Head of Programme

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 Syria

DRC has been actively operating in Syria since 2008 mainly supporting refugees. In June 2012, DRC was authorized by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to expand its humanitarian efforts and provide assistance to IDPs and the vulnerable resident population countrywide. Since then, DRC activities have been focused on NFI distributions, Shelter, WASH, Protection, Education, Livelihoods and Mine Risk Education in six Governorates (Damascus, Rural Damascus, Dara’a, Aleppo, Hama, and Homs). While Protection/community service activities are provided to beneficiaries throughout our six Community Centers.

About the job

As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Head of Programme drives the overall country strategy, in line with DRC’s global and regional strategies as well as needs and contextual developments on the ground. The HoP oversees the conceptualization and development of programmes, leads fundraising and donor engagement, and is responsible for ensuring programmatic quality in addition to the effective management of grants. The position manages a team of technical programme staff at the CO level and is responsible for ensuring programmatic quality standards are met across the board, including through robust MEAL processes, capitalization of learning and cross-cutting issues (protection and age, gender, and diversity mainstreaming). The HoP actively engages with partners, civil society and the donor community to ensure DRC’s views and priorities are represented. S/he plays a key role in ensuring adherence to policies and systems.

Duties and Responsibilities

​Programme Strategy & Development

• Identify and keep abreast of key developments and trends in the country and position DRC to address these with quality and efficiency.
• Drive the conceptualization and development process of the country strategy, and sector strategies collaboratively and with the participation and inputs from the overall country operations. This includes ensuring the strategy is evidence based, and includes internal/external accountability and that it is informed by DRC’s expertise and stakeholder consultations.
• Ensure that the key global and regional frameworks are contextualized and applied across programs and ensure that staff are aware of and understand these.
• Foster synergies between programme areas including integration, harmonization across Area Offices and ensure quality assurance for more holistic approaches to assistance.
• Ensure the emergency preparedness and response plan for Syria (EPRP) is updated and facilitate assessments and rapid responses for new emergencies as discussed and agreed with the SMT.
• Keep abreast and engage with the Durable Solutions Architecture and ensure DRC is well represented in these fora.In close collaboration with the Advocacy Coordinator, ensure advocacy is embedded in and informed by programmes as well as used for external communications with government authorities, donors, and other humanitarian and development stakeholders.

Programme Quality & Coordination

• Provide oversight, guidance, and leadership on all aspects of program design, development and quality assurance.
• Ensure programming is principled and in line with Core Humanitarian Standards, Sphere standards and other relevant legal frameworks.
• Ensure there are systems and tools in place for conflict sensitive including do-no harm approaches to programming.
• Develop a close and productive working relationship with Area Offices (implementation teams) to ensure by-in of quality standards and processes and that designs, and course corrections are evidence based and informed by learning.
• Ensure the implementation of effective and participatory Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning strategies at all levels of the country programmes.
• Facilitate collaboration and the utilization of global and regional technical support in areas of new programmatic initiatives (localization, greening, innovation etc.).
• Ensure Information Management is embedded with DRC programme and that data management adheres to GDPR and other data protection protocols including PIM.
• Adopt an evidence based approach that see the dissemination of lessons learned and best practices within DRC country and Region teams, to donors and to other stakeholders when relevant in order to ensure synergetic programming and cross-program collaboration in Syria and in the whole region.
• Supervise monitoring and evaluation of the operations to ensure the overall implementation is in accordance with agreed work plans, donor agreements and humanitarian accountability framework.

Fundraising, and Grants Management

• Ensure proposals are in line with the Strategic Plan and Sector Strategies, and that they are submitted in a timely manner and with quality.
• Ensure effective and transparent budgeting, planning and follow-up in compliance with DRC policies and priorities as well as donor rules and regulations.
• Ensure grants opening, review, and closure meetings take place systematically.
• Ensure quality control of donor reports and authorize the submissions of these and proposals to HQ/donors.

Donor liaison, Partnerships and Representation

• Represent DRC Syria to current and potential donors.
• Cultivate key relationships that enhance DRC’s visibility, and credibility and position DRC as a key displacement focused organization in Syria.
• Review and oversee implementation of the CSO partnership strategy and promote DRC’s localization agenda within DRC Syria.
• Identify local NGOs/partners and develop partnerships with relevant and complementary partners.
• Keep abreast and engage with strategic coordination structures including the Durable Solutions Task Force and Working Group and ensure DRC is well represented in these as well as other external fora as deemed strategic.

Direct staff management:

• Ensure that technical managers, coordinators, and specialists, under HoP line management have clear and realistic performance-based management goals.
• Provide on-going support and coaching and ensure that line managed staff have the required capacities to fulfil their responsibilities.
• Plan, draft and/or review scopes of work to hire and manage technical consultants, including review of technical efficacy and contract budget.

Other

• In close collaboration with the broader Senior Management Team, lead by example to ensure continual progress towards DRC’s Age, Gender, and Diversity policy and AGD programmatic minimum standards, and promote compliance with DRC’s commitment to zero-tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy.
• Other duties as requested by the Country Director

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in program management, leadership, and design in countries of conflict or post-conflict
• Minimum 4 years of experience working in managing emergency operations, including transitioning contexts and preferably in the Middle East.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in proposal development, budget development, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Proven experience in effectively coordinating with National Governments, International and National NGO partners and a variety of working with and coordinating with a variety of donors including SDC, BHA, OCHA, ECHO, SIDA, DANIDA, and the EU.
• Preferably previous successful experience with DRC.
• Proven experience in managing integrated programs as well as capacity building.

Education:

University degree in International Development and/or Humanitarian Assistance, Project Management, or any other related field.

Languages:

• Full professional proficiency in English is required.
• Arabic is desirable

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 act in line with our vision and values.

We offer

Contract length: one year

Level: E1

Location: Damascus

Expected Start date: Late 2024