Director South Caucasus

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Director to lead our interventions in South Caucasus.

About the job

DRC has had presence since 1999 in Georgia proper, with an opening of an operation in Abkhazia in 2005. Addressing vulnerabilities in a responsible way and engaging in poverty reduction are central to DRC work in the South Caucasus. To support the integration of the displaced and conflict-affected persons, the DRC South Caucasus program covers the following sectors: livelihoods, access to social services, governance, education and shelter/housing, and small and medium-scale infrastructure at the community level.

DRC’s presence is unique in the South Caucasus, with granted access to both sides of the dividing line. Through its two offices in Abkhazia (Gali & Sukhumi), one office in Samegrelo (Zugdidi) and one Head Office in Tbilisi, 28 staff offer adequate and timely expertise to address the needs of conflict-affected populations and impact positively their lives. IDPs, other conflict-affected persons, host communities, and vulnerable populations across the DRC South Caucasus operations are targeted equally to promote social coexistence.

The position is based in Tbilisi, with frequent and regular travel to West Georgia and Abkhazia. It is expected that at least once a month travel to different parts of West Georgia and Abkhazia will take place. The position will report to Operations Director for Europe.

The prime objective for the incumbent will be to provide leadership and strategic management, as well as the overall accountability for the day-to-day management, implementation, compliance, fundraising and continued development of DRC’s presence in South Caucasus, as part of the DRC Asia Europe region.

Main duties and responsibilities will be:

• To ensure that the Senior Management Team and Programme Managers have clear and realistic performance-based management goals.
• To develop and update the programme strategies and linkages with DRC overall regional and global strategic frameworks.
• To lead fundraising for the programme and stakeholder engagement
• To be responsible for ensuring that programmes comply with the organizational quality and accountability commitments.
• To ensure that the programme is organized and effectively managed in order to both pursue new opportunities and ensure successful implementation of current programme
• To hold overall responsibility for compliance in both programmes and support functions, including DRC and donor policies, local regulations and local labour law
• To hold overall responsibility for ensuring that activities are delivered in a safe and secure manner.
• To ensure that DRC maintains excellent and productive relations with all key stakeholders, especially beneficiaries, local authorities, the humanitarian community and donors.
• To lead Advocacy in all DRC key messages.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 8 years’ management experience, as head or senior member of humanitarian programme/organisation.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Demonstrated experienced with conflict related displacement issues
• Good communicator and proven diplomacy with all types of stakeholders
• Proven commitment to accountable practices and knowledgeable of quality assurance systems
• Hands on experience in managing staff in insecure and remote locations with strong human resource management skills in general.
• Experience of managing budgets and multiple donor contracts
• Demonstrated experience in donor contact, fundraising, proposal writing and networking
• Demonstrated experience in Durable Solutions contexts, and experience in Europe is beneficial.
• Prior Country Director experience: CD experience with DRC is beneficial
• University degree in relevant field; master’s degree preferred
• Full professional proficiency in English.

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: 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.

We offer

Contract length: (24) Months, with possibility of extension

Position Band:  This position will be placed at Management (D) band

Suggested Start date: latest 1st September or earlier.

Duty station: Tbilisi with frequent and regular travel to field locations in West Georgia and Abkhazia.

Designation of Duty Station & Position: Family Duty Station, Accompanied Position

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact [email protected]

Application process

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.

Closing date for applications:11th of June 2024.

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo