Head of Support Services

Contract

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

Overall purpose of the role:

Danish Refugee Council is a leading protection agency pursuing our mandate to protect and promote durable solutions to displacement-affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. In the Middle East (ME), DRC apply a regional approach with operational presence in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Yemen.

Present in Iraq since 2003, DRC is today operational in the Kurdish governorates, in and around Diyala and in several South-Central and Northern governorates plus Basra. Focused both on the influx of Syrian refugees and the current IDP crisis, DRC is providing assistance in a range of sectors including Protection, Livelihoods, Wash, Sheter, Mine Action. The Iraq programme presently employs about 400 national staff with 20 international staff

The HoSS will ensure the existence of an effective and efficient support services in areas of Finance, Administration, Human Resources, IT and Supply Chain. The HoSS will play a key role in developing and implementing country specific strategies as well as improving operational systems, processes and policies in support of DRC’s mission in Iraq. The HoSS will be a member of the Senior Management Team, with overall responsibility of program support and timely completion of annual performance indicators under support functions. The HoSS will play a significant part in qualifying and implementing initiatives coming from the global and regional DRC organizational development and financial accountability initiatives. Furthermore, the HoSS will ensure timely and appropriate communication with Area Managers, Base Managers, Sector Managers and Project Managers concerning all issues related to finance, administration, supply chain and human resources and work proactively to resolve differences and prioritize time-sensitive tasks.

This role has a country focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the country. The role - is a focal point for DRC Dynamics. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to country operations while overseeing country activities.

Responsibilities

Management

• Lead and manage the Support service teams Managers and technically manage area support Managers (including people planning, performance, well-being and development).
• Manage, deliver and report on current operations programme support in geographic scope.
• Establish high performing support teams ensuring high-quality approaches are maintained.
• Develop and improve operational approaches, compliance, and systems, and support the Country Director to build and deliver effective and sustainable interventions.
• Responsible for the strategic development, management and implementation of the support operations.
• Ensure appropriate technical support is available to programs, in line with organizational priorities.
• Ensure support for annual planning and review processes.
• Direct responsibility for ensuring that the DRC Programme operates in accordance with DRC’s support function guidelines.

Operational Management

• Support the Country Director and the Senior Management Team in liaising with donors and authorities, especially as relates to issues of compliance, registration, and audit.
• Oversee the operational support units for the country by providing strategic leadership and technical support to the areas under his/her supervision.
• Supervision, audits and controlling and implementation of corrective actions related to DRC’s operational standards within support areas.
• Ensure that DRC retains and continually develops its operational capacity to provide rapid emergency response in particular within its procurement and transport systems.
• Actively contribute to the risk management plan and mitigations for the country that identifies the major financial and operational risks.
• Ensure that all administrative and legal-related systems are accurate and maintained.
• Work to build the capacity of the operational support staff throughout the operation through frequent in-service training sessions and mentoring support.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of DRC’s global development initiatives.

Budget Management

• Ensure that the Country Master Budget is updated on a regular basis and is used to adequately prepare project proposals or cost-cutting measures.
• Develop country office support services budget including staff costs for all donor project proposals and track spending on regular basis to ensure budget is used according to plan.

Supervisor responsibilities

• Supports the managers to coordinate the daily activities of each team to ensure workload is supported and prioritized appropriately.
• Develops a capacity building and mentoring style of operations within the team offering trainings and opportunities within the organization for staff development.

Risk Management

• Support the Country Director and the Senior Management Team in liaising with donors, auditors and authorities, especially as relates to issues of compliance, registration, and audit respectively.
• Supervision, audits.\,controlling and implementation of corrective actions related to DRC’s operational standards within support area.
• Support Senior Management to ensure risk register is up to date and action plan is implemented accordingly.
• Participate in audit kick-off and exit meetings and ensure cooperation at all time during every audit field works. Lead on providing management response on each audit report.

DRC Dynamics ERP System

• Ensure ERP functionality is properly used by relevant staff.
• Apply reports and data analytics from DRC Dynamics to improve overall performance.
• Act as heavy user for most of the Projects & Finance functionalities.

Experience and technical competencies

• At least 7 years' experience in relevant field.
• At least 5 years’ experience in people management
• Previous experience as Country Director / Senior Management is preferred.
• Experience in a similar role in an international NGO.
• Proven leadership skills and a competence in people management
• Proven operational management experience and capability, including in conflict areas.
• Proven operational experience in one or more of the following thematic areas: financial, supply chain, human resources, and information management.
• Understanding and experience of institutional fundraising.
• Understanding of the countries in which DRC operates and sensitive to the cultural context.
• Experience working in an ERP system, including supply chain, finance, and HR systems.
• Full professional proficiency in English.

Education:

Master's degree in international development, economics, business management or other relevant field.

Languages:

Fluency in written and spoken English;

Key stakeholders:

• Country Director
• Program Development team
• Senior Management Team
• Heads of Offices, Coordinators
• Donors
• Government Officials
• Auditors

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: 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: 24 months (depending on the funds)
• Salary Band: E level 1
• Start Date: 1 August 2023

Diversity & Inclusion: DRC Iraq is committed to promoting an inclusive work environment according to our Age, Gender, and Diversity approach (AGD). We aim to have a more diversified leadership structure creating opportunities for qualified women to take on managerial roles. We also continuously work to make our workplace more accessible for persons with specific needs. We offer benefits related to psychosocial support, health insurance, maternity and paternity leave, child sick leave, and lactation breaks. As part of our commitment to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion, we strongly encourage applications from female candidates, persons living with disabilities, as well as representatives of minorities.

Note: Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.