Programme Specialist - Economic Recovery

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Programme Specialist.

 About the Job

DRC’s vision for economic recovery programming is that all conflict- and displacement-affected households are able to achieve economic well-being, self-reliance, and resilience to shocks as part of finding a durable solution to displacement. In Turkey, DRC supports the economic recovery and livelihoods of Syrians under Temporary Protection (SuTP) and other vulnerable refugees and affected host communities by strengthening the employability of individuals through innovative solutions using digital technology to support emerging job sectors and improve existing business models for displacement-affected youth.

DRC Turkey is launching a new programme that focuses on enhancing economic empowerment and improving the well-being and future life chances of Syrian and displacement-affected youth in Turkey.  Dubbed as ‘Increasing Access to Digital Employment for Syrian and Displacement-affected Youth’, the programme will primarily target Syrian refugees and host youth (18-30 years old) across Turkey with special focus on Southeast Turkey (Sanliurfa, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis and Hatay) and Istanbul where youngest Syrians reside. The programme will be implemented mostly by local partners.

The programme will achieve three immediate outcomes: 1) Increased awareness and skills of technology-enabled careers, including virtual employment and entrepreneurship among youth; 2) Youth are able to earn income through tech-enabled work; and 3) Youth have improved digital and self-employment skills.

DRC in Turkey seeks a skilled and experienced Programme Specialist who will oversee the partner’s implementation and the piloting of this new programme.  The Programme Specialist will guide the technical quality management, and oversight of the implementation of the activities and tracking of progress against targets.  S/He will ensure the programme is delivered to a standard of high quality in line with DRC’s and international standards.  S/he will ensure good coordination with other actors in the sector and proactively build linkages between DRC’s implementing partners.

This role is based in DRC’s country office in Hatay and oversees programme implementation nationwide, with a specific focus on the southeastern provinces and Istanbul.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Programme Management

• Facilitate the program set-up phase
• Support and coordinate required assessments in collaboration with other stakeholders during the set-up phase
• In coordination with implementing partners, plan and coordinate the development, implementation, and execution of project activities designed to achieve the overall mission, goals, and objectives of the programme
• Oversee all facets of the day-to-day operations of the programme
• Oversee the implementation of activities in the field and ensure the engagement with partners on a regular basis
• Develop internal programme tools, monitoring tools and standard operating procedures
• Maintain programme files
• In coordination with the Economic Recovery and Protection Technical Coordinators, set-up a workflow between livelihoods and protection components of the programme

Finance/Procurement

• Monitoring spending against the budget by both DRC and the implementing partner, and propose mitigation measures for any projected underspending or overspending
• Support the monitoring of financial commitments and expenditures against budgets and provide timely feedback on budget follow-up

Progress Monitoring

• Ensure programme implementation is on time, on target and on budget using effective MEAL systems
• In coordination with the MEAL team, monitor and measure project implementation data entry and build strategy based on evidence of impact
• Conduct monitoring visits to project sites and activities
• In coordination with the MEAL team, develop programme and MEAL tools for monitoring and output tracking
• Monitor daily workflow and identify and rectify bottlenecks
• Support the set-up of complaints and feedback mechanism and using beneficiary feedback to improve the programme

Partnership Management

• Planning and attending kick-off, review, and closeout meetings with implementing partners
• Provide and/or coordinate the provision of technical guidance, consultation, related support to implementing partners
• Provide support to implementing partners in developing programme plan, budget and schedule
• Monitor performance and spending of implementing partners throughout the programme duration
• Oversee capacity building activities planned for implementing partners
• Asses the daily quality of service provided by implementing partners
• Provide guidance to implementing partners’ staff on best ways to conduct activities ensuring clarity over programme plans and priorities and encouraging effective team work
• Track and report the progress of activities, ensure the collecting of programme indicators and provide on-time internal status reports
• Maintain positive relations with the implementing partners and ensure all issues, implementation delays, etc. are addressed in a timely manner, including through providing operational coaching and support to the partners
• Harmonise programme and monitoring tools of implementing partners
• Ensure confidentiality and data security controls processes are in place

Reporting and Communication

• Oversee and/or coordinate the collection, compilation, and analysis of programme activity data; develop, write, edit, and present statistical and narrative programme reports and evaluations
• Write and review internal and external reports including donor reports
• Document programme activities, outcomes, and impact
• Develop standard messaging on how to effectively communicate programme goals and objectives with all team members, local beneficiaries, local and central government and the international community
• Submit success stories to the Communications Officer for internal/external communication, as well as for donor reporting
• Document lessons learned and best practices for dissemination within DRC, to donors and interested parties

Programme Design and Development

• Identify and advocate for opportunities to expand or replicate the programme
• Support and provide inputs on livelihoods programme development initiatives in coordination with the Economic Recovery Coordinator
• Proactively identify opportunities based on needs assessment and gap analysis

Coordination and Representation

• Liaise with heads of different support teams for any programmatic challenges and issues that may arise during programme implementation
• Keep management informed about any financial, schedule and administrative issues
• Collaborate with relevant internal and external technical experts on sector relevant issues
• Represent DRC at meetings and other relevant working group and cluster coordination meetings when required
• Support the Economic Recovery Coordinator in identifying partnership opportunities also with private sector actors, and liaising with Turkish institutions and local authorities, local NGO partners and CBOs concerning livelihoods activities and project implementation
• Promote relations and coordinate activities with other humanitarian actors as needed

Other tasks as assigned by the Economic Recovery Coordinator.

About you

To be successful in this role, you must have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, social sciences, development studies, international relations, software development, or computer programming. Graduate degree is a strong asset.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of programme management experience in humanitarian response in Turkey, working with refugees and displacement-affected host communities
• Minimum 2 years of practical experience in livelihoods interventions working for an INGO or a UN Agency
• Must have managed projects with minimum of $500,000 to $2,000,000 budget.
• Must have technical writing background.
• Field experience; experience working in Southern Turkey and Istanbul is an asset
• Knowledge of / experience implementing digital employment programming is preferred
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, researching, and report writing.
• Experience working with local implementing partners and providing guidance and capacity building
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments
• Strong multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members
• Commitment to working with vulnerable groups in need regardless of race, religion or gender
• Ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details
• Ability to work with diverse groups of people
• Conscientious, with an excellent sense of judgment
• Commitment to learning and implementing organizational policies and procedures
• High level computer and internet skills
• Full professional proficiency in English and Turkish or Arabic

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 

Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.

Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 

Communicating: Listening and speaking 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

Employment Band: G

Designation of Duty Station: Country Office (Hatay)

Start date: 01.09.2021

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Nationals.

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: 10.08.2021

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