DRC is looking for a highly qualified and capable Area Manager for our activities in the Western Region, based in our Herat sub-office with regular travels to Kabul.
Context and background of DRC in AfghanistanThree decades of conflict have left Afghanistan as one of the world’s poorest countries, despite modest progress reported in the health and education sector. According to the UNDP, the life expectancy at birth is 44 years. Only 23 percent of the population enjoy access to safe water and 88 percent of Afghans do not have access to adequate sanitation. The country’s limited resources are further strained by the return of more than five million refugees since the fall of the Taliban regime in late 2001, and by the large number of IDPs who have been forced from their lands due to conflict and drought amongst other causes.
Promoting solutions for IDPs in accordance with internationally acceptable principles, including local integration as a possible solution alongside return, is challenging. Since 2002, more than 5.6 million Afghan refugees have returned home. These returnees represent nearly a quarter of Afghanistan’s population, yet more than 40% have not fully reintegrated, and almost half a million IDPs are also not integrated. Given their inherent destabilizing potential, this represents a significant security concern.
Who are we?DRC started up its programme in Afghanistan in January 2011. The goal of DRC’s work is to promote durable solutions to refugee and displacement problems, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works with the urban IDP case load but also with rural communities in Kabul province with a high return rate, as well as providing logistical support to UNHCR across the country. Sector wise activities are mainly focused on protection, livelihood, community mobilization /infra-structure, and emergency logistics/response.
About the jobThe Area Manager is responsible for the coordination, management, development and representation of DRC programming in the western region of Afghanistan. S/he will oversee administration (HR/Finance), logistics (Procurement, Supply) and programme implementation. S/he will ensure that field teams are prepared to respond to emergencies and ensure the safety and security of DRC staff and assets in her/his area of responsibility. The Area Manager will assist in the Programme Managers’ follow-up of technical departments’ field work, promoting programme integration while acting as a conduit and focal point for coordination as the senior representative of DRC in the area.
The position requires a high degree of responsibility, flexibility and understanding of complex organisational charts including horizontal liaising among different senior managers. S/he reports to the DRC Country Director.The key responsibilities include:
Duties and ResponsibilitiesRepresentation• Act as the main DRC representative in the area and attend all relevant forums/meetings including active participation in the Humanitarian Regional Team (HRT) with the objective to strengthen DRC’s position in the area;
• Develop, implement and regularly revise a DRC engagement strategy and acceptance in the area;
• Identify and build relationships with authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the area.
Management • Provide leadership, coordination and integration of DRC activities in the area including, but not limited, to protection, emergency response, food security and logistical support;
• Direct line management of the staff based in Herat, including recruitment, coaching, capacity building and ensuring interdepartmental co-ordination;
• Liaise and closely coordinate with the senior management team based in Kabul (PMs, HoP, HoFA, Safety Advisor etc) and fellow Area Managers in other regions
• Ensure a rights-based approach to all DRC programming in his/her area of responsibility;
• Encourage a positive, innovative and mutually supportive team spirit amongst the Herat team.
Programme development• Lead the process of adapting DRC national strategy to the local context and circumstances, including the engagement strategy to gradually increase humanitarian access for DRC in the area;
• Be a driving force in terms of developing DRC’s programme in western Afghanistan and provide input to fundraising efforts, in coordination with the Programme Development Unit and the Country Director;
• Activly support the Programme Development Unit and the Country Director in the development and implimentation of regional programmes and aproaches
• Draft and present to the DRC country office regular analysis on the context and humanitarian situation in his/her area of responsibility to inform future proposal development processes in the area.
Safety and Security • Act as security manager in the area ensuring adherence to security procedures and monitoring developments in the security situation;
• Actively support the country safety department to develop and regularly update the local security plan for his/her area of responsibility;
• Be a member of and/or actively support the Crisis Management Team as required and if requested;
• Develop and maintain a security focal persons` network in his/her area of responsibility.
Finance and administration• Provide budget monitoring, financial control in compliance with DRC country office requirements and as per the Operations Handbook;
• Ensure necessary systems in procurement are followed according to DRC Operations Handbook.
Reporting• Ensure compliance with internal reporting requirements and participate in the DRC internal coordination mechanisms as required.
Accountability• Guided by the DRC Programme Handbook, continuously monitor and suggest relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthen the effort to document the impact of DRC activities in the area.
Required qualifications To be successful in this role you must have:
• University degree in international relations, management, human rights, social science or related field;
• Minimum 5 years professional work experience within international humanitarian/development work;
• Good understanding of displacement issues of both internally displaced and refugees and related international standards/frameworks;
• Solid project management experience;
• Extensive experience in representation and networking;
• Excellent analytical and strategic skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with local staff and other stakeholders;
• Excellent negotiation, advocacy and communication skills;
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English;
• Knowledge of displacement issues and local context in Afghanistan is a clear asset.
• Ability to live and work in a insecure, isolated and changing environment.
We offerDRC will offer the successful applicant a 12 months contract, renewable dependent on both funding and performance. You must be available to start work three weeks after confirmation accepting the offer and be willing and able to work in Herat.
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies. This position will be placed at level A10.
Application processInterested? We only accept applications online on
www.drc.dk > Vacancies > Current vacancies (click on the vacancy, then on “Apply” at the bottom of the window that opens).
All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV only applications will not be considered.
If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact job@drc.dk
Applications close date: 25th July 2014. The interviews are expected to take place from 28th July 2014
Need further information?For more details on this position please contact Frederick AD Mung’ong’o at cd.drc.afghanistan@drc.dk or James Davey at james.davey@drc.dk
Please note that applications sent directly to mr. Davey or Mr. AD Mung`ong`o will not be considered.
For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website www.drc.dk
Area Manager - Afghanistan
Job posted by: Danish Refugee Council (DRC) - Denmark - Wed, 9 Jul 2014Job Details:
Organisation: Danish Refugee Council (DRC) - Denmark
Deadline Fri, 25 Jul 2014
Job type: Temporary
Location: Afghanistan
Context and background of DRC in Afghanistan
Three decades of conflict have left Afghanistan as one of the world’s poorest countries, despite modest progress reported in the health and education sector. According to the UNDP, the life expectancy at birth is 44 years. Only 23 percent of the population enjoy access to safe water and 88 percent of Afghans do not have access to adequate sanitation. The country’s limited resources are further strained by the return of more than five million refugees since the fall of the Taliban regime in late 2001, and by the large number of IDPs who have been forced from their lands due to conflict and drought amongst other causes.
Promoting solutions for IDPs in accordance with internationally acceptable principles, including local integration as a possible solution alongside return, is challenging. Since 2002, more than 5.6 million Afghan refugees have returned home. These returnees represent nearly a quarter of Afghanistan’s population, yet more than 40% have not fully reintegrated, and almost half a million IDPs are also not integrated. Given their inherent destabilizing potential, this represents a significant security concern.
Who are we?
DRC started up its programme in Afghanistan in January 2011. The goal of DRC’s work is to promote durable solutions to refugee and displacement problems, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works with the urban IDP case load but also with rural communities in Kabul province with a high return rate, as well as providing logistical support to UNHCR across the country. Sector wise activities are mainly focused on protection, livelihood, community mobilization /infra-structure, and emergency logistics/response.
About the job
The Area Manager is responsible for the coordination, management, development and representation of DRC programming in the western region of Afghanistan. S/he will oversee administration (HR/Finance), logistics (Procurement, Supply) and programme implementation. S/he will ensure that field teams are prepared to respond to emergencies and ensure the safety and security of DRC staff and assets in her/his area of responsibility. The Area Manager will assist in the Programme Managers’ follow-up of technical departments’ field work, promoting programme integration while acting as a conduit and focal point for coordination as the senior representative of DRC in the area.
