Stationed in Northern Bahr el Ghazal (NbEG)Dani...

Stationed in Northern Bahr el Ghazal (NbEG)Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been present in South Sudan since 2005 with operations in Yei, Lainya, Kajo Keji and Morobo. Following development in the return patterns for refugees and IDPs, DRC is now in the process of phasing out its activities in Kajo Keji and will start up activities in the state of Northern Bahr el Ghazal under the Regions of Origin Initiative as of January 2010. As a result Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is looking for a very experienced and capable Programme Manager to establish the new project office in Aweil, and head our project activities in the area, under direct leadership and supervision of the DRC Country Director.BackgroundThe overall objective for DRC in South Sudan is the protection and promotion of durable solutions to displacement affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights with more immediate objectives focusing both on the immediate subsistence needs, livelihood including agricultural development and self-reliance support as well as a more long term focus on capacity building and sustainable solutions. The objectives are sought through non-food distribution, income generation and livelihood support, shelter and infrastructure, legal aid and protection, and various capacity building initiatives in cooperation with local organisations, international NGOs and authorities. In spite of improvements over the last years, the security situation in South Sudan remains very volatile. Unsolved issues between North and South Sudan, ongoing conflicts between tribes and clans, LRA and frequent cattle rustlings all contribute to renewed displacements and general unrest.  DRC is a rights based organisation and a member of the Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP), and therefore committed to documenting our accountability to the beneficiary population and the impact of our activities. 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. Assuring the adherence with international human rights and HAP compliance especially in starting up operations in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, constitutes some of the main challenges and priorities. This is relevant both in terms of consolidating and at the same time developing the programme, continue the process of developing solid impact measurement mechanisms, strengthening accountability initiatives and ensuring that the financial management and organisational setup is adapted to the new and larger DRC South Sudan operation.DutiesReporting to the Country Director, the Programme Manager is overall responsible for implementation of DRC activities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal. The more specific responsibilities include:Management • Set-up physical and human DRC-infrastructure in NbEG supported by the DRC Country Director and key DRC expatriate and local staff• Represent DRC in the area of operation• Oversee and conduct strategic planning and development of DRCs Northern Bahr el Ghazal programme• Together with the DRC Country Director, and other relevant staff, to identify opportunities for new projects and pursue possible donors.• Together with the DRC Country Director and other relevant staff, develop and formulate project proposals, concept papers and budgets using the DRC Programme Manual.• Responsible for ensuring that annual/project action plans are prepared in accordance with annual planning cycle.• Coordination and good collaboration with all actors involved including local partners and authorities, as well as other donors and humanitarian actors in the area.• Ensure that project(s) are designed and implemented in accordance with DRC standard regulations and operational procedures (e.g. Code of Conduct, DRC Operational Handbook, and DRC Programme Manual)• Ensure that contact is at all times with beneficiaries, target groups and representatives/authorities conducted in a sensitive and respectful manner.Administration and Personnel Management• Overall responsible for managing the office in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, including the overall financial budgeting and expenditures, staff management, administrative issues, security, logistics and other aspects pertaining to running of DRC offices, and adhering to DRC rules and guidelines.• Responsible for the organizational development of DRC Northern Bahr el Ghazal operations, including staff recruitment and staff supervision.• Assess staff development needs and provide/recommend training and coaching to increase technical skills as it becomes necessary.Monitoring and Reporting• Accounting for the overall activities of DRC in Northern Bahr el Ghazal• Ensure that timely narrative and financial reports are provided to the donors on time• Responsibility for outgoing public reports and other reports prepared by DRC Northern Bahl el Ghazal, in close collaboration with the DRC Country Director.Security• Ensure appropriate information regarding security in the area• Security planning, including development and regular updating of security and evacuation plans and measures for the area, as well as implementation of contingency plan.• Ensure that security incidents are reported to the DRC Country Director as well as DRC HQ.Fundraising• As the majority of the fundraising is done locally, the Programme Manager will, under the leadership of the DRC Country Director, take part in applying for funding and broadening of the funding base for DRC Northern Bahr el Ghazal.Accountability• Guided by the DRC Programme Manual, continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of activities and our presence.QualificationsDRC invited qualified applicants matching the requirements listed above, with management and technical/hands-on experience, very familiar with humanitarian principles and practises, and used to represent an international organisation both internally and to external partners and authorities. The applicant has experiences from operating in a very volatile security environment and preferably as well in a remote management setting. He/she has a good and operative insight in financial management and takes active responsibility in budget and expenditure planning and control.In addition• At least 5 years experience within humanitarian / development work. Experience with major donors including ECHO and UNHCR would be an advantage.• Experience in managing a humanitarian operation in a volatile security environment.• Solid experience in programme management – administration, financial and human resource management.• Experience in donor contact, fundraising and networking• Negotiation, advocacy and communication skills• Fluency in written and spoken English• Preferably working experience from African countriesConditionsAvailability: 1 January 2010Duty station: Northern Bahr el Ghazal. Contract: 1 year with a possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and other conditions in accordance with DRCs Terms of Employment for Expatriates, which can be found on our website www.drc.dk under Vacancies. The position is placed at Level B3.Further information You are welcome to contact Programme Co-ordinator for Sudan, Anders Engberg: +******for additional information on the position. Please note that applications are not to be sent to Mr. Engberg. We only accept application sent via our online system at www.drc.dk under Vacancies. Applications sent directly to Mr. Engberg will NOT be considered.For information about our work and organisation, please visit our website www.drc.dk Application and CVOnly motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered. Please forward the application and CV, in English and marked “PM South Sudan”, no later than Sunday 6. December 2009.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/Programme Manager, South Sudan. Please remember to include a letter of application and your CVProblems with on-line application?Please contact Anne Oxholm,  if you have questions to the application process or experience problems with your on-line application.About DRCThe 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.