Economic Recovery Coordinator – Technical Advisory Role (re-advertised)

Who are we?

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. 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 operating in the Middle East (ME) region for over a decade, running a combination of emergency, livelihood, protection and advocacy programmes through Country Offices (COs) in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey with a Regional Office (RO) in Amman.

DRC Yemen’s response

Throughout its nine field offices and a workforce of 450 staff, DRC upholds its main programmatic objectives to provide immediate and life sustaining assistance, to strengthen the protective environment, and to reduce displacement related risks and vulnerabilities by promoting self-reliance at household and community level.

About the job

Overall purpose of the role:

The Economic Recovery Coordinator provides overall technical leadership, and coordination to DRC’s economic recovery programming in Yemen, including food security, decent livelihoods, and financial inclusion, with cross-cutting technical support on CVA, market system development and climate-sensitive natural resource management. The Economic Recovery Coordinator has the overall responsibility for designing, coordinating, supporting, and representing DRC’s Economic Recovery program in Yemen in external coordination mechanisms (as well as a member of the Cash Consortium for Yemen) and for providing technical guidance and strategic directions to DRC teams operating across the country.

Main responsibilities:

Technical Oversight

• Develop economic recovery program strategy and priorities based on thorough understanding of needs and context, aligned with DRC’s mandate and regional/global strategies. Ensure all team members and programme initiatives align with the strategy.
• Lead development, harmonization, trainings, and roll out of SOPs, tools and guidelines with particular attention to setting standards for CVA in Yemen.
• Provide regular technical support and guidance to Project Managers/Team Leaders, Specialists, and other relevant staff in both a structured manner and on a case by case basis.
• Ensure compliance with DRC quality standards and procedures and alignment with global strategy, through regular coordination with colleagues in at Area Offices and Country Office level, proactively identifying risks and mitigation strategies related to economic recovery programming.
• Coordinate with sector colleagues at RO and HQ levels as appropriate about relevant strategic and technical directions.
• Complete regular field visits across the country to ensure technical oversight, capacity building and support, identify needs, and ensure quality programming.
• Ensure that programming is integrated with other DRC sectors by closely working with other sector coordinators and relevant staff in the field, and to design integrated programming at coordination level whenever relevant.
• Ensure strong information management and use of databases for information management and reporting, in coordination with IM and MEAL staff.

Technical Line Management

• Technical support to the structure of the Economic Recovery (EcRec) team nationally, harmonization of sectoral job descirptions and participation in the recruitment of EcRec staff as required.
• Identify technical gaps and support capacity building for technical staffs, upon checking available ressources at RO and HQ levels
• Mentor and support the Economic Recovery team through regular one-to-one supervision and performance appraisals of technical line reports.
• When necessary, and with approval of his/her line manager, provide stop-gap support in absence of PMs/TLs, in close coordination with senior national colleagues (identified by the PM before his/her absence)
• Ensure the Economic Recovery Specialists provide regular trainings and supervision to activities and field teams to ensure quality project implementation.

Programme Development, Coordination, and Oversight

• Lead design of project proposals (with associated budget recommendations, and indicators) in coordination with Area Manager, PMs, Specialists, MEAL and Grants unit.
• Oversight and coordination of sectoral and integrated projects, mainly around food security (cash and in-kind assistance), decent livelihoods and financial inclusion, in coordination with Area Managers and PMs, Specialists and other relevant field staff.
• Lead on developing assessments to inform evidence based planning and implementation and ensure that all economic recovery interventions are informed by market conditions.
• Lead on the development of relevant and appropriate standard operating procedures (SOP) including defining beneficiary selection criteria and identification process, and oversee compliance to agreed standards and guidelines.
• Map donor priorities within economic recovery sector and identify new opportunities, including to engage with new donors.
• Provide technical leadership and review of all proposals and reports and other relevant sector-specific donor communications.
• Lead on Economic Recovery program review meetings and contribute to other program review meetings as necessary (Grant Opening, Review, & Close Out Meetings).
• Technical advice on sector related budget budget development and/or realignments, in coordination with PMs, Specialists and Area Managers or Base Managers.

Quality Assurance

• Oversight of overall program implementation progress and quality; identification, resolution and/or escalation of issues.
• Work with MEAL to develop harmonized tools and databases to monitor and track efficiency and quality of programming and improve information management within the sector focal points.
• Work closely with MEAL in design, implementation, and evaluation of sector-level programming.
• Coordinate with MEAL to ensure accountability mechanisms are established for programming.
• Capture best practices and lessons learned from the monitoring and evaluation results and analysis, and use them to enhance programme quality, effectiveness, and efficiency.

Coordination and Donor Engagement

• Lead participation at Clusters, including direct participation at the national level and coordination of representation at the sub-national level. Also participate in working groups/strategic advisory groups, and any other relevant fora to represent DRC and its mandate.
• Act as the main sector-level point of contact with donors; support donor visits to the field.
• Provide technical input and support strategic direction of the sector-level response within the humanitarian community and with development actors.
• Proactively engage in bilateral coordination with local and international NGOs as well as with international public organizations to refine, expand and strengthen DRC’s referral and information assistance and partner networks whilst seeking new partnerships.
• Explore and develop new partnerships with various entities, such as the private sector or academics.
• Report issues and challenges to the donor in a timely manner, in coordination with the Head of Programme.
• Liaise with local, regional, and national government authorities and relevant stakeholders.
• Take active role in pushing DRC’s economic recovery advocacy messages in relevant coordination forums.

Other

• Ensure adherence to DRC’s Age, Gender, and Diversity policy and AGD programmatic minimum standards.
• Ensure compliance with zero-tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy.
• Ensure compliance with DRC guidelines and policies on HR, admin, finance, and supply.
• Perform other relevant tasks as requested by and in discussion with the Head of Programme.

About you

Experience and technical competencies

• Proven experience of at least 5 years in economic recovery, food security, decent livelihoods and financial inclusion (including using cash and voucher assistance) in a complex humanitarian context;
• Minimum 4 years managing or designing livelihoods and CVA programming (including with consortia).
• Preferred – 2 years working on durable solutions.
• Strong communication and analytical skills, including demonstrated capacity to lead/design research and innovation in the sector.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to quickly develop good insight and understanding of the conflict and the economic environment of the program country;
• Sound understanding of humanitarian architecture and experience with representation in a cluster or CMWG;
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability;
• Experience coordinating with diverse teams and providing technical guidance and training;
• Able to manage high workload and deadlines in an efficient and timely manner;
• Able to manage stress and be flexible.

Education:

• Master’s degree in development, business or a related field.
• If Bachelor’s in relevant field, an additional 3 years of humanitarian work experience is required.

Languages:

• Proficiency in spoken and written English is essential.
• Arabic is an asset.

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: one year contract

Band: F non-manager

Duty Station: Sana’a

Designation of Duty Station: Non-Family Duty Station

Start date: ASAP

Contract Type: Expatriate Contract

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies