Danish Refugee Council Country Director Sudan, Khartoum/Darfur

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is looking for an experienced Country Director to head our programme in Darfur, Sudan.

Background The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been operational in Sudan since 2004. From the outset the intervention has focused on Darfur. The Programme is now based in Central Darfur - more specifically the Zalingei Corridor. The aim of the programme is to promote durable solutions for the conflict affected population through community driven processes, livelihood programming and infrastructure support. DRC undertakes life-saving assistance when deemed necessary.

The programme focuses predominantly on the conflict-affected population living outside of camps in the rural areas, and to a lesser extent the displaced living in camps. The programme seeks to improve livelihood possibilities while increasing community cohesion. The main activities implemented include agricultural/horticultural support; rehabilitation and reconstruction of schools; community development projects and various social projects including literacy & skills training, support to extremely vulnerable individuals (EVIs) and distribution of food and NFIs (if/as required). The activities are implemented with a community based approach with community driven recovery and development being a key programme area.

The programme is implemented through field offices in Zalengei, Nertiti in the Jebel Marra area, and Garsilla, while the Country Office in Khartoum supports the operation. DRC also has a logistics support office in Nyala. The Darfur programme expects to implement a portfolio of projects totalling approximately USD 3-4 million in 2013 and employs 6 international staff and about 80 national staff members. The primary donors are Danida, UNHCR, OFDA, UNICEF and DRC itself through private fundraising.

Duties and responsibilities The Country Director (CD) has two main functions:

a)Representation of DRC in Sudan and the management of external relations at the Khartoum level with regards to National authorities, donors and humanitarian coordination.

b)Overall operational responsibility for the DRC programme in Central Darfur in close cooperation with the respective Project Managers (Heads of Offices) in Darfur.

The Country Director reports to and works in close co-ordination with the DRC Desk for Sudan in Copenhagen. The more specific responsibilities include:

Representation, coordination and fundraising • Represent DRC in Sudan, and as part of this maintain constructive collaboration and coordination with the authorities and major donors and partners of the programmes, such as UN (UNHCR, WFP, UNOCHA et al), the Danish Representation when in Khartoum, OFDA and ECHO/EU;

• Represent DRC in the relevant policy and coordination fora in Khartoum of relevance to Darfur;

• Develop the visibility of DRC, and ensure that the DRC programme is known among relevant stakeholders;

• Together with the Project Managers, identify opportunities for new projects and pursue possible funding opportunities, and as part of this take the lead in formulation of concept papers, project proposals and budgets in line with the DRC;

• Explore relevant and possible interventions outside the scope of the present programmes, for example in terms of operations in other parts of the country, or the linking of existing programmes to new initiatives;

• Monitor general political developments of importance; including the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) with South Sudan, and the peace process in Darfur.

Programming and strategic development • Oversee and conduct strategic planning and development of DRC’s Central Darfur Programme;

• Ensure that DRC´s mandatory planning, monitoring, and reporting requirements are adhered to;

• Overall responsible for supervision, monitoring, and evaluation of the programme to ensure that activities/projects are implemented in accordance with agreed strategies, implementation plans, and donor requirements, as well as DRC standard regulations and operational procedures (Code of Conduct, DRC Programme and Operations Handbooks, HAP standards et al);

•Ensure that the programme implementation is well coordinated between the Zalingei, Nertiti and Garsilla offices, and that these are supported by the Khartoum office as required;

• Explore synergies between the DRC programmes in Darfur and South Sudan and other DRC country programmes, and ensure appropriate co-ordination and streamlining between the operations where relevant.

