Somalia: Head of Programmes

BACKGROUND
Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an independent, non-profit organization (NGO), founded on the basis of humanitarian principles, and human rights based approach, to secure the protection of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and to promoting long term solutions to the problems of forced displacement. Danish Demining Group (DDG) is a specialized business unit within DRC focused on the prevention and reduction of armed violence. DDG’s work in the region spans five sectors:

• Building capacity for conflict management and peace

• Strengthening relationships between security providers and communities

• Strengthening local institutions and enhancing local capacity for addressing safety needs

• Addressing immediate threats to life and limbs by explosive remnants of war

• Addressing small arms as a tool of violence

DDG’s Somalia Programme is founded on applying participatory planning methods to problems associated with conflict and instability. Our Community Safety approach supports target communities to assess their safety and security situation, define and prioritize their needs and work with us to identify resources to address these needs. We also work together with Danish Refugee Council to promote local stability, seeking to increase demand for improved governance by providing community-driven development grants in combination with civic education, dialogue and reconciliation work, livelihoods support and community safety.

OVERALL OBJECTIVES
The Head of Programmes is a member of the country senior management team reporting directly to the Country Director. He/she shares overall responsibility for programme delivery and development and manages a number of project managers and thematic specialists. The HoP is required to liaise and coordinate with staff from the wider Horn of Africa and Yemen region, global advisors, the DDG Regional Manager, and staff from Danish Refugee Council during joint projects.

The Head of Programmes will perform the following with the support of the Country Director:

Management

• Support the Country Director in the management, operational oversight and coordination of the Mine Action, Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW),Community Safety (CS) and all other components of DDG programming in Somalia
• Support and supervision of senior national and expatriate staff. This includes coaching (mentoring, marketing and identification of training needs and opportunities)ensuring co-ordination between local managers, recruiting and development of staff.
• Deputize for the Country Director in his/her absence.
• Provide guidance to the programming team by applying critical, innovative, problem-solving and forward-looking thinking and planning to programme design and implementation.
• Participate as a member of the senior management team.

Programme Development

• Develop programmatic synergies between DDG products in mine action and armed violence reduction, also considering synergies with DRC
• Encourage quality of work, innovation, and strategic/critical thinking in the development of high-quality, responsive and evidence-based concept notes and proposals for funding and rigorously review these concept notes and proposals.
• Position DDG/DRC for future donor resources by ensuring highest quality implementation, initiating assessments or studies and strategically utilizing private allocation resources.
• Support the development of promotional materials related to DDG programming and review these materials for publication.
• Pursue and develop new programme opportunities.

Programme Management

• Ensure delivery of DDG programmes in accordance with relevant requirements and compliancy’s, with a high level of focus on quality deliverables.
• Ensure proper and timely financial and narrative reporting in compliance with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement. Enhance the capacity of reporting.
• Make regular field visits and reports
• Support the Country Director to prepare annual reports to the host government, donors and DDG Head Office as requested.
• Ensure with the Area Managers and thematic programme managers that all projects are managed to budget and achieve the planned results on time, using the technical assistance from RO or HQ if needed.

Finance and Administration

• Support the Area Managers, thematic managers and Country Director in oversight tasks, including budget monitoring, financial management and expenses control
• Assessment and use of financial resources & cost benefit of programme projects.
• Facilitate in preparation of budget monitoring tools with the Head of Finance, for proper follow up.

Representation/Liaison

• Act as representative for the DDG programme in Somalia towards government authorities, donors, partners, UN agencies and international and local NGOs and various local co-ordination forums.
• Cooperation and operational synchronisation with DRC Somalia and DDG Somaliland

Fundraising

• Proposal writing, including development of budgets and support to the Country and Regional Manager in applying for funding and broadening DDG Somalia's funding base.
• Sensitive staff members on the dynamics of fund raising and the impact of work quality to donors.***Accountability***
  Guided by the DRC Programme Handbook, continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of DDG's activities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in a relevant field
• Minimum of 5 years working experience at an international level with humanitarian international NGOs or operational UN agencies
• Minimum of 4 years field experience in challenging environments
• Proven experience in project management, including budget expenditure, donor relations, reporting, proposal writing, staff management and monitoring and evaluation
• Experience in Mine Action, Armed Violence Reduction and/or community based safety programming
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• High degree of computer literacy

PERSONAL COMPETENCIES

• Strong ability to build and motivate a team as well as willingness to deal with conflicts up front
• Political and cultural sensitivity, including ability to adapt well to local cultures
• Proven ability to function well in a volatile and very restricted environment
• Strong liaison and communication skills
• Ability to resist external pressures
• Innovative and creative thinking
• Strong analytical and reporting skills

CONDITIONS

Contract: One year contract with possibility of extension.

Level: This positon is graded as A9 on DRC salary scale available on www.drc.dk under vacancies. Other employment conditions in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Global Expatriates recruited by the Horn of Africa Regional Office.

Duty Station: Mogadishu with travel to field offices. (This is a non-family duty station)

Availability: As Soon as possible

Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability committments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework .

APPLICATION AND CV
All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English.
We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.dk under Vacancies, Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications is 16th June 2016.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact job@drc.dk

For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk