Area Manager

1- Introduction to Danish Refugee Council: 

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. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profitmaking, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

2 – Background 

Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and its Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding technical unit – the Danish Demining Group (DDG), has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015. DRC Nigeria is the largest DRC country mission in the West Africa region and one of the largest DRC country missions globally.

Currently, DRC delivers life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including internally displaced persons, returnees, and host communities in the areas of armed violence reduction, humanitarian mine action, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in 30+ Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Borno and Adamawa states in northeast Nigeria.

3 – Overall purpose of the role:   

The Area Manager will oversee program implementation according to DRC strategies in Nigeria and ensure that operations are implemented within DRC’s regulations, procedures, guidelines, and strategy; enable a productive and accountable relationship with beneficiaries, communities’ leaders/representatives, relevant governmental authorities, sector working groups, national and International NGOs and UN Agencies.

The Area Manager is DRC’s primary representative with relevant actors in the area of responsibility; they are the line manager for all management staff with area responsibilities and they are responsible for ensuring a result-oriented team. The Area Manager ensures a safe environment for DRC staff, beneficiaries, and assets through proactively using DRC’s security framework.

The three locations have different operational contexts but have similar levels of safety (SLS 5) as well as DRC’s core programmatic sector engagement. The specific differences of the positions are outlined below:

Borno: The Borno area office is DRC’s largest implementation base in Nigeria. The area manager will oversee the management of the Area Office of Maiduguri as well as projects in the deep field locations. This operational base is focused primarily on emergency responses and supporting displaced populations in camp settings. There will be an increasing focus in 2024 on Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP) and Durable Solutions activities in locations suitable for such programming. The programming is increasingly transitioning from Direct to Partner led implementation.

Adamawa: The Adamawa Area Manager oversees the Area Office in Mubi as well as a field office in Yola. This Area office is primarily responsible for Durable Solutions Programming; however, it also supports emergency programming in Southern Borno as well as preparedness activities for location specific emergencies (flooding, cholera, and food insecurity). The Adamawa office will also support assessment activities outside the State in potentially new operational Areas. The programming is increasingly transitioning from Direct to Partner led implementation.

Sokoto: The Area Manager will be responsible for establishing DRC’s presence in the Northwest of Nigeria. This is a new intervention by DRC and will involve establishing Area and Field Offices in high-risk environments. The programming is specifically targeted at emergency programming and responding to the displacement in urban settings. The projects in the Northwest are focused on implementation through local partners. The direct implementation in this new location is minimal.

4 – Duties and Responsibilities for all 3 positions: 

Management   

•  Line manages the area program and support staff ensuring inter-department co-ordination.
• Ensure that the links between Technical Coordinators and Management staff are supported.
• Closely coordinate with the senior management team ensuring regular information flows.
• People management of direct reports (including development, people planning and performance).
• With Managers and Team Leaders, manage the Programme activities budget lines, ensuring effective and efficient use of resources including financial, human and all assets.
• Ensure overall provision of and adherence to DRC policies, procedures, guidelines, systems, and standard practices.
• Provide leadership in overseeing logistical/procurement, Human Resources/administration and office services activities and ensure their timely/efficient delivery.
• Ensure overall provision of and adherence to DRC policies, procedures, guidelines, donor regulations, systems, and standard practices.
• Lead on recruitment of senior staff in coordination with SMT, as appropriate.
• Maintain oversight of narrative and budget development of proposals and concept notes.
• Ensure quality implementation of Core Competency programs ensuring optimal use of financial resources, regular project follow up, reporting, among other tasks.
• Responsible for ensuring Area Office compliance with internal procedures and donor regulations.

Representation, coordination and reporting  

• Primary DRC representative in the area of operation and attend all relevant fora/meetings in order to strengthen DRC’s position.
• Foster relationships with Government authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the area of operation.
• Maintain close working relationships with donors, national and international organizations and local counterparts.
• Comply with internal reporting requirements, contribute to, and provide quality assurance of external reports from area of operation.
• Strengthen efforts to document the impact of DRC activities in the area.

Programme development  

• Lead the process of adapting DRC national strategy to the local context and circumstances.
• Provide regular analysis on the context and humanitarian situation in the area for the development of project proposals and safety assessments in cooperation with the Head of Programme and Programme Development and Quality Manager.
• Participate in DRC internal coordination mechanisms (e.g. SMT, Programme meetings, etc.) as required.

Crisis And Critical Incident Management 

• Act as the Area-level coordinator for the Incident Management Team (IMT); Ensure are-level IMT members are aware of their responsibilities.

Safety 

• Ensure a safe and secure environment for DRC staff, beneficiaries, and assets by ensuring the local security procedures are up to date and SOPs are being followed in line with the SMP and DRC policy.

5 – About you 

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least three (03) years INGO or other international agencies experience in Key Programme management in international humanitarian Programmes, a demonstrated ability to set up operational management systems in a large programme and direct experience of delivery of humanitarian programme in an emergency response.

Experience and technical competencies: 

Required Qualifications.

• Master’s degree in political science, international development, economics, or any other relevant field.
• In lieu of the above, a Bachelor’s degree and several years in project implementation.
• Excellent knowledge in reviewing major international donor reports and knowledge of major donor rules including UNHCR, WFP, ECHO, EU, DFID, DANIDA, BHA.
• Experience working in fragile context and insecure environments.
• Experience developing and implementing organizational strategy.
• Previous experience in Nigeria is considered an asset.
• Previous experience in key programmatic areas: emergency responses, durable solutions programming or working with local partners an asset.
• Experience working in multicultural work settings.
• Experience with critical incident management.
• Experience working in hostile or hazardous environments.

Languages:

• Full professional proficiency in English
• Proficiency in Hausa or other Nigerian languages is considered an asset but not a requirement.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.

6 – We offer. 

Contract length: One (01) year fixed term contract with possible extension subject to funding.

Band: E management – Level 2

Duty Stations: Borno, Adamawa and Sokoto

Start date: 1st April 2024

These three positions are open to national and international applicants.  Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment; please refer to www.drc.ngo under Vacancies.

7 – Application and CV 

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Please submit your application and CV in English no later than 19th February 2024.  Please note, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the opening may end early if a suitable candidate is identified.

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