Program Assistant

Are you a person looking for first hand advocacy experience in humanitarian/displacement issues who would thrive working in a small team aiming to support DRC‘s global engagement?
DRC is looking for a Junior Program Assistant to join the DRC Representation in Geneva. You will gain insight in the global engagement approach of the organization and support the work with all relevant stakeholders based in Geneva. This will require a person with interest and motivation in global policies, who is capable of grasping and conveying core messages and is able to engage in all tasks to be performed in a small team.

Who are we?

DRC is a leading, international humanitarian displacement organization, supporting refugees and internally displaced persons as well as displacement—affected communities. We provide protection and humanitarian assistance. We support displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included into hosting societies - and we work with communities, civil society and authorities to promote the protection of rights and peaceful coexistence. DRC was originally founded in Denmark in 1956 and is now present in more than 35 countries.

The DRC Representation in Geneva has been established in 2013 with the ambition to strengthen its representation and engagement in the international humanitarian policy processes. The DRC Representation serves as an advocacy and policy-influencing hub that engages with UN agencies, member states to the UN as well as the INGO community in Geneva to influence policies in the area of forced displacement. The Representation seeks to use DRC’s accumulated policy expertise, analytical capacity and wide-ranging operational base in over 35 field missions around the globe to add value to policy debates in Geneva. 

About the job

The position is located in the Representation in Geneva and forms part of the External Relations Service of DRC based in Copenhagen covering all external engagement either in HQ as well as the Representations in Brussels and Geneva. You will report directly to the Geneva Representative.

Your primary task is to proactively support all activities of DRC Geneva and lead some specific assignments within the scope of works, including:

• Attend regular briefings, take notes and share with related DRC stakeholders;
• Prepare background documents on displacement related matters for senior management attending Geneva events;
• Act as the primary focal point for visitors to DRC Geneva including setting agenda, arranging meetings and operational support;
• Assume a coordination role on the monthly Geneva Newsletter to be updated and relevant to DRC;
• Support the programmatic engagement of DRC Geneva on all aspects according to work plan of DRC Representation in Geneva;
• Support the collaboration with UNHCR on strategic, programmatic, operational and contractual level in collaboration with the Senior Compliance Officer;
• Interact with DRC HQ and field units to ensure external representations are updated and relevant for DRC as well as Geneva based actors;
• Proactively check for opportunities and occasions where visits of DRC units and staff to Geneva are an asset to either DRC and/or Geneva based actors and processes;
• Liaise with DRC HQ, DRC Brussels and DRC Regional and Country Offices on all related matters of collaboration and dissemination of relevant information;

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have strong analytical skills, able to grasp and communicate core messages from and to specific audiences and you must be ready to work in a small and flexible team, focusing on many diverse aspects of INGO work with a clear displacement mandate. You must  be able to identify yourself with the core mandate and vision of DRC and you are expected to be a proactive team player, able to work in teams and on your own, according to circumstances. We expect you to thrive in situations where tasks and responsibilities change and do not necessarily have clear solutions from the outset.

Moreover, we are looking for someone who meets the following criteria:

• Relevant academic background;
• 2-4 years work experience in the humanitarian sector, preferably with NGOs or United Nations, field experience is an asset;
• Sound analytical and writing skills, including the ability to condense messages to the essential;
• Familiarity with displacement contexts and full alignment with DRC mandate, values and vision;
• Excellent team-working skills;
• Flexibility and enthusiasm to perform all tasks assigned;
• Excellent communication skills – proficient in written and oral English;

All staff are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding

We offer:

Contract length: 12 months – Fixed Duration National Contract – 100% occupation

Work place: Avenue France 23, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland

Start date: September 2020

Salary: app. 4.000 CHF gross, final offer according to DRC Geneva salary scale and considering individual qualifications

Following Swiss regulations, DRC offers accident and travel insurance for all Geneva based staff. All staff have to pay tax, social security and pension contributions according to Swiss law and a valid Swiss health insurance (not covered by DRC) is mandatory. DRC does not pay any additional allowances (relocation, schooling etc).

Be aware that due to the current restrictions in Switzerland linked to the Covid-19 crisis, work/collaboration could start remotely.

Please note that due to questions related to work and residence permits and Swiss labor regulations, Swiss nationals, citizens of Schengen-countries and applicants with existing work and residence papers for Switzerland have a certain preference. Yet, we want to clearly state that the lack of above-mentioned specifications is not a ground for rejection of applications.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English.

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 15th of July, 2020.

Further information

For questions regarding the vacancy please contact the DRC Representative in Geneva at Stephan.Maurer@drc.ngo.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please use our job support at drc.ngo/jobsupport.

DRC reserves the right to review and interview candidates within the application period and close this vacancy if a suitable candidate is found.

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

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.

Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In the light of this, women are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.

Equal opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunities 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, colour, race, marital status or other protected characteristics. 

Read more here about what our employees say about working in DRC.

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.