Durable Solutions Coordinator At Danish Refugee Council

DRC is recruiting for a highly qualified Durable Solutions Coordinator to lead and coordinate durable solutions activities in South Sudan.

Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is operational in South Sudan since 2005, working with the overall aim of achieving durable solutions for displaced populations. The Humanitarian and Disarmament activities started in 2006.

Danish Refugee Council main programme objectives (2019-2021) in South Sudan are:

1. To save lives and alleviate suffering among displaced people and their hosts
2. To reduce displacement related risks and support and facilitate solutions
3. To promote peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies and address root causes to displacement

DRC primarily operates across Upper Nile and Unity states and other parts of the country, both of which are heavily affected by conflict and experience high numbers of internally displaced populations as well as refugees in need of humanitarian assistance. DRC has operational bases in Maban, Malakal, Kodok and Aburoc in Upper Nile, in Bentiu, Mayom, Kodok, Central Equatoria (Magwi and Ngulere), Ajuong Thok in Unity state, and the Mobile Response Team and all are supported by a country-office in Juba.

DRC recently developed important multi-sectorial mobile response teams based in Juba able to rapidly respond to new and urgent humanitarian situations countrywide at short notice to conduct assessments and responses

Overall purpose of the role:

The Durable Solutions Technical Coordinator will support Danish Refugee Council (DRC), South Sudan and the wider international community by being a leading voice on issues related to returns, relocation, and local integration across South Sudan. The role will drive forward discussions, guidelines, programming and tools in a coordinated manner across locations and organizations. The role requires an individual with strong experience in relevant technical areas (e.g. housing, land and property) as well as national-level coordination experience. The Durable Solutions Coordinator is relied upon to provide leadership, advocate, implement and develop durable solutions strategies as well as advise both DRC and external stakeholders on all Solutions thematic areas. Against this backdrop, DRC South Sudan is seeking for a Durable Solutions Coordinator who is innovative, a strategic thinker and strong advocator to influence discussion on Solutions.

Responsibilities

Technical oversight & strategic guidance:

• Provide overall direction for DRC South Sudan’s approach to Durable Solutions (returns, relocation and local integration) ensuring this is in line with DRC policies, principles and approaches.
• Adapt and lead DRC South Sudan Solutions strategy, including input into country results framework.
• Lead and coordinate in promoting robust data and evidence on country Durable Solutions to inform decision making for displaced affected communities, stakeholders, and government.
• Support all relevant DRC staff to ensure appropriate Durable Solutions (DS) are mainstreamed throughout the South Sudan programme, through field visits, increased information sharing, and the development of standardised tools, guidance and other support documents as needed.
• Develop and implement training and guidance on Durable Solutions, in line with the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, IASC Framework on Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons, IASC guidelines and other tools to build collective awareness and understanding of principles relating to DS.
• Provide regular capacity building including workshops and trainings to DRC staff on DS-related issues.
• Review and input to all relevant strategies, roadmaps, proposals and reports from a DS perspective.
• Provide a leading technical role in the development of new programmes with Durable Solutions-focused activities (e.g Housing Land and Property issues, community cohesion and self-reliance).
• Develop tools, methodologies and processes related to DS programming, including planning, implementation and monitoring.
• Support the development of integrated programming modalities together with other DRC Programme Technical Coordinators
• Facilitate area-based approaches and self-reliance capacity building training to DRC in country staff as well as external partners/stakeholders.
• Carry out solutions mapping with communities, government and partners and identify social, political and economic barriers to solutions and self-reliance
• Support development of area-based situational analysis and locations for targeted interventions.

Internal coordination & Information sharing:

• Ensure regular communication and collaboration with DRC Regional Office and HQ focal points, as well as DRC staff in neighbouring countries
• Provide updates and technical guidance to the Country Director and Head of Programme on Durable Solutions through briefings, advocacy documents, presentations for donors and other senior stakeholders.
• Share and document best practices on implementation/piloting of DS programming, including supported returns processes, local integration, resettlement, community planning, and broad efforts to support the resolution of protracted displacement.
• Drive forward active collaboration with the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS) including attendance at key meetings and involvement in regional working groups.
• Lead and initiate DRC South Sudan cross-border working group with DRC neighbouring countries on issues regarding Durable Solutions, area-based approach and self-reliance.
• Develop relevant documentation on Solutions programming for donors and potential opportunities for resource mobilization, including possible partnerships with private sector.
• Lead advocacy efforts on issues related to Durable Solutions such as population movements, forced returns etc.

