Background
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate is to promote and protect durable solutions to conflict and displacement affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights.
DRC established operational presence in Sudan in 2004 providing support to conflict-affected population in the west of the country. With the outbreak of conflict in 2023, DRC pivoted to an integrated humanitarian response to meet the urgent needs of IDPs, refugees, migrants, and host communities, providing protection services, mobile Camp Coordination and Camp Management, Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), distribution of non-food items, and prevention and response to Gender Based Violence (GBV).
As well, DRC and its local partner are conducting explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) responding to the needs of local communities, particularly those who have been displaced, to ensure that they can remain safe from explosive hazards contaminating their roads, fields, and towns. In Omdurman and Khartoum, DRC is conducting survey and land clearance activities to ensure that important civilian infrastructure is safe for returning communities.
DRC programmes are currently located in Central and South Darfur, South Kordofan, Gedaref, White Nile, South Kordofan, Red Sea, River Nile, AlJazira and Khartoum states.
Overall purpose of the role:
The Head of Programme role has a country-wide focus and ensures compliance with DRC procedures and guidelines within the country and more broadly within the DRC East Africa and Great Lakes Regional Office. The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides management of programme support and sector technical coordinators in support of country operations while overseeing country programme activities. The Head of Programme is a Senior Management Team (SMT) member and represents DRC to authorities, UN agencies, other NGOs, and partners.
Responsibilities:
People Management
- Lead and manage programme staff (including people planning, performance, well-being anddevelopment)
- Mentor team through regular one-on-one supervision and performance appraisals
Project Management
- Lead and coordinate the development of programmatic strategy in Sudan, andeffective, efficient andtimely implementation of all projects according to agreed contracts, budgets, policies, and donor requirements
- Manage senior technical advisors, grants staff and MEAL staff and provide them with technical guidance and support through regular coordination meetings
- Provide technical oversight on program management and quality of implementation toArea Managers and other field-based staff
- Provide oversight and provision ofstrategic direction to the MEAL department in rolling out monitoring andevaluation approaches aiming to build contextually-grounded learning intoprogram strategies andactivities
- Ensure that relevant beneficiary data is collected, compiled, analyzed anddistributed andthat relevant assessments areconducted in the project area
- Provide regular internal andexternal reports, and other relevant information on programme activities, policy matters and external relations
- Ensure effective coordination and visibility of the implementation of the projects with all humanitarian anddevelopment actors
- Implement and oversee theDRC administrative guidelines andpolicies, safety and security procedures, logistics support and other tasks associated with efficient day-to-day operations
- Oversee rollout of DRC’s partnership strategy and selection, capacity building and monitoring of allDRC partners; where necessary, coordinate technical input to the implementing actors within the different sectors (Emergency Response, Protection, Durable Solutions, Economic Recovery, Humanitarian Mine Action)
- Promote lessons learned andbest practices within DRC, to donors and other stakeholders when relevant in order toensure synergetic programming and cross-program collaboration inSudan
- Responsible for developing policies, processes, and standards within respective areas
Strategic vision, grants management and businesses development
- Ensure technical strategies arein place toprovide strong rationale for programmatic priorities and reflect theevolving nature of the programmatic context in Sudan
- Deliver inputs to programme strategy and identify opportunities for new projects
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the funding strategy in Sudan in close coordination with relevant team members and EAGL RO
- Lead assessments for emergency or longer-term programming in existing or newproject locations and cross-border programming;
- Lead the planning and development of concept papers, budgets and project proposals
- Maintain linksand alignment withHQ and RO counterparts to developed programme and advocacy strategies
External Relations
- Increase the visibility and credibility ofDRC’s program in the area and maintain close relations with allrelevant stakeholders including donors
- Ensure correct and timely narrative and financial reporting to donor
- Represent DRC in all relevant high-level coordination fora as agreed with the CD
Experience and technical competencies
- University degree in relevant field
- Master’s Degree in relevant field is beneficial
- At least 8 years’ management experience, as head or senior member of humanitarian or development programme/organisation; at least four years in East Africa
- Demonstrated experience with conflict related displacement issues
- Good communicator and proven diplomacy with all types of stakeholders
- Proven commitment to accountable practices and knowledgeable of quality assurance systems
- Hands on experience in managing staff in remote locations with strong human resource management skills in general
- Experience of managing budgets and multiple donor contracts
- Demonstrated experience in donor contact, fundraising and networking
- Demonstrated experience in complex crisis, experience in Sudan is beneficial
Languages:
- Fluency in English (speaking, writing, reading) is essential
- Ability to speak Arabic is beneficial
About you
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: 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.
Conditions
Contract: 12 months’ contract with possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and conditions in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National staff. This position is graded at M.E
Start Date: May 2025
Duty Station: Port Sudan or other operational base in Sudan with frequent travel to the field sites
Application and CV
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered. Include three referees’ details from your present supervisor, HR and past employment supervisor.
Please submit your application and CV in English via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies by 22 April 2025.
More Information
- Job City Port Sudan
