Area Manager

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Area Manager for our operations in Barbacoas, Colombia. 

The primary objectives of the Area Manager will be together with the Country Director, Head of Programme and Support Services to ensure operational and programmatic implementation of projects, supervise programme and support staff, oversee staff safety and compliance with safety protocols, ensure local external representation of DRC in coordination space and with local authorities and stakeholder, and steer the area-based programme strategy.

Under the Country Director direct line management, the Area Manager will be based in Barbacoas Office, and will be responsible for the overall management and activity implementation in the surrounding municipalities. The position includes travel to the implementation sites in the mentioned area as well as occasional visits to hosting areas: rural communities for assessment, and meetings with partners and donors as necessary.

Overall purpose of the role: The primary objectives of the Area Manager – Nariño will be – together with the Country Director, Head of Programs and Support Services – To ensure operational and programmatic implementation of projects, supervise programme and support staff, oversee staff safety and compliance with safety protocols, ensure local external representation of DRC in coordination space and with local authorities and stakeholder, and steer the area-based programme strategy.

Under the Country Director direct line management, the Area Manager will be based in Barbacoas Office, and will be responsible for the overall management and activity implementation in the surrounding municipalities. The position includes travel to the implementation sites in the mentioned area as well as occasional visits to hosting areas: rural communities for assessment, and meetings with partners and donors as necessary. This role has a field location focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the country. The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks.

Responsibilities:

Management    

• Line manages area support and program staff ensuring inter-department co-ordination.
• Closely coordinate with the senior management team ensuring regular information flows.
• People management of direct reports (including development, people planning and performance).
• With 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 (including Code of Conduct), procedures, guidelines, systems, and standard practices.
• Provide leadership in overseeing logistical/procurement, Human Resources/administration and office services activities and ensure their timely/efficient delivering.

Representation, coordination, and reporting 

• Primary DRC representative in operation area and attend with support from DRC technical staff all relevant fora/meetings to strengthen DRC’s position.
• Foster relationships and ensure close coordination with local authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the operation area.
• Support 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.

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 Country Director and program staff.
• Ensure coordination – directly or through sector managers – with National Office programme team to ensure programme implementation is aligned with technical guidance and programme/sector strategies.

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 DRC policy. Given the highly conflictive context within the areas of operation, the Area manager will have to monitor closely the activities that take place on the ground and the staff that conduct them, making sure that they abide to the safety protocols.
• Conduct regular safety and security monitoring and assessments.

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following

• 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
• Contribute to recruitment and/or performance appraisal of members of the team.
• Implements the manager’s decisions through the work of subordinate employees, often playing a role in deciding how to do it; and how to achieve the objective set by the manager.

Experience and technical competencies: 

• Minimum 7 years´ experience in managing integrated humanitarian programs including Protection, Shelter, WASH, Assistance through cash modalities, NFIs, and livelihood.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in relevant field overseeing humanitarian multi-sector programs in environments in conflictive areas and context.
• At least 5 years’ experience in people management
• Strong leadership skills and a competence in people management.
• Practical and extensive financial, Human Resources, Logistic and administration management.
• Experience working with an integrated ERP system (end to end process of procurement, and other peripheric modules of logistics) – MS Dynamics considered an advantage.
• External stakeholder management (especially with local authorities).
• Proven excellent communication and report writing skills.
• Experience working in remote areas, with limited opportunities to create social networks.

Education:

• Master’s degree in political science, international development, humanitarian assistance, economics, or other relevant fields from a top tier university.
• Or bachelor’s degree in relevant fields with 3 years’ working experience in similar positions.

Languages:

• Full proficiency in Spanish is compulsory.
• Proficiency in English is compulsory.

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: 12 months
• Band: E
• Designation of Duty Station: Barbacoas, Tumaco and other municipalities in the area. l Non-family Duty Station
• Start date: August 2024

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact viviana.alonso@drc.ngo

Application process

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

Closing date for applications: 31th July 2024