Regional Programme Manager

Unit/department: Programme, DRC Asia Regional Office

Location: Temporarily based in the RO Dhaka; to be subsequently relocated to Bangkok, pending DRC’s registration in Thailand

Overall purpose of the role:

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization which places a primacy on promoting a rights-based approach to humanitarian aid with a commitment to protection at the core of its mission. DRC’s regional presence in Asia consists of country operations in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, with regional programmes in Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. In addition, DRC hosts two platforms in the region, namely the Mixed Migration Centre – Asia (MMC) and the Asia Displacement Solutions Platform (ADSP).

This position is responsible for managing and monitoring the effective implementation of active regional projects in the Asia region. Currently, this includes:

• ECHO funded “Protecting Rohingya Refugees in Asia” (PRRiA) activities in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand implemented by three partners.
• Danida funded Civil Society Engagement

In addition, the Asia regional office is seeking to develop two further regional projects which this position will be expected to support in fundraising and developing the project design for.

The position ensures effective management of the regional projects and collaboration amongst the partners, providing the vital guidance and monitoring to guarantee that the timely implementation of the regional projects is carried out in alignment with DRC and donor regulations.

The position is directly supervised by the Regional Head of Programme - Asia and works hand in hand with the Regional Technical Coordinators for MEAL, Protection, Advocacy, and Communications, as well as the Regional Head of Support Services.

Responsibilities:

PROJECT MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPEMENT

• ECHO PRRiA: the project is a flagship project for the DRC Asia region. The position will be key in not only leading the implementation of the ongoing project, but to equally seek/explore further funding opportunities to expand upon the concept of the project for continued programming.
• Danida Civ Society Engagement: Another flagship project for the region, the project will lead the region in establishing a baseline to implementing the DRC’s global CSE policy and contribute to the development of the region’s own thinking and policy toward engaging sustainably and equitably with civil society partners.
• Convene and chair monthly Technical Working Group, quarterly Project Coordination Unit meetings, and monthly Budget Follow-up meetings, to review the progress of activities, analyze results, prompt reflection and learning, and respond to the strategic and operational needs of the project, as well as discuss budget/financial issues, disseminate minutes and follow up on action points.
• Coordinate the development of all technical tools related to both projects (SOPs, ToRs for consultants and evaluators) and ensure the implementation of capacity building activities planned by DRC for project partners.
• Seek opportunities for future regional project funding and develop sustainability into ongoing regional projects

PROJECT CYCLE MANAGEMENT, QUALITY ASSURANCE & GRANTS MANAGEMENT

• In collaboration with project partners, DRC regional Technical Coordinators, DRC regional Support Services (Finance and Procurement) ensure that the implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and learning emanating from the regional project activities are carried out in accordance with DRC standards and meet the goals and objectives of the project design as well as the compliance requirements of the respective donors.
• Support the active implementation of the MEAL framework and accountability systems in coordination with project partners
• Coordinate the project’s communication and visibility activities including media visits, videos, etc.
• Ensure adherence of project partners to approved budgets, report on a monthly basis to Regional Head of Programme on overall burn rates, and prepare proposals for budget reallocations and/or Modification Requests to the donor, per the requirement with adequate justification.
• Oversee all financial transfers to project partners in accordance with approved budgets, in coordination with DRC Regional Head of Support Services. 
• Ensure that donor rules and procedures are understood and respected by all parties, sharing information, assessing partner capacity gaps, and facilitating trainings as identified/required on proposed systems and processes.
• Ensure abidance by DRC and donor financial and procurement procedures with maximum cost effectiveness
• Ensure timely development and submission of donor reports by collecting and consolidating partner narrative and financial reports for sign-off from Regional Head of Programme.

REPRESENTATION

• Represent the project to key stakeholders and provide them with information about project objectives, risks, constraints and progress, ensuring positive and constructive working relationships

Experience and technical competencies:

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of overseas work experience in project management (planning, monitoring, evaluation) in humanitarian context, including in a leading position for an I/NGO
• At least 2 years of experience in partnership or consortium management with demonstrated success as a consortium manager
• Strong experience in managing ECHO-funded projects and familiarity with ECHO regulations
• Contextual knowledge of the Asia region, particularly of the displacement trends and protection risks faced by Rohingya refugees in South East Asia, especially in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand (not limited to Bangladesh)
• Broad knowledge and experience in budget management
• Excellent communication and report writing skills in English
• Excellent planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities.

Desired Qualifications

• Strong technical background in MEAL
• Field experience working on Rohingya issues from one of the project implementation countries is an added advantage 
• Having a clear understanding of the regional protection concerns and proven skills in advocacy work in the Asia region
• Good IT command 

Education: 

Master’s degree in International Development, Human Rights, Social Work, or similar. Qualifications in migration or refugee issues preferred.

Languages:

English (fluent)