External Relations:

• Promote and participate in joint humanitarian and development assessments, analysis and evidence building on challenges, with national and international partners to promoting harmonised Durable Solutions analysis.
• Identify strategic humanitarian/development/peace building partners and design joint programmatic collaboration to build national capacities and area-based approach for Solutions.
• Facilitate strengthening of national and local government-led platforms and capacity on solutions to forced displacement, in close coordination with human rights, humanitarian, development and peace-building actors.
• Support the overall design and steering of area-level Solutions-oriented programming, by working with existing technical working groups and entities, as required, for the development of DS programming, area-based approaches and self-reliance.
• Facilitate collective monitoring of progress towards DS across the country, in support of planning, implementation and advocacy around Durable Solutions.
• Lead the convening of key actors and stakeholders to formulate Area Based Groups, catalyse discussion and guide groups towards promoting of area-based approach and implementation of agreed Action Plans.
• Provide external leadership and technical capacity on DS issues in South Sudan in all relevant discussions
• Co-lead the NGO Forum Working Group on Durable Solutions; driving forward the strategy, workplan, and developing guidance/briefing papers and tools.
• Co-lead through the NGO Forum key capacity building initiatives across NGOs such as trainings, webinars, workshops etc.
• Represent the NGO Forum/DRC on the National Advisory Group on Solutions, coordinating with key internal and external stakeholders
• Ensure active engagement in the National Housing, Land and Property Technical Working Group, the state level Solution Working Groups, and other relevant coordination bodies including relevant clusters.
• Map and establish collaboration with key external stakeholders such as research institutions, advocacy agencies, data collection agencies and others key stakeholders

About You

Experience and technical competencies

• University degree or Masters degree in migration, international law, international relations, international development, or other relevant area or commensurate years of experience
• At least 5 years of progressive experience in the humanitarian-development sector, at least 2 of which should be overseas in an emergency / conflict setting.
• Experience in using the IASC Framework and other key global and regional guidelines on Durable Solutions
• Strong experience in negotiation, coordination, and diplomacy across a range of external stakeholders including Governments, UN, NGOs, donors
• Experience in humanitarian programming, coordination, assessment, and research
• Strong understanding of protection and conflict sensitivity principles and programming approaches
• Experience in capacity building including training and mentoring of staff and teams
• Experience engaging in topics surrounding returns, relocation and local integration (e.g Housing, Land and Property, community cohesion)
• Strong understanding and practical experience of area-based approaches and self-reliance
• Strong understanding of the South Sudan historical, political, cultural and humanitarian context
• Ability to work autonomously and proactively whilst managing a range of competing priorities
• Commitment to DRC vision, mission, and core values
• Ability and willingness to travel to field locations as possible and on a needs basis

Personal competencies

• Excellent internal and external communication and coordination capabilities and excellent team building and management skills.
• Continuous Learning; a colleague who promotes continuous learning for self and others.
• Creativity and Initiative; someone that actively seeks new ways of improving programmes, services and partnership.
• Performance Management; a person who identify ways and implement actions to improve performance of self and others.
• Self-motivated and able to work with a minimum of guidance and supervision.

Commitments

DRC adheres to the Core Humanitarian Standards. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of these standards.

Key Stakeholders

• DRC Country Director, Head of Programmes, grants, MEAL, and other technical coordinator (CCCM, FSL, protection)
• DRC field teams (area managers, programme managers, and officers)
• DRC regional and HQ staff
• South Sudan NGO Forum, and other key INGOs and NNGOs
• UN agencies specifically UNHCR, IOM
• Government authorities
• Donors

Desirable qualifications

• An understanding of the South Sudan context.
• Self-motivated and able to work with a minimum of guidance and supervision;
• Experience working in security-sensitive environments and enforcement of team security protocols is an asset.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate each of DRC’ five core competencies:

· Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results through the Regional team both to position DRC and ensure excellence in all deliverable.

• Collaborating: You lead regional initiatives and processes by involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen to other stakeholders and staff; and you communicate concisely and persuasively.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with DRC’s vision and values.

Conditions

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies. This position will be placed at Employment Band – G (Non-Management).