Country Director – Central African Republic At Danish Refugee Council

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-profit-making, 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.

DRC has been operating in CAR since 2007, with 3 offices (Bangui, Paoua, Batangafo). DRC has programmes as well in the capital city than in the provinces. DRC programmation encompasses all areas of protection of displaced people (emergency, durable solutions and root causes). Integrated approach is DRC signature in CAR.

About the job

The DRC CAR is looking to recruit an experienced, highly- qualified and enthusiastic professional to provide overall representation, management and coordination of the country mission, while ensuring compliance DRC’s Operations Handbook. The Country Director will be based in Bangui but will be expected to travel throughout the country to visit programmes and at the regional office for strategic reviews/ meetings. This position is a senior one, requiring a strong previous experience in a similar position. This position also requires strong ability in safety and safeguarding.. This position also requires a full professional proficiency in French language. Under the authority of the Operations Director for West Africa and North Africa, the Country Director is the person ultimately accountable in country for all aspects of DRC work. This role will be expected to lead and consolidate DRC programming and impact while overseeing the efficient use of resources. The Country Director will be also responsible to ensure that the organizational set up is adapted to the context of operations. This role is eventually expected to be strong in management. The Country Director should be able to delegate specific duties as necessary while maintaining global oversight and accountability.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Representation • Represent DRC to authorities, donors, partners, and in selected co-ordination forums • Strengthen DRC’s position nationally and regionally • Ensure that DRC maintains excellent and productive relations with all key stakeholders, especially beneficiaries, local authorities, the humanitarian community and donors

Direct managerial oversight and support • Ensure that the Senior Management Team (SMT) have clear and realistic performance based management goals • Overall management of the operation and direct manager for senior staff members. This includes coaching, ensuring co-ordination between managers, recruiting, and development of staff • Frequent travel to the field offices for direct operational support and representation • Ensure compliance with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement.

Fundraising and Advocacy • As the majority of the fundraising is done locally, the Country Director will lead the process of applying for funding and broadening the funding basis in a challenging funding environment • The Country Director will lead his/her team in writing concept papers, project proposals and budgets in line with the approved country strategy; • Maintain high quality exchanges with the Regional Office team and mobilize the country team to participate to regional project and strategies. • Lead in the team’s advocacy in all DRC key messages.

Security and Safety • Be accountable for ensuring that DRC country programme is delivered in a safe and secure manner • Provide overall accountability for security, including development of and ensuring adherence to security procedures, monitoring of the security situation, analyzing and provision of recommendations

Support Services • Together with the Head of Support Services, provide overall budget monitoring, financial management and expenses control including compliance with minimum DRC and donor requirements and ensuring that necessary systems are in place • Manage the resources allocated effectively and transparently by respecting and meeting all legal requirements in country • Oversee finance and administrative services in the Programmes • Support the implementation of ERP system and follow up

Human Resources • Together with the HR team, provide leadership support to staff and promote best practices in human resources management • Provide coaching and counselling advice to staff when necessary and lead initiatives to develop staff capacity • Organise regular meetings with the senior management team and all staff for the purpose of exchanging information, coordination and learning • Ensure that the country senior management team is effective, mutually supporting and sufficiently involved in decision making

Programme development • Lead the development and update of the programme strategy, within DRC’s overall regional and global strategic frameworks • Lead the development of the programme within the strategic objectives and not being constrained by the current limitations of existing programming • Ensure that DRC standard regulations and operational procedures (Code of Conduct, DRC Management handbooks, HAP standards etc.) are followed Accountability and Quality • Be accountable for ensuring that programmes comply with the organisational quality and accountability commitments • Guided by the Programme Handbook, continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of activities and our presence

About you

To be successful at this role we expect you to posses the following:

Required • Master in political or social science, international development, economics) • Minimum 8 years’ relevant work experience in emergency contexts for a humanitarian agency or similar • Minimum 8 years’ experience in people management • Proven leadership skills • Proven experience managing large and complex humanitarian operations • Experience in financial and safety management • Full professional proficiency in French (Daily working language) • Full professional proficiency in English

Desirable • Experience in representing a large and leading international organization to donors, external partners and authorities • Experience with networking, advocacy and coordination • Work related experience from the region/country • Broad organizational experience

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 uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 12 months

Band: D

Designation of Duty Station: Bangui l Non-family Duty Station

Start date: As soon as possible

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact Regional Director Yann Faivre at yann.faivre@drc.ngo. Applications sent by email will not be considered