Head of Programme at Danish Refugee Council

About the job

Based in Nairobi with travel to field locations, the Head of Programme has the overall technical and management responsibility for DRC’s programmatic work, including in protection, peacebuilding, resilience, economic recovery and promotion of durable solutions for displacement affected populations in Kenya, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. Key focus area of work is to lead and manage the strategic development and implementation of the Kenya DRC programme.

You will ensure timely delivery of planned results, within budget, oversee adherence to applicable policies, guide and manage the capacity building of DRC project staff, spearhead fundraising and business development, safeguard staff and assets, advance and coordinate DRC’s work in Kenya with internal and external stakeholders, including current and potential donors, contribute to planning, coordination and learning within DRC Kenya and the organisation as a whole. As part of the DRC Senior Management Team, the Head of Programme may have responsibilities as part of the regional initiatives in East Africa and Great Lakes region such as development or review of durable solutions strategies.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Strategic Programme Development

• In co-ordination with the protection, economic recovery, HDPB and other technical staff, lead the strategic development of DRC’s work in Kenya.
• Support the Country Director in drafting, promoting, and rolling out of all DRC-relevant strategic programme and planning documents in broad consultation with all relevant staff. These documents include the Strategic Programme Document, Results Contract, as well as strategies for all programming sectors.
• Ensure proper understanding of DRC programmatic approaches and strategies by relevant actors (i.e. staff members, partners, partner NGOs, government counterparts, and donors).
• Ensure high quality technical programme design, implementation and MEAL across all DRC Kenya operations
• As an SMT member, manage regular and critical review of the country strategic and action plans and initiate corrective actions/problem solving if and when needed. Follow-up on the Results Plan and report against its indicators.
• In close coordination with the Country Director, represent DRC in key programme relevant meetings with donors, local government authorities, partners, UN agencies and international and local NGOs and various local co-ordination forums.
• Support development and review of the country programme emergency preparedness and response plan.
• Align DRC Kenya program sectors with the DRC Global key sectors as per Country needs.

Fundraising

• Design and implement a resource mobilization strategy
• Manage and develop strong strategic business development to maintain, direct and expand DRC’s current programme portfolio in Kenya
• Position DRC Kenya for consortia opportunities, including with private sector partners

Management

• Management, operational oversight, coordination and implementation of DRC projects within the DRC Kenya programme.
• Manage the program technical team to ensure effective support to field teams in design, quality assurance, and consistent application of grant compliance standards/policies.
• Provide appropriate and timely feedback to the programmes team staff regarding their performance, including annual staff performance appraisals. Identify with staff their needs and opportunities for professional development.
• Support the development of an organizational culture that reflects DRC mandate, values, promotes accountability and high performance, encourage a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation.

Programme Quality Assurance

• Ensure high quality project implementation for DRC projects in line with agreed results, budgets, and work plans.
• Contribute to regular programme risk analysis and development of mitigation plans in consultation with Area Managers and technical staff
• Ensure cross-cutting themes e.g. AGD, Climate Change Adaptation, CHS & relevant technical standards are mainstreamed in all programs where appropriate and relevant.
• Contribute to the improvement and application of the country programme monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning system in order to facilitate continual learning and adaptive management.
• Contribute to active dissemination and communication of programme findings and research outcomes widely.
• Oversee the planning and implementation of capacity building of key staff on issues relating to programme strategies and quality.

Compliance and Grants Management

• Ensure that relevant grants management and donor regulations and requirements are adequately shared and understood by the programme and support teams by overseeing the regular conduct of grants inception meetings, follow up meetings and trainings on donor requirements.
• Plan and execute trimester and annual review sessions and oversee implementation of corrective measures.
• Support the review and timely submission of high-quality donor reports in collaboration with programmes and area teams.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect the following:

• At least a Master’s degree in social sciences, development or other relevant area to the position portfolio.
• Minimum of five years’ management experience with International NGOs or operational UN agencies, including at least two years' experience of community-level programming.
• Excellent understanding of displacement issues and related international policies and standards/frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to mobilize resources and with donor relations
• Proven experience in protection, food security and livelihoods and/or related fields in a management capacity.
• Proven experience in strategic programme management, proposal writing, project cycle management including budget management, staff management, MEAL and reporting.
• Experience with requirements of key donors including USAID, FCDO, DANIDA, ECHO, EU DevCo, UNHCR, UNICEF among others. Experience with commercial contracts and/or private sector partnership an advantage.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required. Fluency in Swahili and Somali is an added advantage

Desirable

• Successful experience working within a complex security environment is preferred.
• Proven solid analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Leadership skills, including ability to build and motivate a team and willingness to deal with challenges.
• Ability to manage a large workload and multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.