Senior Program Manager Venezuela (short term assignment)

Contract

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

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in more than 40 countries to provide adequate assistance and protection to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees, people on the move and local vulnerable population/host communities. DRC is currently looking for a highly qualified Spanish and English-speaking Senior Programme Manager for a 3-month contract (renewable depending on funding and performance) based in Caracas, Venezuela, with frequent field travels. This is an opportunity for an experienced Senior Programme Manager to support DRC’s emergency response to the current situation in Venezuela.

About the job

As Senior Programme Manager you contribute and coordinate the development of the DRC Venezuela country strategy, sector strategies and coordinate technical design including for proposals and budgets, in close collaboration with the program country teams. In coordination with the CD, you oversee the technical programme unit that provides the base managers and programme coordinators 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.

Responsibilities:

Program strategy and business development

• In coordination with the CD, responsible for the overall programmatic strategy across the entire country operation.
• In coordination with the CD, ensures strategic coherence and vision of the whole country programme, based on active participation in the drafting of the DRC Strategic Programme Document.
• Provides technical expertise to the country operation and ensures technical advice on programme quality, MEAL and programme development for the Country programme.
• In Collaboration with the CD, 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.

Quality and accountability of the programs

• Responsible for developing policies, processes, and standards within respective areas.
• In collaboration with the base managers and the senior management team, oversee and support continuous improvement of programme quality standards, including application and harmonization 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 from regional office and HQ.

External relations and representation

• Together with the CD, 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´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.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• 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 (with strong protection component).
• 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.
• Experience in programme quality, MEAL, programme development (including proposals).
• 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.

About the Job:

• Employment Band: F-Manager
• Length of Contract: 3-month Contract (Expat Contract)
• Closing Date of the Application: February 28 of 2023
• Start Date: As soon as possible
• Contact Person for the Advert: Pablo Castro (pablo.castro@drc.ngo)
• Non family duty station