Head of Programme

Overview

Lead and manage humanitarian programs ensuring compliance and effective implementation.

You have:

• At least 8 years’ management experience, as head or senior member of humanitarian or development programme/organisation
• University degree in relevant field
• Demonstrated experience with conflict related displacement issues
• Fluency in English (speaking, writing, reading) is essential
• Ability to speak Arabic is beneficial
• Experience of managing budgets and multiple donor contracts
• Demonstrated experience in donor contact, fundraising and networking
• Proven commitment to accountable practices and knowledgeable of quality assurance systems
• Proven experience in complex crisis, experience in Sudan is beneficial

Contract

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

Background:

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate is to promote and protect durable solutions to conflict and displacement affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights.

DRC established operational presence in Sudan in 2004 providing support to conflict-affected population in the west of the country. With the outbreak of conflict in 2023, DRC pivoted to an integrated humanitarian response to meet the urgent needs of IDPs, refugees, migrants, and host communities. DRC programmes are located in Central and North Darfur, South Kordofan, Gedaref, White Nile and Khartoum. DRC’s programmes include Protection, Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), Economic Recovery, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Shelter. There are also complimentary programmes under the Head of Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP) that include Humanitarian Mine Action and Peacebuilding.

Overall purpose of the role:

The Head of Programme role has a country-wide focus and ensures compliance with DRC procedures and guidelines within the country and area offices. The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides management of programme support and sector technical coordinators in support of country operations while overseeing country programme activities. The Head of Programme is a Senior Management Team (SMT) member and represents DRC to authorities, UN agencies, other NGOs, and partners.

Responsibilities:

People Management

• Lead and manage programme staff (including people planning, performance, well-being and development);

• Mentor team through regular one-on-one supervision and performance appraisals;

Project management and development

• Lead and coordinate the development of programmatic strategy in Sudan, and effective, efficient and timely implementation of all projects according to agreed contracts, budgets, policies, and donor requirements;

• Manage senior technical advisors, grants staff and MEAL staff and provide them with technical guidance and support through regular coordination meetings;

• Provide technical oversight on program management and quality of implementation to Area Managers and other field-based staff;

• Provide oversight and provision of strategic direction to the MEAL department in rolling out monitoring and evaluation approaches aiming to build contextually-grounded learning into program strategies and activities;

• Support the Local Partnership Management team in the support provided to local agencies; ensure the development and programmatic roll-out of the Sudan localization strategy.

• Ensure that relevant beneficiary data is collected, compiled, analyzed and distributed and that relevant assessments are conducted in the project area;

• Provide regular internal and external reports, and other relevant information on programme activities, policy matters and external relations;

• Ensure effective coordination and visibility of the implementation of the projects with all humanitarian and development actors;

• Implement and oversee the DRC administrative guidelines and policies, safety and security procedures, logistics support and other tasks associated with efficient day-to-day operations;

• Oversee rollout of DRC’s partnership strategy and selection, capacity building and monitoring of all DRC partners; where necessary, coordinate technical input to the implementing actors within the different sectors (Emergency Response, Protection, Durable Solutions, Economic Recovery);

• Promote lessons learned and best practices within DRC, to donors and other stakeholders when relevant in order to ensure synergetic programming and cross-program collaboration in Sudan;

• Responsible for developing policies, processes, and standards within respective areas

Strategic vision, grants management and businesses development

• Ensure technical strategies are in place to provide strong rationale for programmatic priorities and reflect the evolving nature of the programmatic context in Sudan;

• Deliver inputs to programme strategy and identify opportunities for new projects;

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the funding strategy in Sudan in close coordination with relevant team members and in the Global Hubs.

• Lead assessments for emergency or longer-term programming in existing or new project locations and cross-border programming;

• Lead the planning and development of concept papers, budgets and project proposals;

• Maintain links and alignment with CO and HQ counterparts to developed advocacy and communication strategies:

External relations

• Increase the visibility and credibility of DRC’s program in the area and maintain close relations with all relevant stakeholders including donors;

• Ensure correct and timely narrative and financial reporting to donor;

• Represent DRC in all relevant high-level coordination fora as agreed with the Country Director.

About you

Experience and technical competencies

• At least 8 years’ management experience, as head or senior member of humanitarian or development programme/organisation
• University degree in relevant field
• Demonstrated experience with conflict related displacement issues
• Good communicator and proven diplomacy with all types of stakeholders
• Proven commitment to accountable practices and knowledgeable of quality assurance systems
• Hands on experience in managing staff in remote locations with strong human resource management skills in general.
• Experience of managing budgets and multiple donor contracts
• Demonstrated experience in donor contact, fundraising and networking
• Demonstrated experience in complex crisis, experience in Sudan is beneficial
• Fluency in English (speaking, writing, reading) is essential
• Ability to speak Arabic is 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 Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 2 Years

Band: Management Band E1

Work location: Port Sudan or other operational base in Sudan, with frequent travel to field sites

Designation of Duty Station: Non-Family Duty Station

Reporting Line : Country Director

Direct Reports: Technical team (Grants and Business Development, MEAL Coordinator, Partnerships Coordinator, Protection Manager, Shelter/Wash Coordinator, EcRec Coordinator,

Start date: 1st January 2026

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for employees on national or expatriate contract; please refer to our website for more details.

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: 7th December 2025

For more information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit our website drc.ngo.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment regardless of personal characteristics or attributes.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 9 months ago - Updated 9 months ago - Source: drc.ngo