Head of Programme

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Head of Programme to work in Jordan
 

About the Job

As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Head of Programme drives the overall country- level programme strategy, in line with DRC’s global and regional strategies as well as humanitarian needs and contextual developments on the ground. The Head of Programme oversees the conceptualisation and development of new programmes, leads fundraising and donor engagement, ensures the effective management of grants in accordance with donor rules and regulations, supports the programme implementation teams with issues related to programme delivery and quality, and oversees programme monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities and accountability to affected populations. Other key responsibilities include partnership management, communications, and advocacy and external representation within the scope of the humanitarian needs in country. This role has a country focus and ensures compliance with DRC global procedures and guidelines within the country, including both for DRC’s direct implementation as well as partners’ implementation. The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-today tasks.
 

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Programming Strategy & Development

• Lead continuous in-depth analysis of the humanitarian context, trends, gaps, challenges and opportunities in Jordan, and as a key member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) bring inputs to the SMT forum in regards to strategic direction of DRC programming.
• Drive the conceptualization and evolution of the country strategy, and develop/define the country programming in a collaborative way ensuring programme appropriateness and accountability;
• Contribute to the sustainable management of programme growth with an eye towards new programme development that addresses evolving needs on the ground
• Foster synergies between programme areas (integrated approach); mainstream protection, gender, and conflict sensitivity in all programme areas; and ensure adherence to humanitarian principles and any other international standards when relevant
• Enhance private sector engagement to pursue innovative and alternative financing instruments as well as to build shared value partnerships in support of programme objectives.

Programme Implementation & Coordination

• Provide oversight, guidance and leadership to all technical coordinators to ensure quality programme implementation and integration
• Ensure effective and transparent budget follow up, planning and use of financial resources in compliance with DRC and donor policies and priorities
• Oversee effective management of the entire grants cycle, including smooth kick-off to ensure shared understanding across all departments, periodic grants review to identify and address implementation challenges and facilitate collective troubleshooting, and successful closeout of grants and fulfilment of all contractual obligations
• Identify key risks in regards to programme implementation and inform Country Director / SMT to ensure adequate risk management plans are in place
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor programme implementation and interact with implementation teams; and coordinate all donor monitoring visits to the field
• Ensure regular DRC representation and contribution in all programme related working groups and coordination mechanisms in country
• Ensure DRC’s programme complements government strategies and addresses gaps in services through coordination and consultation with state authorities and other humanitarian actors.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

• Ensure the implementation of effective and participatory programme Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning strategies
• Implement appropriate monitoring, information management, and reporting systems, tools and templates that enhance monitoring of programme outputs and quality, generate quality evidence on programme impact, and promote and ensure use of data for decision-making processes/ programme adjustments
• Capture lessons learned, areas for improvement, and best practices and promote continuous institutional learning within the country programme; share learnings with different DRC entities, donors, and other stakeholders when relevant
• Improve accountability to affected populations by increasing beneficiaries’ awareness of DRC’s feedback and response mechanism and incorporating feedback in programme implementation and design as needed.  

Fundraising, Proposal Writing & Reporting Processes

• Lead the development and updating of DRC Jordan’s fundraising strategy and donor engagement plan
• Pursue funding opportunities in all DRC competence areas from both traditional/institutional donors as well as by piloting innovative funding instruments (e.g. results-based and blended financing)
• Ensure the timely submission of high quality funding proposals, donor reports, and modification requests and obtain necessary sign-offs before submission from DRC’s regional office and headquarters Partnership Management
• Lead the development, revision, and implementation of DRC Jordan’s partnership strategy
• Design and roll out a roadmap for increased localisation of the country programme while ensuring effective management of risks associated with increased implementation through local partners
• Oversee programme implementation by all partners, including progress against targets and spending against budgets, and bring any major risks or bottlenecks to the attention of the SMT
• Improve partnership management systems, processes, and tools based on lessons learned and feedback from staff and partners
• Oversee capacity building activities for implementing partners based on identified gaps
• Identify and pursue new partnerships for scaling impact and fundraising

Research, Advocacy, and Communications

• Lead the development, revision, and implementation of DRC Jordan’s advocacy strategy and action plan
• Identify opportunities for joint research and advocacy activities with other actors, including INGOs, LNGOs, and academic institutions
• Oversee communication activities and review all communications products (e.g. success stories, photo essays, videos) that highlight the impact of DRC’s work in Jordan
• Ensure donor visibility requirements are upheld in the field and in all non-sensitive publications

Staff Management and Capacity Building

• Line-manage country programme team – including sector technical coordinators and MEAL, grants, partnerships and communications units – to ensure an effective collaboration and technical support to the area programme teams
• Develop overall staff competence through leadership, training and coaching of staff and reflect personal development plans in staff performance appraisals
• Develop nationalisation plans for relevant expatriate staff to ensure longer term sustainability of key positions in programme domain
• When needed, draft and/or review terms of reference to hire and manage external consultants and manage those consultancies to ensure timely and quality submission of all deliverables
   

About You

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

• Graduate degree in International Development and/or Humanitarian Assistance, Project Management or any other related field in the social sciences
• Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience in programme management and development in conflict or displacement settings
• Minimum 4 years of experience in managing complex refugee responses, including 2 years at country senior management level preferably in the Middle East
• Demonstrated experience and skills in multi sectoral proposal development, budget
• development and management, programme implementation, program risk management, monitoring and evaluation
• Strong understanding of protection and economic recovery (livelihood) programming, integrated programming, protection and diversity mainstreaming, and conflict sensitive programming
• Proven track record of successfully raising funds and cultivating new donors
• Prior experience working with key institutional donors such as ECHO, Danida, FCDO, BPRM and SDC
• Familiarity with innovative financing instruments (e.g. outcome-based and/or blended financing instruments such as impact bonds) and private sector engagement
• Experience managing people responsible for program management, implementation, and design
• Previous successful experience working with DRC on senior Program Management role
• Proven experience in effectively coordinating with government authorities, international and national NGO partners, and UN agencies
• Experience managing and strengthening the capacity of local implementing partners
• Excellent communication skills and diplomacy
• Fluency in spoken and written English is required
• Proficient Arabic language skills are desired

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking 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 

Band: E

Designation of Duty Station: Family - non-accompanied

Start date: 1 July 2023

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates or DRC National Salary Scale; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies. 

For questions regarding the vacancy please contact fatma.chehidi@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. 

Closing date for applications: 31 March 2023

The screening process for this position is on 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.