EU Programme Manager at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

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 promote longterm solutions to the problems of forced displacement.

Danish Demining Group (DDG) is a specialised unit within DRC which implements mine action and armed violence reduction (AVR) programmes. DDG’s mandate is ‘to create a safe environment free from armed violence and the remnants of conflict’, and DDG does this via a programmatic focus on four key sectors: Security Systems Reform, Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) management, Mine Action and Conflict Management.

DRC/DDG started up operations in northeastern Nigeria in July 2015, and currently have a representational office in Abuja and a base in Yola, and is in the process of setting up bases in Mubi and Maiduguri. During the first quarter of 2016, DRC/DDG will initiate a new EU-funded programme that seeks to promote stability and socio-economic recovery in Borno and Adamawa states. The programme will focus on the following four programmatic axes: socio-economic recovery; mine action, community safety; and at-risk youth.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: EU Programme Manager

Locations: Yola or Maiduguri, with frequent travel to project sites in Borno and Adamawa states
Duration: 12 months with possibility of renewal, subject to performance
Contract: Level A12

Position’s Overall Objective

• The EU Programme Manager (PM) is responsible and accountable for overall management of this two-year EU-funded programme to be implemented in Yola, Mubi and Maiduguri.
• The PM’s role is to ensure that the programme is implemented in line with DRC/DDG values, technical standards and donor requirements.
• The EU PM represents both DRC and DDG, and is responsible for donor liaison and for liaison/representation with government authorities in the areas of implementation, as well as at national level, in coordination with the Country Director, Safety Advisor, Head of Bases (HoB) and Abuja Head of Office.

Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities include:

• Plan, manage and monitor the quality and timely delivery of programme activities
• Line manage DRC/DDG 4 expatriate managers responsible for livelihoods, armed violence reduction (AVR), mine action and M&E
• Co-ordinate and work with relevant state-level government authorities, local government institutions, non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations and local communities in order to ensure the smooth execution of programme activities.
• In coordination with the CD, act as representative for the DRC/DDG programme in Nigeria towards government authorities, donors, partners, UN agencies and international and local NGOs and various local co-ordination forums.
• Lead programme implementation and development
• Mentor and line-manage project staff and field operations
• Ensure effective collaboration with DRC and DDG management and related technical advisors
• Promote organisational learning and collaboration
• Develop and implement mechanisms to monitor project performance, in consultation with project stakeholders, against work plans and project targets.
• Responsible for budget monitoring, financial management and expenses control including compliance with minimum DRC/DDG and donor requirements and ensuring that the necessary systems are in place.
• Participate in all project reviews and provide technical support for independent evaluations and audits.
• Prepare regular and ad hoc reports, as needed

Specific Responsibilities
Team Management:

• Provide strong leadership to the regional programme, with oversight and management of DRC/DDG expatriate and national programme staff in Nigeria
• Ensure the ongoing formal and informal appraisal/evaluation of staff performance, including follow up on Results Contracts and annual written appraisals of the DRC/DDG programme staff

Strategic Programme development:

• Promote the integration of DRC and DDG programming in Nigeria
• Monitor and advise field staff in programme delivery.
• Maintain working relationships with DRC/DDG’s other programmes in the wider West Africa/Sahel region to exchange experience and ideas.
• In association with DRC/DDG support staff, carry out budget monitoring on a regular basis, including compliance with minimum DRC/DDG and donor requirements and ensuring that the necessary systems are in place.

Security:

• In close collaboration with Safety Advisor, reporting to the DRC CD for Nigeria, ensure adherence to security procedures, ensuring a minimum of 91% MOSS compliance of all field locations, monitoring developments in the security situation, developing contingency plans etc.

Reporting:

• Ensure proper and timely financial and narrative donor reporting in compliance with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement.
• Regular reporting to DRC/DDG Regional Office and HQ as required

Fundraising and Representation:

• In consultation with the Country Director, liaison with relevant government authorities, donors, partners, UN agencies and international and local NGOs and various local co-ordination forums.
• Writing concept notes and proposals
• Liaising with donor representatives in the region and in Abuja as required

Accountability:

• Guided by the DRC Programme Handbook, Operations Handbook, AVR Framework and handbooks, and DDG Mine Action SOPs, the PM must continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of DRC/DDG’s activities.
• Ensure compliance with the guidelines, policies, procedures and values of DRC/DDG.

Reporting Lines

• The EU PM has dual reporting lines, reporting to DRC’s Country Director for Nigeria, with regular information-sharing and collaboration with the DDG Regional Manager (based in Abidjan).
• The EU PM works in close collaboration with DRC’s CD, Heads of Base and the DRC/DDG support staff, and is a member of the Nigeria Senior Management Team (SMT).

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Fluent English spoken and written skills are essential.
• University degree relevant subject (post graduate degree required).
• A minimum of 7 years of work experience in project formulation, implementation, coordination and/or management in complex environments.
• At least 3 years’ experience in engaging with national authorities and donors. Capacity to advocate, liaise and coordinate with various actors.
• At least 3-5 years’ experience working on livelihoods, stabilisation, security system reform/policing, conflict management and/or social cohesion
• At least 5 years’ experience working in international NGOs

Required Competencies

• Direct operational experience in conflict-affected or post-conflict countries and/or broad knowledge of themes relevant to conflict and/or post-conflict is required.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a multi-disciplinary team.
• Self-motivated and able to work with a minimum of guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to work and live in insecure environments
• Willing to live in shared team house

Application Closing Date
27th May, 2016

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: Salary, benefits and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates.