Support Services Coordinator - Partnerships

Introduction

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a Danish international non-governmental organisation, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world. DRC is present in more than 30 conflict territories around the world assisting displaced people with shelter, food, income-generating activities, and a wide range of other assistance. It is of utmost importance for DRC to work in compliance with the DRC Accountability and Quality Management system and national legislations. Smooth, reliable and effective operational systems are preconditions for DRC to maintain its position as a trustworthy and reliable partner for our donors and an accountable organisation towards our beneficiaries

Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015 and has experience working in 33 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the BAY states. DRC provides life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including IDPs, returnees, and host communities in the sectors of armed violence reduction, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

The operational context in northeastern Nigeria remains challenging, as the ongoing conflict impedes conflict-affected communities’ access to what limited basic services are available, as well as DRC and other humanitarians’ access to persons of concern.

Overall purpose of the role:

Responsible for strengthening the capacity of NNGOs across Nigeria in systems and process related to Support Services, including Finance, HR, and Logistics. This role will support with capacity assessments, developing and carrying out formal trainings in relevant areas, on the job training and mentorship to the staff of local NGO partners, and working internally with DRC departments and technical coordinators who work with and through national partner organisations. The postholder must be dedicated to supporting local organizations to strengthen support systems and passionate about localisation in Nigeria.

This position will be based at Country Office level in Abuja and will require extensive field travel.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

Technical Guidance to DRC Departments

• Liaise with DRC Nigeria technical coordinators to support the integration of support services into partnerships management in sectors including Protection, CCCM, WASH, Shelter and Settlements, Humanitarian Mine Action, and Economic Recovery
• Input into strategy development of various sectors to include plans and targets on the improvement of support services at NNGO partners
• Support technical coordinators to work with duty bearers in different governorates in Nigeria to improve their financial, HR, and Logistics systems and processes and to better support NNGOs

Capacity and Needs Assessments and Partnership Management

• Input into in-depth capacity assessment tools related to support systems, including supply chain, finance, administration, HR
• Support partner selection processes for national NGOs including local authority liaisons as needed
• Manage positive and productive relations with selected NNGOs across the country
• Establish and maintain productive links between NNGO partners and staff, and with DRC Program teams and Support departments

Capacity Development and Implementation

• Develop capacity development plans based on capacity assessments and consultations with DRC staff, local NGO staff, local authorities and sectors
• Develop relevant and high-quality learning materials including presentations, practical activities, guidelines, support resources, pre and post-tests etc.
• Carry out all Support Services related learning activities and on the job mentorship for NNGOs and duty bearers
• Conduct capacity development activities for DRC programmes teams working with and through NNGOs as needed
• Support partners to develop and utilise support service-related policies and manuals, including procurement, finance, and HR

Field Support

• Conduct regular field vists to partners and DRC bases across Nigeria to carry out monitoring activities, meet with relevant stakeholders, support on the job coaching, and carry out assessments and evaluations of partner support service operations.

Accountability and Reporting

• Guided by the DRC Programme Handbook, continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact and lessons learned of activities
• Ensure compliance with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement
• Provide input for monthly, quarterly and annual donor reports as needed
• Contribute to the improvement of partnership practices by periodically assessing DRC Nigeria’s partnership management approach taking into account both DRC and partners’ perspectives, capture lessons learned and best practices and make recommendations for improvement.

People Management

• Provide on the job training as much as required and adapt trainings/coaching to specific staff needs within the partnerships team

Experience and technical competencies:

• Technical expertise in organizational support systems including Finance, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Administration
• At least 2 years’ experience in a support Services management role
• Minimum 2 years in training and liaising with national NGOs, incuding developing of training plans, training materials, and facilitating training
• Experience dealing with national partners and local/government authorities in challenging contexts
• Good knowledge of relevant donor compliance regulations related to financial management and procurement policies
• Professional background in working in contexts with internally displaced persons and/or refugees
• Experience working in multicultural work settings
• Willingness to embrace and further develop overall objectives such as gender equity, impact monitoring, and cross-sector cooperation

Desirable

• Knowledge of code of conduct principles and the HR systems for performance management
• Knowledge of key donor policy and compliance procedures
• Knowledge of supply chain management and procurement processes
• Previous experience as support services management is an asset
• Fluency in written and spoken English

Education:

• Degree in international development, economics, finance, logistics or other relevant field experience is an asset

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 is a must
• Adaptable and Flexible
• Proven analytical and critical thinking skills
• Exemplary sense of ethics in the workplace
• Team-oriented & good sense of humor

We offer

• • Contract length:  12 months with the possibility of extension
  • Level: NM - G
  • Start date: ASAP

General Regulations:

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

Application Process

• 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 submitted after the closing date will not be considered.
• Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.

However, all applicants shall take into consideration that DRC cannot offer an international work contract to a citizen of the country of assignment (in this specific case, Nigeria)

Deadline: Applications close on the 22nd of November 2024 at midnight (GMT time).

• Only short-listed applicants will be invited for written tests and oral interviews.
• For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult: www.drc.dk