The position requires a high degree of responsibility, flexibility and understanding of complex organisational charts including horizontal liaising among different senior managers. S/he reports to the DRC Country Director.The key responsibilities include:
Duties and Responsibilities
Representation
• Act as the main DRC representative in the area and attend all relevant forums/meetings including active participation in the Humanitarian Regional Team (HRT) with the objective to strengthen DRC’s position in the area;
• Develop, implement and regularly revise a DRC engagement strategy and acceptance in the area;
• Identify and build relationships with authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the area.
Management
• Provide leadership, coordination and integration of DRC activities in the area including, but not limited, to protection, emergency response, food security and logistical support;
• Direct line management of the staff based in Herat, including recruitment, coaching, capacity building and ensuring interdepartmental co-ordination;
• Liaise and closely coordinate with the senior management team based in Kabul (PMs, HoP, HoFA, Safety Advisor etc) and fellow Area Managers in other regions
• Ensure a rights-based approach to all DRC programming in his/her area of responsibility;
• Encourage a positive, innovative and mutually supportive team spirit amongst the Herat team.
Programme development
• Lead the process of adapting DRC national strategy to the local context and circumstances, including the engagement strategy to gradually increase humanitarian access for DRC in the area;
• Be a driving force in terms of developing DRC’s programme in western Afghanistan and provide input to fundraising efforts, in coordination with the Programme Development Unit and the Country Director;
• Activly support the Programme Development Unit and the Country Director in the development and implimentation of regional programmes and aproaches
• Draft and present to the DRC country office regular analysis on the context and humanitarian situation in his/her area of responsibility to inform future proposal development processes in the area.
Safety and Security
• Act as security manager in the area ensuring adherence to security procedures and monitoring developments in the security situation;
• Actively support the country safety department to develop and regularly update the local security plan for his/her area of responsibility;
• Be a member of and/or actively support the Crisis Management Team as required and if requested;
• Develop and maintain a security focal persons` network in his/her area of responsibility.
Finance and administration
• Provide budget monitoring, financial control in compliance with DRC country office requirements and as per the Operations Handbook;
• Ensure necessary systems in procurement are followed according to DRC Operations Handbook.
Reporting
• Ensure compliance with internal reporting requirements and participate in the DRC internal coordination mechanisms as required.
Accountability
• Guided by the DRC Programme Handbook, continuously monitor and suggest relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthen the effort to document the impact of DRC activities in the area.
Required qualifications
To be successful in this role you must have:
• University degree in international relations, management, human rights, social science or related field;
• Minimum 5 years professional work experience within international humanitarian/development work;
• Good understanding of displacement issues of both internally displaced and refugees and related international standards/frameworks;
• Solid project management experience;
• Extensive experience in representation and networking;
• Excellent analytical and strategic skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with local staff and other stakeholders;
• Excellent negotiation, advocacy and communication skills;
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English;
• Knowledge of displacement issues and local context in Afghanistan is a clear asset.
• Ability to live and work in a insecure, isolated and changing environment.
We offer
DRC will offer the successful applicant a 12 months contract, renewable dependent on both funding and performance. You must be available to start work three weeks after confirmation accepting the offer and be willing and able to work in Herat.
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies. This position will be placed at level A10.
Application process
Interested? We only accept applications online on www.drc.dk > Vacancies > Current vacancies (click on the vacancy, then on “Apply” at the bottom of the window that opens).
All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV only applications will not be considered.If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact job@drc.dk
Applications close date: 25th July 2014. The interviews are expected to take place from 28th July 2014
Need further information?
For more details on this position please contact Frederick AD Mung’ong’o at cd.drc.afghanistan@drc.dk or James Davey at james.davey@drc.dk
Please note that applications sent directly to mr. Davey or Mr. AD Mung`ong`o will not be considered.
For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website www.drc.dk
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.