Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Country Director for Poland, Moldova and Romania country operation.
DRC established its presence in Poland, Moldova and Romania in early 2022 as part of its Ukraine crisis response.
From the onset, DRC’s approach has been to train and improve the capacity of local civil society organisations and support their reorientation towards provision of humanitarian assistance. DRC Poland, Moldova, and Romania is in DRC classification one country operation with 40 staff at the moment and the country office in Warsaw. Additionally, DRC has offices in Krakow, Poland and Chisinau, Moldova. DRC in Poland, Moldova and Romania supports delivery of humanitarian aid within three DRC core sectors, namely Protection, Economic Recovery, and Camp Coordination & Camp Management.
The position is based in Warsaw, with frequent travel to Moldova and across Poland. It is expected that CD will travel at least once a month to different parts of Poland, Moldova, and Romania. The Country Director will report to Operations Director for Europe.
About the job
The Country Director prime objectives will be to provide leadership and strategic management, as well as the overall accountability for the day-to-day management, implementation, compliance, fundraising and continued development of DRC’s presence in Poland, Moldova and Romania, as part of the DRC Europe region.
Your main duties and responsibilities will be:
- To ensure that the Senior Management Team and Programme Managers have clear and realistic performance-based management goals.
- To develop and update the Poland, Moldova and Romania programme strategies and linkages with Ukrainian refugee hosting countries within DRC overall regional and global strategic frameworks.
- To be responsible for ensuring that programmes comply with the organizational quality and accountability commitments.
- To ensure that the programme is organized and effectively managed in order to both pursue new opportunities and ensure successful implementation of current programme
- To hold overall responsibility for compliance in both programmes and support functions, including DRC and donor policies, local regulations and local labour law
- To hold overall responsibility for ensuring that PMR operation are delivered in a safe and secure manner.
- To ensure that DRC maintains excellent and productive relations with all key stakeholders, especially beneficiaries, local authorities, the humanitarian community and donors.
- To lead the PMR Advocacy in all DRC key messages.
About you
To be successful in this role we expect you possess the following:
- At least 5 years’ management experience, as head or senior member of humanitarian programme/organisation.
- Demonstrated experienced with conflict related displacement issues
- Good communicator and proven diplomacy with all types of stakeholders
- Proven commitment to accountable practices and knowledgeable of quality assurance systems
- Hands on experience in managing staff in insecure and remote locations with strong human resource management skills in general.
- Experience of managing budgets and multiple donor contracts
- Demonstrated experience in donor contact, fundraising and networking
- Demonstrated experience in complex crisis, and experience in Europe is beneficial
- Prior Country Director experience preferred; CD experience with DRC is beneficial
- University degree in relevant field; master’s degree preferred
- Full professional proficiency in English is mandatory
- Fluency in relevant national languages is beneficial (Polish, Romanian, Russian, Ukrainian)
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: 2 years with possibility of extension
Band: D management
Location: Warsaw, with frequent travel to field locations in Poland, Moldova, and Romania
Designation of Duty Station: Family duty station
Start date: May 2023
This is a national contract and we offer competitive salary and conditions in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s salary scale for national staff and labour law in Poland. DRC will provide health and travel insurance and return ticket for start/end of mission for people reallocating from abroad.
We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of nationality, race, gender or age.
How to apply
Application process
All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English.
For specific information please contact Senada Cesic, senada.cesic@drc.ngo , Operations Director Europe. Applications sent by email will not be considered.
Closing date for applications: 19 of March 2023
The screening process for this position is on rolling basis, so early submission of applications is encouraged. DRC reserves the right to start with the next steps in the recruitment process prior to the closing date, should we identify a suitable candidate.
For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.