INTRODUCTION

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), an international non-governmental organization (NGO), has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. DRC promotes and supports solutions to the problems faced by refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and migrants. The organization has offices across the region, and has been operational in Ethiopia since 2009.  With funding from bilateral and multilateral donors, DRC is currently implementing a range of activities across Ethiopia and Djibouti, including WASH and shelter provision, child and youth protection, gender based violence response, awareness-raising of migration risks, protection monitoring of migration routes, and livelihoods support for returning migrants or those at-risk of migration.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The program specialist will lead and oversee the technical design and implementation of DRC humanitarian programming centered around strengthening of protection and resilience, for displaced and displacement affected populations. Lead provision of direct humanitarian assistance and strengthening of partners, including identification and capacity development of local authorities and civil society organizations. Represent DRC Shire area Program in relevant humanitarian coordination fora, engaging with UN & INGO counterparts and proactively seeking to shape agendas in line with DRC and humanitarian priorities. The role contributes to the development of area strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The incumbent is expected to have the understanding on support function with budget planning, implementation and tracking.  The role provides support and/or technical guidance to base operations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.       Management of DRC humanitarian portfolio in Shire Area

• Oversee program quality of current and proposed projects.
• Ensure compliance of current & proposed projects within scope of DRC program department
• Ensure positions are staffed and projects are on track
• Develop clear lines of communication between project staff and partners
• Develop tools and processes to capture, share and incorporate lessons learned and best practices to inform and enhance quality of programming.
• Actively participate in the SWOT analysis and stakeholders mapping for the development of area strategy for the Shire Area Office.

2.       Technical Management

• Ensure high quality day-to-day technical management of all program activities to ensure strict adherence with international best practice protections standards, including the identification of protection risks and vulnerabilities with acute awareness of issues related to gender, age and diversity.
• Take lead in coordinating the design and implementation of relevant and responsive, rights-based activities that build upon the existing assets of the targeted refugee communities. Activities will emphasize protection-related refugee outreach and engagement, with a particular emphasis on access to justice, education information and services.
• Ensure quality monitoring and evaluation of projects and interventions, working with relevant MEAL staff to coordinate and roll out MEAL systems, including baseline needs assessments and ensuring adequate monitoring, documentation and reporting of activities against all indicators.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive files of activities, outputs, materials, and other relevant documentation.
• Contribute to new project development, including both narratives and budgets, leading in the design and development of a program development strategy for DRC in Tigray Regional State, including designing and leading baseline needs assessments, community outreach in the selected refugee communities.
• Support staff to integrate protection concerns and awareness in other sectors as relevant.

3.       Project Management

• Lead and coordinate the development of budgets for new projects, detailed tracking of program related spending and actively participate in budget review (BFU) meetings.
• Collaborate with support staff in planning procurement of program related goods and services, taking responsibility for quality assurance, and ensuring follow up.
• Ensure regular program reporting for both internal and donor purposes are completed to a high standard and in a timely manner. This will include providing monthly internal reports supported by key evidence.
• Ensure regular beneficiary tracking and feedback on services provided.
• Further, work with focal persons in grants and finance to support timely financial reporting to donor.

4.       Advocacy, coordination and representation

• Develop and maintain working relationships with key stakeholders, including community members and representatives, local government authorities, ARRA, UN agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Represent DRC by actively participating in coordination meetings, working groups
• Coordinate DRC's program response with the food, shelter/NFI, health and WASH sectors.
• Coordinate with local community structure in the assessment of gaps and beneficiary feedback.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s 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.

• ·        Minimum Bachelor’s degree in economics, statistics, international development, or other relevant field from a recognized institution.
• ·        Minimum of 5 years of experience in the field of Program/project management, with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in INGO or UN agency.
• ·        Proven experience designing and implementing emergency protection interventions, preferably in refugee settings
• ·        Proven experience in conducting trainings and mentorship in program cycle management
• ·        Excellent verbal, written and analytical skills in English.
• ·        Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective and working relations with staff members and other stakeholders.
• ·        Experience working in cross-cultural, multi-sector and remote environments.
• ·        Flexibility and adaptability to a rapidly changing operational environment
• ·        Excellent verbal and written proficiency in English.