Project Manager-Livelihoods

Vacancy Announcement

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) / Danish Demining Group (DDG) are an international humanitarian organization implementing relief and development activities in more than 30 countries. DRC/DDG is a non-governmental, non-political and non-religious organization and, in DRC/DDG, people’s right to a life with dignity is central to all that we do. DRC/DDG has been operating in Myanmar since 2009, responding to humanitarian needs of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and conflict-affected populations by providing shelter, NFIs, livelihood support, humanitarian mine action and community assistance. The DRC / DDG programme is rooted in a strong protection outreach that includes protection monitoring, tailor-made assistance and programmatic integration through humanitarian mine action (HMA) including provision of Mine Risk Education (MRE) and Non-Technical Survey (NTS) in the most contaminated and conflict-prone areas of Myanmar.

To support and strengthen the DRC / DDG programme in Myanmar we are looking for highly motivated and capable candidates to fill the position of

Project Manager-Livelihoods (1 post)

Duty Station:                Myitkyina, Kachin State

Reporting to:                Area Manager

Direct report:              Livelihoods Team Members

This position is open for Myanmar National Only.

The overall purpose of this position

• Overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of DRC’s sector projects within geographical area of responsibility
• Direct manager for relevant sector staff members Sector responsibilities: Provide technical guidance and management in economic recovery and livelihoods programming in thematic issues that include skills development (short term skills training and technical and vocational education and training i.e. TVET), wage employment facilitation and apprenticeship, employability strengthening, financial inclusion (savings groups), entrepreneurship and market linkages, business support (SME development), provision of start-up business grants, life-skills training, literacy and numeracy training, group enterprise development food security programming and basic needs assistance (BNA) through cash or in-kind. 

Geographic scope: Area (Kachin)

This role has an area focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the area. The role contributes to the development of area strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to base operations.

Main Responsibilities

Project Management:

• The project manager will take leadership of the Kachin Economic Recovery portfolio including business support, wage employment and employability support, financial inclusion, food security and cash and voucher assistance (CVA) in terms of high quality and timely deliveries, narrative reporting and financial overviews,
• Close cooperation with donors, particularly DANIDA, BHA, and BHA – FFP, Government counterparts and coordination mechanisms (i.e. Food Security and Cash Working Group and others) on site and in synergy with other DRC interventions in the area,
• Provide line management to national livelihoods staff working particularly on the Economic Recovery projects in Kachin. This includes coaching, ensuring coordination among national staff, recruiting, and capacity development of staff,
• Hold responsibility for the management of the budgets and ensure accountable spending.
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of quality economic recovery, livelihoods and CVA programs implemented by DRC,
• Working closely with DRC protection programming and the Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) departments, ensure livelihoods enhance protection outcomes and vice versa,
• Active leadership/engagement with the Food Security/Livelihoods/Nutrition Sector and Cash Working Group and other relevant clusters/sectors, and other major actors in helping to shape economic recovery, livelihoods and CVA approaches in Kachin,
• Contribute to livelihoods and market assessments (LMA), including cash feasibility assessments (i.e. Modality Due Diligence) and rapid market assessments (RMA), which propose concrete and feasible solutions for IDPs and return and resettlement (RnR) sites, guided by minimum standards and benchmarks for principled engagement, 
• Support and develop Standard Operating Procedures for implementing CVA (both conditional and unconditional), business support, wage employment and financial inclusion, with support from LLH Manager,
• Work closely with the DRC technical economic recovery team to implement economic recovery and livelihoods (ERL) and CVA interventions based on agreed DRC technical approaches.

People management

• Lead and manage the sector team (including people planning, performance, well-being and development),
• Staff capacity building in economic recovery, livelihoods and Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) and other relevant livelihoods-related approaches and general professional development of staff under your management.

Monitoring, reporting and development

• Develop program monitoring tools and support in monitoring of outcomes and outputs
• Quality control and site monitoring to ensure that services provided are according standards
• Support and lead in writing management and donor reports
• Continuously update project documentation and files
• Closely work with Area Managers, Grants and SMT unit to develop quality proposals, concept notes and budget
• Develop and undertake livelihoods and needs assessments to inform program design and strategic direction. Conduct frequent rapid needs assessment of the situation in the event of emergency in collaboration with other stakeholders to address related problems

External coordination and representation

• Represent DRC/DDG and participate in relevant coordination meetings (i.e. Food Security and Cash Working Groups, donor meetings etc.)
• Share relevant project information with stakeholders including local entities, government entities and donors
• Explore new business and partnerships and support in enhancing relationships with relevant actors

As Project Manager the post-holder is accountable for:

• Achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility
• Making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
• People management of direct reports. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC

*Perform any other relevant tasks as requested by Line Manager and/or Area Manager.

Qualification and minimum requirement

• Minimum of 5 years project management experience with humanitarian responses in displacement-related and early recovery contexts, preferably in camps and camp-like situations,
• A minimum of 3 years implementing economic recovery, livelihoods, food security and cash and voucher assistance (CVA) programming in displacement and early recovery contexts,
• Strong experience in cash and voucher assistance, agriculture-oriented programming, agriculture value chain development and agri-business,
• Experience of being responsible for managing economic recovery, livelihoods, CVA and food security project portfolio across different complex locations,
• Documented skills in project planning and design, drafting, calculation and technical writing
• Experience working with national partners, local/government authorities, and UN organizations.
• Excellent skill in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Experience in project and strategy development
• Experience working in Myanmar is an advantage

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s 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 against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. 

Offer:

• Starting date of employment: November 2021.
• Contract: 6 months including a probation period of 3 months, possible extension based on performance and project funding.
• Salary: Competitive salary according to DRC Myanmar salary scale.

This position is open for Myanmar National Only. DRC strongly advocates for equal opportunity and promotes a diversified and inspiring working environment. Therefore, qualified candidates of ethnic minorities and women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application process:

Applicants who meet the above-mentioned requirements should apply by submitting their applications in English (consisting of Cover Letter and CV of no more than 4 pages, including contact details of 3 professional references) and CV only applications will not be considered. Apply button.

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for a written test in English and a face-to-face interview.
• After the closing date, applications are not to be considered. Please note that due to the urgency of this position, applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and DRC reserves the right to initiate the recruitment process before the deadline for applications.

Deadline for submission of applications: 05-Oct-2021 (COB)