Head of Program - Maternity Cover

Title: Head of Program

Location:  Addis Ababa

Reports to: Country Director

Grade-E1

Start of Contract & Duration: Seven Months

Posting date: January 20, 2022

INTRODUCTION

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), an international non-governmental organization (NGO), has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. DRC promotes and supports solutions to the problems faced by refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and migrants. The organization has offices across the region, and has been operational in Ethiopia since 2009.  With funding from bilateral and multilateral donors, DRC is currently implementing a range of activities across Ethiopia, including WASH and shelter provision, child and youth protection, gender-based violence response, awareness-raising of migration risks, protection monitoring of migration routes, and livelihoods support for returning migrants or those at-risk of migration.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Are you ready for a challenge? Are you looking for a fast-moving and challenging, but fulfilling temporary opportunity within the DRC Ethiopia team? We are looking for someone with substantial programme management and leadership experience to oversee the contextually challenging programming in Ethiopia for seven months during 2022. The DRC Ethiopia programme is implemented in a challenging context, with conflict and natural disaster-driven displacement, challenging access environment and constantly changing security conditions, and with a growing, complex country program. The interim Head of Programme will join DRC Ethiopia at an interesting time, overseeing high-quality programming across the country, while also overseeing the implementation of restructuring and reprioritization given the evolving context. As part of the SMT and working closely with the CD and HoSS, this role is vital to continue the momentum that has been started in driving our country-level vision and guiding the implementation of area and technical level strategies, with responsibility for rolling out quality assurance across all programmes, managing internal restructuring and maintaining the progress made on mentoring, support and staff development. This role is vast, providing technical support and guidance to country operations while overseeing activities in a tense and uncertain environment. An East Africa lens will also be required, considering the potential broader impacts of the dynamics within Ethiopia on the region.  

Due to visa constraints, this may require remote working for significant amounts of time although presence in Addis Ababa would be preferable.

The key functions of this role are to:

• Ensure the roll-out of the overall programmatic strategy across the entire country operation
• Ensure the provision of high quality and relevant technical guidance and oversight to all area offices and partners within DRC’s priority sectors: protection, WASH, shelter/NFIs, multipurpose cash and livelihoods.
• Enable and oversee the monitoring and evaluation of activities across the entire country operation
• Lead and oversee proposal development and fundraising activities
• Oversee effective grants and project management processes
• Maintain high standards of internal and external representation

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Head of Program works under the direct supervision of the Country Director based in Addis Ababa and liaises with all program and operations across Ethiopia. S/he has the following specific responsibilities:

1. Program Strategy, Management, & Development
   • Contribute to the sustainable management of program growth and quality aligned with the Country and Area strategies
   • Oversee effective, efficient and timely implementation of all projects according to agreed contracts, budgets, policies and in accordance with specific donor requirements
   • Lead the planning and development of concept papers, proposals and budgets with support from country team
   • Provide regular internal and external reports, and other relevant information on programme activities, policy matters and external relations
   • Foster synergies between programme areas and supporting integrated approaches where applicable,
   • Support the Country Director to ensure effective coordination and visibility of the implementation of the projects with all humanitarian and development actors and in advocacy at all levels

1. Fundraising, Grant proposals writing & reporting processes
   • Lead and oversee the drafting of concept notes, proposals, and donor reports by program in coordination with support departments in line with DRC HQ/Region and donor requirements. Lead and oversee program design, and quality assure all proposals and processes ahead of timely submission.
   • Oversee the work of the program support functions, and accurate and detailed budgeting to make sure timely and coherent budget preparation for all new proposals and budget revisions. 
   • Ensure timely, quality reports and targeted communications are submitted to all donors and relevant internal and external parties in coordination with the Country Director, Regional Office, HQ and other program stakeholders.  

1. Program Implementation & Coordination: 
   • Provide oversight, guidance, and leadership to all aspects of program implementation in DRC Ethiopia
   • Collaborate closely with Area Managers and provide daily oversight to programmatic technical needs
   • Participate and contribute to the Grants and BFU meetings ensuring with the HoSS that there is accountability and responsibility being taken appropriately
   • Support the Grants teams with go/no go meetings, kick off meetings and follow up meetings as required
   • Support the technical teams to provide timely, proactive and appropriate technical support to program implementation across all area operations, and ensuring consistent and standard technical quality across all programs.

1. Program Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning:
   • Support the MEAL team in the follow up of their road map for 2021-22 and institutionalization of monitoring, tracking and reporting systems that generate meaningful lesson learning, evidence of impact and provide data for effective programmatic decision making
   • Ensure that all projects have sound monitoring frameworks, and contribute to measuring impact and are in line with DRC’s country strategic plan.
   • Ensure quality programming by coordinating the technical support provided by the Regional Office and HQ and contributing to the development of M&E tools and indicators and other quality improvement initiatives
   • Promote learning and knowledge management within the country program

1. Program Staff Management and Capacity Building
   • Continue the development of a technically excellent team in accordance with programmatic and country-level strategy.  Develop overall staff competence through leadership, training, and coaching of key technical and management program staff
   • Collaborate closely with the Head of Support Services to ensure a holistic approach to staff support, budget development and internal process and policy development, and a one team approach to program implementation.
      
2. Donor liaison, Partnerships and Representation
   • As required represent DRC to existing and potential donors
   • Cultivate key relationships that enhance DRC’s visibility and credibility as an implementing partner amongst all agencies
   • Identify local NGOs/partners with whom to cooperate and partner

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s 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.  

Required qualifications:

• • At least 7 years of experience in managing complex program operations in humanitarian or development contexts, including 3 years in Senior Management
  • Experience working in complex operating environments, including in conflict affected environments
  • Demonstrated experience and skills in proposal development, budget development, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
  • Ability to think and work strategically and creatively, with attention to detail and experience troubleshooting and problem solving in complex settings.
  • Proven leadership skills and competence in people management and leading by example
  • Proven experience in effectively coordinating with national governments, and international, and national NGO partners.
  • Proven experience in managing a diverse programme portfolio and comprehensive budget oversight
  • Full professional proficiency in English is required

TO APPLY

Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit updated CV and cover letter explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the post.

We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies. 

Please forward the application and CV, in English through the stated website no later than February 13, 2022.

For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.ngo.

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, colour, race, marital status or other protected characteristics

DRC considers all applicants based on merit.