Livelihoods Manager

Are you ready to pursue an exciting opportunity with a progressive humanitarian organisation in a senior management role? Would you thrive working in one of the world’s most challening regions for complex humanitarian operations?

Who are we?

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 of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

DRC Syria

DRC has been actively operating in Syria since 2008 mainly supporting refugees. In June 2012, DRC was authorized by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to expand its humanitarian efforts and provide assistance to IDPs and the vulnerable resident population countrywide. Since then, DRC activities have been focused on NFI distributions, Shelter, WASH, Protection, Education, Livelihoods and Mine Risk Education in six Governorates (Damascus, Rural Damascus, Dara'a, Aleppo, Hama, and Homs). While Protection/community service activities are provided to beneficiaries throughout our six Community Centers.

About the job

The Livelihoods (LLH) Manager is responsible for the effective implementation and delivery of DRC’s Economic Recovery  (Ec-Rec) programme (basic needs, livelihoods and financial inclusion) in Syria. The LLH Manager is expected to provide technical guidance and leadership in all the aspects of the management of the program, including project implementation, planning and supervision of activities, coordination with stakeholders, management of staff and budget, monitoring, reporting as well as strategy development and programme design. The LLH Manager will also participate and represent DRC in coordination meetings, in line with agreed DRC advocacy and programming strategy.

Programme activities include multipurpose cash assistance, life and vocational skills training, internship/job placements as well as support to home-based small businesses (business development services, capital investment, micro-grants etc.); and promotion of financial inclusion.  

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

Programme Implementation & development

• Provide overall leadership, management and technical direction of the economic recovery programme, in coordination with and as agreed technically with the Head of Programme (HOP) and the Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator;
• Plan and implement economic recovery activities, in a quality and timely manner, with the guidance of the HOP, including but not limited to: participatory market assessment; life and vocational skills trainings, business development skills trainings, design of business plans and provision of grants for small businesses or self-employment, ongoing business mentoring, internship placements, linkages with relevant market actors including  vocational training service providers, etc;
• Develop and manage tools and processes pertaining to the effective management of the program, including project workplans, monthly workplans, weekly team meetings, etc. Oversee the planning and implementation of activities by program staff to ensure the effective and timely implementation of all projects
• Develop and lead the team to undertake needs assessments to inform program design and strategic direction
• Ensure that plans are informed by sound analysis, with consultations with teams and concerned stakeholders and that programme activities and modalities are devised in promotion of DRC's values, culture and beliefs; and is gender and conflict sensitive.
• Uphold the professional standards related to Economic Recovery programming in humanitarian assistance, in particular the Minimum Economic Recovery Standards (MERS).
• Develop and share with team DRC's Economic Recovery programme monitoring and implementation tools/ guidance docs such as SOPs, tools and forms aligned with standards and monitoring framework.
• Facilitate ongoing communications with relevant partners throughout the project cycle;
• Take lead in building partnerships with public and private sector actors to link the target groups to markets and facilitate access to (waged and self-) employment opportunities.
• Provide inputs for the development of DRC Syria’ s Economic Recovery strategy, theories of change and operational research initiatives;
• Assist in the identification of strong local partners/stakeholders and potential programme synergies to develop for future opportunities;
• Ensure market price monitoring is conducted in the areas of intervention on a monthly basis and subsequently provide analysis of key market trends, price inflation, market functionality and commodities availability amongst others;
• Plan, coordinate and supervise the launch of assessments, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions on economic recovery activities;
• Manage the CVA component of the Economic Recovery project and ensure the distributions of multipurpose cash assistance are conducted in a safe and accountable manner;
• Complete regular field visits to deliver technical oversight, identify needs, provide support, troubleshoot, strengthen capacity, and ensure quality programming (when possible)
• Lead on integrating Economic Recovery activities, with other core DRC programming in particular Protection and HPD

Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning & Grants Management

• Establish and provide overall oversight on monitoring at output/outcome/impact levels, in accordance with project M&E Plans. This includes developing and reviewing program monitoring and implementation tools/guidance documents such as SOPs, tools and forms - ensuring team remain on track as per agreed donor commitments as well as technical standards applicable to specific activities. 
• Work collaboratively and render technical advice from Regional Tech Coordinator to fine-tune plans/modalities where required. This includes requesting their contribution to the daily operation and strategy and assure operational quality and compliance
• In coordination with the PDQ Manager and the Information Management Officer, develop information management systems that support the effective implementation of the Ec-rec activities. To this end, define clear programmatic needs and objectives, and support the development of suitable information management platforms, tools and processes. This may include supervising the effective collection, management and consolidation of program-related data to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• Ensure learning from the Ec-rec programme is documented/captured, consolidated and disseminated, contributing to knowledge building and sharing within Syria and globally to influence policies and programme planning. Aactively participate in the exchange of best practice and resources and contribute to the development of strategies resources and documents related to protection and advocacy
• Work closely with the Head of Programme and the PDQ Manager to identify funding opportunities; leading in the development of  protection/RE proposals and on any revisions based on identified gaps and needs as well as strategic priorities. This includes defining program activities, log frames and budgets based on baseline assessments and internal learning.
• Provide technical inputs to donor financial and narrative reports so as to ensure accurate, coherent and timely reporting.
• Support all efforts at accountability to local communities and other beneficiaries, engaging all relevant actors in participatory design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programming
• Uphold the highest standard of data responsibility when managing records to ensure beneficiary dignity and privacy;

Representation and coordination

• Develop and strengthen relationships with local partners such as SARC , private sector actors, stakeholders and communities in order to maintain trust in DRC’s professional standards and quality of work among all stakeholders;
• Coordinate activities and planning at the technical and operational level with other sectors to ensure effective collaboration and synergies on the implementation of projects. To this end, contribute to the joint planning of activities and services referrals pathways.
• Support the HOP in identifying and developing opportunities for new collaborative partnerships with international and national NGOs, local government actors, donors, and other stakeholders
• Represent DRC at field-level coordination forums (i.e. Cash and Markets Working Group and Early Recovery and Livelihoods Sector, Food and Agricultural Sector)  as agreed with the HoP;
• Regularly update mapping of stakeholders implementing Economic Recovery programmes in area of intervention;

Operations/Support

• In coordination with the HOP, ensure the effective financial management of the differents projects budgets. To this end, plan and authorize expenditures as per existing budgets, review BFUs, produce budget forecasts and cash flow projections, anticipate potential over/under spending and inform the HOP
• If changes/adjustments to donor agreed budgets/outcomes/outputs are required – work with HOP & PDQ Manager to justify the change
• Support the team to ensure their understanding of delegated budget lines
• Monitor and update spend in the project management tool (PMT)
• Work with Head of Support Services and relevant support depts on procurement plans, delivery schedule etc.
• In coordination with the Support Services team and HOP, oversee the effective management of operations support activities so as to ensure the effective implementation of the program. To this end, develop procurement plans and coordinate the timely procurement and effective management of the goods and services, including items related to direct assistance activities.

Human Resources

• Recruit, manage and supervise staff working for the protection program as per DRC performance management processes.
• Define organogram and ToRs, develop staffing plans, conduct recruitment processes and performance appraisals, coordinate missions’ plans, leave schedules, etc.
• With support of the Regional Ec-Rec Coordinator, develop and deliver capacity building plans for the Economic Recovery Staff, mentoring staff on a day to day basis
• Promote a professional environment conducive to collaboration, team work and professional development.
• Uphold compliance of program staff with the applicable standards related to economic recovery programming, code of conduct, as well as additional internal DRC procedures and guidelines related to human resources.
• Provide remote program management as need be, ensuring that staff members remained briefed & well supported
• Coordinate and hold regular team meetings, supporting TLs and ensuring key information is communicated and actions are followed up.

Other

• Conduct other tasks as requested by the HOP for the effective implementation of DRC’s projects, including support to capacity-building and proposal development activities and other duties.

Required:

Experience and technical competencies:

• At least five years of management experience in Economic Recovery (livelihoods, financial inclusion) and Cash and Voucher Assistance programmes with an INGO. Programming experience in displacement contexts, including in protracted situations and fragile context is an asset/preferred
• Solid technical experience in implementing market-based income generation promotion (waged and self-employed). Previous experience implementing multipurpose cash assistance programme components is strongly recommended
• Solid experience in project development and management; including ability to lead on assessments, design, implementation, monitoring; with good skills in donor reporting, budget and data management, accountability and compliance
• Prior experience in managing/capacity strengthening staff and leading teams
• Demonstrated ability in conceptual, analytical and critical thinking with the ability to develop programmatic or advocacy strategies towards greater quality and impact
• Strong capacity in influencing and engaging a range of stakeholders; with proven representational skills and the ability to advocate in line with humanitarian principles
• Strong capacity building, facilitation, and presentation skills with the ability to provide internal trainings
• Ability to work flexibly in a diverse team; with strong interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Commitment to integrate gender, conflict sensitivity and accountability into programming

Education:

University Degree or higher education in the field of Business Administration, social sciences, Economics, political sciences, development or any other related field

Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Arabic is an asset.

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.

We offer

Contract length: Till the end of December-2021

Level: F Management

Location: Syria

Expected Start date: 16th May, 2021

Application process

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button.
All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV only applications will not be considered.

Applications close 11th April 2021.

Need further information?

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/jobsupport.

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