Durable Solutions Platform – Regional Solutions Specialist (Programme)

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 challenging humanitarian regions, the Middle East?

Who are we?

Danish Refugee Council is a leading humanitarian agency pursuing our mandate to protect and promote durable solutions to displacement-affected populations based on humanitarian principles. DRC applies a regional approach with operational presence in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey & Yemen with a Middle East Regional Office (MERO) based in Amman, Jordan, which has 30 staff. Overall in the region DRC Middle East has more than 1,800 staff and an operating budget of USD 120 million.

About the job

The Durable Solutions Specialist (Programme) will lead on operationalizing the ‘‘Programme Support’’ pillar of the DSP strategy, as well as managing relevant research projects in the region as necessary.    

Background

The search for durable solutions to the protracted displacement stemming from the Syrian crisis is a key humanitarian and development necessity for the Middle East. This search for durable solutions is a regional, cross-border issue and demands a multi-sectorial response that goes beyond the existing humanitarian agenda. The discussion around the options and rights of the displaced are highly politicised.

The Durable Solutions Platform (DSP) is a joint initiative of Action Against Hunger (AAH), Danish Refugee Council (DRC), the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Oxfam and Save the Children. The objective of this platform is to generate knowledge and promote dialogue and strategic programme approaches to the long term future of Syrian refugees and internally displaced people based on international best practice and principles for preparing and supporting durable solutions for people in displacement.

The platform’s work consists of research, stakeholder engagement, advocacy and liaison with civil society. The platform’s research assists NGOs in developing joint programmatic principles and strategies, continue advocacy work, develop guidance on mechanisms for cross border programming, and take this common approach for leverage with donors and stakeholders.

The platform consists of a small team and is hosted by the DRC regional office in Amman, Jordan.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Durable Solutions Platform Manager, the Specialist will:

Durable solutions programming support and research (40%)

• Roll out existing and develop forthcoming training manuals on durable solutions programming, including through conducting needs assessments and coordinating trainings
• Improve the knowledge base on durable solutions programming by leading on research proposals, methodological frameworks and data analysis plans that aim to support programming for durable solutions, using both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, in collaboration with DSP members and external stakeholders
• Collate good practices in programming from the region and make them available in an easily digestible format for target audiences of practitioners and policy makers
• Develop durable solutions mainstreaming and guidance tools drawing from the DSP Syria solutions analytical framework completed in 2021, and otherwise providing practical and technical guidance to programmers focusing on design, implementation and monitoring of durable solutions.
• Lead on drafting briefing notes and relevant papers, while engaging relevant stakeholders on how to support durable solutions programming in their roles as implementers, policy makers, donors, researchers etc. including through learning events such as roundtable discussions.
• Contribute to DSP’s role as a knowledge hub, including by building the resource library on durable solutions programming for the Syrians in the Middle East

Research (30%):

• Lead on designated research projects related to durable solutions primarily in Syrian refugee hosting countries
• Develop research proposals, methodological frameworks and data analysis plans, using both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
• Manage consultants (individuals or teams) for designated research projects.
• Provide support to the design and organization of seminars, workshops, and conferences relating to the relevant research initiatives
• Develop research reports, briefing papers and fact sheets

Representation (10%):

• Develop and maintain a network among the INGO community and UN agencies
• Deliver presentations and briefings on the results of the “Programming pillar” and relevant research to internal and external stakeholders
• Provide technical support to relevant stakeholders on durable solutions when needed

Management (10%):

• Manage consultants (individuals or teams) for designated projects
• Be accountable for the assigned budget and track spending

Administration (10%)

• Manage administration for consultancy activities, sub-contracting and information management for the assigned pillar

About you

Experience and technical competencies

• At least (5) years of experience in programme development and management
• At least (3) years of experience in research (either through programme support or separately)
• Demonstrated experience in developing tools and guidance notes
• Proven experience in delivering training
• Experience developing briefing notes and conducting seminars and roundtables
• Experience in leading on research initiatives
• A strong networker
• Excellent quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills
• Expertise on displacement issues in a humanitarian is highly desirable
• Experience in the Middle East is desirable

Education

• Advanced university degree or equivalent in the social sciences, preferably with a focus on migration, displacement or humanitarian emergencies
• Sound knowledge of social science research methodologies
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to easily establish and maintain relationships with people from a wide variety of backgrounds

Languages

• Excellent English language skills.
• Good command of Arabic and drafting skills in Arabic is an advantage

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s 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: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 12 months

Start date: October 1st, 2021

Duty station: Amman with frequent travel in the region

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates or Nationals. This position will be placed at Non-Management (G1) band.

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: August 19th, 2021

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