Area Manager

About DRC 
DRC began operating in Kenya in 2005 with assistance to refugees and displacement-affected communities via implementation of protection and livelihoods activities. DRC works in Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps, as well as in Nairobi to assist urban-based refugees, and in Mandera County implementing a cross-border resilience programme DRC is the lead agency in a consortium of 4 agencies implementing the project in Mandera County of Kenya, Dollo Ado Region of Ethiopia and Gedo Region of Somalia. 

Overall purpose of the role: 
Working under the Country Director (CD), the Area Manager (AM) is responsible for DRCs operations in Mandera County including host community projects in the sub-counties.  S/he is responsible for program design and implementation, security management, managing support functions (Human Resources and Administration, Finance, Supply Chain), partnership management, community relations, funding and budgetary functions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Management:

• Maintain an effective team through result-oriented management systems, providing leadership, on-job capacity building and designing staff development strategies.
• Provide direct management of senior program, support and security staff; provide overview management for the entire Mandera team. 
• Ensure proper communication mechanisms are in place to ensure effective and timely communication between staff and the Area Office Senior Management Team 
• Provide on-site support through frequent visits to project sites
• Ensuring the implementation of DRC Risk Management policy at the area level. This includes regular assessment of contextual, programmatic and institutional risks and designing risk mitigation measures. 

Security:

• Ensure a safe and secure environment for DRC staff, beneficiaries and assets through: operationalizing DRCs security procedures, providing safety and security analysis, recommendations and follow-ups. 
• Organize regular staff training on the use of security systems and personal safety. 

HR, Finance, Supply Chain/Logistics and Administration:

• Ensure proper support function which is adequate to ensure program quality is in place. 
• Ensure compliance to DRC, donor and national policies, rules, regulations and systems in a timely, responsible, documented, accurate & appropriate manner; ensures that support services are cost effective and efficient.
• Ensure a diverse and professional workforce through efficient, effective and transparent recruitment, evaluation and disciplinary processes. 
• Ensure procurement is carried-out in a fair, transparent, effective and well documented manner. 
• Supervising all financial reporting and financial procedures, including the monthly schedule for financial reporting, donor reporting and audits, cash flow and liquidity management. This includes maintaining a master budget for the Area Office and regular monitoring of expenditure against the master budget. 
• Ensure that DRC Dynamics (ERP) system is fully used in managing Supply Chain, Finance, HR and Grant Management. 

Program/Advocacy:

• Ensure that programs are based on user-identified needs and resources of the targeted population, are well coordinated with other aid actors, address lessons learned (from DRC and other actors) and steered towards ensuring accountability to the people to whom the services/inputs are indented to serve. 
• Ensure programs are developed, implemented and evaluated within clear monitoring systems and against clear people/program/finance planning that meets DRC and donor regulations and humanitarian and CHS principles.
• Advocate for the right of refugees based on evidence in consultation with the Country Director. 

External relations:

• Establish and maintain open and productive dialogue with the county government, relevant line ministries, community leaders, power brokers and relevant aid agencies, private businesses and donors. 
• Attends and contributes to discussions, workshops, working groups and other forums where operations and other issues that may impact operations or the people DRC serves are discussed.
• Manage donor relationship at area level. 

Experience and technical competencies:

• Proven experience in strategic development and program design & writing, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation at least for 5 years. Experience in livelihoods, community development, protection and relief highly desired. 
• Practical and extensive financial, HR and administration management experience with extensive knowledge of budget development/management and finance documentation, tracking and archiving; understanding of HR and administration principles and ethics. Experience with DANIDA, ECHO, European Aid, and BPRM guidelines will be an added advantage. 
• Result-oriented management experience of a large, diverse and dynamic team, and a commitment to good leadership. Must have a proven ability to foster teamwork and commitment to on-job training/support.
• Practical and proven skills in negotiation and conflict resolution with a wide range of stakeholders. 
• Experience in security and safety management in highly dynamic security environments
• Analytical and problem-solving skills and an ability to work independently and as a team needed.
• Proven excellent communication skills and fluency in written and spoken English essential. Excellent report writing skills is a 
• interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with local partners and other stakeholders
• Excellent in the use of MS Office Suite, email and internet
• Knowledge and understanding of Somali society/language 
• Experience in a refugee setting and knowledge of refugee issues an asset (but not a requirement)

About you:
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five 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.   

Education:

• Advanced university degree in relevant field (relief, development, recovery) with at least 5-years relevant experience;
• At least 3-years’ experience managing large-scale multi-sector programming.

Key stakeholders: (External and Internal)

• DRC STAFF
• Local Partner Agencies (NGOs and UN agencies)
• Local government authorities 
• Donors,
• Local community leaders: Partner organizations, Donor organizations, Government departments 

Conditions  

• Contract: This is a National standard contract of 12 months; which is renewable based on performance and availability of funds. Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC Kenya's Terms of Employment. 
• Availability:  December 2019 
• Duty station: The position will be based in Mandera County  

Application and CV:  
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered.  
DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies. Please remember to upload both a letter of application and your CV and do not attach any written recommendations.  
Please submit your application and CV in English no later than 20th November, 2019  
Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels.  In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.  
Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer.  We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees.  We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, color, race, marital status or other protected characteristics.  
DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process. Visit drc.ngo to read more about what we do to secure robust safeguarding mechanisms. 
If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/jobsupport.