Head of Programme

Contract

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

DRC is currently looking for a highly qualified Spanish and English-speaking Head of Programme (HoP) for a 24-month contract (renewable for depending on funding) in Colombia. This is an opportunity for an experienced and dynamic professional to support and strengthen DRC programme in Colombia.

About the job

DRC established operational presence in Colombia in 2011 with focus on Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) and providing support to conflict-affected population in the south of the country. With the onset of the large mixed migration flows into Colombia due to the Venezuelan crisis, DRC started up an integrated humanitarian response in 2018 to meet the urgent needs of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, Colombian returnees, and host communities. Hence, DRC has been able to assist the Colombian population, Venezuelan refugees, migrants and host communities through its integrated humanitarian response. Primarily based on protection activities (protection monitoring, individual protection assistance and legal assistance), the response also includes components of Camp Coordination and Camp Management (Transit camp of Maicao), Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) and cash for Rent, No Food Items distributions, livelihood interventions, prevention and response to Gender Based Violence (GBV). Through its humanitarian Demining unit conducts Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) programming in the department of Caquetá and Bolivar. DRC is also assisting Internally Displaced People (IDP) providing emergency aid in Nariño and Norte de Santander.

Currently, DRC Colombia’s programming is taking place in some of Colombia’s most vulnerable areas such as the Caribbean coastal areas (Riohacha and Barranquilla), urban centers (Bogota, Cundinamarca and Medellin), Norte de Santander and southern Colombia (Caquetá and Nariño).

Overall purpose of the role:

As Head of Programme you contribute and coordinate the development of the DRC Colombia country strategy, sector strategies and coordinate technical design including for proposals and budgets, in close collaboration with the Humanitarian Disarmament head and Area Managers. You oversee the technical programme unit that provides the Area Managers responsible for implementation, with the technical tools, training, and oversight to support the quality implementation of the country portfolio. As part of this drive for quality, you also line manage the MEAL team, to enable close monitoring of the effectiveness of DRC’s programming in line will country, regional and global strategies. You are a member of the senior management team (SMT), providing input to the overall DRC country operation

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Program strategy and business development

• Responsible for the overall programmatic strategy across the entire country operation. Ensures strategic coherence and vision of the whole country programme, based on active participation in the drafting of the DRC Strategic Programme Document and as part of the Senior Management Team
• Provides technical expertise to the entire country operation and ensures technical advice on programme quality, MEAL and programme development for the Country programme
• Design, contribute and/or lead assessments for emergency or longer-term programming in existing or new project locations
• Responsible for shaping and driving the Advocacy strategy for the country and feeding into regional initiatives
• Establish strong and efficient partnerships with organisations, donors and authorities, in line with the country programme strategy and DRC partnership management policy

Quality and accountability of the programs

• Responsible for developing policies, processes, and standards within respective areas
• Oversee and support continuous improvement of programme quality standards, including application and harmonisation across field bases
• Ensure that DRC values and code of conduct are respected and upheld, including through setting a personal example
• Support the grants team in timely submissions of high-quality donor reports.

People Management and internal communication

• Manage, coordinate and coach members of the programme team, ensuring their professional development and capacity building as needed
• Oversee and support capacity building for expatriate and national staff on technical issues and program cycle management, based on assessment of the critical program improvement needs of the country mission
• Work in close cooperation with programme and support staff in the country mission, and actively seek support, knowledge and coaching as necessary from colleagues in other regions and HQ

External relations and representation

Together with Country Director, ensure adequate bilateral representation of DRC with government authorities, donors, UN agencies, humanitarian agencies and other partners in regard to programme and participation in coordination meetings as relevant.

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:

• Accountable for achieving DRC/DDG’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility.
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources; and accountable for ensuring DRC´s compliance procedures are in place at all levels.
• Accountable for people management of direct reports. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC.

About you

To be successful in this role the ideal candidate should have a minimum of 5 to7 years’ experience within a similar role overseeing a complex emergency and development programme preferably working on displacement issues. Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Minimum 5 to 7 years at international level of progressively responsible experience in program management, leadership and design in countries of conflict or post-conflict,
• Min 5 years management experience, of which at least 3 should include management of a portfolio of programmes across multiple sectors of at least 10 M USD.
• Relevant University Degree, Masters or post-graduate in international relations, Humanitarian Programs Management, political science, international development and/or similar field
• Good understanding of displacement issues and related international standards/frameworks
• Experience in emergency response programming as well as early recovery and livelihood program to facilitate the achievements of durable solutions for refugees, migrants, returnees and internally displaced.
• Strong experience in programme quality, MEAL, programme development (including proposals) and proven fundraising abilities with key donors (UNHCR, ECHO, OFDA/BHA, DANIDA, and USAID Contracts)
• Proven experience in effectively coordinating with National Governments, International and National NGO partners.
• Previous successful experience with DRC is an asset.
• Proven experience in managing integrated programs as well as capacity building.
• Proven excellent communication and report writing skills.
• Full proficiency in Spanish and English.

Desirable

• Calm and diplomatic in nature.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and to meet deadlines.
• Effective team-player.

We offer

Contract length: 24 months renewable depending on performance and funding.

Level: Senior Management, E

Designation of Duty Station: Bogotá, Family duty station - Accompanied

Start date: 1 March

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact: hrcolombia@drc.ngo

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**: 27 February at 23.59 GMT-5**

Please note that applications will be reviewed continuously and interviews will be planned as soon as a suitable candidate is identified - so early submission of applications is encouraged. DRC remains a right to close the vacancy once a suitable candidate is identified.