Head of Humanitarian Response and Mine Action Unit At DanChurchAid

DanChurchAid

Are you driven by the humanitarian imperative and have a strong urge to act when you see and experience humanitarian needs? Are you looking for an opportunity to use your experience and knowledge gained over several years in the humanitarian sector? Then you now have a unique opportunity to join DanChurchAid and take the lead role in DCA’s humanitarian response and strategy together with a dedicated and professional team of humanitarian workers.

DanChurchAid is one of Denmark’s largest humanitarian NGOs. It is an organisation with a Christian foundation and identity, open and inclusive to all regardless of faith, beliefs, or practices. When you work with DanChurchAid, you will learn that on a daily basis it is our four values – compassion, proactivity, accountability, and respect – that guide our work along with our four strategic goals: saving lives, building resilient communities, fighting extreme inequality, and creating engagement. As Head of one of the five units in the international department, you will be part of DCA’s International management team and play a leading role in implementing and resourcing our new Global Strategy (2023-26), where your primary focus will be linked to the goal of saving lives, as well as ensuring that a nexus approach and localization is central. The position plays a central role in contributing and positioning DCA in relevant networks and fora as well as with donors and UN organisations.

DanChurchAid operates in 20 countries and must be prepared to act fast to deliver an accountable, effective, and well-coordinated response to affected populations. In addition, we wish to support and strengthen local capacities and advocate at an international level for increased support to and inclusion of local actors. As a member of the International Management Team, you will play a leading role in advising International and Senior Management while leading and driving Humanitarian interventions, in close cooperation with existing Country Programmes, in coordination with ACT Alliance members or directly in places where DCA does not have a presence. As the Head of Unit, you will be central to strengthening emergency response and preparedness capacities while working closely with our colleagues in Copenhagen and around the world.

You will lead a unit of 15 humanitarians in HQ – some with specialized/thematic competences, others with more general humanitarian competences. You will report directly to the International Director.

Your key responsibilities will be to

• Lead and motivate a dedicated humanitarian team and further develop a dynamic working environment within HRMA.
• Take initiative and lead organizational response to sudden onset disasters.
• Support the International Director and Senior Management in the development of strategies as well as achieving agreed long-term organisational objectives.
• Lead the unit’s annual planning process and develop effective strategies to achieve the humanitarian objectives.
• Support DanChurchAid country programmes in meeting programme objectives.
• Lead and develop holistic programming and learning from country specific experiences including those areas where we integrate multiple humanitarian interventions e.g., Humanitarian Mine Action and Cash, Climate and Conflict etc.
• Lead the ongoing humanitarian capacity building of DanChurchAid staff at headquarters and in country offices including partner organisations. This includes being responsible for the development of relevant tools and guidelines, including e-learning solutions.
• Ensure a close, good, and effective cooperation with all country offices and relevant headquarters units in international department and beyond. Ensure good cooperation with relevant external stakeholders and fora, including sister organisations within the ACT Alliance.

You have the following essential skills and knowledge

• The successful candidate will have a broad range of humanitarian competencies and experiences in their toolbox. While a specific sectoral expertise is not required, a broad and substantial knowledge of humanitarian response as well as sector coordination is essential. You can critically engage with sectoral experts, and able to identify which needs are the highest priority.
• Have a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience (including at least 3-5 years at relevant management level) in international emergency, mine action and/or post-conflict settings. Experience in working in conflict settings with remote management is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising and positioning at country and global level.
• Be strategic and visionary and have the ability to make difficult decisions and resolve problems.
• Have demonstrated abilities of working with people of different cultural backgrounds.
• Have ‘hands-on’ understanding of the modalities of both partner-implemented and direct-implemented programs and a proven track-record for building capacity of national partners, local authorities, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Communication skills and the ability to get along with others in stressful situations are imperative.
• Knowledge of/exposure to relevant global humanitarian networks and forums i.e., CALP, CCD, Global clusters, Regional / Global OCHA meetings as well as key institutional/UN donors including ECHO, USAID, USDOS and UNOPS.
• Experience with, and good knowledge of one or more of the humanitarian sectors (e.g., Protection, Conflict Prevention and Peace Building, Livelihood in Emergencies, Humanitarian Mine Action, and Cash-based programming).
• Experience working and living in field operations abroad, preferably with a national or international NGO or the UN system.
• Relevant university degree or equivalent and excellent communication skills in English – (French or Arabic would be a great advantage but not a requirement).
• Good understanding and knowledge of the humanitarian standards and principles.
• Have a broad network with other like-minded NGOs at global level.
• Above all, you are robust, a strong team player and an excellent communicator.

DanChurchAid offers

• Full time contract starting as soon as possible.
• Duty station is Copenhagen. Frequent /extended travelling to DCA country programmes and beyond.
• Excellent colleagues in a rewarding and empowering workplace.
• Salary and employment as per DanChurchAid ‘s AC Collective Agreement (follows the state) for “Chefkonsulenter”.
• An interesting and challenging opportunity to strengthen and further develop one of Denmark’s largest Humanitarian and Development NGOs.

Application and deadline

When applying, you are kindly requested to attach a copy of relevant certificates, together with your CV and motivation letter that clearly demonstrates experience of competencies as required. Please note all qualifications will be verified. Also note that this is not an expatriate position, and we do not offer housing, schooling or relocation, and formal requirements to live and work in Denmark are required.

Application Deadline: 19. March 2023
Contact person: Jonas Vejsager Nøddekær, International Director,
E-mail: JNO@dca.dk, Tel: +45 29699121
Country: Denmark
Place of work: Copenhagen

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, abilities or ethnic affiliation are encouraged to apply for the vacancy. DCA conducts an anti-terror check as part of the recruitment process. It is a prerequisite that you can pass this check and maintain this status throughout your employment with us. Everyone applying for a job with DCA must be ready to comply with our Staff Policy on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment and our Child Safeguarding Policy.