SMS Manager

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

1. Background

DRC has been operating in Greece since December 2015, providing support to the Greek Ministry of Migration Policy in ensuring dignified reception conditions for refugees and migrants arriving on Lesvos island. In March 2016, DRC expanded its operations in Athens, in response to the changing context and the build-up of refugee population on mainland Greece.

2. Purpose

Under the direct line management of DRC’s Attica Area Manager and the technical line management of the National SMS Coordinator, the SMS Manager will be responsible for managing the SMS Team Leaders in Attica sites to ensure access to services for DRC Greece beneficiaries. The role will entail regular visits to all DRC Greece supported sites in the Attica region, oversight of all SMS programme activities to ensure quality programming and compliance with agreed upon strategies and processes, identifying needs for capacity building within the team and further building and strengthening the relationships with relevant stakeholders including Greek authorities, humanitarian actors and other CSO. Furthermore, the SMS Manager will ensure field level protection mainstreaming throughout DRC Greece SMS activities and promote a multi-sectoral and integrated approach to site management considering sectors such as shelter, WaSH, food and NFI distribution, community participation and protection.

3. Duties & Responsibilities

Programme Management and Implementation 

• Coordinate, plan and monitor project activities
• Ensure the highest quality of the sectoral interventions, and the coherence between all projects, ongoing and proposed, according to the overall DRC Greece SMS strategy
• Take leadership of the project programs in terms of high quality and timely deliveries, narrative reporting and financial overviews, in close cooperation with and via representation to Government counterparts and coordination mechanisms on site and in synergy with other DRC interventions in the area
• Provide overall budget monitoring, financial management and expenses control for the project activities, including compliance with minimum DRC and donor requirements

• Foster effective communication and synergies between DRC units and sector-specific technical advisors to ensure close collaboration and coordination and high-quality SMS programming.
• Lead SMS staff to identify gaps and needs in service provision in sites and develop proactive solutions and strategies in agreement with the responsible Greek authorities.
• Contribute to development of project related operational tools and training modules
• Provide input for monthly, quarterly and annual donor reports
• Ensure programmatic needs, gaps and identified issues are shared with the Area Manager, the National SMS Coordinator and DRC units as needed
• With the support of the Area Manager and the National SMS coordinator collaborate with the protection unit to strengthen communication with communities and community participation by identifying beneficiary information needs, and creating and rolling out awareness-raising materials and activities;

Programme Development and Strategy

• Representation of DRC and active participation in sectoral and relevant sub sectors/working groups
• Oversee knowledge sharing across SMS teams, and ensure that monitoring and evaluation results are understood and used to improve and harmonize programs
• Drive the development and growth of the relevant programs within the DRC program objectives and feed into country-wide SMS strategy and tool development

Accountability and Reporting 

• Guided by the DRC Programme Handbook, continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives within relevant project program as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of activities
• Ensure compliance with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement and F-CRM
• Ensure that projects and associated activities are implemented in accordance with agreed strategies, principles, implementation plans, and donor requirements.

Staff Management 

• Lead and manage project staff members including coaching, ensuring coordination, recruitment, and capacity development
• Provide on the job training as much as required and adapt trainings/coaching to specific staff needs
• Support site-level recruitment processes and ensure that relevant staffing structures are in place. 
• Collaborate with the Athens human resources department to ensure staff evaluations are conducted on a regular basis.  

Logistics and Procurement 

• Collaborate with field staff and the Athens-based logistics and procurement team to develop and maintain comprehensive procurement plans. 
• Collaborate with the Athens-based logistics and procurement team to ensure field-based records are well managed, fulfill DRC and donor requirements, and are always up-to-date for use in donor reports.  
• Regularly review procurement plans with the procurement and logistics and finance teams to adjust spending as required in advance of project closure.  

Security

• Comply with DRC safety and security procedures including Chapters 19 and 20 of the organization’s Operations Handbook.   
• Ensure that security incidents at the site-level are reported to the Country Director and Area Manager in a timely manner according to organizational procedures. 

4. Required Qualifications

• 2 to 4 years’ experience minimum in CCCM/SMS at a managerial level as coordinator or manager level with an international NGO, UN agency; experience in an emergency context is a strong asset;
• University degree in Political science, International Relations, Law, Social sciences or related field; 
• Experience in Shelter/NFIs, WASH sector activities is a strong asset;
• Basic understanding of Protection Sector in refugee sites;
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills, working with different groups, partners and nationalities;
• Professional fluency in written and spoken Greek and English;
• Ability to work in a demanding and dynamic working environment.
• Strong computer skills and a good sense of humor

5. Required Skills & Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC:
  • Striving for excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Taking the lead
  • Communication
  • Demonstrating Integrity

6. Terms & Conditions

• The contract will be under the Greek Labor Law (this is a national position)
• All allowances will be provided to the employees (Christmas, Easter, Vacation bonus)
• DRC provides training opportunities to develop and strengthen the quality of its services as well as its staff members’ professional and personal development.
• The position will be based in Attika (Greece) and national terms and conditions apply

7. Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position on line: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process. However, applicants must be aware that DRC cannot systemically sponsor non-EU citizen or non-Greek resident for all the steps of legal process to get a work permit and/or a residency permit in Greece.

Applications close on the 12th of November 2019. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.