Area Programme Manager

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Description

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• Develop and manage DRC area programming, centred around strengthening of protection and resilience for populations affected by displacement and conflict, to include internally displaced persons (IDPs), host families, host communities, and returnees. 
• Manage provision of direct humanitarian assistance and strengthening of partners, including identification and capacity development of local authorities and civil society organisations. 
• Represent DRC in relevant humanitarian coordination fora, engaging with UN & INGO counterparts and proactively seeking to shape agendas in line with DRC and humanitarian priorities. In addition, undertake representation of the programme to partners and authorities in order to boost DRC’s profile and portfolio.
• Provide vision, leadership and direction to DRC team and, oversee the administration and implementation of the area project teams.                 
• Support the Area Manager and Senior Management Team in ensuring strategic programming coherent with DRC’s operational platforms; coordinating DRC’s programme development; strengthening DRC’s programme quality, standards and learning; and enforcing DRC’s accountability and M&E frameworks.
• This role has an area focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the area. The role contributes to the development of area strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to base operations.  

• Management of DRC area portfolio
• Lead on the planning and kick off of new projects in the area (Project Planning, Kick-off meetings, Project Implementation Plans development, etc.).
• Provide daily support to sectoral managers and team leaders to implement their activities on time, scope and budget.
• Oversee programme quality of current and proposed projects; participate in drafting relevant SOPs to facilitate implementation and provide direct support to sector managers and team leader to improve programme quality. 
• Ensure positions are staffed and projects are on track.
• Provide backstopping and training to Programme Head of Departments (i.e., Managers and Team Leaders) in the roll out of area-led reporting mechanisms per projects.
• Ensure compliance of current & proposed projects within scope of DRC programme department.
• Develop clear lines of communication between project staff and partners.
• Develop tools and processes to capture, share and incorporate lessons learned and best practices to inform and enhance quality of programming. 

• Lead on the roll out and implementation of DRC Project Cycle Management tools.
• Provide mentoring to Sectoral Managers and Team Leaders on the implementation of DRC Project Cycle Management phases and tools.

• In coordination with the Area Manager and MEAL Manager, lead and coordinate assessments in the area.
• Regularly provide updates to the Area Manager and SMT on needs evolution in the area, results of assessment and engagement with external stakeholders to inform project design.
• At area level, in coordination with the Head of Programme and Area Manager, lead the consolidation of inputs for proposal development.
• At area level, lead the process of adapting DRC national strategy to the local context and circumstance via an area strategy plan.
• Proactively engage area sectoral managers and team leaders to propose innovative ideas for activities in line with DRC’s Ukraine Country Strategy.

• Represent DRC and articulate the key advocacy points in the relevant clusters and external engagement fora.
• Represent DRC and coordinate with relevant stakeholders through the Community Planning, Durable Solutions & Recovery (CPDSR) Working Group in priority hromadas and at Oblast level.
• Ensure a coordinated approach to the humanitarian response, geographically and by sector.
• Consolidate and raise needs for advocacy with area teams and inputs to Advocacy Coordinator requests for advocacy talking points, papers, etc.
• Represent DRC to relevant national authorities as delegated by the Area Manager.
• Represent DRC in external fora as delegated by the Area Manager.                                                    

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
• Accountable for people management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC                                                                                                 

• At least 5 years’ experience in a project/ programme management role (preferably on projects in the sectors of Livelihoods / Economic Recovery and/or Protection), including responsibility for developing new and successful proposals.
• At least 3 years’ experience with people management.
• Skills and experience in project/programme planning, delivery, monitoring, reporting, review and evaluation.
• Skills in fundraising, budget management and donor reporting/ accountability/ compliance.
• Experience in working in complex emergencies or challenging security settings and within security management frameworks. Calm and diplomatic in nature.
• Experience in capacity building of staff and local partners.
• Ability to produce timely project proposals and high-quality reports.
• Full professional proficiency in English. 

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