Country Director

Danish Refugee Council is a leading protection agency pursuing our mandate to protect and promote durable solutions to displacement-affected populations based on humanitarian principles.

DRC has been present in Türkiye since 2013, providing economic recovery and protection support to displacement-affected populations.  With the recent earthquake that has devastated south-eastern Türkiye, our operations have pivoted to provide urgent NFI and other support, and is now working to integrate emergency and early recovery programming into our ongoing programs.  With a Country Office currently in Adana, DRC is operational in Hatay, Kilis, Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş. 

About the job

The Country Director plays a strong leadership role in DRC’s comprehensive and solutions-based approach to displacement through a high level of strategic leadership, innovation and effective advocacy. He/she is ultimately accountable in country for all aspects of DRC’s work, leading the consolidation and at the same time development of the programme, continuing the process of developing solid impact measurement mechanisms, strengthening accountability initiatives and ensuring that the financial management and organizational setup is adapted to the operational context. The Country Director sets direction, leads, maintains team morale, safety and welfare, and manages resources. He/she delegates specific duties as necessary, while maintaining oversight and accountability.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be: 

Representation

• Represent the programme to authorities, donors, partners, and in various co-ordination fora;
• Strengthen DRC’s position nationally and regionally;
• Ensure that DRC maintains excellent and productive relations with all key stakeholders, especially beneficiaries, local authorities, the humanitarian community and donors.

Direct managerial oversight and support

• Ensure that the senior management team members have clear and realistic performance based management goals;
• Overall management of the operation and direct manager for senior staff members.
• Organise regular meetings with the senior management team and all staff for the purpose of exchanging information, coordination and learning.
• Ensure that the senior management team is effective, mutually supporting and sufficiently involved in decision making.
• Frequent travel to the field offices for direct operational support and representation;
• Ensure compliance with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement.

Fundraising and Advocacy

• Lead the process of applying for funding and broadening the funding basis in a challenging funding environment;
• Together with the Head of Programme, lead the team in writing concept papers, project proposals and budgets in line with the approved country strategy;
• Lead on advocacy for all DRC key messages.

Safety

• Accountable for ensuring that the programme is delivered in a safe and secure manner;
• Provide overall accountability for security, including development of and ensuring adherence to security procedures, monitoring of the security situation, analysing and provision of recommendations.

Support Services

• Together with the Head of Support Services, provide overall budget monitoring, financial management and expenses control including compliance with minimum DRC and donor requirements and ensuring that  necessary systems are in place.
• Manage the resources allocated effectively and transparently by respecting and meeting all legal requirements in country
• Oversee finance and administrative services in the Programmes
• Provide leadership support to staff and promote best practices in human resources management.
• Ensure coaching and counselling advice to staff when necessary and lead initiatives to develop staff capacity.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you possess the following:

Required

•  Minimum five years’ management experience in emergency and early recovery contexts as country director/senior manager of a humanitarian or development organization or similar
•  Experience representing a large and leading organization to donors, external partners and authorities;
•  Experience with networking, advocacy and coordination;
•  Experience in managing staff in insecure/stressful locations;
•  Experience with conflict related displacement issues;
•  Experience of managing budgets and multiple donor contracts;
•  Experience in donor contact, fundraising and networking;
•  Experience and proven leadership skills and a competence in people management;
•  Proven communicator with all types of stakeholders; and
•  Proven commitment to accountable practices and knowledge of quality assurance systems
• Full professional skills in English is required. 
   

Desirable

• Experience of Humanitarian Mine Action
•  Experience working in the Middle East region and Syria 

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: 24 months

Start date: May 2023

Salary: This position will be placed at D band.

Duty Station: Adana, Turkey

Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for international staff or DRC National Staff salary scale. please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies .

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: 31 March 2023

Interviews for this position will be on a rolling basis, so early submission of applications is encouraged. DRC reserves the right to start with the next steps in the recruitment process prior to the closing date, should we identify a suitable candidate.

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