management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.;

•  Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC;

Roles reporting to this position: Area support team    Reports to: Country Director               

Technical line: DDG Operation Manager, National support teams, Security specialist                                                                                                             

Required experience and competencies                                                                               

·         Minimum 5 years' experience in relevant field overseeing humanitarian and development multi-sector, multi-donor programmes in complex and volatile environments;

·         Previous experience in managing / supervising Mine Action programme is an asset

·         At least 5 years' experience in people management;

·         Strong leadership skills and a competence in people management;

·         Extended experience in managing integrated humanitarian programmes including protection, Shelter, WASH, Assistance through cash modalities, NFIs, and livelihood; 

·         Practical and extensive financial, Human Resources and administration management;

·         Experience working with an integrated ERP system (end to end process of procurement, and

·         other peripheric modules of logistics) – MS Dynamics considered an advantage;

·         External stakeholder management (especially with local authorities);

·         Experience with relevant Mine Action donors’ guidelines  

·         Proven excellent communication and report writing skills; 

·         Full proficiency in Spanish;

·         Proficiency in English is an asset;

Desirable

·         Calm and diplomatic in nature;

·         Ability to manage competing priorities and to meet deadlines;

·         Effective team-player;

·         For this role, the best candidate will also demonstrate ability to think beyond evidence, to deliver results and solve problems. He/She will show wit and ambition as well as a longsighted mindset.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s 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                                                                           

·         Master's degree in political science, international development, humanitarian assistance, economics or other relevant fields from a top-tier university;

·         Or Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields with 3 years’ working experience in similar positions.                                                                 

We offer

·         Commencement: No later than August 15^th, 2019

·         Duty station: San José del Fragua, Caquetá, Colombia

·         Contract length: 12 months renewable depending on funding.

·         Position Level: Band E – Salary according to profile in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment in Colombia.

·         Designation of Duty Station: Non-Family duty station - Unaccompanied

·         Start date: As soon as possible not later than 15/08/2019

For questions regarding the vacancy please contact Yann Cornic: yann.cornic@drc.ngo or Jonathan Bertrand: jonathan.bertrand@drc.ngo

Application process

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

No application received by email will be considered.

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 25/07/2019