Regional Head of Programme

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfilment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation.

About the job

The Regional Head of Programme (RHoP) provides leadership and strategic direction in developing and delivering DRC’s programmatic vision and strategy across the regional operation, while driving strategic engagement at the regional level through oversight of regional projects, partnerships and platforms. Within the programmatic area, the RHoP serves as a link between relevant Headquarters (HQ) counterparts and country level counterparts. The RHoP is responsible for managing the regional office (RO) programme team, and in close coordination with country HoPs and technical counterparts for supporting the delivery of high-quality programmes that are relevant, implemented in a timely manner and in line with organization and sector best practice and technical standards. In close coordination with other members of the Regional Senior Management Team (RSMT), the RHoP guides and supports fundraising, donor engagement and external representation for DRC in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic leadership and programmatic direction

• Lead and facilitate, in close collaboration with the regional SMT, development of the regional strategic plan, and lead the regional periodic reviews hereof (incl. preparation, reviews and reporting against the regional strategic plan),
• Lead and set the overall programmatic direction and ambition for the region, and ensure regional programmatic sub-plans (e.g. sector plans, business development plans) are developed as relevant,
• Guide and support country operations in development of country strategic plans, and lead the process of regional quality assurance and review of country strategic plans to align against regional priorities,
• Guide and support country operations on regular periodic reviews of country strategic plans, and ensure regional participation in periodic reviews from the RO programme team,
• Monitor and keep the organization abreast of major programmatic, operational and business development trends or shifts within the region (incl. e.g. the onset of new emergencies),
• Facilitate and ensure that the regional and country strategic plans align with (and continue to adapt with) contextual needs, DRC’s mandate and the overall DRC Strategy 2025 (incl. the breakthroughs and the strategic initiatives),
• Participate in and contribute to key decisions and initiatives of the regional SMT, incl. e.g. Code of Conduct oversight and support,

Programmatic and business development

• With the regional grants and business development coordinators, oversee regional programmatic development, e.g. programming with regional impact or spanning multiple countries,
• Ensure a regional donor engagement strategy is in place and executed, including new funding opportunities, and ensure regional alignment with global engagement and fundraising strategies,
• With the regional business development coordinator, support, guide and advise country operations in the region as needed on fundraising, donor engagement, new partnerships, and strategic programmatic development,
• Oversee and ensure adherence to processes for proposal development across regional and country operations in the region (e.g. go-no go evaluations and sign-off),
• Oversee and ensure technical reviews/quality assurance of proposals, reports and modifications requests submitted by countries in the region in line with proposal development processes,

Oversight and quality management of DRC’s programme delivery in the region

• Oversee the DRC programme portfolio across the region on aspects of programme delivery and quality management,
• Oversee that the relevant programmatic capacities are in place in region and in country operations to deliver as needed, and support capacity building needs across the region as needed and feasible,
• Oversee, guide and support country operations on rollout of and application of programmatic policies, tools and standards,
• Ensure that the programme team supports and guides country offices with programmatic and sectoral expertise and advise as needed, incl. adherence to Project Cycle Management principles and technical programme quality standards,
• With the regional MEAL coordinator, ensure that country-level programming is well monitored, incl. through periodic country visits, advise and support on delivery of quality programming, and follow up on non-compliance,
• With Regional MEAL, support and facilitate utilisation of learning and best practice from operations into project design and planning and adherence to the common approach to MEAL (DRC’s MEAL Model),
• Through coordination with other RHoPs and the HQ Programme division, ensure that programmatic needs, gaps, etc. from the region are regularly shared and communication with field programme implementation is strengthened,

Management of programme teams and of regional projects

• Lead and performance manage the RO programme team,
• Oversee and ensure that the RO programme team is continually ‘fit for purpose’ and equipped to provide the relevant support and guidance to regional and country operations, including capacity development,
• Lead and manage all aspects (e.g. monitoring, implementation and reporting) of regionally hosted projects and programmes (contracts),
• Support Regional Head of Support Services on regional master budgeting and projections for regional project budgets,
• Lead and manage heads of regional secretariats/hosted entities and other programme initiatives in the region,
• Provide technical line supervision to HoPs in country operations, ensuring that country HoPs have the necessary direction, guidance and support to perform their roles,
• Develop and promote improved networking and exchanges between country HoPs in the region, including through regional workshops as needed,
• Participate in and advise on the recruitment of all country HoPs in the region, and in introductory/induction briefings, and ensure effective onboarding,
• Promote communication, coordination and integration across programme and support staff in the region and between programme staff at different levels of the organization (HQ, RO and CO),
• Ensure awareness and attention to concerns related to safeguarding and Code of Conduct within their team,

Donor engagement and external representation

• Represent DRC at regional forums and in various coordination structures (e.g. inter-agency) in close coordination with the EDR,
• Increase the visibility of DRC’s programmes in the region and maintain close relations with all relevant stakeholders including, with EDR, the representation to donors.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have

Experience and technical competencies:

• At least 7 years’ experience in the programme sector. Senior programme management experience in a technical sector relevant to DRC’s Core sectors is desirable.
• At least 4 years’ experience with people management and in managing program operations, including at country SMT level • Proven leadership skills and a competence in people management
• Experience with proposal development, budget development, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience with effectively coordinating with national partners, local/government authorities, NGO partners, UNHCR and other relevant stakeholders.

Education:

• Master’s degree in political science, international development, economics or other relevant field

Languages:

• Full professional proficiency in English
• Additional languages as necessary specific to region

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: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

The Contract

Contract length: 2 years (renewable)

Start date: 26th April 2023 or as soon as possible

Duty station: Regional Office in Amman with frequent travel to countries in the region

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates or DRC National Staff salary scale.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 11 March 2023

Recruitment will be on a rolling basis and DRC reserves the right to offer the position to suitable candidate before the deadline).

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo