Economic Recovery Manager (Programme Manager USAID YEA) At Danish Refugee Council

Overall purpose of the role:

The Economic Recovery Manager [Programme Manager -YEA] is overall responsible person on internal coordination and project management of DRC’s component of the USAID-funded Youth Empowerment Activity consortium. The PM directly reports to the Country Director but also works closely with the Head of Programmes, Grants, Economic Recovery Coordinator, and Protection Coordinator for technical support. The YEA consortium aims to strengthen youth self-reliance and promote social cohesion, with DRC as the technical lead for Resilience and Protection. The activity will be implemented through partners thus this role requires the PM to engage in partner coordination and support. Experience in livelihoods interventions and capacity building of local partners will be a key attribute required for the role. The YEA Programme Manager is also the direct manager of program staff under YEA project and will provide daily direction and guidance to project cycle management and implementation of YEA programme activities. The position is responsible for overseeing project quality implementation and budget management, leading on reporting, and working closely with consortium members, government counterparts, UN Agencies, INGOs and other stakeholders.

Responsibilities: To achieve the objectives of the position, the Programme Manager (YEA) responsibilities will include, but not limited to, the following:

Project Management

• Support coordination and communication between the project team and the DRC South Sudan Country Office to ensure optimal cooperation and collaboration so that the project is supported, integrated, and follows all applicable DRC policies and processes.
• Oversee and coordinate the work of YEA support functions, especially finance, to implement compliant and efficient processes in line with consortium, donor and DRC requirements.
• Team management:
  • Assign tasks to staff in alignment with the project implementation plan while ensuring their physical welfare, well-being, and professional development though trainings and coaching
  • Support project staff to develop weekly action plans based on the implementation plan
  • Coordinate staff absences and leaves to minimize gaps in coverage
  • Ensure staff have the equipment and resources (transportation, communication, etc.) to conduct their work safely and effectively
  • Ensure that all project staff conduct probationary, semi-annual and annual performance and development reviews
  • Ensure that adequate YEA staffing is in place for the project, including an appropriate gender & diversity balance within the teams.
  • Make sure that team is aware of humanitarian principles, standards and DRC code of conduct, Safe guarding policy and follow them accordingly
• Ensure partner planning for capacity building of partners, support and monitoring is in place.
• Ensure donor and agency compliance is met at all levels of project/program management cycle
• Develop project progress reports according to agreed work plan. This includes contribution of livelihood sector in preparing donor report on time
• Ensure to adhere to reporting timelines agreed by consortium; collect inputs and consolidate narrative reports in coordination with partners. Work with the grants team to ensure adherence to donor guidelines and procedures
• Responsible to provide input and/or prepare project progress reports, donor reports,
• Contribute and provide inputs to the strategic direction of the economic recovery sector and other thematic operation through participation in strategy planning meetings

External Coordination:

• Ensure regular communication and interaction with the YEA consortium lead and partners in the project locations but also support upon request in national level meetings and other consortium meetings and workshops e.g. lessons learnt events, progress and annual review workshops.
• Coordinate with the Economic Recovery technical coordinator and ensure all agreed action points from the national and field level consortium meetings are accurately/correctly implemented.
• Develop and maintain state level working relationships with key stakeholders, including YEA consortium members, local government authorities, UN agencies, INGOs, community representatives and other stakeholders. In line with this, represent DRC by actively participating in coordination meetings, working groups and any other meetings as requested by line manager.
• Liaise with the Economic Recovery Coordinator to ensure close coordination and operational linkages and representation with relevant UN Agencies, Clusters [where relevant] and key working groups and NGO partners

Compliance and Financial Management:

• Ensure full compliance with DRC, EDC and USAID financial guidelines and policies while managing the project.
• Monitor budgets to ensure the timely utilization of all resources and spending is in line with project timelines and implementation schedules and adjust budget forecasts when needed.
• Ensure the project’s compliance with terms and conditions of the donor contract and DRC policies and practices, including code of conduct, security and reporting.
• Liaise with Supply Chain and Technical Coordinators to prepare and execute a procurement plan to ensure timely expenditure of budget and implementation of activities while maximizing cost efficiency
• Oversee the set-up and management of the project’s finances in DRC Dynamics, including serving as Budget Holder
• Review project reports and verify that expenditures are accurate and charge to the correctly
• Monthly expenditures reviewed to ensure accuracy and audit compliance, in collaboration with Grants, Finance & Risk/Compliance

MEAL

• Ensure quality monitoring and evaluation of projects and interventions, accountability mechanisms are in place and learning takes place regularly and feeds into the programme cycle management. Work with relevant MEAL staff to coordinate and roll out MEAL systems, including assessments and ensuring adequate monitoring, evaluation, documentation and reporting of activities against all indicators. Ensure that MEAL system is applied across the project locations.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive files of activities, outputs, materials, and other relevant project implementation
• Ensure lessons learned are documented, shared and reflected in program planning and decision making
• Ensure that project activities are recorded accurately and contribute to building a culture of listening, learning, reflection and improvement
• In collaboration with the MEAL team, review of monthly indicator tracking tools and provide variance explanations and plans
• Conduct routine field visits to monitor the technical quality of implementation and compliance with CoC protocols
• Prepare and submit weekly / monthly project updates to Supervisor and Technical Coordinators, based on data collected by project staff.
• Capture project photos and stories on a quarterly basis
• Provide correct, consistency, accurate and timely information needed about the project for learning and donor engagement

Experience and technical competencies:

Essential:

• At least 5 years’ experience in food security, economic recovery in fragile states, and conflict environments essential
• Experience managing donor funded programs and grants; including staff management, budget oversight, monitoring and evaluation systems, and technical input to proposal-budget development and donor reports.
• Excellent internal and external communication and coordination capabilities and excellent team building and management skills.
• Proven experience in managing large budgets implemented through partnerships.

Desirable:

• An understanding of the South Sudan context or security-sensitive environments and enforcement of team security protocols is an asset.
• Experience with Youth Empowerment Programmes
• Experience in consortium-led projects

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• Minimum undergraduate degree in agriculture, agribusiness, social sciences, international development or relevant work experience
• Application of computer and IT skills
• Strong communication and writing skills;

Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken English language;

Key stakeholders:

• EDC, SFCG, Anchor Organizations and Local Partners
• UN Agencies
• Donors
• Relevant stakeholders
• Other NGO

Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html). All DRC staff must be committed to the Red Cross Code of Conduct, as well as the Core Humanitarian Standards.

Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.

Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status or other protected characteristics.