Administration, Finance, Logistics and Personnel Management • Overall responsibility for management of the offices in Khartoum, Nertiti, Garsilla, Nyala and Zalingei, including the overall financial planning, budgeting and expenditures, staff management, administrative and legal issues, security, logistics, procurement and other aspects pertaining to running of DRC offices while adhering to DRC rules and guidelines, as well as the local regulations and laws;

• Oversee the continued process of organizational development and change in response to scenario changes in the Darfur context and corresponding programme strategies, including formulation of human resource development strategy, and staff training;

• Supervise the Project Managers/Heads of Offices and provide recommendations on recruitment, promotions and dismissal of international staff to DRC HQ;

• Support the Project Managers/Heads of Offices concerning national staff performance, and in close collaboration with same managers take actions in terms of recruitment, promotions and dismissal;

• Explore synergies between DRC Darfur and DRC South Sudan and other DRC country offices on administrative, logistical, financial, and HR issues.

Monitoring and reporting •Account for the overall activities of DRC in Sudan;

•Oversee the continued upkeep and development of efficient internal financial processes.

• Ensure that timely narrative and financial reports are provided to the donors and to the DRC Headquarters on time;

• Overall responsible for outgoing public reports and other reports prepared by DRC in close coordination with the HQ Head of Desk for Sudan;

• Plan and oversee regular reviews and evaluation of DRC Darfur’s performance.

Safety • Ensure that required and appropriate safety measures are in place and adhered to by all staff. This includes ensuring the upkeep of the DRC MOSS standards and regular update of the safety and evacuation plans;

• Ensure that appropriate information regarding safety in the area of operation is available;

• Ensure that safety incidents are reported to DRC HQ.

External relations • Maintains extensive contact with local and national authorities (HAC and other) in Darfur and Khartoum.

• Maintains frequent contact with representatives of UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP, EC/ECHO, OFDA, UNOCHA, INGOs, and other donors and partners in Darfur and Khartoum.

Qualifications DRC invites qualified applicants – irrespective of nationality, race, gender or age – who match the requirements listed above to apply for the position. In addition, applicants must have following qualifications:

• At least 5 years experience within humanitarian/development work, including strategic planning

• Experience from operating and travelling in a very volatile security environment and preferably as well in a remote management setting

• Experience in donor contact, fundraising and networking (experience with ECHO, EC, USAid and UNHCR would be preferable)

• Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines

• A good and operative insight in financial management and taking an active responsibility in budget and expenditure planning and control

• Fluency in written and spoken English with excellent drafting skills

• Relevant educational background at Master level (Political and Social Sciences, Management, International Development, or similar)

• Very familiar with humanitarian principles and practises, and used to represent an international organisation, both internally and to external partners and authorities

• Good negotiation, advocacy and communication skills

• Preferably working experience from African countries. Field experience from Sudan is an added advantage.

Personal and inter-personal skills • Humanitarian motivation

• Strong sense of responsibility

• Ability to work independently while at the same time cooperating with other staff members as well as beneficiaries in a participatory manner.

Conditions Availability: 1 June 2013 Duty station: Khartoum. Frequent trips to Darfur (Zalingei, Garsilla and Nyertiti). Expatriate staff are presently entitled to R and R according to DRC policy (although the global policy is under review). Contract: 1 year with a possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and other conditions in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates, which can be found on our website www.drc.dk/Vacancies. The position is placed at Level A4.

Further information You are welcome to contact Head of Desk for Sudan, Scott Tind Simmons, tel +45 3373 5004, for additional information about the position.

Please note that applications are not to be sent to Mr. Tind Simmons. We only accept application sent via our online system accessible at www.drc.dk/Vacancies. Applications sent directly to Mr. Tind Simmons will NOT be considered.

For information about our work and organisation, please visit our website www.drc.dk.

About DRC The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty five countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.

The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRCs work.

How to apply:

Application and CV Only applications with CV and application letter that address the stipulated duties and responsibilities and meet the required qualifications will be considered. CV-only applications will not be considered.

Please send application and CV, in English and marked “Country Director - Sudan”, no later than 10 March 2013 via our online-application form on www.drc.dk/Vacancies.

Problems with on-line application? Please contact Anne Oxholm, job@drc.dk, if you have questions to the application process or experience problems with your on-line application.