Head of Support Services at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Overall purpose of the role: 

Operationally and strategically the Head of Support Services (HoSS) holder is responsible for Finance, Human Resources, Logistics and Procurement, Administration, and IT. They oversee, develop, and provide strategic direction, mentorship and support to their support areas. An active member of the Senior Management Team, this role ensures that all aspects of the Country Office management is represented and considered in decision making. This role has a country focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the country. The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to country operations while overseeing country activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Management  

• Lead and manage the support managers nd specialists (including people planning, performance, well-being and development). 
• Manage, deliver, and report on current operations and programme support in each area of implementation. 
• Establish high performing support teams ensuring high-quality approaches are maintained. 
• Develop and improve operational approaches, compliance, and systems, and support the Country Director to build and deliver effective and sustainable interventions. 
• Responsible for the strategic development, management, and implementation of the support operations. 
• Ensure appropriate technical support is available to programs, in line with organizational priorities. 
• Ensure support for annual planning and review processes. 
• Direct responsibility for ensuring that the DRC Programme operates in accordance with DRC’s support function guidelines. 

Operational Management 

• Support the Country Director and the Senior Management Team in liaising with donors and authorities, especially as relates to issues of compliance, registration, and audit. 
• Oversee the operational support units for the country/region by providing strategic leadership and technical support to the areas under their supervision. 
• Supervision, audits and controlling and implementation of corrective actions related to DRC’s operational standards within support area. 
• Ensure that DRC retains and continually develops its operational capacity to provide rapid emergency response in particular within its procurement and transport systems. 
• Work closely with Risk and Compliance coordinator to develop and maintain a risk management plan for the country that identifies the major financial and operational risks and implement a mitigation strategy. 
• Ensure that all administrative and legal-related systems are accurate and maintained. 
• Work to build the capacity of the operational support staff throughout the operation though frequent in-service training sessions and mentoring support. 
• Contribute to the development and implementation of DRC’s global development initiatives. 

DRC Dynamics ERP System 

• Ensure ERP functionality is properly used by relevant staff. 
• Apply reports and data analytics from DRC Dynamics to improve overall performance. 
• Act as heavy user for most of the Projects & Finance functionalities. 

Supervisor responsibilities: 

• Supports the managers to coordinate the daily activities of small teams to ensure workload is supported and prioritized appropriately. 
• Develops a capacity building and mentoring style of operations within the teams’ offering trainings and opportunities within the organization for staff development.  

Deputy responsibilities: 

• Function as Country Director during their absence. Represent DRC on behalf of the Country Director upon agreement with authorities, UN agencies, humanitarian agencies, and other partners. 
• Other deputizing duties as agreed with the Country Director

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• At least 7 years' experience in relevant field
• At least 4 years' experience with people management
• Experience in a similar role in an international NGO
• Proven leadership skills and a competence in people management
• Proven operational management experience and capability, including in conflict areas
• Proven significant financial, information and systems management experience
• Significant experience in procurement and tender processes
• Understanding and experience of institutional fundraising
• Understanding of the countries in which DRC operates and sensitive to the cultural context
• Experience working in an ERP system, including supply chain, finance and HR systems

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to 7 years INGO or other international agencies experience in finance or operations management in international humanitarian Programmes, a demonstrated ability to set up operational management systems in a large programme and direct experience of delivery of humanitarian programme in an emergency response.

Required

• Post graduate degree in Business Administration, finance or accounting professional qualification such as ACCA or CPA.
• Excellent knowledge in reviewing major international donor reports and knowledge of major donor rules including UNHCR, WFP, ECHO, EC, DFID, DANIDA and USG
• Experience working in an ERP system, including supply chain, finance and HR system.  Knowledge Dynamics 365 financial software will be an added advantage
• Possess strong accounting, analytical and conceptual skills.
• Proven management and leadership skills.
• Proven commitment to accountable practices.
• Understanding of the countries in which DRC operates and sensitive to the cultural context
• 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

Desirable.

• Procurement and supply chain management is desired
• Knowledge of working in challenging and insecure environments
• Proven ability to manage large varied workloads and deal constructively with stress and periods with long hours.
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and work with limited supervision.
• Proactive, stable and robust character and a good team player.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations at all levels