Uganda: Deputy Area Manager

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than 30 countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (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.

In Uganda, DRC works in North, North-Western, South-Western and North-Eastern regions in a range of emergency/development situations offering support to refugees and host communities. The aim is to save lives by providing protection, offering humanitarian assistance, and creating livelihoods (for more information go to www.drc.ngo)).
DRC is presently leading a Consortium of four NGOs (DRC, ZOA, Save the Children, and CEFORD) which has been selected to implement a program in Northern Uganda to support the self-reliance, resilience and social stability of displacement-affected communities, South Sudanese refugees and their host communities.

ABOUT THE JOB

The main purpose of this position is to support the support the Area Manager in the development, implementation and management of DRC's humanitarian and emergency programming objectives and strategy in West Nile.

To achieve this, the Deputy Area Manager, must demonstrate generalist knowledge of the organization’s primary sectors of intervention, including, but not limited to refugee camp management , protection, shelter, WASH, livelihoods and peace building and work collaboratively with the organization’s technical advisors, technical leads & Coordinators based in Kampala, Arua and Rhino Camp.

The Deputy Area Manager will be expected to become well versed in the policies and procedures of DRC’s support functions, including finance, administration and human resources, as well as logistics and procurement. In addition to the aforementioned programmatic and support responsibilities, the Deputy Area Manager will be tasked to take a lead role in program development, implementation coordination and representation with various stakeholders.

The position requires a high degree of responsibility, a combination of thorough emergency planning with the ability to act with flexibility and responsively, and understanding of complex organizational charts including horizontal liaising among different senior managers. The position reports directly to the Area Manager for West Nile.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Emergency Programming

• Take lead in leading the emergency response actions of DRC in West Nile including proposal development, planning, resourcing and roll out and reporting.
• Develop, update and activate the DRC Uganda Emergency Response Plan (ERP) in consultation with the Head of Programs.
• Develop steps and procedures in the planning and implementation of the Emergency Response in accordance with relevant agreements and policies and procedures and ensure that activities are in line with budget lines and limitations.
• Monitor, evaluate and suggest changes and improvements in Emergency programme based on observations and discussions with the Area Manager for the emergency response.
• Provide the CD/HoP with regular update and channel issues relevant to the emergency response.
• Coordinate with both relevant internal and external actors to ensure an internally integrated approach to emergency response and mobilization of support.
• Prepare regular update/success stories on emergency response for publication on social media.
• Participate in in relevant meetings with the UN, authorities, and other actors both centrally and in all field locations of emergency activity.
• Lead the recruitment of staffing, and capacity building of staff for the emergency response.

Representation

• Support the Area Manager in representing DRC in West Nile and act on his or her behalf as requested. This includes attending all relevant forums and meetings, with the objective of making positive contributions to coordination and sector-specific fora and strengthening DRC’s position as a well-informed and responsive emergency and humanitarian actor in West Nile and Uganda.
• Identify and foster professional and constructive relationships with government authorities, specifically the OPM, and other relevant actors and stakeholders throughout West Nile.
• Coordinate the attendance to technical forums by technical leads in West Nile.

Management

• Support the Area Manager in the recruitment and daily management of all West Nile staff, ensuring positive and collaborative working relationships in line with DRC's Code of Conduct.
• Assess staff capacity and provide or recommend relevant training or coaching as needed in consultation with West Nile technical leads.
• In the absence of the Area Manager, assume responsibility for managing all day-to-day functions of the West Nile Regional office and staff, including coordination between sectors, ensuring compliance in financial procedures and budgeting, administration, human resources, logistics, procurement and security.
• Liaise and coordinate closely with DRC’s Kampala based senior management team on behalf of the Area manager as requested.
• Collaborate with the Area Manager, Field Office Team Leaders and Kampala based human resources team to ensure staff performance management processes are conducted on a regular basis.

Program Development and Reporting

• Support in the design of needs assessments to inform emergency and humanitarian program design as well as identify risks and vulnerabilities, including those related to gender, age and diversity.
• Ensure that projects and associated activities are implemented in accordance with agreed strategies, principles, implementation plans, and donor requirements.
• In collaboration with the Kampala-based M&E team, ensure the implementation of projects complies with quality standards and are monitored in accordance with pre-defined objectives and indicators.
• Work with the Area Manager, Head of Support Services and Technical Leads, to contribute to new project development, including both narratives and budgets, by coordinating and compiling inputs from other technical and support staff.
• Contribute to the strategic direction and strengthening of the West Nile program through active and ongoing participation in and contribution to strategic planning meetings and development of strategic documents, including through regular analysis of the context and humanitarian situation.
• Collaborate with field and sector staff to ensure the timely and quality delivery of all organizational and project reports, and staff contributions to organizational monitoring and evaluation requirements to ensure project quality, relevance and accountability to DRC's beneficiary populations.

Finance and Administration

• Support the Area Manager and Support Team in the development of budgets and spending plans.
• Support the Area Manager and Support Team to develop and maintain a budget overview of all projects and activities, and collaborate regularly with the Area Manager and HOSS to monitor spending and ensure the timely utilization of all grants.
• Ensure full compliance with DRC and donor financial guidelines and policies.

Procurement and Logistics

• Collaborate with the Area Manager and Logistics Team to develop and maintain procurement plans.
• Collaborate with the Area Manager to ensure logistics and procurement processes are in place and fully compliant with DRC and donor policies and standards.

Safety and Security

• Support the Area Manager in ensuring the responsibility for staff safety in the area of operation.
• Support the Area Manager in ensuring that all relevant information regarding safety, security and the context is collected, updated and shared in a regular and timely manner.
• In the Area Manager's absence, collaborate with the Kampala based Country Safety Coordinator, HOFA and Country Director to make decisions and manage security incidents at a local level.

Accountability

• Guided by the DRC Program Handbook, continuously monitor and suggest relevant accountability initiatives in the field and strengthen efforts to document the impact of DRC’s activities in West Nile.

ABOUT YOU
All employees should master DRC’ five core competencies:
i. Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results in a fast paced environment
ii. Collaborating: You lead initiatives and processes by involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
iii. Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while setting high standards
iv. Communicating: You listen to other stakeholders and staff; and you communicate concisely and persuasively
v. Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with DRC’s vision and values.

More especially we expect you to have:

• A post-graduate degree in international relations, business administration, management, human rights, social sciences or related field;
• 3 to 5 years’ experience in managing budgets exceeding 1m USD;
• 3 to 5 years’ experience in managing a large number of staff (in excess of 50 persons);
• 3 to 5 years’ experience in PCM;
• Knowledge and Working experience of various donors such as EC-ECHO, USAID, UNHCR, UNICEF, DANIDA, DFID;
• Previous experience with Non-Governmental Organization in similar/related position is an asset;
• Previous working experience in refugee response is an asset;
• Excellent command of English language.
• Good interpersonal, communication skills with proven experience in liaising with local authorities;
• Ability to work under pressure and with tight deadlines;
• A team player and the ability to work with limited supervision;
• Flexible, pro-active, and with the ability on follow through on tasks;

GENERAL
Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments.
All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework into the work of DRC.

Availability: As Soon as possible

Duty station: Arua with frequent travel to field locations,

Reporting: Reports to Area Manager based in Arua with direct support from HoP & Regional Emergency Coordinator

Contract: 1 year contract dependent on both funding and performance.
Salary and 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 A14 for qualified National staff the terms of employment will be in accordance with DRC terms for National staff

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested 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.

We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.dk under Vacancies. Applications close on 10th January 2018.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact job@drc.dk.

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