Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP) Programme Manager

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

DRC has been operating in the Middle East (ME) region for over a decade, running a combination of emergency, livelihood, protection and advocacy programmes through Country Offices (COs) in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey with a Regional Office (RO) in Amman.

DRC Yemen’s response

Throughout its nine field offices and a workforce of 450 staff, DRC upholds its main programmatic objectives to provide immediate and life sustaining assistance, to strengthen the protective environment, and to reduce displacement related risks and vulnerabilities by promoting self-reliance at household and community level.

About the job

Overall purpose of the role:

Reporting to the Head of Programmes, the role Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding Programme Manager (HDP PM) provides overall management, including financial oversight, and strategic leadership to DRC’s HDP portfolio in Yemen. The HDP PM will lead on strategy development as well as programme design (in collaboration with the HMA Operations Manager) to ensure that all HDP projects are in line with donor requirements and implemented to the highest technical standards. The HDP PM has line management of the HMA Operations Manager, HMA IM Coordinator and HMA IM Officer. The HDP PM will also, with delegated authority, support the HoP in the overall donor liaison related to HMA as required.

Main responsibilities :

Programme Management and Oversight:

• Responsible for DRC’s HDP portfolio in Yemen, including planning, monitoring, financial management, reporting and programme development, with the ultimate aim of ensuring high quality implementation in accordance with agreed indicators, budgets, work plans, and regulations.
• Monitor and coordinate with HMA teams implementing at area levels, raising issues that require course correction and making suggestions for improvement.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality progress reports for HDP donors and HQ on regular and ad-hoc basis, drawing on input from other HDP team members in Country Office and at area level.
• Maintain oversight and monitoring of overall sector budget in coordination with HMA Ops Manager, relevant HMA Managers, and Area Managers, monitoring for timely sector-level spend, gap analysis, and initiate corrective action, including internal and donor budget realignments.
• Participate in grants kick off, reviews and closure meetings and present the overall achievements, challenges and budget expenditures as well as follow up on actions required to address action points.
• Management of HDP programme staff, including performance and development appraisals for direct reports.
• Where relevant, and in coordination with the DRC HoP and HMA Operations Manager, provide capacity building support to humanitarian mine action staff in cross-cutting areas of project implementation such as reporting, quality assurance, conflict sensitivity and systematization of lessons learned and best practices.
• Carry out field visits to project sites in support of HDP project implementation staff and provide advice and mentoring to improve implementation.
• Development of national capacity building and nationalization plans for key roles within the programme, including opportunities for working with national partners.
• Develop a country sectoral strategy for HDP, in line with the Country strategy and in close collaboration with the HoP and other coordinators; support with the integration of HDP within the broader country strategy process.
• Ensure quality and coherence of DRC’s HDP activities and monitor and follow up on the implementation plan together with the HDP Operations Manager, and other relevant management staff in country.
• Support the identification of new and innovative methods for the improvement of DRC’s HDP programming across Yemen and disseminate and operationalise guidance on developed practices from DRC’s HDP sector and monitor trends and practices from the broader humanitarian mine action and peacebuilding and community safety communities of practice.
• Support with strong and coherent data management, monitoring and evaluation within HDP, in close collaboration with the MEAL Team.
• Support quality programme assessments, baseline studies, reviews, and evaluations as well as impact assessments in close coordination with the regional HDP Coordinator, MEAL team, and HoP.
• Work closely with the HoP and other sector leads to identify and develop areas for integration of HDP within DRC’s broader programmatic portfolio.
• Lead the development of all HDP-related concept notes and project proposals (including program budgets) in coordination with the HoP, Grants Management unit and, the HMA Operations Manager, to ensure that the program is well resourced to reach the objectives set.
• Serve as focal point for fundraising and technical donor liaison on HDP programming; alternatively providing key inputs to donor communications as relevant.
• Coordinate with other HDP actors and stakeholders both at the local and national level, as well as participating in relevant technical working groups and policy fora.
• Map donor priorities within given sector and identify new opportunities.
• Ensure adherence to DRC’s Age, Gender, and Diversity policy and AGD programmatic minimum standards.
• Ensure compliance with zero-tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy.
• Ensure compliance with DRC guidelines and policies on HR, admin, finance, and supply.
• Assist in developing job descriptions and in the recruitment of HDP staff (national and international).
• Perform other relevant tasks as requested by and in discussion with the Head of Programme.
• Minimum 5 years of practical experience in humanitarian disarmament or peacebuilding programming with an international NGO at the management or coordination levels. Experience and strong understanding of humanitarian mine action is essential, with experience in and familiarity of peacebuilding programmes desirable.
• Knowledge of humanitarian mine action concepts and International Mine Action Standards (IMAS);
• Proven management skills (minimum 2 years) in project cycle management, reporting, and budget management;
• Proven experience with fundraising, impact/results measurement, and managing multiple grant portfolios;
• Demonstrable leadership and people management skills, including of cross-cultural teams;
• Demonstrated commitment to apply an age, gender and diversity (AGD) and Conflict Sensitive approach to programming;
• Experience working in insecure environments;
• Experience working with national partners in social cohesion initiatives desirable.
• Experience in victim assistance, HMA advocacy and/or conflict management;
• Knowledge of humanitarian mine action concepts and International Mine Action Standards;
• Familiarity with IM systems such as Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA);
• Previous working experience in a mine-affected country.
• Master’s degree in conflict management, conflict prevention, development studies, and social sciences or other relevant field from a recognized institution, or relevant working experience (minimum 5 years working in Mine Action, Peacebuilding, conflict management or similar sectors).
• Desirable: Practical trainings or courses in conflict management, mediation and dialogue facilitation.

People Management:

Programme Quality and Strategic Development:

Fundraising, liaison, and external representation:

Other

About you

Essential:

Desirable

Education:

Languages:

– English fluent (to high standard); Arabic an advantage

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: one year contract

Band: F1, Manager

Duty Station: Aden,

Designation of Duty Station: Non-Family Duty Station

Start date: ASAP

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment;