DRC has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. Using a human rights framework, the DRC East Africa and Great Lakes (EAGL) operation focuses on people who are affected by displacement, including refugees, internally displaced, migrants, and host communities in Burundi, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
Project Background
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is implementing a large scale-up project to respond to the drought in the Horn of Africa and contribute to famine prevention efforts. At the current time the project will specifically be implemented in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, with some displacement research extending into Djibouti.
Overall purpose of the role
Reporting to the Chief of Party, the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) will be responsible for the planning, management and oversight of delivery of all project activities, ensuring quality control, and the overall responsiveness of the assistance. The DCOP will be responsible for ensuring country delivery teams and mechanisms are fit for purpose, providing day-to-day solutions to operational challenges and closely tracking project deliverable. The DCOP will serve as a key member of project leadership alongside the Chief of Party (COP), and will therefore also be responsible for team management, project governance, reporting, award management, code of conduct compliance, and risk.
Key responsibilities
- Provide leadership and direction in project implementation and delivery especially implementing compliant, timely and on-budget activities to achieve the greatest impact toward programme goals and objectives;
- Lead on dynamic project work planning, ensuring all project commitments are translated into pragmatic and actionable sequences with adequate resources assigned and systematic tracking to ensure effective completion;
- Lead project coordination with the relevant country operations stakeholders (Project Country Leads, Area Managers, Heads of Support Services and department managers) to ensure optimal cooperation and collaboration so that the project is efficiently supported and integrated into the Country Offices, and so that the project follows all applicable DRC and donor policies and processes;
- Support the Project Manager and DRC Finance teams to produce accurate and compliant financial forecasts (internal and external) and project financial reporting;
- Working alongside the COP, foster and maintain a productive, respectful, and collaborative working environment for all project staff, not only those under the DCOP’s direct line management;
- Support the COP to prepare and submit programmatic reports for the donor, relevant country governments, project partners and DRC as required;
- Support the COP to maintain and update the project Risk Matrix with specific focus on operational and compliance risks. When assigned, take responsibility for implementing specific risk mitigation measures outlined in the project Risk Matrix;
- Support the COP to develop and strengthen partnerships by focusing on ensuring relevant partnerships are compliant with DRC procedures and compliant with technical global standards;
- Lead project compliance with donor requirements, for example code of conduct, ensuring regular and transparent reporting on compliance issues such as aid diversion. The DCOP will support with the submission of periodic project compliance reports
About you
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s 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 act in line with our vision and values.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
- A minimum of 10 years’ experience working in the international humanitarian aid with at least five years’ experience in a similar operational role (Operations Manager, Deputy Chief of Party, Implementation Manager);
- Demonstrated experience working with displaced populations in an emergency setting together with at least 5 years of delivering large-scale operations;
- Strong project management experience, including resource management, work planning, implementation oversight and periodic review, and compliance management;
- Demonstrated experience with remote team management, as well as direct management of diverse teams;
- Proven background in large grants and award management;
- Demonstrated experience in managing and delivering large multi-location programs in complex operating environments;
- Operational expertise and experience in emergency and/or humanitarian aid programming;
- Robust project planning and delivery skills;
- High-level communications and interpersonal skills together with robust analytical and problem-solving skills;
- A demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with host governments, donors, partners, local organizations, and other stakeholders; and
- Fluent in written and spoken English.
Desirable:
- Previous experience in the Horn of Africa or East Africa desirable
Conditions
Contract: This position is subject to confirmation of funding and it’s a one year contract with possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment; Employment band M-E2
Availability: Anticipated start date is 15 March and the successful candidate must be able to deploy
with 15 days’ notice
Duty station: To be determined – Nairobi, Kenya; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; or Mogadishu, Somalia with frequent travel (more than 50%)
Reporting Line: Regional Chief of Party
Key Stakeholders:
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People of concern, IDPs and refugees
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DRC’s country teams in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia
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Donors and government representatives
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DRC support units (Finance, Administration and Logistics)
Providing equal opportunities We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.
Promoting high standards : DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process
How to apply
Application and CV
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered.
DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1036&ProjectId=167155&DepartmentId=19006&MediaId=5 on www.drc.ngo under job.
Please submit your application and CV in English no later than 28th February
