Head of Programme – DCA Bangladesh

DanChurchAid (DCA) is looking for energetic and experienced Head of Programme (HoP) to lead its country programme in Bangladesh. The bulk of the programme consists of DCA’s humanitarian response to the influx of Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar together with several livelihood and value-chain projects. The position is based in Cox’s Bazar.

DCA is a Danish humanitarian, non-government and non-profit organisation working in Bangladesh with partners since the 1970s. It has an office in Dhaka and established an office in Cox’s Bazar in December 2017 as a response to the influx of Rohingya refugees. The country programme has four main components: gender-based violence, education in emergency, disaster risk reduction and livelihoods.

DCA Bangladesh programme currently has a turnover of 4.5 million USD. The office consists of 140 national and 5international staff.

The HoP works directly under the supervision of the CD and is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and Country Management Team (CMT). As HoP you will be responsible for the programme team implementing the work. The HoP role aims to coordinate the design and implementation of the Country Programme, achieve programme objectives, and maximize programmatic and organizational synergies. HoP plays a key role in ensuring quality assurance mechanisms are in place, and timely steps are taken to address identified gaps. HoP manages the country programme team, including performance management of the staff under direct line management. HoP ensures that policies and procedures are followed, contributing to the high quality, transparent and accountable Country Programme and overseeing DCAs localisation agenda. The HoP has responsibility for strategic development and fundraising with support from the Country Director. In the country director’s absence, HoP may be appointed as Acting Country Director.

Personnel Management

· Supervise and manage the Programme Team through mentoring, dialogue and capacity development;

· Delegate tasks to ensure that deadlines are met and procedures (policies, guidelines and formats inclusive of risk management) are followed;

· Take the lead in creating a constructive working environment, proactively motivating employees;

· Plan and prioritize tasks in the team and assure balanced workloads;

· Conduct Annual Employment Development Reviews of staff under direct line management;

· Design and update job descriptions of the Programme Team and ensure that all understand their role;

· Take part in the recruitment of programme and project staff as well as the termination of contracts;

· Ensure proper induction of new employees in collaboration with Human Resources and other colleagues;

· Ensure appropriate handover during staff absence and following resignation;

· Together with the Country Director and the Head of Support Services, work towards an adequate team composition and resources to cover personnel costs in line with the Country Programme requirements;

· Contribute to employee welfare.

Senior Management and Coordination

· Actively participate in regular Senior Management Team meetings;

· Act as Acting Country Director when delegated by Country Director or authorized person in HQ;

· Contribute to defining strategic directions of the Country Programme through inputs to strategies, policies and annual planning;

· Suggest possible improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency of internal quality and control systems;

· Contribute to the organizational development, innovation and a strategic vision of the Country Programme;

· Coordinate and collaborate with Head of Support Services and Country Director to ensure maximum synergies in the Country Programme portfolio.

Programme Management

· Ensure quality assurance of projects and programmes in accordance with DCA strategies, policies and guidelines;

· Support and supervise staff in the Country Programme in project planning, implementation and reporting;

· Ensure donor reports are prepared in time and with sufficient level of details and accuracy;

· Ensure programme/project budget expenditure is on track and regularly monitored during grants management meetings;

· Assume overall responsibility for timely implementation of the Country Programme in accordance with the DCA Programme and Project Manual (PPM);

· Regularly revise Country-level Theory of Change;

· Ensure the development of DCA technical expertise;

· Coordinate Annual Programme Reporting;

· Ensure that all programme employees have the necessary knowledge and training on PPM and relevant technical expertise;

· Provide feedback to HQ on issues related to PPM and other relevant policies;

· Ensure DCA cross-cutting commitments (Gender, Environmental Sustainability, Rights-based Approach, Religion and Development etc.) are adequately reflected in the Country Programme;

· Ensure overview and monitoring of the partners’ portfolio in line with the Country Programme Strategy, DCA cross-cutting commitments and HAP/CHS benchmarks.

· Coordinate and contribute to the development of the partner portfolio, including systematic partner capacity building;

· Ensure investment in innovative solutions to humanitarian and development aid, including but not limited to developing technical capacities in ICTs;

· Where possible, ensure appropriate linkages between humanitarian, early recovery and development planning.

· Oversee DCA’s localisation agenda

Networking and Advocacy

· Ensure DCA participation in UN sectors and other coordination mechanisms;

· Actively participate in the ACT Alliance meetings and the National/Regional ACT Forum;

· Actively coordinate with HQ on global and country-based advocacy;

· Provide input and support to the Country Director in coordination with the Danish Embassy, the Delegation of the European Commission, UN agencies and other organisations.

Fundraising

· Manage the implementation of the DCA fundraising strategy, ensure relevant background documents, presentation materials and quality concept notes/project proposals are prepared and updated regularly;

· In close cooperation with the GPRM Adviser, lead the programme team in developing innovative and relevant project concepts which respond to community needs, changing environment and donor requirements;

· Manage current donor relations, participate in donors’ meetings and present fundraising initiatives upon agreement with the Country Director.

· Identify new potential donors and regularly arrange meetings and briefings with them to ensure DCA is visible

Qualifications

• At least three years of previous work experience in leadership and result-based management position in an equivalent position
• University degree or relevant work experience
• Extensive project management experience (management, planning, staff development and training skills) in humanitarian and development programmes
• Experience with both direct project implementation as well as implementation through local partners.
• Proven experience in the development and management of strategic plans and objectives
• Experience in GBV/PSS, DRR and cash-based programming a plus
• Practical and extensive financial and administration management experience
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills, and flexibility in cultural and organisational terms
• Experience with manging grants from various donors, in particular ECHO, UNICEF, Danida
• Proven experience of MEAL
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English
• Knowledge of local language and/or regional experience will be an added advantage