Head of Program (DRC/DDG)

Background 

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental and non-profit organization, founded in 1956, that works in more than 35 countries around the world. DRC has been operating in Kenya since 2005, where we assist refugees and displacement-affected communities in Dadaab, Kakuma, Kalobeyei, Nairobi and Mombasa through protection and livelihoods activities to enhance their self-reliance and expand opportunities for a dignified life. DRC provides both humanitarian assistance and longer-term development support to respond to the needs of communities affected by acute crisis as well as those in protracted displacement situations.

Purpose 

Based in Nairobi with travel to field locations, the Head of Programme has the overall technical and management responsibility for DRC ’s programmatic work, including in protection and promotion of durable solutions for displacement affected populations in Kenya, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. Key focus area of work is to lead and manage the strategic development and implementation of the Kenya DRC programme. 

He/she will ensure timely delivery of planned results, within budget, oversee adherence to applicable policies, guide and manage the capacity building of DRC project staff, spearhead fundraising,  , safeguard staff and assets, advance and coordinate DRC’s workin Kenya with internal and external stakeholders, including current and potential donors, contribute to planning, coordination and learning within DRC/DDG Kenya and the organisation as a whole. As part of the DRC Senior Management Team, the Head of Programme may have responsibilities as part of the regional initiatives in East Africa and Yemen such as development or review of durable solutions strategies.

Responsibilities and Tasks: 

The Head of Programme refers to and works in close collaboration with the Country Director. Specific responsibilities include:

Strategic Programme Development  

• In co-ordination with the protection, livelihoods and other technical advisors, lead the strategic development of DRC/DDG’s work in Kenya. 
• Support the Country Director in drafting, promoting, and rolling out of all DRC-relevant strategic programme and planning documents in broad consultation with all relevant staff. These documents include the country strategic plan, as well as strategies for all program sectors.  
• Ensure proper understanding of DRC programmatic approaches and strategies by relevant actors (e.g. staff members, partners, NGOs, government counterparts, and donors). 
• As an SMT member and head of programme, manage regular and critical review of the country strategic and action plans and initiate corrective actions/problem solving if and when needed. Follow-up on the action plan and report against its indicators.  
• In close coordination with the Country Director, represent DRC in key programme relevant meetings with donors, local government authorities, partners, UN agencies and international and local NGOs and various local co-ordination forums. 
• Support development and review of the country programme emergency preparedness and response plan. 

Fundraising 

• Design and implement a resource mobilization strategy 
• Manage and develop strong strategic programme proposal development to maintain, direct and expand DRC’s current programme portfolio in Kenya 

Management 

• Management, operational oversight, coordination and implementation of DRC projects within the DRC/DDG Kenya programme.  
• Manage the programme development& quality unit to ensure effective support to field teams in program design, program quality assurance, and consistent application of grant compliance standards/policies. 
• Provide appropriate and timely feedback to the programme development & quality assurance unit staff regarding their performance, including annual staff performance appraisals. Identify with staff their needs and opportunities for professional development. 
• Support the development of an organizational culture that reflects DRC mandate, values, promotes accountability and high performance, encourage a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation.  

Programme Quality Assurance 

• Ensure high quality project implementation for DRC and DRC/DDG joint projects in line with agreed results, budgets, and work plans. 
• Contribute to regular programme risk analysis and development of mitigation plans in consultation with Area Managers and Technical Managers/Coordinators. 
• Ensure cross-cutting themes e.g. age, gender & diversity (AGD); CHS & relevant technical standards (like Sphere) are mainstreamed in all programs where appropriate and relevant. 
• Contribute to the improvement and application of the country programme monitoring, evaluation and learning system in order to facilitate continual learning and adaptive management.  
• Contribute to active dissemination and communication of program findings and research outcomes widely.  

• Oversee the planning and implementation of capacity building of key staff on issues relating to programme strategies and quality.  

Compliance and Grants Management  

• Ensure that relevant grants management and donor regulations and requirements are adequately shared and understood by the programme and support teams by overseeing the regular conduct of grants inception meetings, follow up meetings and trainings on donor requirements.  
• Plan and execute quarterly and annual review sessions and oversee implementation of corrective measures.  
• Support the review and timely submission of high quality donor reports in collaboration with the grants officer and area managers.  

Qualifications:  

• Relevant university degree (Master or Post graduate), in Social Sciences, International Development, International Relations, Law or any other relevant field. 
• Excellent understanding of displacement issues and related international policies and standards/frameworks. 
• Minimum of five years’ management experience with International NGOs or operational UN agencies, including at least two years' experience of community-level programming. 
• Demonstrated ability to mobilize resources and expand programmes. 
• Proven experience in protection, food security and livelihoods and/or related fields in a management capacity. 
• Proven experience in programme design and management, including budget expenditure, donor relations, reporting, proposal writing, staff management, and monitoring, evaluation and reporting.  
• Preferably familiarity with requirements of key donors including USAID, DFID, DANIDA, ECHO, OFDA, UNHCR among others.  
• Communication Skills: Excellent writing and verbal skills in English.  
• Adaptability and flexibility: Ability to manage a large workload and multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.  
• Work style: Highly organized team player, pro-active and with demonstrated strong personal initiative and decision making ability.  . Proven solid analytical and problem solving skills.  

Personal competencies 

• Leadership skills, including ability to build and motivate a team and willingness to deal with challenges. 
• Political and cultural sensitivity, including ability to adapt well to local cultures. 
• Demonstrated successful experience working within a complex security environment is preferred. 

Position Description  

Posting details: This position is based in Nairobi with travel to project sites in Kenya.  

Start of Contract & Duration:  1 April or as soon as possible; 12 months with possibility of extension  

Reports to: Country Director Kenya 

Supervises: Grants Officer, M&E Officer, Project Officer – Advocacy and Governance and Programme Consultants

General 

Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html).  All DRC staff must be committed to the Red Cross Code of Conduct, as well as the Core Humanitarian Standards. 

Application Process

Qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications which should include a 1-page cover letter clearly stating their motivation and qualifications and a CV. Applications should include contact details of three professional referees who have supervised the candidate in the last five years. One referee must be the applicant’s most recent manager. Only applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered.  Applications should be sent no later than: 16th February, 2017. 

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

Danish Refugee Council does not charge any kind of fee at any stage of the recruitment process nor does it use recruitment agents.