Capacity Building Manager At Danish Refugee Council

This job advertisement replaces the advertisement published on 03/09/2024 (Project number: 171868)

Position Title: Capacity Building Manager

Supervised by: Area Manager

Lien technique : Spécialiste Localisation basé à Yaoundé

Duty Station: Meiganga with mobility to Garoua Boulai, Djohong and Ngaoundéré, and possibly Touboro

Area of ​​Operation: Adamaoua, East and North Regions, Cameroon

Period considered: 12 months renewable, subject to financing

Contract type: National or Expatriate contract

Salary & Benefits: MF Level 2

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) assists refugees and displaced people worldwide: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights and strengthen their opportunities for a better future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along displacement routes and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive to achieve responsible and sustainable solutions. We work towards successful integration into host communities and, where possible, towards the fulfilment of their wishes to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown into an international humanitarian organisation with over 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Headquartered in Copenhagen and present in 40 countries, DRC is a non-governmental, non-profit, politically neutral and independent non-denominational aid organisation.

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

1. Context

Led by the regional office in Dakar and closely linked to interventions in neighboring Central African Republic (CAR), DRC began operations in Cameroon in 2018, responding to the humanitarian needs of CAR refugees and vulnerable Cameroonians in the Adamawa region. Currently, DRC operates through a main office in Meiganga and two sub-offices in Djohong (Adamaoua region) and Garoua-Boulai (East region). In early 2019, DRC also initiated operations in the South-West region to provide assistance that meets the basic needs of populations in terms of food, shelter and protection in rural and hard-to-reach areas. In 2023, DRC is initiating an intervention in the Logone-et-Chari department in the Far North, with the priority of seeking solutions to the root causes of inter-community conflicts through programming on peacebuilding and resilience. DRC works with various local partners in Cameroon and is gradually increasing its financial support to Cameroonian civil society organizations. In 2024, DRC expanded its interventions in the Mayo Tsanaga Department in coordination with other humanitarian actors, for a livelihood response for the most vulnerable refugees in the Minawao camp.

In the Adamaoua and East regions, DRC is currently implementing 2 projects:

• DRC est lead du consortium SOLID regroupant DRC, Care, ACF et NRC autour d’un programme transfrontalier (RCA et Cameroun) qui vise à apporter des solutions durables aux populations centrafricaines de part et d’autre de la frontière, ainsi qu’aux communautés accueillant les réfugiés côté camerounais. DRC collabore avec 3 partenaires locaux dans le cadre de ce projet.
• Since 2021, DRC has been implementing a graduation approach project aimed at the economic recovery of the most vulnerable people among Central African refugees and host communities in the Adamaoua and East regions; this project is funded by BPRM and its second phase began on September 1, 2024 for 3 years.

As part of the second phase of the BPRM project (CamPAGA project), the graduation approach will be carried out in close partnership with the Cameroonian CSO APROSPEN and with MINAS to ensure the coordination of this approach with the national social security system, in order to guarantee the appropriation of the approach by these local actors. The project activities and responsibilities will be gradually entrusted to APROSPEN throughout the 3 years. This will require close support in order to guarantee an optimal transition.

2. Purpose

Based in Meiganga, the Capacity Building Manager (CBM) works under the direct supervision of the Area Manager of Adamaoua and East. The CBM is responsible for the daily support and coaching of the local partner APROSPEN, the coordination of all capacity building activities of the local project teams/partners and the management of five DRC specialists in the region. The five specialists under his responsibility will represent technical support dedicated to the project and the progress of the graduation approach, to the DRC teams and to the implementing partners (mainly APROSPEN and MINAS) in the following areas: Protection, Agriculture and Livestock, Entrepreneurship, MEAL, Support Services. The CBM will have to ensure the development of contextualized training modules adapted to the graduation approach and the capacities of each interlocutor, the development of mentoring, coaching and support actions for local partners while ensuring strict compliance with DRC and donor procedures. It will contribute to the visibility and development of programmatic and organizational themes aimed at strengthening teams/partners in line with the DRC Cameroon programmatic vision. The RRC may be required to support the capacity building of other national partners operating in the area with DRC.

