Country Director

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Country Director to manage our Myanmar Operations.

About the programme

DRC has been operating in Myanmar since 2009 and broadened its presence in June 2012 via the Danish Demining Group (DDG) - DRC’s division for Mine Action. DRC is currently engaged in responses in Rakhine, Kachin, Kayah and Northern Shan. 

DRC's response is targeting displaced and displacement affected communities and other vulnerable communities in some of the most deprived areas of Myanmar. Key activities include protection (including Child Protection, GBV and Protection Monitoring), CCCM, WASH, Livelihoods, shelter and mine action.

DRC Myanmar currently employs over 280 national, 24 international staff and operates from six operational offices. DRC’s main office is in Yangon; the main donors of DRC in Myanmar include ECHO, OFDA, UNICEF, UNHCR, DANIDA, SDC, DFAT, LIFT, USAID, DFID, EC and private donors

About the job

The Country Director will provide overall leadership and strategic direction with the overall responsibility for the day-to-day management, programming, implementation, fundraising and continued development of DRC’s programme in Myanmar. More specifically, the Country Director will:

• Represent DRC within Myanmar to partners, donors and duty bearers and to promote an optimal operational space for pursuing DRCs strategic priorities in coordination with all relevant entities
• Lead and ensure the implementation of strategic direction of DRC’s operation in Myanmar in line with the corporate strategic direction and interests
• Ensure that the country programme is organized and managed in order to pursue opportunities
• Ensure compliance with DRC procedures and policies and for the timely and efficient implementation, management and reporting on the resources entrusted DRC in Myanmar by donors and partners.
• Lead the process of applying for funding and maintaining a broad funding basis
• Overall responsible for risk management, safety and duty of care for national and international staff.

The Country Director reports to the Regional Director, Asia, currently based in DRC HQ Copenhagen.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect the following:

• Minimum 5 years of senior management experience in emergency and/or post-conflict settings preferable with IDPs and/or refugees in a humanitarian agency
• Relevant educational background (e.g. political science, international development, economics).
• Proven experience working with protection issues within the context of refugees and IDPs
• Proven experience of strategic programming and planning, organisational development, field implementation, monitoring and evaluation
• Solid experience with financial management, human resource development and logistics.
• Ability to motivate and guide staff working in a complex environment.
• A strong ability to collaborate, network and negotiate with Local partners; Governments, UN, donors and other NGOs including proven experience in developing fundraising strategies.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, advocacy and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines in a changing and insecure environment.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Security management experience and familiarity with remote management is an advantage.
• Work experience with DRC/DDG is an advantage
• Work experience from South East Asia is an advantage

We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of nationality, race, gender or age.

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 uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 2 years

Band: D

Designation of Duty Station: Yangon l Non-Family duty station

Start date: August 2022

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact Mikkel Trolle at mikkel.trolle@drc.ngo Applications sent by email will not be considered.

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: 19 June 2022

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