Program Specialist – Gov. Relations and Partnerships

Contract

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

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. Using a protection of human rights framework, DRC has mainly focused on Somalis who are displaced by conflict. Programmers include protection, livelihood, food and NFI distribution, water and sanitation, and advocacy amongst others. DRC Yemen has been providing relief and development services in Yemen since 2008. DRC has mainly focused on refugees and migrants displaced by conflict and natural disasters.

DRC, through its specialized business unit, Danish Demining Group (DDG) aims to recreate a safe environment where people can live without the threat of landmines, unexploded ordinances and small arms and light weapons”. These goals can be effectively advanced through cooperation and joint action with other organization as well as with integration of operations and programs with its sister organization, DRC.

About the job:

Overall purpose of the role

The Program Specialist – Gov. Relations and Partnerships is responsible for supporting and promoting DRC’s positive working relationships with national and local authorities and to provide support to programmes teams in: obtaining sub agreements, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreements, and other permits needed for implementation of DRC activities in Yemen. As part of the Partnerships and Localization team the Specialist plays a lead role in the timely implementation of projects by supporting timely submission of all documents with the authorities, follow up on approvals, and negotiation on behalf of DRC Yemen. The Specialist also support national partners of DRC in obtaining their necessary permissions to operate and works closely with the authorities to build their capacity in relevant areas. The Specialist reports to the Partnership and Localisation Manager and coordinates internally with all departments to collect necessary documentation for submission. The Partnership Specialist is an excellent communicator, negotiator, self-motivator, and can work both independently and as part of a team.

This position will be based at Country Office level in Sana’a and may require extensive field travel. .

Main responsibilities:

Representation of DRC and coordinatation with authorities

• Represent DRC in negotiations with government entities, national and local authorities, and other key stakeholders to establish/maintain effective relationships
• Work closely with DRC’s programme teams and support the development and submission of projects sub agreements to local authorities, including development of budgets and timelines aligned with requirements by authorities
• Provide support to DRC’s local partners in securing sub agreements with relevant authorities
• Ensure, as far as possible, that DRC sub agreements are submitted and approved on time and in compliance with DRC requirements and principles
• Prepare periodic reports for local authorities in coordination with DRC Programme staff and ensure that the required reports are submitted in timely manner
• Regularly meet focal points and key stakeholders from national and local authorities to maintain effective organizational communication
• Keep DRC management informed about new announcements/requirements coming from local authorities and ministries that are relevant to DRC operations
• In consultation with management, prepare and issue correspondence to national authorities as necessary. Respond to any official correspondence or requests for information in a timely manner.
• Capture and share lessons learned for ensuring positive collaboration with national and local authorities in the north of Yemen
• Provide coordination and required support for meeting or events with relevant officials
• Liaise with DRC staff in governorates outside Sana’a to support their coordination with authorities, traveling as needed
• Understand and maintain DRC’s commitment to DRC Core Competencies, the Core Humanitarian Standard, and the humanitarian principles as they relate to liaison and access negotiations

Capacity and Needs Assessments and Partnership Engagement

• Support DRC programmes teams in tailoring in-depth capacity assessment tools related to liaison with government entities and local authorities
• Develop and facilitate the delivery of capacity development for different stakeholders including CSO, DRC staff, government entities, and local authorities
• Support partner selection processes for national NGOs including local authority liaisons as needed
• Manage positive and productive relations with selected NNGOs across the country in relation to access negotiatons and permissions with local authorities
• Provide support to DRC’s Partnerships team in establishing and maintain productive links between partners and DRC Programme teams when drafting sub agreement documents, conducting partner selection, and assessing due diligence criteria

Liaison with Technical Teams, Grants, and Finance

• Work closely with the programmes and support teams to collect relevant information and documentation related to sub agreements and approvals
• Regularly update programmes teams on sub agreement progress, including during weekly or biweekly coordination meetings
• Brief relevant clusters, technical working groups, and other coordination fora about liaison with national authorities as needed
• Briefing new staff on authorities/local institutions and local environment
• Ensure all documents and reports are up to date and accessible to relevant staff, and compiling and filing all job-related documents and letters in an organized archive system
• Maintain database of all relevant stakeholders and focal points

About you

To be successful in this role you must have:

Experience and technical competencies:

• Experience working with SCMCHA and other local authorities is required
• Full professional proficiency in English and Arabic is required
• Experience in humanitarian negotiation is an advantage
• Experience writing reports and working with budgets
• At least 4 years work experience with a CSO in Yemen
• Experience working with national partners and/or sub grants
• Good knowledge of relevant donor compliance regulations is an advantage
• Professional background in working in contexts with internally displaced persons and/or refugees
• Experience working in multicultural work settings
• Willingness to embrace and further develop overall objectives such as gender equity, impact monitoring, and cross-sector cooperation

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.

• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.

• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

• Communicating: Listening and speaking 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.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required qualifications:

Education :

• Degree in political science, international development, economics or other relevant field is an asset

Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Arabic desireable

We offer

DRC will offer the successful applicant a one-year contract, renewable dependent on both funding and performance. You must be available to start work As soon as possible, and be willing and able to work in Sana’a.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment. This position will be placed at Band (G1 Non-Manager).

Application process

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button or the link below. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV only applications will not be considered.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact job@drc.dk

Applications close 13 July 2022. The interviews are expected to take place**, Two weaks after the colsing date.**

Need further information?

For more details on this position, please contact [email protected].

Please note that applications sent directly to [[email protected]] will not be considered.

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