DRC is seeking for this position an individual with proven experience in assessing capacity building needs, developing and implementing formal training, field training and mentoring activities for local NGOs as well as the organization’s staff.

Pour être la/ le candidat.e choisi.e pour ce poste, il vous faut démontrer une excellente compréhension de la coordination de projets et de la gestion de subventions, de l’accompagnement des ONG locales, de fortes compétences managériales incluant l’encadrement technique du personnel, une posture proactive et une grande capacité à atteindre des résultats de qualité en un temps restreint. Vous avez également une bonne capacité à développer une vision stratégique et à l’opérationnaliser, êtes autonome, flexible et à l’écoute.

3. Responsibilities

The responsibilities listed are not exhaustive and could be readjusted according to operational needs identified at the time as long as they remain consistent with the general responsibilities of the position.

The position is based in the DRC premises in Meiganga then in Gaoua-Boulaï and requires regular travel to the various DRC and APROSPEN bases as well as in the field.

Coordination of capacity building

• Coordinate a diagnosis of the technical and organizational capacities of local partners, and support the participatory development with each partner of a capacity development plan, by mobilizing appropriate resources and methodologies.
• Monitor and regularly update each partner’s capacity building plan.
• Monitor the quality of capacity building actions and propose the necessary adjustments in terms of the most appropriate and relevant methodologies and approaches.
• Listen to partners and respond to their requests for institutional strengthening within the limits of the project’s possibilities
• Develop a participatory methodology for the creation of training modules by involving departments, technical coordinators and project teams.
• Develop, in consultation with various stakeholders and technical reinforcements, high-quality training modules and operational tools in different formats.
• Involve stakeholders in the validation of tools and other training materials developed for better ownership.
• Coordinate all preparatory actions – involving the DRC project and support teams and partners – necessary for the smooth running of training and workshops planned as part of the capacity building plans
• Ensure buy-in from partner leadership at all stages of the capacity building strategy.
• Identify potential trainers within the DRC and among local partners and train them specifically on relevant topics.
• Coordinate all training for local partners in the Adamaoua-East zone and support other DRC offices as needed.
• Develop, in collaboration with the technical reference coordinators, the terms of reference in the event of secondment of a DRC staff to the partner for a fixed period and ensure the achievement of the defined results/deliverables.
• Strengthen the knowledge, skills and practices of the specialists under his responsibility in training facilitation techniques and other adult learning methodologies.
• Ensure the application of DRC operational guidelines and standards in terms of equitable partnership and capacity development of local partners.

Partnership management

• Maintain clear and transparent communication with local partners.
• Ensure smooth collaboration with local NGOs in line with DRC Cameroon’s strategy. Is accountable for the involvement and commitment of local partners in the implementation of activities and the fulfillment of all commitments under the terms of the signed sub-grant contracts.
• Strengthen the capacity of local partners to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations of respective agreements with donors.
• Support local partners to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations of the grant agreement between PRM and DRC.
• Carry out regular visits to the field and to partners’ premises to provide technical support to staff and ensure progress and the quality of interventions.
• Ensure ongoing communication on supporting local NGOs in order to identify opportunities for synergies and possible pooling with other projects in the area.
• Active engagement with other actors in the same locality/implementation sector, participation in external coordination meetings and sharing of reports.

Contribution to strategic orientations and implementation of localization on the DRC Cameroon mission

• Contribute to the organizational transformation of DRC Cameroon towards greater localization (feed the thoughts, be a force for proposals, be a transmission belt for the respect and application of the DRC guidelines, etc.).
• Collect lessons learned and best practices as well as case studies (from DRC and/or other partners) that can be used for DRC’s continuous learning, for reporting to donors as well as for DRC’s communication materials.
• Capitalization: set up and regularly update a toolbox bringing together tools, modules, etc. to strengthen the skills and practices of DRC teams in strengthening the capacities of partners for the entire mission.
• Support other DRC bases in the country and the Coordination in Yaoundé according to needs (training, advice, workshops, etc.).

