Country Director - Sudan

Lead the Danish Refugee Council's efforts to respond to humanitarian crises in Sudan.

DRC - Danish Refugee Council

Open positions at DRC

Port Sudan (Sudan)

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Application deadline in 17 days: Thursday 5 Jun 2025 at 21:59 UTC

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Overview

Lead the Danish Refugee Council's efforts to respond to humanitarian crises in Sudan.

You have:

Minimum seven years’ management experience in emergency/development contexts.
Bachelor's degree in political science, international development, economics or another relevant field.
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 and proven leadership skills and a competence in people management.
Proven communicator with all types of stakeholders.
Proven commitment to accountable practices and knowledge of quality assurance systems.
Experience working in the East Africa and/or Horn of Africa is desirable.
Proficiency in English required, while other regional languages are beneficial.

Contract

This is a DRC - Expatriate or National contract. More about DRC - Expatriate or National contracts.

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Details

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Country Director for DRC in Sudan

About the job

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 plans to extend the response into new underserved and hard-to-reach areas.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Represent the program to authorities, donors’ partners, key stakeholders and various coordination for a and position DRC nationally and regionally.
Direct managerial oversight and support for SMT and ensure clear and realistic performance goals.
Lead in country actionable fundraising strategy, in conjunction with the Head of Programme lead team in writing concepts, proposals and budgets.
Lead on advocacy for all DRC key messages.
Accountable for ensuring that the programme is delivered in a safe and secure manner.
Together with the Head of Support Services, they 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 the country.
Together with the Head of Programme, we will lead the development and updating of the programme strategy, within DRC’s overall regional and global strategic frameworks.
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

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a minimum of seven years’ management experience in emergency/development contexts as country director/senior manager of a humanitarian or development organization or similar. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

Bachelor's degree in political science, international development, economics or another relevant field.
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 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

Desirable

Experience working in the East Africa and/or Horn of Africa
Proficiency in English required, while other regional languages are beneficial

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ 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 uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and the Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer.

Contract length: One year.

Employment Band: Management band D

Designation of Duty Station: Non-Family Duty Station

Start date: July-August 2025

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for expatriate or national; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies.

Application process

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

Closing date for applications: 5th June 2025

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

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Describe your experience in leading humanitarian programs in insecure locations.	This assesses your practical experience in challenging environments.	Provide specific examples that highlight your leadership skills and how you managed risks.
How do you approach fundraising for humanitarian projects?	This question evaluates your ability to generate funding and support for initiatives.	Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you explain your experience with advocacy in humanitarian contexts?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies do you use to manage multicultural teams?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you ensure accountability in the projects you oversee?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
How have you built and maintained relationships with donors?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
What challenges have you faced while managing humanitarian programs, and how did you overcome them?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
What metrics do you use to measure the success of humanitarian initiatives?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.