Area Manager – Tanzania

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 fulfilment 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 implementing emergency response projects in Tanzania since the onset of the Burundi refugee crisis in 2015 in the refugee camps in the Kigoma region, close to the border with Burundi. DRC’s integrated projects for refugees, asylum seekers and host communities comprise sectors such as Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), Protection, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Shelter and infrastructure, and Livelihoods and Environment focused programming.

Overall purpose of the role:

The Area Manager is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of DRC’s response in Kigoma under the direct supervision of the Country Director (CD) Tanzania-Burundi. The DRC team has over 300 staff members in Kigoma. The Area Manager will represent DRC with the local government bodies, the UN and international organizations in-country, donors, other stakeholders, beneficiaries, and other (I) NGOs as part of regular and quality communication to maintain good relations. The post-holder will build the portfolio of DRC in Kigoma by ensuring high quality implementation of all projects and supporting new business development. S/he will need to clearly understand and ensure fair, accountable and transparent management of program and support departments, and promote a learning environment for staff and the organization. The Area Manager will also be responsible for full compliance with DRC Standard Operating Procedures and general operations.      This position is Non-accompanied.

About Kigoma:

The Kigoma Region in Tanzania is bordering Lake Tanganyika and has a relatively low population density. The refugee hosting area within Kigoma host over 200,000 refugees mainly from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Kibondo/Kasulu the climate is mild, the environment is green and in general the situation is safe.

Responsibilities:

Management and Coordination

• Overall responsibility for the daily management of the Kigoma-based program teams in the Kibondo, Kasulu and Makere offices as well as for the camp-based staff in Nyarugusu and Nduta camps, including ensuring respectful, positive and collaborative working relationships in line with DRC’s Code of Conduct and assessing staff capacity to provide or recommend relevant training or coaching as needed. This is to be achieved through leadership, team building, day-to-day support, capacity-building and strong, generalist knowledge in all of DRC’s core sectors;
• Daily management of the Kibondo office, including ensuring compliant financial operations and budgeting, administration, human resources, logistics, procurement and security in line with DRC and donor regulations. This position directly manages the CCCM-, Livelihoods-, and Protection Managers. In addition, this position works closely with the Grants Management Manager, Supply Chain Manager, the HR team and Finance Manager;
• Represent DRC publicly at the site level, including in coordination fora with other agencies, and for providing the direct link in communications between DRC’s Burundi and Tanzania offices. As a general guideline, the Area Manager will represent DRC with Kigoma-based stakeholders, with support of the Country Director who will also manage relationships with stakeholders who are based outside of Kigoma.

Programming and technical support

• Provide oversight of all programming in the Kigoma-region in compliance with core protection principles and best practices, and DRC and donor regulations, while upholding rigorous project cycle management standards;
• Design and support in conducting needs assessments to inform program design as well as identify risks and vulnerabilities, including those related to gender, age and diversity; 
• Develop concrete initiatives to respond to needs of conflict-affected communities as well as specific strategies which build upon existing assets within the population; 
• Contribute to the strategic direction of programming through active and ongoing participation in and contribution to strategic planning meetings and development of strategic documents.
• Implement the vision developed for the Tanzania program, identify opportunities, and liaise with donors and partners; 
• Work with the Head of Programs, program and support teams to contribute to new program development, including both narratives and budgets, by coordinating and compiling inputs from other technical and support staff;
• Jointly with the Head of Programs, ensure the timely delivery of high-quality program and project reports to donors and relevant stakeholders;
• Ensure humanitarian accountability to DRC’s beneficiary populations through effective project monitoring and community engagement;
• Support staff to integrate protection concerns and awareness into other sectors as relevant;
• Ensure all managers actively capacitate their teams to ensure further nationalisation of positions where possible and/or relevant.

Support services:Finance, administration, human resource, logistic and procurement

• Under the leadership of the Head of Support Services (HoSS) ensure full compliance with DRC and donor financial guidelines and policies with regards to all support services;
• Oversee and regularly utilise a comprehensive master budget of DRC’s operations in Kigoma jointly with the Head of Support Services;
• Assume responsibility as primary budget holder of all projects and lead in the development of new budgets and spending plans;
• Collaborate regularly with the Country finance team to monitor spending and ensure the timely utilization of all grants, including ensuring regular monthly budget follow-up is conducted in Kigoma;

• Under the leadership of the HoSS ensure in-country recruitment processes and ensure that relevant staffing structures are in place and are reflective of appropriate gender balance;
• Promote professional development by identifying training and capacity building opportunities and ensure staff are well versed in core protection concepts, DRC’s code of conduct, accountability, respectful dialogue with the refugee population, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse;
• Ensure staff evaluations are conducted on a regular basis and are uploaded onto DRC’s cloud-based ERP HR software;

• Under the leadership of the HoSS ensure supply chain processes are in place and fully compliant with DRC and donor policies and standards;
• Collaborate with the HoSS to ensure field-based records are well managed, fulfil DRC and donor requirements, and are always uploaded into DRC’s cloud-based ERP system and available for use in donor reports;  

• Ensure monthly follow up of procurement plans in coordination with the budget follow up process to inform any adjustments in spending as required in advance of project closure.

Safety and Security

• Assume responsibility for staff safety in the area of operation, although the primary focal point for safety and security will be the Safety Focal Points;
• Ensure all relevant information regarding safety, security and the context is collected, updated and shared in a regular and timely manner;
• Collaborate with the Regional Safety Coordinator, and the Senior Management Team to make decisions and manage security incidents at a local level.

About you

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s 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 act in line with our vision and values.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, we expect you to be a positive, mature leader with a proven track record of developing effective initiatives, programmes, and impact.

Essential Experience

• Master’s degree in law, social sciences, international development, or other relevant field
• Minimum of 6 years of work experience within the field of protection, particularly within the field of humanitarian response and refugee protection, with experience working for an international NGO
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a senior project management position
• Excellent analytical and writing skills
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Strong initiative and self-motivated, with a strong commitment to teamwork and humanitarian principles.
• Ability to multi-task and cope with competing demands under tight deadlines.
• Identify priority activities and assignments, adjust priorities as required.
• Ability to operate and think strategically, coupled with proven analytical skills and the use of these to problem solve and make firm decisions.
• Prior experience fundraising for Humanitarian and Development focussed activities.

Preferred additional Experience:

• Prior experience with DRC in a similar role
• Prior experience with DRC’s ERP system

• Experience working in the Economic recovery/ Livelihoods and/or Environment sector
• Knowledge of Swahili an added advantage

What we offer

Contract:         1 Year Contract with the possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance.

Salary:  in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment Management Band/ E.

Availability:       1st September  2024.

Duty station:    Kibondo, Tanzania (Non family duty station)

Reporting Line: Country Director Tanzania – Burundi

Providing equal opportunities  We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

DRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff within its programs. As such, we strongly encourage national and diaspora candidates to apply for this position.

Promoting high standards : DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Application and CV

Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with an updated CV (max 3 pages), will be considered.

The cover letter should outline your personal motivation for applying, suitability and what the candidate will bring to this role and your key qualifications for the position.

DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under JOB/ Vacancies.

Please submit your application and CV in English no later than 14th May 2024.