Program Development Manager At Danish Refugee Council

Program Development Manager

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfilment of the wish to return home.
The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.
All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.
In 2003, following the start of foreign military operations in Iraq, DRC became one of the first organisations to provide humanitarian assistance in the country, and now operates in 11 governorates, including Anbar, Baghdad, Babel, Diyala, Duhok, Erbil, Karbala, Kirkuk, Najaf, Ninewa and Salah-al-Din.

About the job
The Program Development Manager (Program Support Manager) is responsible for ensuring quality throughout the project cycle; from the initial project idea and proposal design through to continuously enhancing the quality of programme implementation. This position also provides coordination and technical support to the Head of Programs (HoP) and the various Heads of Offices (HoO) for the implementation of program activities.

Responsibilities:

Project Development and Coordination
o Coordinate the development of concept notes and proposals in collaboration with technical coordinators, field staff, operations staff, the DRC Regional Office, and DRC HQ colleagues, ensuring alignment with DRC and donor strategies, priorities and requirements and DRC’s programme handbook guidelines.
o Facilitate communication between all departments (program, MEAL, finance, safety, logistics and procurement, and human resources) in drafting of proposals and budgets and reports.
o Support Program Managers and Technical Coordinators to ensure that kick-off, quarterly review and close-out meetings are held in a regular and timely manner to monitor project implementation and spend, support operation/program integration, troubleshoot challenges, ensure donor compliance, and identify and apply lessons learned.
o Conduct visits to field locations as needed.

Resource Mobilization
o Maintain up-to-date information on donor strategies, priorities and funding opportunities through the Donor Engagement Tracking Matrix.
o Develop donor engagement strategies, working closely with the programme team and within input from the area offices and field offices.
o Support in development of an overall funding strategy for the country, broken down by areas and sectors.

Line Management and Capacity Building
o Undertake training for programme and operation staff on grants management principles and processes to enhance quality within DRC programming. Topics will include donor compliance, report writing, proposal development, and other topics as needed.
o Support the development and/or customization of training materials to meet the needs of different DRC staff.
o Support capacity building within the grants team as necessary.
o Provide management support and direction to the Program Development team including regular feedback and guidance as necessary, as well as formal performance management according to DRC systems
o Support in the process of nationalization of positions as appropriate and feasible

Reporting and Record Keeping
o Manage internal and external reporting, ensuring high-quality, well-written and timely reports meeting donor and DRC requirements, working closely with programme managers, technical coordinators, and the finance team, as well as regional and HQ staff as necessary.
o Support in developing and management project consolidation tools for use by senior management for decision making, including consolidating regular internal programme progress reports based on input from programme managers and reporting on key programme highlights/issues.
o Maintain the grants and report tracking system, including regular updating within DRC’s Grants Management System (GMS), to ensure all grant files and sub-grant files are organized and well managed for planning and preparation of donor reports and project monitoring.
o Ensure that grant files are up to date and updates communicated to DRC staff in a timely manner.

Other
o Raise any issues of non-compliance and assure compliance with DRC standards and procedures
o Coordinate with Comms/Advocacy for success story content, communication tools, etc.
o Provide regular updates to HoP and SMT
o Any other duties as agreed with HoP

Reporting lines
Reporting to: Head of Programmes
Direct reports:Program Development Officers (2) and Assistant

About you:
Experience and technical competencies:

a) Essential
• Master’s degree in relevant field.
• At least three years of INGO field experience in a similar position that includes proposal development, reporting and grants management.
• Knowledge of key donor regulations, procedures and requirements (UN, EC, USG, etc.).
• Proven ability to develop winning proposals for public and private-sector donors.
• Strong networking, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, with ability to determine priorities and pay attention to detail.
• Ability to manage competing tasks and manage well under pressure
• Ability to work in a multicultural context as a flexible and respectful team player.
• High-level knowledge and practice with Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.
• Ability/willingness to work with extremely tight deadlines and multiple tasks.
• Excellent written and spoken English required; Arabic and/or Kurdish is an asset.
• Willingness to follow security policies and procedures.

b) Desirable
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective and working relations with local staff and other stakeholders;
• Experience living and working in a cross-cultural, multi-sector, insecure, remote area environment, under team condition

Education:
• Masters degree in relevant field

Languages:
• English (fluent)
• Arabic (desirable)

Key stakeholders:
• Senior Management
• Area Management
• Technical Coordinators
• Project Managers
• Head of offices

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ 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: You act in line with DRC’s vision and values.

We offer
Contract length:12 Months
Band:F1
Designation of Duty Station: Erbil-Country Office, with 25% travel to other DRC offices
Start date:1 May 2021