Area Manager

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Area Manager for Baghdad, Iraq.

About the job

The Area Manager (AM) is a Senior Management role responsible for the coordination, management, development and representation of DRC programming in South Central Iraq. S/he will oversee program implementation according to DRC strategies in Iraq and ensure that operations are implemented in compliance with DRC’s strategy, regulations, procedures, and guidelines; enable a productive and accountable relationship with beneficiaries, communities’ leaders/representatives, relevant governmental authorities, donors, national and International NGOs and UN Agencies.  The AM is the DRC’s primary representative with relevant actors in the area of responsibility; s/he is the line manager for all staff with area responsibilities and s/he is responsible for ensuring a result-oriented team. The incumbent will also ensure a safe environment for DRC staff, beneficiaries and assets through a proactive-acceptance approach using DRC’s security framework. 

Responsibilities

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Representation and Coordination

• As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), contribute to strategic visioning and direction of the country program and decide on critical issues facing the country program

• Represent all aspects of programs and operations and have overall accountability for their Area of Responsibilities? 

• Act as the primary DRC representative in South Central Governorates and attend all relevant fora/meetings

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

• Develop, implement and regularly revise a DRC engagement strategy aligned to the National Strategy

• In coordination with the CD, Head of Programs, Advocacy advisor and Regional Office ensure that the DRC program in the area contributes to DRC ´s advocacy efforts, nationally, regionally and internationally. 

• Maintain close working relationships with donors, national and international organizations and local counterparts. 

Management

• Line manage area support and program staff (Programs, Operations, administration) ensuring inter-department co-ordination; 

• Enable an effective team through result-oriented management systems, providing leadership, on-job capacity building and designing staff development strategies; Ensure detailed capacity building plan for staff is in place in collaboration with country HR manager; 

• Closely coordinate with the senior management team and sector coordinators ensuring regular information flows, adherence to sector strategies, proposal development processes and safety regulations

• Encourage a positive, innovative and mutually supportive team spirit amongst the area team. 

Programme development

• Lead the process of adapting DRC national strategy to the local context and circumstances in coordination with the Programme Managers and technical coordinators; 

• Provide guidance to the Programme Managers in developing DRC’s program in the area of operation and provide technical and context-specific input for fundraising efforts;  

• Provide regular analysis of the context and humanitarian situation in the area for the development of project proposals.  

Safety and Security

• Ensure a safe and secure environment for DRC staff, beneficiaries and assets by ensuring local security procedures are up to date and SOPs are being followed in line with the Security Management Plan and DRC policy, promoting regular staff training, providing safety and security analysis, recommendations and follows-ups.  

Accountability 

• Ensure overall provision of and compliance to DRC policies, procedures, guidelines, donor regulations, systems and standard practices. 

Operational and risk management

• Provide leadership in overseeing of all logistical/procurement, HR/administration and office services activities and ensure their timely/efficient service delivery

• Lead on recruitment of senior staff in coordination with SMT, as appropriate.  

• Ensure quality implementation of Core Competency programs ensuring optimal use of financial resources, regular project follow up, reporting, among other tasks. 

• Ensure area budgets are efficiently managed, regular budget follow up meetings held and required actions taken.
• Ensure area team cooperates audit processes in timely and efficient manner
• Ensure major financial and operational risks are identified and managed with mitigation measures.

Reporting 

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

• Participate in DRC internal coordination mechanisms (e.g. SMT, Programme meetings, etc.) as required. 

• Strengthen efforts to document the impact of DRC activities in the area. 

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to possess the following:

• Minimum 5 years demonstrated experience of managing a large team comprising of national and international staff
• Minimum 5 years of experience in multi sector project implementation 
• Experience working in fragile and insecure environments
• Experience developing and implementing organizational strategy

Education: 

• Post graduate degree in social sciences or relevant subject area 

 Languages:

• English fluent (to high standard)
• Arabic an advantage

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 uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 2 years

Band: E.M.

Designation of Duty Station: Non-family duty station

Start date: 17 November 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.

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: 22 October 2019

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