Project Officer – Afghan Diaspora Engagement At Danish Refugee Council

Are you motivated to work in one of the largest humanitarian organisations worldwide and become part of a global organisation with a strong drive for assisting and protecting displaced people and empower them towards a better future?

Do you want to join a dynamic team dedicated to strengthening the role of diaspora organisations in contexts affected by conflict and displacement? Are you interested in the situation in Afghanistan?

Who are we?

The Diaspora Programme is positioned within Danish Refugee Council’s (DRC) Localization Unit. As part of DRC localization efforts, the diasporas are considered as a part of the civil society actors of the countries and communities in which they have their roots and connections.

Since 2010, DRC has been working with diaspora groups as transnational civil society actors. Engagement with diaspora is based on a recognition of the significant role they play for people and communities in countries of origin (or heritage), for refugees and migrants in transit, and for newly arrived refugees and migrants in countries of residence, and, consequently, their potential for improving the situation for many of those affected by conflict and displacement.

About the job

The Afghan Diaspora Engagement (ADE) project aims to promote enhanced dialogue and empower the global Afghan diaspora community by fostering increased agency, collaboration and coordination within the diaspora itself and in its interactions with actors inside Afghanistan. Over the last six years, this has included research, regular webinars and workshops, Afghan diaspora conferences and targeted capacity strengthening in support of Afghan-led activities.

As our new ADE Project Officer, you will be an integral part of the Diaspora Programme. Within the ADE project team, you will work closely with a Project Coordinator and a Student Assistant to implement activities across the project’s three cross-cutting components: creating and sharing knowledge, providing technical and financial support, and capacity strengthening.

Your tasks will include, but not be limited to:

Project planning and implementation

• Support in planning, coordination, and follow-up of workshops, webinars, and Afghan Diaspora external conferences.
• Assist in outreach and communication efforts, including drafting invitations, event outcome reports, etc.
• Support logistics and procurement tasks, including travel and accommodation arrangements for participants and handling reimbursements.

Grants and financial management

• Formalize subgrant agreements with Afghan diaspora partners and assist in organizing diaspora-led activities by providing administrative, logistical, procurement, and finance-related support.
• Provide technical and programmatic support to partners, including for procurement, financial and narrative reporting, ensuring that partner’s activities are implemented in a timely manner and in accordance with the DRC’s guidelines.
• Monitor budget expenditures while keeping the Budget Follow-up Unit (BFU) up to date and organize regular budget follow-up meetings with the finance focal point.

  Project monitoring and reporting

• Support efforts in regularly engaging with Afghan civil society/diaspora to gather insights on their priorities and perspectives informing project activities, utilizing participatory methods and regular data collection, including pre- and post-event evaluations.
• Assist in financial and narrative reporting to meet donor requirements.
• Support the oversight of activities in line with the project’s MEAL plan and results framework.
• Manage and update the DRC database of Afghan diaspora contacts.
• Provide support on additional projects or administrative tasks as required.

About you

To be successful in this role, you excel in mobilising and working with a broad range of actors.

All employees should master DRC’s core competencies: Communicating, Taking the lead, Collaborating, Striving for excellence and Demonstrating integrity.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• 2-5 years’ of relevant experience in project management (including finance and administrative aspects)
• Minimum bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• Experience in event management
• Experience in admin, finance and logistics management
• Strong interest in matters relating to civil society, diaspora, forced displacement, humanitarian assistance, nexus approaches, innovation
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills
• Strong organizational, communication and multitasking skills
• Cultural and gender sensitivity
• Excellent skill in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Fluent in English

Desirable

• Experience in civil society, grass root and voluntary engagement
• Strong network within the Afghan civil society
• Experience in participatory approaches and facilitation skills (events/meetings/trainings)
• Knowledge of the Afghan context and culture
• Experience working with focus on Afghanistan
• Experience in grants management
• Previous experience working within Danish Refugee Council
• Fluent in Dari or/and Pashto is a strong advantage

We offer:

Workplace: DRC Headquarters in Copenhagen, Borgergade 10

Contract length: up to 13 months with potential for extension pending additional funding.

Start date: 1st December 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter

End date: 31st December 2025. The position is temporary due to temporary funding.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the agreement between DRC and AC. The position is at “fuldmægtig” level. This is a national position for which local terms and conditions apply.

Further information

For questions regarding the vacancy please contact Benedicte Storm, Project Coordinator, benedicte.storm@drc.ngo

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo & www.drc.ngo/diaspora