Country Director

Danish Refugee Council is a leading protection agency pursuing our mandate to protect and promote durable solutions to displacement-affected populations based on humanitarian principles.

In the East Africa and the Great Lakes, DRC applies a regional approach with operational presence in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

DRC Sudan is responding to the deepening humanitarian crisis in Sudan at a time where access constraints are growing with a response centred on providing integrated first line protection assistance to displacement-affected populations to meet basic needs. DRC response is built on Protection, CCCM, Durable Solutions, Economic Recovery, Shelter and Settlements, Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding with other sub-sectors including Disaster Risk Reduction and WASH. DRC has been working in Sudan for 20 years and has developed long-standing relationships with key stakeholders – especially in Central Darfur. DRC co-leads the Protection Cluster and participates in other key coordination fora (INGO Forum Steering Committee) and Humanitarian Access Working Group.

DRC is currently responding in Khartoum, Central Darfur, South Kordofan, While Nile, Al Gezirah, Gedaref and South Darfur with an ongoing plan to extend the response in Red Sea, River Nile, Northern State and West Darfur.

Overall purpose of the role

The Country Director plays a strong leadership role in DRC’s comprehensive and solutions-based approach to displacement through a high level of strategic leadership, innovation and effective advocacy. The Country Director is ultimately accountable in country for all aspects of DRC’s work, leading the consolidation and at the same time development of the programme, continuing the process of developing solid impact measurement mechanisms, strengthening accountability initiatives and ensuring that the financial management and organizational setup is adapted to the operational context. The Country Director sets direction, leads, maintains team morale, safety and welfare, and manages resources. The Country Director delegates specific duties as necessary, while maintaining oversight and accountability.

Key responsibilities:

Representation

• Represent the programme to authorities, donors, partners, and in various co-ordination fora;
• Strengthen DRC’s position nationally and regionally;
• Ensure that DRC maintains excellent and productive relations with all key stakeholders, especially beneficiaries, local authorities, the humanitarian community and donors.

Direct managerial oversight and support

• Ensure that the senior management team members have clear and realistic performance based management goals;
• Overall management of the operation and direct manager for senior staff members;
• Ensure that the senior management team is effective, mutually supporting and sufficiently involved in decision making;

Fundraising and Advocacy

• Ensure the country operation has an actionable and living fundraising strategy that leverages DRC’s strategy and strengths to play an meaningful role in Sudan that is grounded in reality of the funding environment;
• Together with the Head of Programme, lead the team in writing concept papers, project proposals and budgets in line with the approved country strategy;
• Lead on advocacy for all DRC key messages;

Safety

• Accountable for ensuring that the programme is delivered in a safe and secure manner;
• Provide overall accountability for security, including development of and ensuring adherence to security procedures, monitoring of the security situation, analysing and provision of recommendations;

Support Services

• Together with the Head of Support Services, provide overall budget monitoring, financial management and expenses control including compliance with minimum DRC and donor requirements and ensuring that necessary systems are in place;
• Manage the resources allocated effectively and transparently by respecting and meeting all legal requirements in country;
• Provide leadership support to staff and promote best practices in human resources management;
• Ensure coaching and counselling advice to staff when necessary and lead initiatives to develop staff capacity;

Programme development

• Together with the Head of Programme, lead the development and update of the programme strategy, within DRC’s overall regional and global strategic frameworks;

Accountability and Quality

• Ensure that DRC standard regulations and operational procedures (Code of Conduct, DRC Management handbooks, CHS standards, etc.) are followed;
• 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.

About you

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five 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.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, international development, economics or other relevant field.
• Minimum seven years’ management experience in emergency/development contexts as country director/senior manager of a humanitarian or development organization or similar
• Experience representing a large and leading organization to donors, external partners and authorities;
• Experience with networking, advocacy and coordination;
• Experience in managing staff in insecure/stressful locations;
• Experience with conflict related displacement issues;
• Experience of managing budgets and multiple donor contracts;
• Experience in donor contact, fundraising and networking;
• Experience working in the East Africa and/or Horn of Africa (preferred);
• Experience and proven leadership skills and a competence in people management;
• Proven communicator with all types of stakeholders; and
• Proven commitment to accountable practices and knowledge of quality assurance systems

Conditions

Contract: One year contract with possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment band D; Non-accompanied.

Availability: March 2024

Duty station: Gedaref/Sudan or Port Sudan

Reporting Line: Operations Director

Providing equal opportunities We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Promoting high standards : 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