Somalia: Danish Demining Group is looking for an Area Manager, Somaliland

Background

Danish Deming Group (DDG) is a department under Danish Refugee Council (DRC). Danish Demining Group’s (DDG) mandate is to recreate a safe environment where people are free from the threat of landmines, explosive remnants of war and small arms and light weapons. DDG has operated in Somaliland since 1999 and in South Central Somalia since 2007 clearing mines and other explosive remnants of war. The organisation now implements an armed violence reduction (AVR) programme which includes the following types of activities: participatory community and district-level safety projects, community driven development, conflict prevention and management, community-police relationship building, mine risk education, explosive ordnance disposal, firearms safety education, physical security and stockpile management of firearms, and support to the review of policy and legislation on small arms and light weapons.

Purpose

The Somaliland Area Manager (AM)’s prime objectives will be to provide leadership, strategic management and administrative oversight of DDG’s activities in Somaliland.

The AM supervises the national senior management team for Somaliland including managers and coordinators of programs and support functions. Currently there are approximately 100 national staff working for DDG in Somaliland.

Responsibilities

The Area Manager works in co-ordination with the Head of Support, Mine Action/PSSM Operations Manager and AVR Manager. He/she reports to the Country Director. He/she is also required to liaise and coordinate with staff from the wider Horn of Africa and Yemen region, the DDG Regional Director, regional M&E Adviser and staff from Danish Refugee Council during joint projects. The Area Manager will perform the following in support of the country programme:

Program Development and Quality Management

• Management and operational oversight of DDG’s Community Safety, Mine Action and SALW activities in Somaliland.
• Responsible for ensuring the operations in Somaliland deliver against donor targets.
• In charge of program quality in Somaliland including monitoring evaluation and learning, and programme cycle management. This will involve regular visits to field sites to monitor and mentor staff.

Human Resources and Support Services Management

• Management and oversight of the HR/Admin, Finance and Logistics teams in Somaliland to ensure effective support for program needs.
• This will include ensuring the following:
• Finance management of Somaliland budgets
• That logistics and fleet departments provide effective support for operations
• Implementation of HR policies and procedures at area level and compliance with recruitment and performance management policies
• Performance management and development of staff
• Recruitment, discipline and complaints handling are in line with DDG policies

Strategic management and development

• Contribute to the area (Somaliland) and national (Somalia-wide) program strategy, assist in the development of projects and oversee their implementation.

Safety and security

• With technical support from the Country Security Advisor and Safety Focal Point, ensure programs are delivered in a safe and secure manner and that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure duty of care to staff.

Funding, grant and finance management

• Responsible for achieving program compliance with quality and accountability commitments.
• Assist with proposal development, donor reports and internal reporting.
• Ensure agreed standards and indicators are being met In Somaliland.

ReportingArrangements

The post holder reports to the Somalia Country Director.

Qualifications

· University Degree, preferably Master’s, in Social Sciences, Management, Law, International Development, International Relations or other relevant subject.

· Minimum of 3 years working experience at an international level with humanitarian international NGOs or operational UN agencies

· Minimum of 1 year field experience in conflict affected areas, preferably in Africa in general or Horn of Africa in particular

· Proven experience in project management, including planning and project development, budget management, reporting, staff management and monitoring and evaluation

· Experience in the areas of conflict resolution, security governance and/or community based programming would be an advantage

· Fluency in written and spoken English

· High degree of computer literacy

Personal competencies

· Leadership skills, including ability to build and motivate a team and willingness to deal with conflicts constructively

· Political and cultural sensitivity, including ability to adapt well to local cultures. Please note Puntland and Somaliland are conservative Muslim societies.

· Proven ability to function well in an unstable and restricted environment

· Well developed human resource management skills

· Good communicator with proven diplomatic skills and willingness to engage with all levels of staff, communities, local and national authorities, donors, NGOs, UN Agencies and others as required.

· Hands on experience of managing staff in insecure locations

· Proven financial and human resource management skills

· Experience of managing budgets and multiple donor contracts

· Practical understanding of monitoring and evaluation

· Ability to resist external pressures

· Innovative and creative thinking

· Analytical and reporting skills

Conditions

Duty station: Hargeisa, Somaliland, with frequent travel within Somaliland. This is a ‘non-family duty station’ and the person must be prepared to live and work in an isolated and unstable security environment with limited recreational and social facilities. Accommodation is provided.

Contract:12 months - with good possibilities for extension. Salary and conditions in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates, please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies. DDG Somalia Area Manager positions are graded between A12 and A11 on the DRC salary scale. The position offers an R&R benefit, in addition to standard vacation and holiday benefits. The position is subject to funding.

Start date: As soon as possible.

Further information

For information about our work and organisation, please visit our website http://www.danishdemininggroup.dk/.

Application and CV

Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit an updated CV (no longer than two pages) and cover letter explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the post. Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications sent together with a CV, in English and marked “Area Manager, Somaliland” will be considered.

We only accept applications sent via our online system at www.drc.dk under Vacancies.

Please remember to upload a letter of application and your CV. CV-only applications will not be considered.

Applications are to be sent to no later than 2nd November2014.

Please contact job@drc.dk if you experience problems with your online application.