Programme Development and Qualiy Manager

Contract

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

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

DRC Syria

DRC has been actively operating in Syria since 2008 mainly supporting refugees. In June 2012, DRC was authorized by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to expand its humanitarian efforts and provide assistance to IDPs and the vulnerable resident population countrywide. Since then, DRC activities have been focused on NFI distributions, Shelter, WASH, Protection, Education, Livelihoods and Mine Risk Education in six Governorates (Damascus, Rural Damascus, Dara'a, Aleppo, Hama, and Homs). While Protection/community service activities are provided to beneficiaries throughout our six Community Centers.

About the job

The PDQ Manager is responsible for the functions within PDQ department – MEAL, IM, and Grants Management. The overall objective of the PDQ Manager will be to manage the MEAL and IM functions to support DRC Syria with quality programming and accountability towards beneficiaries, donors and other stakeholders. The PDQ Manager will be responsible for developing a MEAL framework, including Community Feedback Mechanisms and protocols for each technical sector in line with the regional and country strategies, to ensure harmonized and standardized systems and procedures across different areas of intervention. Under the management of the HoP, the PDQ Manager in close cooperation with the sectorial Technical Coordinators to develop and manage the whole program quality framework for the DRC Program in Syria in order to improve program quality, monitoring performance and capitalize best practices and lessons learned.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Quality Management:

• Develop and roll out the Quality Management strategy referents including tools development, data system and analysis, grants and reports writing, lessons learned; with standard approaches and shared practices and systems.
• Participate and prepare relevant documents for the project Kick-off meetings, review meetings and close-out meetings to highlight cross-project components aimed at replicating good practices and strengthening synergies between projects or programs.
• Participate in the proposal development processes supporting in need assessments, development of theory of change, and log frame design, ensuring that indicators are SMART and relevant to measure the achievement of sectorial strategy and country strategy
• Ensuring that all Monitoring Evaluation Learning and Information Management initiatives are fully and accurately budgeted during the proposal design process.
• Perform other duties as directed by the HoP.

2. Assessment, Monitoring, Evaluation and learning of programmes:

• Ensure the development of appropriate monitoring, tracking, and reporting systems, tools and templates that enhance monitoring of program outputs and quality, generate quality evidence on program outcome and promote and ensure the use of data for decision-making processes.
• Oversee technical survey process, being responsible for ensuring all required tools and templates are in place; address any gaps in the collection / analysis of data; backstop the team leader when necessary for day-to-day monitoring; potentially review and validate the reports; and ensure the operational procedures (e.g., approvals) are followed to mitigate risks to staff and respondents.
• Be responsible for the implementation of any operational research or evaluations, development of terms of reference, methodological design and oversight of assessments, research, baselines, and evaluations, to ensure sufficient rigor and quality of evidence generated, ensuring that lessons are captured and disseminated.
• Develop and improve systems that strengthen DRC’ ability to analyze, improve, and represent impact internally and externally and most of all to communities themselves.
• Capacity build, train and support sectors and field staff to better integrate MEAL into their roles and responsibilities in alignment with DRC’s PCM field guide.
• Regularly present key M&E findings to the Senior Management Team for further development.

3. Information Management

• Oversee the development of the online coordinated/integrated data management system/structure to centralize and facilitate timely information updates (Institutional Knowledge Building), data quality assurance, sharing of information and learning.
• Oversee programs' compliance to GDPR and DRC internal data protection policies.
• Be the focal point for Regional and HQ level strategic planning and future implementation of the harmonized information system
• Support the team in providing analysis from the IM system to be used for new proposals, reporting, and country and programme strategy process.

4. Management

• Manage the PDQ team on a day-to-day basis by providing leadership support and guidance, on-the-job training, and coaching.
• Prepare work plans with clear objectives and achievement benchmarks, long-term and short-term priorities. Assist the staff in identifying professional development needs and opportunities.
• Provide continuous performance feedback to staff; identify performance issues and work with staff and HR to document and address issues in a timely manner. To ensure an effective remote team management system is in place when access is not guaranteed.
• Risk manage external reputation of DRC Syria by ensuring quality, relevant communications at all times.
• Provide regular updates on grant delivery, gaps, risks and issues to SMT; attend relevant SMT meetings as required.
• Manage a team of approx. five staff, including performance management and overseeing staffing budget lines.

5. Accountability

• Assess gaps and work to support country and project-level policies and practices to ensure DRC is compliant with the Core Humanitarian Standard.
• Advocate for and ensure that DRC's Accountability policies and standards are integrated and mainstreamed within all aspects of operations.
• Ensure the functioning of an effective Community Feedback Mechanism that is responsive and accessible to the most vulnerable groups and different demographics in all DRC operational areas.
• Ensure community/Person of Concern (PoC) engagement throughout the Project Cycle Management (PCM) stages as relevant and appropriate, in adherence to the 'Do No Harm' principles.

6. Grant Management and Reporting

• Develop and maintain overview of all grants, donor requirements, rules and regulations, systems and processes to support implementing teams to ensure full compliance.
• Support external donor audits and donor monitoring visits.
• Manage official communications with donors such as delivery of reports, responding to requests for information, grant adjustments, proposal submissions, operational advocacy approaches.
• Plan and coordinate the development of high-quality reports and project proposals, including narratives, budgets, budget narratives, work plans, staffing lists, and other required annexes in coordination with programme team.
• Support induction and capacity-building of teams to ensure full understanding of grants processes, PCM and updates on donor rules and regulations.
• Maintain and update DRC’s online system related to grants (Sharepoint and Dynamics).
• Ensure learning from donor grants is captured, consolidated, and disseminated, contributing to knowledge building to influence policies and programme planning.
• Support in Grants kick off and closing.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• Minimum 7 years of technical and relevant experience in Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning, information management of humanitarian and development programmes
• Prior experience in designing and overseeing country-level or consortium-level MEAL systems is a prerequisite.
• Experience developing Theory of Change, Logical Frameworks, MEAL frameworks, MEAL plans, information management systems, and learning frameworks.
• Proficiency in inferential statistical methods is essential, along with expertise in qualitative methods. It is preferable to have experience with both the Python and R programming languages.
• Experience in grants management, programme quality, business development and fundraising in humanitarian settings.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize large workloads, to consistently meet deadlines and adapt in a complex and challenging work environment.
• Proven ability to manage stakeholders with strong communication, coordination, influencing and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability in thinking creatively and practically to improve the quality of projects.
• Analytical and critical thinking with the ability to work operationally without losing sight of the strategic goal.
• Strong project management, planning skills and data analysis.
• Ability to lead and work within a multi-cultural/diverse team.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and DRC values

Education:

Degree in relevant subject e.g. Social Sciences, International Development, or equivalent work experience.

Languages:

English – fluent

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 act in line with our vision and values.

We offer

Contract length: 12 months

Level: Management – Band F

Location: Damascus – Syria

Expected Start date: October-2023

Application process

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the below link:

• Advertisement Link : Programme Development and Qualiy Manager (hr-manager.net)

• Application Link : Programme Development and Qualiy Manager - Application Form (hr-manager.net)

  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.

Applications close on 07th of September-2023

Need further information?

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/jobsupport.

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