Accountability Specialist

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profitmaking, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015. DRC Nigeria is the largest DRC country mission in the West Africa region and one of the largest DRC country missions globally. Currently, DRC delivers life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including internally displaced persons, returnees, and host communities in the areas of armed violence reduction, humanitarian mine action, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter, and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in 30+ Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in northeast Nigeria.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Accountability Specialist will be based in Abuja will oversee and support the overall implementation of Accountability to Affected Population (AAP) ensuring the voices of people of concern are heard and that DRC programs are aligned accordingly. The Specialist will promote a culture of accountability within the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) operations, ensuring adherence to DRC's standards, policies, and donor requirements.

The main responsibilities and tasks of the Accountability Specialist:

Accountability Mechanisms

• Implement and monitor the DRC’s accountability framework, including feedback and complaints response mechanisms (FCRM).
• Ensure that all stakeholders, including beneficiaries, are aware of the feedback and complaint procedures and that these mechanisms are accessible to all.
• Reviewing and updating relevant AAP standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Review and improve the Accountability channels, mechanisms, procedures, materials and tools with the MEAL/IM and Programmes Teams;
• Document and respond to feedback and complaints in a timely and professional manner, in line with DRC's policies.
• Ensure feedback and complaints are addressed, followed up, and closed out according to the organization's standards and timelines.
• Continually aim to improve information sharing and participation with communities, support the design and roll out of innovative methods that increase the engagement and participation of persons of concern and stakeholder at DRC Nigeria.
• Supervise the day-to-day functions of the CFM in the Area Offices and to ensure the timely entry of all feedback received from beneficiaries/stakeholders into the CFM database. Provide support required to the Area Office team. Ensure that all non-sensitive feedback should be directly referred to the DRC designated colleagues for internal and external follow-up when required. Also, ensure immediate referral of protection related concerns and sensitive feedback according to the DRC CFM workflow.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Conduct regular monitoring visits to project sites to assess the effectiveness of accountability practices.
• Design Country monthly Accountability snapshots, compile key findings & trends and design reports to ensure analysis around timeliness and effectiveness of response to beneficiary feedback;
• Support the collection, analysis, and reporting of data related to beneficiary feedback and complaints.
• Work with Evidence and Learning Specialist CFM trends to support on facilitation of learning & reflection events such as ‘action/ real-time learning’ and ‘after action’ learning events.

Capacity Building

• Provide training and capacity-building support to DRC staff, partners on accountability principles and mechanisms.
• Promote best practices in accountability across DRC's programs and operations.

Coordination and Collaboration

• Actively engage and contribute at the regional AAP working group initiatives, and also represent DRC at national AAP related forms.
• Coordinate with program teams to ensure that accountability mechanisms are integrated into project design and implementation.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure that feedback and complaints are effectively used to improve DRC's programs.
• Represent DRC in relevant accountability forums and working groups as required.

Qualifications

Required

• A minimum of three years of experience in working in a relief or development NGO in a similar role.
• Bachelor Degree in social work, social sciences, development studies, humanities or other relevant discipline is required.
• Previous experience working in Accountability sector.
• Hands on experience in operating and managing a community feedback mechanism (CFM)
• Previous experience conducting trainings and delivering capacity building.
• Understanding of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning specifically, accountability frameworks processes. Knowledge of information management would be an asset
• Excellent communication skills in English and local languages.
• Ability to communicate key information in an easy to understand, informative and collaborative manner.
• Good contextual knowledge of local community and social/cultural constraints, realities and organizational relationships.
• Strong organization, planning, and time management skills.
• Genuine care and respect for needs of others, practically vulnerable populations with strong belief in empowering marginalized and disenfranchised people.
• High integrity and willingness to conduct her\himself transparently and open to scrutiny.
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Hausa

Desirable:

• Good command of other local languages spoken and written in North Nigeria (Kanuri, Fulani, etc.)

General Regulations

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework
• Employees should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization
• Employees should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period
• Employees should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization
• Employees shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request

Required Skills & Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC:
  • Striving for excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Taking the lead
  • Communication
  • Demonstrating Integrity
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment
• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are required
• Multi-tasking and Organizational skills are a must
• Adaptable and Flexible
• Proven analytical and critical thinking skills
• Exemplary sense of ethics in the workplace
• Team-oriented & good sense of humor

Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position online: https://job.drc.ngo/jobs/. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.

Applications close on the 22nd of November 2024 at midnight (GMT-time). Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.