The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), an international non-governmental organization (NGO), has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. DRC promotes and supports solutions to the problems faced by refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and migrants. DRC Ethiopia began operations in 2009 and has been responding to the needs of refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and vulnerable host communities ever since.  DRC Ethiopia currently has programs implemented through five area offices (AO) in Gambella, Tigray, Somali (Jijiga & Dollo Ado) and Afar regions, as well as its country office (CO) in Addis Ababa.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

The Area Manager is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of DRC’s response in North Ethiopia Region (Tigray and Afar) under the direct supervision of the Head of Operations (HoO). Area Manager oversees programme and support implementation, fosters positive stakeholder relationships (government, donors, UN agencies, I/NGOs and CSOs), ensures compliance with DRC and donor regulations and promotes a culture of accountability and transparency.

Main Responsibilities:

Management

• Line manage area support and program staff ensuring inter-department co-ordination.
• Closely coordinate with the Senior Management Team (SMT) ensuring regular information flows.
• People management of direct reports (including development, people planning and performance).
• With project managers/team leaders manage the programme activities budget lines; ensuring effective and efficient use of resources including financial, human and all assets.
• Ensure overall provision of and adherence to DRC policies, procedures, guidelines, systems, and standard practices.
• Provide leadership in overseeing logistical/procurement, Human Resources/administration and office services activities and ensure their timely/efficient delivering.

Representation, Coordination and Reporting

• Primary DRC representative in the area of operation and attend all relevant fora/meetings in order to strengthen DRC’s position.
• Foster relationships with Government authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the area of operation.
• Maintain close working relationships with donors, national and international organizations and local counterparts.
• Comply with internal reporting requirements, contribute to, and provide quality assurance of external reports from area of operation.
• Provide leadership, coordination, and integration of DRC activities in the area of operation, including, but not limited to protection, WASH, economic recovery/livelihoods, humanitarian disarmament and peacebuilding, through an integrated, area-based programming model.

Programme Development

• Provide oversight of all programming in North Ethiopia Region in compliance with core humanitarian and protection principles and best practices, and DRC and donor regulations, while upholding rigorous project cycle management (PCM) standards.
• Continuously monitor the context and in consultation with the CO Emergency Response Coordinator ensure DRC’s preparedness to respond to shocks.
• Provide regular analysis on the context and humanitarian situation in the area for the development of project proposals and safety assessments in cooperation with the Head of Programme.
• Identify initiatives to respond to needs of conflict-affected communities as well as specific strategies which build upon existing assets within the population.
• Ensure that programmes are delivered in line with DRC’s quality standards and facilitate monitoring of key outcome/Impact performance indicators in collaboration with the CO technical team.
• In consultation with the Senior Management Team (SMT), lead the strategic development of the Area Office and ensure that DRC remains relevant to the needs of the people of concern and DRC projects in the area remain aligned to DRC global strategy and country strategic direction.

Safety and Security:

• Ensure a safe and secure environment for DRC staff, beneficiaries and assets by ensuring the local security procedures are up to date and SOPs are being followed in line with the SMP and DRC policy.

As Manager the post-holder is accountable for the following:

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility.
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the Area Office does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
• Accountable for people management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC.

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: You act in line with our vision and values.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in law, social sciences, international development, or other relevant field
• Minimum 6-8 years of work experience in a similar or equivalent role in an INGO in areas of humanitarian/development sector, in a conflict & post conflict environment, experience within the field of protection, particularly within the field of humanitarian response and refugee/IDP protection.
• At least 5 years of experience in a senior project management position and managing large and diversified teams consisting national & international staff.
• Strong hands-on experience of managing safety & security in a high intensity conflict zone.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising and proposal development for Humanitarian and Development focused projects.
• Demonstrated experience in representation with donors & external actors and managing emergency response.
• Experience with strategy development and understanding of linkage between strategy and programming. Experience of advocacy and communications.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.
• Strong initiative and self-motivated, with a strong commitment to teamwork and humanitarian principles.
• Ability to work independently, multi-task and cope with competing demands under tight deadlines.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.