Area Manager

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs is currently looking for a highly qualified Spanish and English-speaking Area Manager (AM) based in Bogota, for a 12-month contract (renewable for depending on funding) in Colombia. This is an opportunity for an experienced and dynamic professional to support and strengthen DRC programme in Colombia.

DRC established operational presence in Colombia in 2011 with focus on Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) and providing support to conflict-affected population in the south of the country. With the onset of the large mixed migration flows into Colombia due to the Venezuelan crisis, DRC started up an integrated humanitarian response in 2018 to meet the urgent needs of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, Colombian returnees, and host communities. Hence, DRC has been able to assist the Colombian population, Venezuelan refugees, migrants and host communities through its integrated humanitarian response. Primarily based on protection activities (protection monitoring, individual protection assistance and legal assistance), the response also includes components of Camp Coordination and Camp Management (Transit camp of Maicao), Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) and cash for Rent, No Food Items distributions, livelihood interventions, prevention and response to Gender Based Violence (GBV). Through its humanitarian Demining unit conducts Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) programming in the department of Caquetá and Bolivar. DRC is also assisting Internally Displaced People (IDP) providing emergency aid in Nariño and Norte de Santander.  

Currently, DRC Colombia’s programming is taking place in some of Colombia’s most vulnerable areas such as the Caribbean coastal areas (Riohacha and Barranquilla), urban centers (Bogota, Cundinamarca and Medellin), Norte de Santander and southern Colombia (Caquetá and Nariño).

About the job

The primary objective of the Area Manager – Central Colombia will be, together the Country Director, Head of Programme and Support Services, to ensure the timely and effective delivery of assistance and services to the target population.

Under the Country Director Colombia direct line management, the Area Manager will be based in Bogota Office, and will be responsible for the overall management and activity implementation in: Bogota, Medellin and Cundinamarca. The position includes extensive travel to the field offices in the mentioned areas as well as occasional visits to hosting areas: rural areas, cities for assessment, and meetings with partners and donors as necessary.

The position will include the line management of a 70 staff members team, staff capacity building on mixed migration response programming, support tasks and procedures.    

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:                                                         

Management    

• Line manage area support and programme staff
• Ensure inter-department co-ordination at area level;
• Closely coordinate with the senior management team ensuring regular information flows;
• People management of direct reports (including development, people planning and performance);
• With supervisors, supervise the programme activities budget lines; ensuring effective and efficient use of resources including financial, human and all assets;
• Ensure overall provision of and adherence to DRC policies (including Code of Conduct), procedures, guidelines, systems and standard practices;
• Provide leadership in overseeing logistical/procurement, Human Resources/administration and office services activities and ensure their timely/efficient delivering.

Representation, coordination and reporting 

• Primary DRC representative in the area of operation and attend with support from DRC technical staff all relevant fora/meetings (GIFMM) in order to strengthen DRC/DDG’s position;
• Foster relationships with Government authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the area of operation;
• Support working relationships with donors, national and international organizations and local counterparts;
• Comply with internal reporting requirements, contribute to, and provide quality assurance of external reports from area of operation;

Programme development

• Lead the process of adapting DRC/DDG national strategy to the local context and circumstances;
• Provide regular analysis on the context and humanitarian situation in the area for the development of project proposals and safety assessments in cooperation with the Country Director and programme staff.

Safety and safeguarding       

• Ensure a safe and secure environment for DRC staff, beneficiaries and assets by ensuring the local security procedures are up to date and SOPs are being followed in line with the SMP and DRC policy.
• Responsible for ensuring Staff and persons of interest safeguarding within the Area                   

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility;
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources;
• Accountable for people management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.;
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC;

About you

In order to be successful, we expect the following:

Required                                                                                   

• Master's degree in political science, international development, humanitarian assistance, economics or other relevant fields from a top-tier university;
• Or Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields with 3 years’ working experience in similar positions.      
• Minimum 5 years' experience in relevant field overseeing humanitarian and development multi-sector, multi-donor programmes in complex and volatile environments;
• At least 5 years' experience in people management;   
• Strong leadership skills and a competence in people management;
• Extended experience in managing integrated humanitarian programmes including protection, Shelter, WASH, Assistance through cash modalities, NFIs, and livelihood; 
• Practical and extensive financial, Human Resources and administration management;
• External stakeholder management (especially with local authorities);
• Previous experience with DRC or in Colombia is an asset
• Proven excellent communication and report writing skills; 
• Full proficiency in Spanish and English is mandatory. 

Desirable

• Calm and diplomatic in nature;
• Ability to manage competing priorities and to meet deadlines;
• Effective team-player;
• For this role, the best candidate will also demonstrate ability to think beyond evidence, to deliver results and solve problems. He/She will show wit and ambition as well as a longsighted mindset.     

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

• Commencement: No later than July 1st 2022
• Duty station: Bogota, Colombia, with travels
• Contract length: 12 months renewable depending on funding.
• Position Level: Band E within Colombia or DRC international salary scale
• Designation of Duty Station: Family duty station – Accompanied for International contract

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 Irene Cabrera Roda: irene.cabrera@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: 01 June 2022

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