Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
INGO, non-profit, support and aid to refugees and IDPs
Closing date: 21 Jun 2010
Location: Kenya - Nairobi
Location: Kenya - Nairobi
Location: Nairobi, with travels to Somalia
NGO Security Program (NSP)
OVERALL OBJECTIVES
The Somalia NGO Safety Program (NSP) aims to reduce the risks posed to program personnel and assets of NGOs operating in Somalia through the provision of coordinated and tailored security analysis and management support. NSP provides regular reporting and analysis of the significant developments in Somalia and the region, specialist safety advice to individuals and agencies, security training including first aid training at the individual and senior management level, and in select cases critical incident management support.
The Somalia NGO Consortium created the NGO Security Preparedness and Support Program (NGO SPAS) in 2004 after the targeted assassination of aid workers in Somalia. In April 2009, with the addition of a training wing and an expansion of services to meet the needs of the aid community, NGO SPAS became the Somalia NGO Safety Program (NSP).
The Program Manager, under the guidance of the Somalia NGO Consortium through the supervision of the Consortium Focal Point, ensures the development of tailored security support services including training to humanitarian agencies operational in Somalia. The Program Manager is responsible for the development and implementation of NSP services. S/he will proactively liaise with international and national NGOs, donor agencies, and with other security related actors and governmental bodies in order to ensure that NSP services meet the needs of its clientele. S/he is an experienced manager with a solid understanding of security practices and strong analytical skills. S/he is a teamplayer with good work experience in coordination in a multicultural environment. The ability to effectively handle sensitive information confidentially and interact with all partners while maintaining and emphasizing a position of principled political neutrality and operational independence is required.
BACKGROUND
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. Programs include protection, livelihoods, food and NFI distribution, water and sanitation, and advocacy amongst others. There are four main program offices in Somali region, in Yemen, in Kenya and one regional office in Nairobi. There are also non operational region wide initiatives, which are supported from the Nairobi regional office. DRC serves as a host for the NGO Security Program (NSP).
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership
- Coordinates and manages the overall planning and direction of NSP activities and operations, in line with NGO Consortium strategic vision implementing innovative responses to the needs of NGO consortium beneficiaries.
- Creates a shared vision among all staff of the NSP program and effectively cooperates with the Consortium Focal Point. Manages the development of the team by ensuring that program tasks are in line with each staff person's career interests.
- Manages the process of innovative change effectively while ensuring as minimal disruption to operations as possible.
- Remains on the forefront of emerging humanitarian security practices and ensures internal implementation standards.
Program Management and Development
- Manages day-to-day operational aspects of program and scope. Develops and overseas implementation of work plans and revises as appropriate to meet changing needs. Creates and maintains up to date Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for key program aspects.
- Effectively applies current best practice security methodology and enforces said standards. Minimizes NSP and host agency (DRC) exposure and risk on program. Monitors the national, regional and geo-political security and humanitarian situation.
- Prepares for program performance reviews and quality assurance procedures.
- Ensures implementation of all existing and new services in line with the approved project proposal and budget, anticipating and communicating issues in advance to DRC regional office and NGO Consortium - preparing written amendments as required.
- Ensures compliance to DRC, donor and national policies, procedures and guidelines that relate to: program (monitoring, reports, evaluations, etc), finance, procurement, and logistical and human resource management.
- Ensure that appropriate systems and plans are in place for dealing with complex emergencies, and provide leadership for staff in times of crisis.
- Ensures program documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately.
Staff Management
- In collaboration with NGO Consortium Focal Point, provide leadership and guidance in promoting and maintaining efficient and effective Human Resource Management practices in the NSP team.
- Manages staff effectively. Co-ordinates and supports the team, ensuring that the individuals work effectively together and achieve the program objectives.
- Establishes and / or maintains HR management tools. Develops and applies policies, guidelines, terms and conditions following both NSP/DRC and donor policies and guidelines and national employment law(s)
- Conducts effective performance evaluations and mentors those with less experience through formal channels. Supports staff to develop and execute career development plans. Promotes junior staff to move up in the organization through regular support and action on positive performance reviews.
- Motivates team to work together in the most efficient manner. Mitigates team conflict and communication problems.
- Keeps track of lessons learned and shares those lessons with team members.
Administration and Financial Management
- Understands basic revenue models, P/L, and cost-to-completion projections and makes decisions accordingly.
- Accurately forecasts revenue and utilization.
- Analyzes program burn rate and ensures appropriate and timely expenditures in line with contracted deliverables.
- Determines appropriate revenue recognition, ensures timely and accurate invoicing, and monitors receivables for program.
- Leads proposal efforts through to negotiation and signature ensuring compliance to DRC, donor and national requirements.
