DRC Deputy Regional Director

 

Danish Refugee Council is advertising for an experienced and capable Deputy Regional Director (DRD), who is able to strengthen and extend DRCs commitment to quality, consistency and accountability across DRC operations in the MENA region.

DRC is a leading protection and relief agency in what constitutes one of today’s largest and most complex emergencies globally. DRC has been operating in the MENA Region running a multi-sector programme centred first and foremost around the Syrian displacement axis, but being operational in the region for more than 10 years also with a focus on Iraqi, Palestinian and Libyan displacements. 

DRC applies a regional approach in promoting our mandate to protect and promote durable solutions to displacement affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC is presently undergoing a decentralisation process aimed at strengthening local level decision-making and in parallel a regionalisation process to promote an organisational structure around the large regions where DRC operates. 

MENA constitute 6 country operations each led by a Country Director, who in turn reports to the Regional Director based in the regional office in Amman, Jordan. MENA is DRC largest and most challenging operation globally with more than 1000 fulltime national and international staff members. 

With an aim to position DRC MENA both organisationally and strategically, the regional management team will take lead in developing and implementing the regional strategy, which is guided by DRCs International strategy and the operational and programmatic priorities in the region.

Role and responsibilities
In close collaboration with the Regional Director and the Country Directors, the DRD’s prime objective is to promote optimal and accountable usage of resources. The DRD has a focus on the support functions in his/her effort to support the country programmes in ensuring that DRCs operations are characterised by quality, consistency and compliance in lines with DRC regional and global strategic priorities, guidelines and requirements.

The DRD is expected to have senior level management experience and can demonstrate successful track record of organizational development and resource mobilization, be able to conceptualize and articulate DRC’s operational priorities, and have the strong oral and written communication skill required to translate these into action. More specifically, the DRD will:

• Co-lead the development and implementation of regional and global strategic priorities in relation to support functions, accountability and quality.
• Together with the Regional Director ensure that DRC MENA is organised and managed optimally to pursue opportunities while at the same time operate in compliance with minimum requirements and relevant guidelines.
• Engage with country programmes to ensure that the financial management, procurement, logistics etc. fulfils the highest standards of accountability and that the necessary systems and resources are in place to minimise and investigate fraud and misconduct.
• Take a coordinating role to ensure that the rollout of new support systems and tools is successful as well as to take initiative to and potentially lead the development and implementation of new systems throughout the region.
• Promote and ensure a consistent focus on retaining and developing staff including opportunities and needs for sharing resources across the region.
• If necessary and upon the request from the Regional Director, to fill gaps in key position within the country programmes.

The specific roles and responsibilities will be specified by and agreed with the Regional Director.

The DRD reports to the Regional Director and is part of the Regional Senior Management Team. The DRD is working in close corporation and coordination with the country programmes in the MENA region, with relevant Global Specialist Leads and with the MENA Unit in HQ. The DRD is line managing the operational support staff in the Regional Office including Finance, Administration, HR and Grants.

Your qualifications
As our Deputy Regional Director you are strong and visible with proven team building skills. You have experience in operating in a very volatile security environment together with extensive management and coordination experience. You have strong experience and a systematic approach to operational support, systems development and risk management, and you are able to provide guidance and exercise management over long distances to senior staff.

In additional you should also match the requirements listed below:

• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience (including 5 years at senior management level) in international emergency and/or post-conflict settings, preferably with displaced populations.
• Proven ability with respect to the design, management, monitoring and evaluation of large scale country and/or regional programmes, preferably with a focus on protection and durable solutions for refugees and displaced people.
• Experience in negotiating and advocating with government authorities and donors 
• Able to manage a large financial turnover and mitigate risk in a systematic manner.
• Experience of risk management including fraud mitigation and investigation.
• Experience in organisational development and implementation of policies regarding staff, code of conduct, anti-corruption measures and transparent management.
• Excellent written and spoken English language, communication and drafting skills.
• Preferably working experience from the region.
• Experience in managing safety and security staff.

We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of nationality, race, gender or age.

Conditions
Availability: October 2014 or soonest after
Duty station: Amman, but, with extensive travel throughout the region.
Family duty station Yes
Contract: 2 years. Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment. The position will be placed at salary level A3.

Further information
For more information about the position, please contact Head of Unit MENA Region Christian Jacob Hansen on +45 2889 3373. For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk.

Application and CV
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered. 

DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.dk under Vacancies > Current Vacancies > MENA Regional Director. Please remember to upload both a letter of application and your CV and do not attach any written recommendations. Please submit your application and CV in English no later than 21.09.2014.