Head of Support Services At Danish Refugee Council

Position Title: Head of Support Services

Supervised by: Regional Head of Support Services

Responding to: Country Director

Duty Station: Bangui

Area of ​​operation: Central African Republic

Period considered: 12 months

Contract type: Expatriate or National

Salary & Benefits: Management E

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and displaced people worldwide: we provide emergency aid to these people, fight for their rights and strengthen their opportunities for a better future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along displacement routes and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive to achieve responsible and sustainable solutions. We work for the successful integration of vulnerable communities and, where possible, their wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council (hereinafter: DRC ) was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown into an international humanitarian organisation with over 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Headquartered in Copenhagen and present in 40 countries, the DRC is a non-governmental, non-profit, politically neutral and independent non-denominational aid organisation.

Our vision is a life with dignity for all displaced people in the world. All our efforts are based on our moral compass: humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty and transparency.

1. Background

Present since 2006, DRC is one of the largest international NGOs in the Central African Republic, working in two regions (Ouham, Ouham-Pendé) with 3 bases (Paoua, Batangafo and Bocaranga) in addition to an office in the capital (Bangui) with a portfolio of projects covering different sectors.

The programmatic strategy is focused around the following three sectors: protection, economic recovery and livelihoods, and emergency response to immediate needs related to population displacement.

2. Purpose

Based in Bangui, the Head of Support Services is strategically and operationally responsible for Finance, Human Resources and Administration, Logistics and Procurement, and Information Technology. He/She oversees, develops and provides strategic direction to all DRC support services in CAR.

He/She ensures compliance with DRC international and regional operational standards and procedures. The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which translate into action plans and daily tasks. It is therefore a position belonging to the senior management of the DRC mission in CAR.

3. Responsibilities

The main responsibilities and expectations for this position are numerous, and explained below, according to each Department. The Head of Support Services at DRC RCA has the following main responsibilities:

Team management and internal communication

• Lead and manage support managers (including planning, performance, wellbeing and staff development)
• Manage, deliver and report on operational support to programs across a geographic scope.
• Establish high-performing support teams to ensure high-quality approaches are maintained
• Develop and improve operational approaches, compliance and systems, and support the Country Director in developing and implementing effective and sustainable interventions.
• Responsible for strategic development, management and implementation of support operations.
• Ensure that appropriate technical support is available for programs, in line with organizational priorities
• Provide support for annual planning and review processes
• Direct responsibility for ensuring that the DRC program operates in accordance with the DRC support function guidelines

Operations Management:

• Support the Country Director and the Management team in liaising with donors and authorities, particularly on compliance, registration and audit issues.
• Oversee the country’s operational support units by providing strategic leadership and technical support in areas under his/her supervision.
• Supervision, audits and control and implementation of corrective actions in accordance with DRC operational standards in support functions.
• Ensure that DRC maintains and continually develops its operational capacity to provide rapid emergency response, particularly within its supply and transport systems.
• Develop a country risk management plan that identifies key financial and operational risks and implement a mitigation strategy.
• Ensure all administrative and legal systems are accurate and maintained
• Work to strengthen the capacity of operational support staff throughout operations through frequent capacity building and mentoring sessions.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of DRC’s global development initiatives.

DRC Dynamics and ERP System

• Ensure that ERP functionality is used correctly by relevant personnel
• Perform analysis of reports and data from DRC Dynamics to improve overall performance.
• Act as a power user for most Projects & Finance features

Deputy Manager:

• Support the Country Director and the management team in ensuring the coherence of strategic programming with DRC operational platforms, coordinating the development of DRC programmes, strengthening the quality, standards and learning of DRC programmes, and enforcing DRC accountability and monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Represent DRC with authorities, United Nations agencies, humanitarian organizations and other partners.
• Act as Country Director during his absence
• Other Deputy tasks, in agreement with the Country Director

As a manager, the post holder is responsible for the following tasks:

• Responsible for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives in his/her areas of responsibility
• Responsible for making significant decisions about the unit’s activities: its purpose, functions and role, and making commitments and decisions requiring the use of significant unit resources.
• Responsible for managing staff reporting directly to him/her, usually at least 3 employees. This includes hiring and firing, setting goals, probation, performance appraisal, staff development, performance management including poor performance, etc.
• Responsible for decision-making in light of DRC policies, MOPs, standards and advice from technical experts.

The responsibilities listed in these ToRs are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but must remain linked to the overall objectives of the position.

4. Required qualifications

• Advanced university degree (or Bachelor’s degree with equivalent years of professional experience) in fields such as economics, finance/accounting, logistics, human resources management, or a similar field
• Minimum seven (7) years of professional experience in an international NGO in positions related to support services (HR; Logistics and/or finance), including a minimum of two (2) years of experience in a similar position;
• At least 4 years of experience in people management
• Experience in a similar role within an international NGO
• Proven leadership skills and people management skills
• Proven experience and capacity in operational management, including in conflict zones
• Proven and significant experience in financial, information and systems management
• Significant experience in procurement and tendering processes
• Understanding and experience of institutional fundraising
• Understanding of the countries in which the DRC operates and sensitivity to the cultural context
• Experience working in an ERP system, including supply chain, finance and human resources systems
• Ability to work in volatile security environments and in a remote management context
• Level of French: perfect command of the French language, both written and spoken, is essential)
• Excellent level of English
• Good understanding of the local and Sahelian context.
• Relevant humanitarian professional qualifications/recognized training certificates in grant-related fields (M&E, IM, CHS, SPHERE, Protection, etc.) are desirable, although practical experience is more essential for the position.

It should be noted that:

• Previous experience with DRC is an advantage;
• Good working knowledge on projects funded by BHA, FH, BPRM, DANIDA, ECHO, European Union, SDC, is an advantage.

5. Skills and qualities required

• In this role, you must demonstrate the five essential DRC skills, namely:
  • Striving for Excellence: You focus on achieving results while ensuring an efficient process. You strive to produce accurate, thorough and professional work with optimal use of time and effort.
  • Collaborate: You cooperate with and engage stakeholders, actively seeking their opinions and sharing key information with them. You support and trust others, while encouraging feedback.
  • Taking the Lead: You take responsibility and prioritize your work based on DRC’s overall vision and goals. You take the initiative when faced with a challenge or opportunity and seek innovative solutions.
  • Communicate: You write and speak effectively and honestly while adapting your style and tone to the situation. You actively listen to others and involve them in dialogue.
  • Demonstrate Integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values ​​and code of conduct, including protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
• Ability to work in a multicultural and cosmopolitan environment
• Proactivity, with a cooperative and collaborative approach
• Excellent communication skills (including attention and patience) are required
• Good organizational skills are required
• Exemplary sense of ethics
• Ability to work in a team and a good sense of humor