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
We are looking for a highly qualified professional with strong experience in consortium management, EU programming and refugee/host experience for the position of Consortium Manager (CM) The position is to manage a 3 year project implemented by a consortium of NGOs and funded under the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa to respond to refugee settlements in West Nile of Uganda. The successful candidate will possess high-level management skills, a proven record of successfully managing consortia, wide experience in project design and implementation, and a strong ability to successfully manage, cooperation between consortium partners, donors and other stakeholders.
The Consortium Manager (CM), employed by DRC and reporting to the Consortium Steering Committee will be expected to lead the implementation of the project on behalf of the Consortium providing leadership to the project and its activities, oversee smooth implementation of the project through the members of the Consortium, and oversee the administration and implementation of the grant in line with EU procedures. The PM will lead a Programme Management Unit (PMU) to support these tasks. The PM will have financial and human resource management oversight and will provide strategic leadership in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEA
Your duties and responsibilities will be:
• Management and implementation of the project, with an emphasis on ensuring the timely and high quality achievement of the project goal and objectives by the respective Consortium partners.
• Lead the project inception phase, developing detailed implementation strategy, harmonizing approaches and methodologies for project implementation across the members of the consortium
• Lead and manage the Programme Management Unit (PMU) including grants, finance and MEAL functions.
• Coordinate and source expert advisory input into the PMU from technical advisors appointed from the consortium partners.
• Ensuring that partners provide monthly output trackers and consolidate to provide monthly status updates on the Consortium’s progress, challenges and planned mitigation measures.
• Management oversight for financial and administrative management, ensuring compliance by all partners with all relevant donor and organizational guidelines, regulations and procedures.
• Facilitate provision of training for project staff from members of consortium on relevant guidelines, regulations and procedures.
• Review annual work plans, budgets, interim and final reports prior to submission to the donor in consultation with the Chairperson of the Steering Committee.
• Initiate and facilitate three annual Steering Committee meetings, drafting agendas to reflect priorities, challenges and opportunities for the Consortium.
• Chair the PMU meetings between partner representatives, technical advisors, M&E and support functions.
• Oversee development of the Consortium advocacy strategy and promote the use of Consortium-generated knowledge and learning;
• Coordinate and develop research areas of interest to facilitate wider learning.
• Ensure proactive engagement, and facilitate formal meetings with key stakeholders including with the Government authorities
• Ensure close coordination with other implementing agencies outside the NGO consortium who are implementing other parts of the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa funded activities in the same area.
• Represent the Consortium in coordination mechanisms as needed
• Ensure timely and accurate programmatic and financial reporting to the donor, collating inputs from the Consortium partners.
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;
• Demonstrated experience of successfully managing and leading Consortia;
• Minimum 7 years professional work experience in humanitarian/ development work including in displacement setting
• A good understanding and experience of context in Northern Uganda is an added advantage
• Technical expertise and experience in livelihoods, conflict management and child learning in post conflict setting is an advantage
• Proven analytical and strategic planning skills;
• High-level communication and people skills;
• Excellent writing skills and able to negotiate effectively between different stakeholders, and to represent the Consortium at high level forums;
• Extensive experience in representation and networking, in particular with Government authorities, EU, humanitarian and development actors;
• Demonstrated project, program and human resource management experience, including working with local partners;
• Proven ability in working in hardship environments. The position will require extensive travel to the field;
• Strong understanding of MEAL, including in complex programmes;
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English
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 / Kampala with frequent travel to field locations,
Reporting: Reports DRC Country Director and the Consortium Steering Committee
Contract: 2 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 A13 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 15th November 2017
If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact job@drc.dk.
If you need further information about the position please contact DRC Uganda Country Director Mr Lilu Thapa at l.thapa@drcuganda.org
For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website www.drc.dk
Please note that applications sent directly to Mr Thapa will not be considered.