Head of Operations

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.

Overall purpose of the role

The Head of Operations (HoO) is overall responsible for the operational set up and programmatic direction of DRC’s response in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). The role will oversee the technical design of the country’s portfolio, including modalities of implementation, quality control, the recruitment and management of DRC’s oPt team. Additionally, the HoO is accountable for ensuring the timely and compliant delivery of DRC’s programme activities in the field, including partnerships’ establishment and management, in line with DRC’s global technical guidelines and the work plans for individual grants.

In close collaboration with both the DRC Middle East Regional Office’s (MERO) team and the oPt team, the HoO ensures that the programme strategies are realistically achievable, and sufficient technical guidance and support is available to implement the grant components of those strategies effectively. The HoO also works collaboratively with the Support Service team to ensure that processes to enable smooth delivery of operations in the field (e.g. HR, Admin, IT, Finance, Supply Chain, etc.) are being consistently applied and improved. The HoO also coordinates closely with the Safety team to ensure operations are conducted safely and in line with humanitarian principles wherever they are implemented.

Duties and Responsibilities

The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Strategy, Management and Programming:

• Lead the development of an acheiveable Strategic Programme Document for DRC’s oPt response, with support from the Technical Coordinators other relevant colleagues
• Continue building DRC’s strategic partnerships with civil society organizations in line with Global localization standards and DRC’s oPt Partnerships Approach
• Identify and drive fundraising efforts for DRC in oPt, including through the evaluation of funding opportunity and via overseeing the submission of high quality proposals, and via leading on donor engagement efforts
• Supervise, monitor and evaluate the implementation of programmes to ensure that activities are implemented in accordance with agreed strategies, principles, implementation plans, DRC guidelines and donor requirements
• When relevant, oversee development of Area Strategies by the Area Offices within frame of SPD & Sector Strategies
• When relevant, oversee Area Managers and the Partnership team responsible for implementation of different sectoral activities including but not necessarily limited to Protection, Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding, Site Management, Shelter & Settlements, and Economic Recovery, either directly or with strategic partners.

Operations and Project Delivery:

• Lead on the scale-up of DRC’s operations in Gaza and the West Bank working with strategic partners and/or through direct implementation
• Develop and monitor detailed operational plans for all Emergency project activities in accordance with the overall Emergency Response Logframe
• Provide timely and methodical updates regarding needs and trends specific to the response to relevant regional and HQ focal point
• Prepare and manage budgets within context of country Master Budget in collaboration with Programme and Support Service teams
• Coordinate submission of combined purchase requests in Dynamics where necessary in line with procurement plans
• Ensure that DRC’s operational set up (including the establishment of offices, the facilitation of deployments, and the coordination of other ongoing operational processes) are fit-for-purpose and appropriate for the effective implementation of project activities, in line with the SPD & Sector Strategies, in cooperation with the Programme and Support Service teams

Safety and Humanitarian Access:

• Delegated responsibility from the Regional Operations Director to work with Safety Coordinator and – when relevant – Area Managers to ensure oversight of implementation of Safety Risk Management System in the areas of implementation.
• Engage with Safety Coordinator to improve consistency and proactiveness of access negotiations and CMCoord
• Follow the humanitarian principles, standards and guidelines that DRC is committed to, and ensure these are adhered to by DRC staff, partner staff and volunteers.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability:

• Oversee the planning, coordination and implementation of a multi-sector assessment of conflict affected communities to inform humanitarian actors of key needs
• Lead the role out and the upholding of best standards of accountability processes in the areas of implementation (inc. CoC, BFMs and PSEA focal points
• Ensure Monitoring & Evaluation processes are appropriately resourced and rolled out in all areas of implementation
• Ensure informative sessions are conducted in a timely manner and ensure the project team is recording feedback (comments, suggestions) and report back on issues of concern with recommended areas of intervention
• Champion a positive approach to gender and diversity mainstreaming in DRC’s area office operations (inc. Gender and Diversity focal points)

Representation:

• Represent DRC oPt Response in relevant fora at country-level (e.g. with relevant humanitarian and civil society coordination mechanisms, the UN system, as well as relevant national authorities)
• Represent DRC oPt Response in relevant international fora (e.g. donor meetings and other coordination systems, etc.)
• Represent DRC oPt Response internally within DRC to ensure appropriate information-sharing and coordination with MERO and HQ

Management and Supervision

• Provide support and technical second-line supervision to DRC response team members and partners as and when they are identified.
• 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, including 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
• Work cross departmentally to ensure project staff and activities comply with DRC policy and procedures, Sphere standards and best-practice.

Experience and technical competencies:

• At least six years of INGO emergency response experience in insecure environments, including at least two years of senior management experience;
• Experience in establishing a new geographical area or country operation in a humanitarian context
• Documented skills in project planning and design, drafting, calculation and technical writing
• Strong analytical, organizational, and management and leadership skills, including experience with external representation in national and international fora
• Experience working with national partners, local/government authorities, and UN organisations
• Proven commitment to accountable practices and knowledge of quality assurance systems in an emergency response;
• Hands on experience in managing staff in insecure locations and strong human resource management skills in general. Solid experience in staff management in a cross-cultural environment required;
• Good communicator and proven diplomacy with all types of stakeholders;
• Experience of managing budgets and multiple donor contracts, particularly with OFDA, ECHO, SIDA and UN agencies;
• Ability to work independently, but also coordinate effectively as part of a team;
• Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point); and
• Ability and willingness to work and live in diverse, challenging and potentially unstable environments.

Desirable:

• Previous experience the oPt and Middle East region or similar context with conflict/access analysis ability; and
• Previous experience in rapid-onset emergencies, and of working in protracted emergency contexts;
• Strong working knowledge of access, negotiations and/or experience in implementing programming in hard to reach areas/areas with high access constraints

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Fluency or strong working knowledge of Arabic is desirable

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.

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• Master’s degree in political science, international development, economics or other relevant field

We offer

Contract length: 12 Months

Position Band: This position will be placed at Management band (E1)

Start date: December 2024

Duty station: Ramallah/Amman

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