Area Manager At Danish Refugee Council

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Area Manager for Kachin State, Myanmar. The role is a key position for DRC Myanmar and is a full member of the extended senior management team.

About the job

As Area Manager you are expected to be able to work independently under the authority delegated by the Country Director, bring solid management and leadership skills to the job, and the ability to engage and represent DRC with local authorities and other stakeholders. Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Project Portfolio

• Supervise the timely implementation of the project portfolio, currently funded by ECHO, HARP (DFID), DANIDA, OCHA, UNICEF, WRA, OFDA, SDC, and private donations.
• Organise and oversee regular project review meetings, particularly for multi sector projects.
• Ensure regular contact, frequent support, and visits to Bhamo sub office.
• Contribute to the development of new programme initiatives and help seek funding for these.

Support Services Management

• Ensure that all DRC policies and procedures are in place and are adhered to (admin/finance, HR, procurement, and logistics)
• Ensure compliance with DRC Code of Conduct
• Ensure timely and accurate financial forecasting and reporting as overall responsible for all Kachin budgets.

Representation and Advocacy

• Maintain DRC’s position as a key factor in the INGO community in Kachin and represent DRC to donors and external actors.
• Maintain good relations and close co-ordination with local authorities, UN agencies, international and national civil society.
• Ensure DRC’s active engagement and advocacy in local and national level co-ordination bodies on Protection, Child Protection, CCCM/Shelter/NFI, Livelihoods, durable solutions and population movements.
• Identify opportunities to ensure the situation in Kachin continues to be discussed at relevant forums, through briefings with key stakeholders in Kachin or Yangon, as well as support in development of advocacy briefing notes.

Security

• In close coordination with the Country Director and DRC’s Safety Manager based in Yangon, monitor the security environment, and implement appropriate safety and security procedures (MOSS compliant)

Strategy and Fundraising

• In close cooperation with the Head of Programme, contribute to the identification and development of new programme initiatives in Kachin, including facilitating assessments and overseeing preparation of concept notes and proposals.
• Support the National Coordinators (Protection, MRE, Livelihoods) in proactively identify areas for collaboration and integrative programming between teams and sectors.
• Work with the Country Director and Head of Programme to continue developing the DRC strategy for Kachin.

Team and People Management

• Ensure positive staff management, including proactive staff capacity building and ensuring performance reviews are conducted.
• Maintain a positive, collaborative and enabling work environment.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to be very familiar with humanitarian principles and practices, have a strong background in representing an international organization to external partners and authorities and excellent networking skills. The qualified candidate is, organised and independent, has direct programming experience in one of DRC Kachin’s programmatic sectors, as well as experience in management and oversight of a large office. Moreover, we also expect the following:

To be successful in this role you must have:

• A minimum of 5 years relevant project and/or programme management experience with an international NGO
• Experience of managing a team of both Expatriate and National Staff, ideally across different locations.
• Practical experience of implementing multi-sectoral projects, ideally within the fields of emergency response, protection and livelihoods or humanitarian mine action preferably in a conflict-related context.
• Experience with writing project proposals and concept notes to mobilize resources and complement and expand current programming.
• Experience of managing an office/team where you have had responsibility for ensuring that all administrative, logistics, procurement, HR procedures are being followed according to organisational procedures.
• Experience with representation of the agency with government, UN, and donor audiences for coordination and advocacy
• Strong diplomatic skills in communicating with stakeholders, fellow heads of office and staff.
• Professional fluency in English
• University Degree in humanitarian/development studies, social sciences or other relevant field or equivalent professional experience
• Prior knowledge of working with DRC and/or in South East Asia will be considered an asset
• Prior knowledge of cooperation with local partners will be considered an asset.

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: 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.

We offer

Contract length: 12 months, with the possibility of extension

Level: Senior Management, E

Designation of Duty Station: Myitkyina, Kachin State – with frequent and extended trips to Bhamo, ideally 60% Bhamo and 40% Myitkyina, unaccompanied duty station

Start date: 1 November

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates.

For questions regarding the vacancy please contact Martin Vane on martin.vane@drc.ngo or Brenna Carmody on brenna.carmody@drc.ngo.