Re-advertisementThe Danish Refugee Council (DRC...

Re-advertisementThe Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is looking for a very experienced and capable Country Director to head our humanitarian and protection programme in Iraq. DRC has been present in Iraq since April 2003 working across 11 (out of 18) provinces/governorates.  Regionally, DRC is also present in Syria and Lebanon. BackgroundThe overall objective for DRC in Iraq is the protection and promotion of durable solutions to displacement- affected populations.  DRC’s activities range from non-food distribution and winterisation, income generation and livelihood support, shelter and infrastructure, legal aid and protection, and various capacity building initiatives focusing on local partner organisation and governorate-level authorities. Where feasible, DRC adopts a community-based approach, where beneficiaries and local authorities are included in the prioritising, planning and implementation of activities as an important measure of rehabilitation and capacity building. DRC’s main donors are UNHCR, Danida and IOM. With 5 international staff members based in Amman and over 120 national staff members in Iraq.In spite of improvements during 2008, the security situation in Iraq remains very volatile and expatriate staff travel to Iraq is restricted to the Kurdish areas. As a result, remote management from Jordan remains the main mode of operations, which brings with it a number of specific challenges. Recently, a process has been initiated to adopt a more regional perspective in terms of addressing certain common issues. DRC Iraq therefore works closely with other DRC programmes in the regionResponsibilities of the Country DirectorThe Country Director has overall responsibility for the DRC programme in Iraq, with select regional responsibilities. The Country Director refers to and works in close co-ordination with the DRC Programme Co-ordinator in Copenhagen. The more specific responsibilities include:Leadership • To coordinate and manage the overall planning and direction of DRC’s operations at country level• To create a shared vision among all staff of DRC’s programme aims and their role in achieving theseStrategic and programme development• To take a leading role in developing DRC’s long-term strategy for its activities in Iraq• To ensure alignment between the strategy of DRC Iraq and regional and global DRC strategies• To be a driving force in terms of developing DRC Iraq within the framework of DRC’s conceptual approaches• To develop and secure funding for new programmes.• To ensure effective coordination of relevant sectors/departments (e.g. livelihoods, protection, finance, logistics etc) in proposal development;• To develop and maintain productive working relationships with donors and undertake all in-country negotiation related to programming and contractsProgramme Management• To ensure that projects remain within the remit of their initial design, budget and propose, and to prepare any amendments when necessary• To support project teams in the fulfilment of their duties according to programme design. Ensure that appropriate systems and plans are in place for dealing with emergencies• To establish and enhance systems and standards for the monitoring and evaluation of programmes against their strategic aimsStaff Management / Human Resources (HR)• To manage staff effectively, including appropriate and systematic delegation• To co-ordinate, support and ensure team-building of national and international staff teams• To contribute to the development and compliance with external and internal policies and guidelinesFinance, administration and logistics• To provide overall budget monitoring, financial management and expenses control including compliance with DRC and donor requirements and ensuring that the necessary systems are in place• To ensure that all finance/procurement/logistics procedures are according to donors’ and DRC compliance systemsSecurity • To monitor the development in the security situation, to analyse and provide recommendations for DRC’s areas of operation, and to ensure adherence to DRC security proceduresRepresentation• To act as representative for the DRC Iraq programme in front of external partners and in various co-ordination forums, thus strengthening DRC’s position and profile nationally and regionallyAccountabilityTo continuously monitor and develop initiatives relating to DRC’s membership of HAPQualifications and ProfileThe new DRC Country Director must have:• Extensive experience with humanitarian / development work, preferably some of it relating to displacement issues• Extensive senior management experience from international organisations and/or INGOs• Familiarity with humanitarian principles and practices• Experience of operating in a volatile security environment, ideally with an understanding of remote management• Solid experience of project cycle management, ensuring the delivery of high quality programmes• Solid experience in programme management – administration, financial and HR• Extensive experience of working with donor partnerships• Strong negotiation, advocacy and communication skills• Fluency in written and spoken English, knowledge of Arabic an advantage• Preferably, but not necessarily, working experience from Middle East countriesThe new DRC Country Director must also be able to:• Take the lead in further developing DRC’s presence and profile in Iraq and the region• Create and maintain innovative and enthusiastic working environments at all levels• Provide high quality supervision, line management and support to staff• Analyse complex information• Make and implement decisions• Provide leadership and coordination in planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation• Develop and maintain relationships with other NGOs, government and other relevant stakeholders, including taking the lead in co-ordinations and forums concerned with protection in IraqFurther informationYou’re welcome to contact Claus Larsen, e-mail ****** for further information about the position.Please note that applications are not to be sent to Mr. Larsen. We only accept application sent via our online system at www.drc.dk under Vacancies. Applications sent directly to Mr. Larsen will not be considered.For additional information about DRC and our work, please refer to www.drc.dkConditionsAvailability: 1 February, or as soon as possible thereafterDuty station: Amman, Jordan. Frequent trips to Kuwait, Erbil and the regionContract: 1 year with a possibility of extension, subject to funding and performanceSalary and other conditions in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates, which can be found on our website www.drc.dk under Vacancies. The position is placed at Level A2.Application and CVOnly motivated applications, in English and marked “Country Director – Iraq”, that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications sent together with a CV will be considered. Please provide references, but do not attach any written recommendations.CV-only applications will not be considered. We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.dk under Vacancies/Current Vacancies/Country Director, Iraq. Please remember to include a letter of application and your CV.Applications are to be sent to no later than 23. November 2009.Problems with on-line applicationPlease contact Anne Oxholm, ******, if you have questions to the application process or experience problems with your on-line application.The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty five countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRC’s work.