Programme Coordinator

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. 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. 

Background 

The Danish Refugee Council initiated its activities in the island of Lesvos in November 2015 due to the unprecedented influx of asylum seekers. Following new political developments and displacement dynamics in early 2016, DRC expanded its activities to the mainland to support the people living in several sites across the country. With offices in Athens, Larissa and Thessaloniki, it currently implements a wide range of activities, including Site Management Support, legal assistance, identification of individual needs and protection of highly vulnerable persons, access to services within and outside the hosting sites through cultural mediation, and non-formal education. DRC works closely with the refugee communities, the Greek authorities and other humanitarian actors to ensure a protective environment for refugees and asylum seekers in Greece.  

Purpose 

The Programme Coordinator supports the effective management of programs according to DRC’s organizational standards. The position requires a high degree of responsibility, flexibility, and understanding of complex organizational charts including horizontal liaising among different senior managers. The Programme Coordinator will belong to the Programme Technical Unit (PTU), reporting to the Head of Programmes (HoP), and working in close coordination with all senior managers in Greece. 

In collaboration with all PTU members the Programme Coordinator will:  

• Work to develop and manage DRC humanitarian programming centered around strengthening of protection and resilience, for persons of concern (PoC).  
• Manage provision of direct humanitarian assistance and strengthening of partners, including identification and capacity development of local authorities and civil society organizations. 
• Represent DRC in relevant humanitarian coordination fora, engaging with UN & INGO counterparts and proactively seeking to shape agendas in line with DRC and humanitarian priorities. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

Key responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following: 

Support the HoP to ensure standards, quality, and accountability in project/programme cycle management, and in the development of new programme proposals, while also supporting in the development of innovative, and strategic partnerships with international, regional, local, public, and private actors, including relevant authorities, humanitarian actors, and civil society. 

• Technical Line Management and Implementation of DRC humanitarian portfolio  
• Provide technical guidance and support in implementing projects/programs in line with relevant strategies that have been agreed by Senior Management and are compliant with donor regulations.  
• Oversee programme quality of assigned current and proposed projects; 
• Ensure compliance of current & proposed projects within the scope of DRC programme department;  
• In coordination with other PTU members, ensure positions are staffed and projects are on track;  
• Develop clear lines of communication between project staff and partners;  
• Develop tools and processes to capture, share and incorporate lessons learned and best practices to inform and enhance quality of programming; 
• Work with PTU advisors to ensure that relevant tools and means of verification are used to implement activities as stated in the Programme Handbook;  
• Review relevant Activity Briefs and ensure that program implementation takes place in a manner that does not jeopardize reporting congruence and harmonization across areas and sites; 
• Review and update Programme Handbook quarterly in response to required changes in program strategy. 

Strategy, grant management, and resource mobilization 

• Supporting DRC senior managers in designing programmatic strategies, based upon relevant assessments and stakeholder analyses. This involves: 
• Update and maintain a DRC narrative based on the evolving context; 
• Write project proposals and reports or coordinate the writing of proposals and reports; 
• Liaise with donors for issues concerning ongoing and new projects, as needed; 
• Coordinate assessments, allowing for strong evidence-based programme design; 
• Identify opportunities to support growth and programme development; 
• Drafting of documents and tools to make strategies actionable and measurable. 

Representation and Partnerships 

• Represent DRC, maintain old and develop new partnerships aiming to improve DRC’s image and scope, based on the strategic priorities that have been set, by: 
• Represent DRC in external programme and sectoral meeting as needed; 
• Identify opportunities to develop new partnerships, in line with the country office’s strategic priorities; 
• Lead and coordinate partnership assessments for DRC's local partners; 
• Draft Memorandums of Understandings and other partnership documents and tools, to facilitate partnerships as necessary; 
• Create tools and mechanisms for tracking of partner project implementation; 
• Maintain a line of communication with existing partners, and support Areas Offices in technical management of partnerships. 

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Support relevant PTU members in monitoring DRC programme as required (reporting tools, etc.). 
• Conduct field visits and/or missions in-country and abroad as needed trainings, management meetings, etc. 

Other Duties 

Manage any other ad hoc task related to programme as required by the HoP;  

Required Qualifications 

• University degree in development and humanitarian studies, international relations, management, social science or related field;   
• At least 5 years' prior experience in a project/program management role;  
• Skills and experience in project/program planning, delivery, monitoring, reporting, review and evaluation;  
• Skills in fundraising, budget management and donor reporting/ accountability/ compliance;  
• Ability to produce timely project proposals and high-quality reports;  
• Extensive experience in representation and networking;  
• Excellent analytical and strategic skills;  
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with local staff and other stakeholders;  
• Excellent negotiation, advocacy and communication skills;   
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English;  
• Knowledge of displacement issues and local context in Greece is a clear asset; 
• Ability to speak Greek is an added advantage. 

Terms and Conditions  

The contract will be under the Greek Labor Law, and 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.   
 

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 21st of June 2020. 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.