Head of Humanitarian Disarmament & Peacebuilding

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Head of Humanitarian Disarmament & Peacebuilding (HoHDP) to be responsible for developing and supporting the HDP programmatic sector strategy in Afghanistan.

About the job

As HoHDP you will be responsible for providing technical guidance and supervision to all HDP implementing teams to ensure that required quality standards are met and projects implemented in line with DRC processes. The role of the HoHDP is to provide the overall management, oversight, and leadership to DRC HDP’s programme in Afghanistan as follows:

• The HoHDP will report to the Country Director (based in Kabul) with a technical line to the HDP Sector unit in Copenhagen and have the overall responsibility of the HDP portfolio in Afghanistan under the Country Director.
• In coordination with the other SMT members and under the lead of the Afghanistan Country Director, the HoHDP will play a key role in leading DRC’s strategic engagement in Afghanistan. The HoHDP will lead further development of HDP programming and ensure programme coherence, alignment and delivery with DRC’s global mandate and objectives.
• The HDP Head of Programme will be responsible for donor liaison and for liaison/representation with government authorities in the areas of implementation, as well as national level, under the guidance of the Country Director and in coordination with the DRC Afghanistan senior management team (SMT).

As HoHDP you will support the country DRC Head of Programme in fundraising efforts and representation when related to HDP programming and ensure HDP programmes are fully integrated into the Afghanistan program strategy. Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Strategic Direction & Programme Management:

• Lead on the development and implementation of HDP sector strategy in country
• Ensure Afghanistan’s HDP strategy is in line with DRC’s global HDP strategy and its programmatic coherence with DRC Afghanistan’s country program strategy.
• Overall accountability for the HDP portfolio in Afghanistan, including planning, implementation, financial management and monitoring.
• Manage HDP technical programme staff, including people planning, recruitment, capacity building and performance appraisal.
• Ensure a high level of quality throughout the entire HDP portfolio ranging from implementation of activities, adherence to organizational procedures as well as quality in materials delivered to donors

Internal & External Relations:

• In support of the DRC HoP and CD, act as DRC’s representative for the HDP sector and take an active role in establishing and maintaining stakeholder relationships including donors, authorities, the UN and other mine action operators.
• Actively support the DRC HoP in seeking opportunities for fundraising and future development of the HDP portfolio in line with Afghanistan’s program strategy.
• Manage HDP partner relations in line with DRC partnership guidelines.
• Ensure that quality reporting is delivered to the Mine Action authority in a timely manner.
• Coordinate regularly with HQ HDP focal persons within DRC on matters of programme development, implementation, and quality.
• Provide regular operational, technical and strategic updates on HDP programming to senior management in DRC Afghanistan.
• Participate actively in SMT meetings and decision-making processes.
• Support the integration of programming across all sectors with specific emphasis on HDP programming including external stakeholder engagement and coordination and providing internal capacity building as required.

Operational Oversight:

• Ensure that authorizations for and operational planning of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams, Battle Area Clearance (BAC) Teams, Mine Clearance Teams, Community Liaison, EORE and possible peacebuilding activities is carried out.
• Maintain a Quality Management (QM) structure that includes monitoring the impact of HDP programming as well as productivity (outputs) and adherence to operational Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in the field.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a Master’s degree in a relevant field as well as at least 7 years' experience in a relevant field and at least 4 years' experience with people management. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• Experience in managing programme operations, including at country senior management level.
• Proven leadership skills and a competence in people management.
• Familiarity with relevant evolving HMA concepts and operations including discussions on humanitarian IED responses.
• Experience with proposal development, budget development, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience with effectively coordinating with national partners, local/government authorities, NGO partners, mine action donors and other relevant stakeholders.
• Proven ability to mentor and coach others. Staff management is important in this position.
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy.
• The capacity and willingness to be flexible and accommodating in difficult and insecure circumstances.
• English (fluent)

Desirable

• Dari and/or Pashto is an asset.
• Experience developing and/or managing peacebuilding type programmes.
• Experience in programmatic design of integrated responses.

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: 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

Level: Senior Management, E

Designation of Duty Station: Kabul, with frequent travel to field locations, non-family duty station

Start date: 1 December

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

Application process

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: 20 September

For questions regarding the vacancy please contact Rune Bech Persson via rune.bech.persson@drc.ngo.

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