DDG Regional Programme Manager

Danish Demining Group (DDG) is a part of Danish Refugee Council (DRC), DRC is an international non-governmental organisation, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world.

DRC has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. Using a human rights framework, the DRC Horn and Africa and Yemen (HOAY) operation focuses mainly on populations affected by displacement in Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Yemen and regional mixed migration flows. DRC aims to create a synergy between the different humanitarian aid and development projects in the HOAY – both in terms of geographical coverage and types of activities implemented in support of refugees and populations displaced or otherwise affected by conflict, consequences of climate change and natural hazards in the region.

DDG has operated in Horn of Africa since 1999 and in Yemen since 2011. The Regional Programme has country programmes in Somalia (since 1999), in Yemen (since 2011) and in Kenya (since 2012). Recognising the widespread proliferation of uncontrolled Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in the region, DDG expanded its approach from traditional Mine Action to also addressing the threats from SALW, Security Governance and Provision, as well as Conflict Prevention and Management.
The program has grown significantly over the past six years, with an annual turnover of almost 10 million USD. DDG continues to position itself as a key implementer of Armed Violence Reduction activities in the region.

Position’s Overall Objective
The DDG Regional Manager is responsible and accountable for the overall programmatic DDG’s Regional programme in Horn of Africa & Yemen (HoAY) in regards to operational oversight, coordination, and implementation of DDG activities. The RM will ensure that all DDG programmes are implemented within the framework of DDG’s objectives, strategies and donor requirements, and is compliant with the guidelines, policies, procedures and values of DRC. The DDG RM will work within the overall DRC Regional structure so that DDG’s HoAY portfolio maintains the following: effective programme management and operational efficiency; a sound business development and fundraising strategy; effective overall advocacy and external representation; and a high level of technical quality assurance.

Reporting Relationships

The position reports both to the Regional Director of the HoAY and to the Head of DDG.
The RM reports to the RD on matters relating to strategic development, risk management, external relations, regional policy and advocacy and overall targets in the annual Results Contract.
The RM reports to the Head of DDG in Copenhagen in regards to DDG project implementation, quality management, resource mobilisation, recruitment/programme management of technical personnel, M&E, and donor relations for DDG specific funding.

Responsibilities
The RM has operational oversight and responsibility for DDG’s operations in HoAY and may have additional responsibilities as part of regional initiatives in Africa. The RM is a member of the regional Senior Management Team (SMT) that works on refining, developing and improving operational approaches, compliance and systems, and supporting the Regional Director to build and deliver highly effective and sustainable interventions.

Specific responsibilities include:

Team Management

• Provide strong leadership to the regional programme, with oversight of DDG programmes in Somalia, Kenya, Uganda and Yemen.
• Ensuring that each staff member managed directly by the RM has clear and realistic performance based management goals, ongoing formal and informal appraisal/evaluation of staff performance, including follow up on Results Contracts.
• Set high standards of leadership and demonstrate DRC values to all staff within the Regional Team.

Strategic Programme development

• Collaborate with the HoAY Senior Management Team to develop a joint regional strategy and related processes, to identify key regional strategic initiatives and to develop strategic documentation related to the DDG portfolio.
• Be a driving force in terms of developing cross border programming between DRC/DDG country operations in the region.
• Lead the process of continuously developing DDG’s programmatic approaches in a regional context and adapted to the circumstances in the field – both nationally and regionally, in coordination with Global Specialist Leads for Mine Action and Armed Violence Reduction.

Programme Management

• The RM carries the responsibility of overseeing the effective project management for DDG projects at the regional level, including oversight of the project management cycle, and appropriate spending and budget management, in coordination with the HoAY Regional support departments.

Risk Management

• Coordinate with the Regional Safety Advisor to ensure adequate compliance with security and safety protocols in DDG programmes.
• Responsible for the operational quality, safety related to handling of weapons, and safety compliance specific to DDG sectors

Reporting

• Ensure proper and timely regional financial and narrative reporting to DDG specific donors in compliance with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement in collaboration with the regional grants and finance teams.
• The RM maintains a financial overview of the regional DDG portfolio, with financial support and controlling from the Regional Finance Team

Fundraising and Representation

• The RM will develop a business development and fundraising plan within the overall framework of DDG’s fundraising strategy, ensuring coordination with DRC HoAY’s overall fundraising plans
• The DDG RM will act as representative for the DDG portfolio of projects in all donor consultations, and will engage with specific thematic donors in the area of resource mobilisation.
• The RM liaises with relevant government authorities, donors, partners, UN agencies and international and local NGOs and various local co-ordination forums in collaboration with the Regional Director and the Head of DDG.

Accountability

• Guided by the DRC Programme Handbook, Operations Handbook, handbooks, the RM must continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of DDG’s activities.
• In coordination with the Regional HoFA and Regional Compliance Team, the RM is responsible that the programme continuously remains compliant with the guidelines, policies, procedures and values of DDG/DRC.

Qualifications

• University Degree in Social Sciences, Law, International Development, International Relations or related area.
• Minimum of 10 years proven international experience in the programmatic areas related to mine action, small arms and light weapons, security provision and governance, or conflict mediation and prevention.
• Minimum of 5 years working experience at an international level with humanitarian international NGOs or operational UN agencies
• Minimum of 5 years field experience in conflict affected areas, preferably in Africa in general or Horn of Africa & Yemen in particular
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in programme management, including fundraising, donor relations, financial management, reporting, staff management and monitoring and evaluation
• Proven experience in strategy development and implementation
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• High degree of computer literacy

Personal competencies

• Strong leadership skills, including ability to build and motivate a team as well as willingness to deal with conflicts up front
• Strong analytical skills and ability to engage in political processes
• 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
Duty station: Nairobi, with frequent travel to region. This is a family duty station with benefits as per DRC HOAY policy.

Contract: 12 months - with possibilities for extension, subject to funding. Salary and conditions in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s “Terms of Employment for Expatriates”; please refer to www.drc.dk under “Vacancies”. This position is placed at salary category A3 for international staff and competitive salary and benefits for national staff candidates as per the DRC Kenya national staff salary scale..

Start date: 1 September 2015 or as soon as possible.

Further information
You are welcome to contact the Head of DDG, Tammy Hall by email: tammy.hall@drc.dk for information about the vacancy. Please note that applications are not to be sent to any particular individual, but instead to job@drc.dk.

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

About DRC

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty five countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.
The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRC’s work.

HOW TO APPLY:

Only motivated applications in English that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications sent together with a CV will be considered. CV-only applications will not be considered.

We do not operate with standard formats for applications or CVs for this position.
It is very important for us to know where you first saw this vacancy posted, so we kindly ask you to supply us with that information in your application. Thank you.

We only accept applications through our online system at www.drc.dk under Vacancies - "DDGRegional Manager HoAY” no later than July 27, 2015.