Team management

• Recruitment: Recruitment of staff under his responsibility in line with the needs and necessary resources. Preparation of staff TDRs, tests and interviews in collaboration with HR departments.
• Team Management: Coaches and provides methodological and strategic guidance to the team of specialists for the effective and efficient performance of their responsibilities and implementation of activities. Ensures that specialists work closely with the support team to comply with DRC policies and procedures, including effective weekly, monthly and quarterly planning. Reports resource/staff management issues to the Area Manager for decision. Organizes staff leave effectively.
• Staff Development: Identifies training needs related to project themes and internal and external training opportunities based on the budget available on the project. Contributes to career management within DRC. Organizes quality evaluations with performance objectives for all team members.
• Immediately report any violations of security protocols and recommend appropriate action, in accordance with DRC procedures.

Representation and relationships

• Support the Area Manager to represent DRC programs as required in the Adamaoua and East regions;
• Closely coordinate DRC activities with national authorities, UN agencies and local/international NGOs, as well as other stakeholders as needed;
• Develop close relationships and communicate regularly with refugee representatives, local leaders and technical services, and support the Area Manager in relations with administrative authorities, etc.

The RRC is expected to perform any other tasks required by his hierarchy and corresponding to his position.

4. Required qualifications

Experience and skills required

• Advanced degree (Master) in Training Engineering, Educational Engineering and Training, in law, social sciences, international relations or field related to the position in question
• At least 5 years of experience in partnership management, capacity building, support and coaching of local partners.
• Proficiency in MS Office software
• Experience in training, technical advice and supervision of teams, partners and beneficiaries;
• Ability to transmit skills through theoretical and practical training in an effective, clear and precise manner;
• Good oral and written communication skills;
• Strong management and leadership skills in a pressured environment;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Professionalism and respect for deadlines and commitments; Organizational skills; Proactivity and sense of teamwork
• Ready to work in a rural setting and difficult conditions.

LANGUAGES :

• Complete professional mastery of French required.
• Good level of English a plus.

Main working relationships:

• DRC Staff and Partners
• State technical services
• Landlords
• Humanitarian actors active in the area

5. General regulations

• The employee must follow DRC’s instructions regarding security, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Responsibility Framework
• The employee must not carry out any other paid activity during the duration of the DRC contract without prior authorization.
• The Employee shall not engage in any activity that may be detrimental to DRC or the implementation of any project during the term of the DRC contract.
• The employee must not give interviews to the media or publish photos related to DRC programs or share other materials without receiving prior authorization.
• The employee must return all equipment loaned by DRC to perform the work after the end of the contract period or upon request by DRC.

6. Skills and qualities required

• In this role, you must demonstrate the five essential DRC skills, namely:
  • Striving for Excellence: You focus on achieving results while ensuring an efficient process. You strive to produce accurate, thorough and professional work with optimal use of time and effort.
  • Collaborate: You cooperate with and engage stakeholders, actively seeking their opinions and sharing key information with them. You support and trust others, while encouraging feedback.
  • Taking the Lead: You take responsibility and prioritize your work based on DRC’s overall vision and goals. You take the initiative when faced with a challenge or opportunity and seek innovative solutions.
  • Communicate: You write and speak effectively and honestly while adapting your style and tone to the situation. You actively listen to others and involve them in dialogue.
  • Demonstrate Integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values ​​and code of conduct, including protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
• Ability to work in a multicultural and cosmopolitan environment
• Proactivity, with a cooperative and collaborative approach
• Excellent communication skills (including attention and patience) are required
• Good organizational skills are required
• Exemplary sense of ethics
• Ability to work in a team and good sense of humor