Head of Support Services

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 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. 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.

1- Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and its Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding technical unit – the Danish Demining Group (DDG), has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015. DRC Nigeria is the largest DRC country mission in the West Africa region and one of the largest DRC country missions globally. Currently, DRC delivers life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities in the areas of armed violence reduction, humanitarian mine action, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in 30+ Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Borno and Adamawa states in northeast Nigeria.

2- Overall purpose of the role: 

Operationally and strategically the Head of Support Services (HoSS) holder is responsible for Finance, Human Resources, Logistics and Procurement, Administration, and IT. They oversee, develop, and provide strategic direction, mentorship and support to their support areas. An active member of the Senior Management Team, this role ensures that all aspects of the Country Office management is represented and considered in decision making. This role has a country focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the country. The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to country operations while overseeing country activities.

3- Duties and Responsibilities

Management

• Lead and manage the support managers nd specialists (including people planning, performance, well-being and development).
• Manage, deliver, and report on current operations and programme support in each area of implementation.
• Establish high performing support teams ensuring high-quality approaches are maintained.
• Develop and improve operational approaches, compliance, and systems, and support the Country Director to build and deliver effective and sustainable interventions.
• Responsible for the strategic development, management, and implementation of the support operations.
• Ensure appropriate technical support is available to programs, in line with organizational priorities.
• Ensure support for annual planning and review processes.
• Direct responsibility for ensuring that the DRC Programme operates in accordance with DRC’s support function guidelines.

Operational Management

• Support the Country Director and the Senior Management Team in liaising with donors and authorities, especially as relates to issues of compliance, registration, and audit.
• Oversee the operational support units for the country/region by providing strategic leadership and technical support to the areas under their supervision.
• Supervision, audits and controlling and implementation of corrective actions related to DRC’s operational standards within support area.
• Ensure that DRC retains and continually develops its operational capacity to provide rapid emergency response in particular within its procurement and transport systems.
• Work closely with Risk and Compliance coordinator to develop and maintain a risk management plan for the country that identifies the major financial and operational risks and implement a mitigation strategy.
• Ensure that all administrative and legal-related systems are accurate and maintained.
• Work to build the capacity of the operational support staff throughout the operation though frequent in-service training sessions and mentoring support.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of DRC’s global development initiatives.

DRC Dynamics ERP System

• Ensure ERP functionality is properly used by relevant staff.
• Apply reports and data analytics from DRC Dynamics to improve overall performance.
• Act as heavy user for most of the Projects & Finance functionalities.

Supervisor responsibilities:

• Supports the managers to coordinate the daily activities of small teams to ensure workload is supported and prioritized appropriately.
• Develops a capacity building and mentoring style of operations within the teams’ offering trainings and opportunities within the organization for staff development.

Deputy responsibilities:

• Function as Country Director during their absence. Represent DRC on behalf of the Country Director upon agreement with authorities, UN agencies, humanitarian agencies, and other partners.
• Other deputizing duties as agreed with the Country Director

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

• At least 7 years’ experience in relevant field
• At least 4 years’ experience with people management
• Experience in a similar role in an international NGO
• Proven leadership skills and a competence in people management
• Proven operational management experience and capability, including in conflict areas
• Proven significant financial, information and systems management experience
• Significant experience in procurement and tender processes
• Understanding and experience of institutional fundraising
• Understanding of the countries in which DRC operates and sensitive to the cultural context
• Experience working in an ERP system, including supply chain, finance and HR systems

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to 7 years INGO or other international agencies experience in finance or operations management in international humanitarian Programmes, a demonstrated ability to set up operational management systems in a large programme and direct experience of delivery of humanitarian programme in an emergency response.

Required

• Post graduate degree in Business Administration, finance or accounting professional qualification such as ACCA or CPA.
• Excellent knowledge in reviewing major international donor reports and knowledge of major donor rules including UNHCR, WFP, ECHO, EC, DFID, DANIDA and USG
• Experience working in an ERP system, including supply chain, finance and HR system.  Knowledge Dynamics 365 financial software will be an added advantage
• Possess strong accounting, analytical and conceptual skills.
• Proven management and leadership skills.
• Proven commitment to accountable practices.
• Understanding of the countries in which DRC operates and sensitive to the cultural context
• Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework into the work of DRC

Desirable

• Procurement and supply chain management is desired
• Knowledge of working in challenging and insecure environments
• Proven ability to manage large varied workloads and deal constructively with stress and periods with long hours.
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and work with limited supervision.
• Proactive, stable and robust character and a good team player.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations at all levels.

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

6- Required Skills & Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC:
  • Striving for excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Taking the lead
  • Communication
  • Demonstrating Integrity
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment
• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are required
• Multi-tasking and Organizational skills is a must
• Adaptable and Flexible
• Proven analytical and critical thinking skills
• Exemplary sense of ethics in the workplace
• Team-oriented & good sense of humor

7- Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position on line: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.

However, all applicants shall take into consideration that DRC cannot offer an international work contract to a citizen of the country of assignment (in this specific case, Nigeria)

Applications close on the  June 13th 2024 at midnight (GMT-time). Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.