Country Director

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Country Director to work in DRC Burkina Faso

Founded in 1956, Danish Refugee Council (DRC) works in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. In 40 countries, our 7,500 employees protect, advocate and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.

DRC is a non-profitmaking, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

DRC has been operating in West Africa since 1998 and is established in Burkina Faso since January 2013. DRC’s Burkina Faso programme focuses on humanitarian response, early recovery and resilience in displacement and conflict-affected areas, working particularly in the field of protection, food security, economic recovery, and peacebuilding, and engaging in multi-annual strategic partnerships. We operate through 5 field offices (Dori, Djibo, Gorom-Gorom, Ouahigouya and Dédougou) and a national office in Ouagadougou. The program is currently funded by DANIDA, ECHO, BHA, PRM, MINBUZA, EU, FCDO and UNICEF.  The current annual portfolio is approximately 13 million Euros. A close working relationship will be maintained with the regional management team.   

About the job

The Country Director reports to the Operations Director for West Africa and North Africa based in Dakar and coordinates the work of the Country Management Team in Burkina Faso including: the Head of Support Services, Head of Programme, Access and Safety Coordinator and Area Managers. You will also travel frequently on the field occasionally to Dakar and Copenhagen. 

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: 

As Country Director and Manager you are responsible for the following:

• Accountable for people management of direct reports. This includes hiring, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance
• 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 making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DR

​Overall programme management 

• The CD provides strategic guidance and management to all program sectors and is responsible for high quality, accountable program design and delivery
• Ensures representation of DRC to external actors, and oversees the development and management of strategic partnerships
• Ensure input for and participates in the operationalization of the DRC 2025 Strategy
• Ensure that program implementation follows a Rights Based Approach and that protection principles are mainstreamed into all sectors. 

Representation, coordination with stakeholders  

• High level representation with Government and UN agencies at local and national level, with ability to work with high level officials to negotiate program priorities
• Cultivate good relations with key humanitarian actors, including OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, ECVHO, BHA and local and international NGOs engaged particularly in protection, economic recovery and peace programming, through regular attendance at technical meetings /clusters and bilateral meetings. Engage in, and where effective, lead coordination processes amongst key stakeholders

Fundraising,  advocacy, reporting, monitoring & evaluation

• Drives fundraising efforts and plays key role in donors engagement
• Oversees the formulation of project proposals, concept papers and budgets using the DRC Operations Handbook
• Identifies opportunities for new projects and organizes assessment and fact finding missions
• Leads the team’s advocacy in all DRC key messages.
• Ensure that timely and quality reports are provided internally and externally, on time according to DRC & donors requirements 
• Responsible for supervision, monitoring and evaluation of the program to ensure that activities/projects are implemented in accordance with agreed strategies, principles, implementation plans, and donor requirements; 

Support Services (Finance, HR & Administration, Supply Chain) 

• Finance: Responsible for all project funds in country
• Ensures that funds are spent appropriately, according to the donor contract and to the full
• Ensures that under-spendings & overspendings are monitored and signaled in good time
• HR: Supervises national staff & international staff performance, and provide recommendations on recruitment, promotions, training, coaching and dismissals to the Operations Director for West Africa and North Africa & DRC HQ
• Logistics: Responsible for all procurement in mission, ensures that for all procurement the proper documentation exists and is archived correctly
• DRC Dynamics ERP System: Support the implementation of ERP system and follow up

Access and safety 

• Overall responsible for the security of DRC staff in country and the programs
• Responsible for security planning including regular updating of security and evacuation plans and measures, and implementation of security and contingency plan and update of DRC´s SLS (Safety Level Systems)
• Overall responsible for having optimal access in the various contexts of intervention and hard-to-reach areas
   

About you

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

Required

• Advanced university degree in development studies and project management, law, human rights, political and/ or social sciences or in related field
• Professional background in humanitarian work with proven ability with respect to the design, management and implementation of programs with a focus on protection and emergency response for refugees and displaced persons
• A minimum of 8 years of humanitarian field experience, including at least 3 to 5 years working in the field in refugee/IDP situations; at least 3 years in a senior management position
• Experience with relief/emergency response activities, especially assessment and set up
• Experience with implementation of operations in insecure environments; Proven experience in security management is a must
• Experience in sectors such as protection, food security/ early recovery / livelihoods
• Experience with donors such as DANIDA, ECHO, BHA, BPRM, UNHCR, and UNICEF
• Demonstrated management capacity as well as hands on experience in Administration, HR, Finance and Logistics sectors
• Prior experience overseeing organizational change processes an asset
• Willingness to live and work in an insecure environment with limited physical amenities
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Full professional proficiency in French (Daily working language)
• Full professional proficiency in English

Desired

• Previous work experience in the Sahel
• Experience in working with remote management

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 (renewable)  

Band: D

Designation of Duty Station: Ouagadougou with travels to field offices, the regional office in Dakar and headquarters in Denmark. For expatriate candidates: accompanied position, large family package. 

Start date: 19 June 2023

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). Both must be in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 2 April 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.  

We encourage both national and international candidates to apply, and we offer competitive salaries. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment. Please refer to DRC’s website for more information.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process. However, candidates should take into consideration that the DRC cannot employ, under an international contract, a national of the country in which he/she will be working.

For more details on this position please contact Florent Milesi, Operations Director for West Africa and North Africa for DRC at florent.milesi@drc.ngo. Please note that applications sent directly to Mr. Florent Milesi will not be considered. 

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