- Effectively and accurately conveys NSP values and capacity in both written and verbal program development discussions.
- Ensures that appropriate logistic, administrative and financial structures and procedures are established and / or maintained in accordance with DRC, NSP, NGO CON, donor and national government guidelines and policies. Maintain regular communications with regional DRC finance and support staff using established reporting procedures.
- Ensure sound management of the financial resources entrusted with NSP and also ensure that there are effective procedures in place to facilitate internal controls and accountability of funds to stakeholders including DRC, NGO Consortium Focal Point and donors.
Representation and Networking
- Communicates proactively with Consortium Focal Point, Consortium members and other clients to identify needs and evaluate alternative solutions to security needs ensuring constant effective information sharing. Continually seeks opportunities to increase client satisfaction and deepen client relationships.
- Proactively represents NSP to various actors including NGOs, UN staff, National Authorities, International Donors and International Organizations.
- Manages day-to-day client interaction. Identifies and manages client expectations.
- Develops lasting relationships with client personnel that foster client ties.
- Builds a knowledge base of organizations' area of humanitarian intervention and objectives.
- Effectively communicates relevant program information to NGO Consortium Focal Point and NSP Steering Committee.
- Delivers engaging, informative, well-organized presentations.
REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS
The Program Manager reports to the Somalia NGO Consortium Focal Point and accountable to the NSP Steering Committee with administrative and finance oversight from the DRC Head of Support, with whom the post will liaise and work very closely as the host of NSP.
The Program Manger directly supervises two senior positions, the International Training, Operations and Analysis Officer and the Senior Finance Officer.
GENERAL RELATIONSHIPS
Internal:
NGO Consortium Focal point
Deputy NGO Consortium Focal point
All NSP staff
DRC Head of Support and Grants Manager
DRC Regional Manager
External:
Somalia NGO Consortium Members
Other humanitarian/development actors
UN agencies
Donors
Somali Authorities
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Essential Minimum Requirements
- At least 3 year of senior management experience showing an increasing level of responsibility.
- Clear understanding of the role of NGOs and NGO principles in a complex environment.
- Possesses a thorough understanding of current security capabilities and their applicability to humanitarian activities. Solid understanding of NGO safety and security priorities and practices. At least 2 years security related work experience within a complex environment.
- Solid donor/contract management experience including proposal writing, reporting, modifications and budgeting.
- Good management and personnel skills, with proven ability to manage people/ teams to deliver on program objectives.
- Good communication, liaison and diplomacy skills.
- Good team-worker with track record in working in a multicultural teams, ensuring their sound participation in planning, implementation and monitoring.
- Minimum five years work experience in post conflict/emergency environments
- Understands how to communicate difficult/sensitive information tactfully and confidentially.
- Exemplary command of the English language and good writing skills.
Preferable
- Minimum 12 months work experience within East Africa, ideally work experience in Somalia.
- Experience in an inter-agency coordination role
- Experience in a high profile, public role.
- Solid public speaking and presentation skills
- Excellent diplomacy and liaison skills
- Exemplary organization and prioritization skills
Technical understanding
- Possesses general understanding in the areas of application programming, database and system design.
- Understands Internet, Intranet and all other technical applications such as SAT communications, VHF and HF communications. Maintains awareness of new and emerging technologies and the potential application on humanitarian engagements.
We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of age, nationality, race, gender or age.
CONDITIONS
Availability: ASAP
Duty station: DRC Regional Office in Nairobi, with 25% travel to Somalia.
Contract: 1 year renewable contract.
Salary and other conditions in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council's Terms of Employment for Global Expatriates (available at www.drc.dk under Vacancies). This position is graded as B2.
How to apply
APPLICATION AND CVInterested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit updated CV and cover letter explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the post. Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered.
“CV-only applications” will not be considered.
We only accept applications sent via our on-line system on www.drc.dk under Vacancies/Current Vacancies/Programme Manager – Kenya/Somalia. Please remember to include a letter of application and your CV.
Pease forward the application and CV, in English and marked "Programme Manager NSP", no later than 21 June 2010.
PROBLEMS WITH ON-LINE APPLICATION?
Please contact Anne Oxholm, job@drc.dk, if you experience problems with your on-line application.
FURTHER INFORMATION
You are welcome to contact Somalia NGO Consortium/NSP Focal Point Tanya Schumer on email: focalpoint@ somaliangoconsortium.org for further information on the programme and the position.
Please note that applications are not to be sent to Ms. Schumer; we only receive applications via our online-application form www.drc.dk under vacancies. APPLICATIONS SENT DIRECTLY TO MS. SCHUMER WILL NOT BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.
For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk.
COMMITMENTS
DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability committments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html).
Reference Code: RW_85SBC6-97