Country Director

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Description

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• The Country Director reports to the Operations Director for the region based in Dakar. S/He will travel frequently on the field, and occasionally to Dakar and Copenhagen.
• Expected start date is March 2024 with a possibility to adjust if required by the successful candidate.
• Please note that this vacancy is subject to confirmation of funding for our operations in Chad. We are expecting feedback from donors from mid-December 2023 onwards.

• As Country Director you are accountable to achieve DRC’s strategic goals and objectives in Chad.

• Ensure efficient implementation of projects
• Ensures that timely and quality reports are provided internally and externally, on time according to DRC & donors requirements
• Provide strategic guidance and management to all program sectors to deliver high quality programmes that follow a Rights Based Approach and mainstream protection principles into all sectors
• Ensure the operationalization of the global DRC 2025 Strategy

• HR: Manage her/his direct team. Ensure that the recruitment of staff is transparent and timely. Proactively adjust team structures based on needs and funding.
• Ensure that the salary scale for national staff is competitive and in line with available funding. Supervises national staff & international staff performance, and provide recommendations on recruitment, promotions, training, coaching and dismissals to the Operations Director for the region & DRC HQ

• Responsible for all project funds in country. Ensures that funds are spent appropriately, according to the donor contract and DRC policies. Ensures that under-spendings & overspendings are monitored and signaled in good time
• Supply chain: Ensures that procurement are made on time and in compliance with rules of origin and nationality. Ensures that for all procurement the proper documentation exists and is archived correctly
• DRC Dynamics (ERP System): Support the implementation of ERP system and follow up

• Overall accountability for matters of compliance, ethics and Code of Conduct in accordance with relevant DRC guidelines and Operations Handbooks
• Ensures that DRC’s Safeguarding, PSEAH Policies and Zero Tolerance to SEAH are strictly enforced
• Ensures that the team is informed about DRC’s transparency policy and whistleblower procedures

• Overall responsible for the security of DRC staff in country and the programs
• Responsible for security planning including regular updating of security and evacuation plans and measures, and implementation of security and contingency plan and update of DRC´s SLS (Safety Level Systems)
• Overall responsible for having optimal access in the various contexts of intervention and hard-to-reach areas
• When necessary, engage with relevant actors to ensure access and support to interventions
• Ensure that all employees adhere to security procedures
• Ensure that security incidents are reported and escalated in real-time
• Contribute to the management of serious security crises and incidents in coordination with the RO/HQ

• Ensure that partnerships are built on both complementarity and added value, designed and managed in a spirit of equal partnership, and in a way that they align with the outcomes of DRC’s strategy at the national, regional, and global levels.
• Analyze potential partnerships using documented selection methods and ensure that all partnerships comply with DRC’s requirements and regulations, as well as those of the donors.

• Ensure that DRC has an updated understanding of the socio-economic context of the country, trends among donors, needs and gaps, who is doing what, and where in the country
• Drives fundraising efforts and plays key role in donors engagement
• Identifies opportunities for new projects and organizes assessment and fact finding missions
• Oversees the formulation of project proposals, concept papers and budgets using the DRC Operations Handbook

• High level representation with Government and UN agencies at local and national level, with ability to work with high level officials to negotiate program priorities
• Cultivate good relations with key humanitarian actors and local and international NGOs engaged particularly in protection, economic recovery and peace programming, through regular attendance at technical meetings /clusters and bilateral meetings. Engage in, and where effective, lead coordination processes amongst key stakeholders

• Advanced university degree in development studies and project management, law, human rights, political and/ or social sciences or in related field
• A Minimum of 8 years of humanitarian field experience, including at least 3 to 5 years working in the field in refugee/IDP situations; at least 3 years in a senior management position
• Proven ability to the design, management and implementation of programs with a focus on protection and emergency response for refugees and displaced persons. Experience in sectors such as protection, food security/ early recovery / livelihoods, and peacebuilding
• Experience in implementing operations in insecure environments. Proven experience in security management
• Proven track record in setting up equitable partnership with counterparts (Nat./local NGOs)
• Ability to promptly analyze situations and adjust strategies in response to contextual changes
• Experience with donors such as DANIDA, ECHO, FCDO, BHA, BPRM, SIDA, UNHCR, and UNICEF. Proven track record in raising funds in underfunded context.
• Demonstrated management capacity ; hands on experience in Administration, HR, Finance and Supply Chain
• Willingness to live and work in an insecure environment with limited physical amenities
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Full professional proficiency in French (Daily working language)
• Full professional proficiency in English

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