Project Manager for Community-Driven Recovery and Safety Somalia Country Programme

Background

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 promoting long term solutions to the problems of forced displacement. 

DRC has been implementing humanitarian activities in Somalia since 2008. Using a protection of human rights framework, DRC Somalia assists refugees and migrants from the Horn of Africa and provides emergency assistance and livelihoods support to Somalis who are affected by conflict and drought throughout Somalia.

DRC works alongside the Danish Demining Group (DDG), a specialized unit within the DRC. DDG has operated in Somaliland since 1999 and in South Central Somalia since 2007 clearing mines and other explosive remnants of war.  DDG’s approach has since evolved to support community and district-level planning that addresses an array of public safety concerns whether related to firearms, explosive remnants of war, local conflict, etc.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and Danish Demining Group (DDG) have developed a joint strategy on Community-Driven Recovery and Safety (CDRS) in Southern Somalia. The joint strategy is designed to support stability by contributing to preconditions for representative and responsive local governance, strengthening capacity of local institutions to manage conflict and change peacefully, securing safety, deepening citizen engagement, ensuring that basic needs are met and the way is paved towards durable solutions for displacement affected communities.

The centre-piece of the CDRS approach is providing community block grants following community-driven planning process. Linked to this communities receive additional social access and livelihoods grants and support for community safety and conflict prevention activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Co-ordinate and work with relevant state-level government authorities, local government institutions, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations and local communities in order to ensure the smooth execution of project activities.
• Capacitate and manage project staff and field operations covering at least 60 communities in three or more districts.
• Ensure effective collaboration with DDG and DRC management and related technical advisors for the fully integrated CDRS programme.
• Promote organizational learning and collaboration between CDRS and related initiatives.
• Develop and implement mechanisms to monitor project performance, in consultation with CDRS stakeholders, against work plans and project targets.
• Ensure that the project is implemented in accordance with DRC and donor policies/procedures.
• Manage project budget, including approval and monthly review of expenditures, ensuring close collaboration with the relevant support staff
• With technical staff, carry out timely and sound appraisal of community sub-project proposals.
• Supervise the preparation and implementation of sub-contracts related to baseline surveys, end-line surveys, evaluations and any other activities that may need to be sub-contracted to an external supplier of works, services and goods. 
• Participate in all project reviews and provide technical support for independent evaluations and audits.
• Prepare regular and ad hoc reports, as needed.
• Assist in the development of new CDRS and associated initiatives within the Somalia programme.

Required Qualifications:

• University degree relevant subject (post graduate degree preferred).
• A minimum of 6 years of work experience in project formulation, implementation, coordination and/or management in complex environments.
• Significant experience in community development or local governance is essential. Please note that applications from candidates that do not have experience in one of these will not be considered.
• Direct operational experience in conflict-affected or post-conflict countries and/or broad knowledge of themes relevant to conflict and/or post-conflict is a strong advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a multi-disciplinary team.
• Self-motivated and able to work with a minimum of guidance.
• Excellent English spoken & written skills; Somali language an added benefit
• Demonstrated ability to work and live in insecure environments preferred

Reporting arrangements:

This Manager leads a joint DRC-DDG team with direct supervision of the team leaders in each district.  The PM reports to the DRC and DDG CDs in Somalia through a regular mechanism to ensure close collaboration, addressing of priorities, and regular engagement with various stakeholders.

Conditions

Availability:     1 December 2014 or earlier

Duty station:      South Central Somalia (either Baidoa or Mogadishu) with travel to field sites   as security allows

Duration:           One year with possibility of extension, subject to performance

Contract:      This is a Non Family Duty post.  Salary, benefits and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; This position is rated as A11 on the DRC salary scale available at www.drc.dkunder Vacancies.

Further information            

For more information about the position, please contact the current Country Directors for Somalia, Jean-Christophe Saint-Esteban (CD DRC) at jc.saintesteben@drcsomalia.org or Roly Clark (CD DDG) at cd@ddgsom.org. For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk.  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.  Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Commitments

DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework.

Application

Qualified candidates are invited to access the full job description and the requirements for this position under vacancies at www.drc.dk.  Please submit applications online using this link by November 9, 2014.

Only motivated applications 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 and email applications sent directly to Jean-Christophe Saint-Esteban or Roland Clark will not be considered. If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact job@drc.dk