Head of Operations At Danish Refugee Council

Founded in 1956, The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations – refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and host communities – in more than 40 countries around the world.

In the DR Congo, DRC has been involved in humanitarian aid since 2009. Initially working in Province Orientale, DRC has gradually extended its reach to North Kivu and Ituri provinces. The sectors of intervention for DRC in the country are protection including GBV and child protection, economic recovery, education, shelter and wash. The country office is based in Goma/ Nord Kivu Province.

Overall purpose of the role:

The overall objective of the Head of Operations (HoO) is to ensure the accountability of DRC’s programme towards the humanitarian needs in DR Congo and the donors supporting the response. The HoO ensures that DRC’s projects bring a significant contribution to meeting immediate humanitarian needs during the emergency and other programming phases. The HoO is a key senior position in the DRC country set up, responsible for cross-cutting programmatic information management, sound design of and overseeing assessments and ensuring that information collected is reflected upon, used to improve ongoing projects, responsible for project implementation oversight, and field operations management. The HoO ensures that best practices are incorporated into consistently high quality grant proposals and reports. The post holder is part of the senior management team (SMT) and supports the Country Director in representing the country operations to government, implementing partners and other stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

Operations Staff Management and capacity building

• Effectively manage the Area Managers and the Project Managers with an emphasis on excellence, promoting a culture of accountability, cooperation, learning, creativity and innovation;
• Ongoing development of team composition and structure to ensure that is fit for purpose, develop Job descriptions, follow up field staff related recruitment processes and orientation of staff. Proactively seek to increase the numbers of women in the field team;
• Development of overall staff competence through leadership, training and coaching of technical and management key field staff;
• Provide oversight to AM and PM on project implementation and reporting responsibilities.

Operations development

• Participate in country level strategic planning and contribute to the sustainable management of program growth with a continual eye to new program development that addresses displacements and meets the needs of beneficiaries;
• In collaboration with DRC Head of Programme (HoP) lead the DR Congo annual programme portfolio analyses;
• In collaboration with DRC HoP and technical advisors, contribute to the program and financial design of new proposals;
• Foster synergies between program areas and support the strong integration of protection and gender throughout all humanitarian initiatives and ensure adherence to Sphere standards or any other international standards when relevant;
• Facilitate assessment and rapid response in any humanitarian situation, with written report and recommendation to initiate and setup relevant emergency projects if a response is decided on;
• Playing a key role in fundraising and donor contract management.

Operations implementation & Coordination

• Roll out of the PMC to ensure its full implementation in country, with the support of HQ SOA and HQ Senior PCM Advisor;
• Provide oversight, guidance and leadership to all aspects of programme development and implementation in DR Congo, including ensuring timely reporting, compliance and quality utilizing routine monitoring and feedback into programme implementation;
• Ensure effective and transparent budget follow up, planning and use of financial resources in compliance with DRC and donor policies and priorities and ensure use od program management tools and real time BFU;
• Develop a close and productive working relationship with Area Offices and the technical team in coordination with the HoP to ensure that all aspects of programs are implemented to maximum affect and compliant with DRC and donor regulations;
• Effectively stay abreast of donor policies, procedures, rules and regulations.

Risk Management & risk Planning

• Responsible for updating the risk and issue register;
• Coordinating with other departments on the roll out of the mitigation plan, ensuring effective management by the different risk owners;
• Lead regular meetings on risk monthly updates with the Country Director, HQ SoA and Operation Director Regional.

Re structuration of the field structure

• In collaboration with the SMT, RO and HQ, lead the field restructuration process;
• Report regularly during SMTs on key achievements, adjust and amend the plan accordingly;
• Support change management by creating acceptance and buy-in from most stakeholders, and applying a bottom-up approach.

Program Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

• In collaboration with HoP, ensure that all projects contribute to measuring impact and are in line with DRC’s country strategic plan;
• In collaboration with HoP and MEAL focal point, ensure that there is a functioning feedback and complaint mechanism for beneficiaries in place;
• Adopt an evidence-based approach that see the dissemination of lessons learned and best practices within DRC country and Regional teams, to donors and to other stakeholders when relevant, to ensure synergetic programming and cross-program collaboration in DR Congo and in the whole EAGL region.

Donors liaison, Partnerships and representation

• As required represent DRC’s DR Congo programme to funders and potential donors;
• Cultivate key relationships that enhance DRC’s visibility, credibility in DR Congo with key government and other stakeholders;
• Frequent travel for direct support to field sites, representation and identification of opportunities for organizational growth in the competence areas and coverage;
• Identify local NGOs/partners;
• Act as interim Country Director when required.

About you

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s 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 act in line with our vision and values.

Experience and Technical competencies

• Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience in program management, leadership and design in countries of conflict or post-conflict;
• Master’s degree in International Development and/or Humanitarian Assistance, Project Management or any other related field;
• Minimum 4 years of experience in managing complex emergency operations, including 3 years at country senior management level;
• Demonstrated experience and skill in proposal development, budget development, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
• Proven experience in effectively coordinating with National Governments, International and National NGO partners and a variety of working with and coordinating with a variety of donors and consortia including BHA, UNHCR, ECHO and OCHA;
• Proven experience in managing integrated programs as well as capacity building;
• Fluency in spoken and written French and English required.

What we offer

Contract: 1 Year Contract with the possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance.

Salary: in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment Management Band/ E.

Availability: 1st July 2024.

Duty station: Goma, DR Congo

Reporting Line: Country Director

Providing equal opportunities We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

DRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff within its programs. As such, we strongly encourage national and diaspora candidates to apply for this position.

Promoting high standards : DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.