Head of Program

Position title: Head of Program

Supervised by: Country Director

Reporting to: Country Director

Duty Station: Bogota – Colombia

Area of Operation: Colombia

Employment Period: 24 months

Type of Contract (Expat/National/Trainee): Expatriate or national contract

Salary & Benefits: E1 small family package

1. Introduction

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. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profitmaking, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

2. Background

The West and Central Africa, North Africa and Latin America (WANALA) region has 73 bases spread around three main areas in 12 countries: 43 in West Africa (former WARO), 11 in North Africa (former NARO) and 19 in the Americas.

Under the leadership of the regional office in Dakar, DRC began operations in Colombia in 2013 by responding to the humanitarian needs regarding Humanitarian Demining. Currently, DRC Colombia operates a Country Office located in Bogota and 7 Bases in cities/Towns like Riohacha (GUA), Barranquilla (ATL), Montecristo (BOL), Tibu (Norte de Santander), Barbacoas (Nariño), Bogota peripheries and San Jose del Fragua (CAQ). Interventions focus on finding durable solutions for the most vulnerable, using the holistic approach of graduation to improve both protection and economic recovery. Interventions include identifying key protection risks and inter-population conflicts to identify social cohesion and conflict resolution projects that will bring communities together. Programming focuses in rural and hard-to-reach areas to meet people’s basic needs for food, shelter, and NFIs, while improving the protection environment and providing income generation opportunities.

3. Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Country Director, The Head of Program is responsible for the quality of program development and implementation, and for developing the program strategy for DRC in Colombia. He/she reports directly to the Country Director and is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT).

As Head of Programme, you contribute and coordinate the development of the DRC Colombia country strategy, sector strategies and coordinate technical design including for proposals and budgets, in close collaboration with the Senior Management Team (SMT), Area Managers and implementing personnel. You oversee the technical programme unit that provides the Area Managers and – when relevant – implementing partners – responsible for implementation with the technical tools, training, and oversight to support the quality implementation of the country portfolio. As part of this drive for quality, you also line manage the MEAL-IM team, to enable close monitoring of the effectiveness of DRC’s programming in line with country, regional and global strategies. You are a member of the SMT, providing input to the overall DRC country operation.

More specifically

Program strategy and business development

• Responsible for the overall programmatic strategy across the entire country operation. Ensures strategic coherence and vision of the whole country programme, based on active participation in the drafting of the DRC Strategic Programme Document and as part of the Senior Management Team
• Provides technical expertise to the entire country operation and ensures technical advice on programme quality, MEAL-IM and programme development for the Country programme
• Leads, with the support of programme, support and area teams, the development and submission of high quality and relevant proposals
• Designs, contributes and/or leads assessments for emergency or longer-term programming in existing or new project locations
• Responsible for shaping and driving the Fundraising, Partnership and Advocacy strategies for the country and feeding into regional initiatives.
• Establishes strong and efficient partnerships with organizations, donors, and authorities, in line with the country programme strategy and DRC partnership management policy.
• Ensures programmatic integration across all sectors and departments.
• Contributes to fundraising efforts by engaging systematically with key donors and, with support from the Country Director and the Business Development Regional Advisor, to identify and pursue new collaboration and funding opportunities.
• Lead the identification and coordination with local partners for DRC in Colombia
• Deliver inputs to programme strategy and identify opportunities for new projects.

Management, quality, and accountability of the programs

• Responsible for developing policies, processes, and standards within respective areas
• Oversee and support continuous improvement of programme quality standards, including application and harmonization across field bases.
• Support the grants team in timely submissions of high-quality donor reports.
• Enabling and overseeing effective, efficient, and timely implementation of all projects according to agreed contracts, budgets, policies, legal frameworks, and specific donor requirements.
• Ensure that relevant beneficiary data is collected, compiled, analyzed, and distributed and that relevant assessments are conducted in the project Area
• Manage, coordinate and coach members of the programme team, ensuring the establishment of clear professional objectives, their professional development and capacity building as needed.
• Oversee and support capacity building for expatriate and national staff on technical issues and program cycle management, based on assessment of the critical program improvement needs of the country mission.
• Work in close cooperation with programme and support staff in the country mission, and actively seek support, knowledge and coaching as necessary from colleagues in other countries, regions, and HQ.
• Provide regular internal and external reports, and other relevant information on programme activities, policy matters and external relations.

Management Responsibilities

• Manage, coordinate and coach members of the programme team, ensuring the establishment of clear professional objectives, their professional development and capacity building as needed.
• Ensure that DRC values and code of conduct are respected and upheld, including through setting a personal example.
• As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:
• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility.
• 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; and accountable for ensuring DRC´s compliance procedures are in place at all levels.
• Accountable for people management of direct reports. This includes 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.

External relations and representation

• Together with Country Director, ensure adequate bilateral representation of DRC with government authorities, donors, UN agencies, humanitarian agencies, and other partners regarding programme and participation in coordination meetings as relevant.
• Increase the visibility and credibility of DRC’s program in the area and maintain close relations with all relevant stakeholders including donors.

In addition to the above, the Head of Program may be asked to carry out other duties requested by the Country Director.

4. Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• Minimum 7 years at international level of progressively responsible experience in program management, leadership, and design in countries of conflict or post-conflict. At least one year of experience in senior management position required.
• Minimum 5 years of management experience, of which at least 3 should include management of a portfolio across multiple sectors of at least 15 M USD.
• Good understanding of displacement/refugee/migration issues and related international standards/frameworks.
• Experience in emergency response as well as early recovery/durable solutions programming.
• Strong experience in programme quality, MEAL, programme development (including proposals) and proven fundraising abilities with key donors (UNHCR, ECHO, OFDA/BHA, DANIDA, PM/WRA and USAID Contracts)
• Experience with private foundations, USAID, and other development-oriented donors, and/or multilateral organizations an asset.
• Experience with proposal development, budget development, program implementation, monitoring, and evaluation
• Experience in Colombia / Latin America considered a strong advantage.
• Proven experience in effectively coordinating with National Governments, International and National NGO partners.
• Previous successful experience with DRC is an asset.
• Proven experience in managing integrated programs as well as capacity building.
• Proven excellent communication and report writing skills.
  • Full proficiency in Spanish and English. Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking 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.

5. General Regulations

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality, and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework
• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization.
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period.
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization.
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request.