Chief of Party at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Purpose

• The Danish Refugee Council’s (DRC) BHA-funded consortium ‘Stronger Communities through Stronger Protection Environment in Northeast Nigeria,’ will commence implementation in September 2024.
• The consortium aims to provide area-based, humanitarian assistance to displacement-affected communities in Borno state, Nigeria in partnership with four international NGOs and two national NGOs.
• The Consortium Coordinator is responsible for (1) leading the Consortium Management Unit (CMU), (2) coordination and overseeing of the quality and progress of the implementation of the consortium, (3) coordination and fulfillment of the governance structure, (4) cooperative and constructive coordination with government authorities at national and Local Government Area (LGA) level, donor and stakeholders, (5) external representation of the consortium based on agreement with the partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of the implementation and consolidation of an anticipated multi-year area-based intervention and coordinate all partners and their efforts.
• Serve as the primary point of contact to the donor, as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with contract, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to donor. Approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors. Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources.
• Ensure the project is designed and implemented to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability. Ensure coordination between program and operations leads. Ensure the DRC program quality standards are adhered to per PCM and MEAL policy and procedures.

Management of the Consortium Platform:

• Effectively lead and manage the CMU. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans and the recruitment process of staff.
• Develop work plans to be submitted to the Steering Committee.
• Manage budgets and interventions of various donors, while maintaining excellent donor relations.
• Manage the projects/contributions/involvement of the consortium partners.

Information Management:

• Gather and disseminate existing data, information, legislation, policies and conventions, reports, best practice and working methods available in the region to assist relevant actors (NGOs, communities etc.) in planning their work.
• Manage the analysis of data, strategies, and advocacy efforts, and production and dissemination of quality reports.
• Facilitate the creation and maintenance of a Consortium web portal, to make information and analysis available to regional agencies, local actors, academia, and state authorities.
• Coordinate and manage advocacy initiatives on areas of relevance and interest, as approved by the Steering Committee.

Advocacy, networking and coordination:

• In collaboration with partners and relevant actors, facilitate and coordinate regular consultations/ workshops and conferences/meetings, to identify areas for tools development.
• Assist in the development of a policy and advocacy strategy and in coordination of information campaigns.
• Support existing forums and members to engage with governmental and inter-governmental actors on mixed migration.
• Offer analyses and resources to support international and inter-regional conferences, workshops and debates as well as training programmes, all to add value to the relevant sector.

As Manager the post-holder is responsible 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 unit 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, four 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.
• In addition to the above, the CoP may be asked to carry out other duties requested by the Country Director - but always in the scope of this job description.

Qualifications
Required:

• A Master’s Degree in Political Science, International Development, Economics or other relevant field.
• At a minimum 5 years international experience in partner coordination and managing of complex humanitarian projects.
• Experience in multi-stakeholder consortium management and coordination; ability to effectively guide consortium partners.
• Experience in localisation and strengthening of local capacities.
• High proficiency in programme cycle management.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with senior representatives of INGO and government structures and to represent the consortium at national level fora.
• High level of sensitivity in mainstreaming gender issues in programming as well as understanding the role of inclusion and protection in equitable service delivery.
• Strong experience of financial management and donor compliance processes.
• Having good understanding of monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Highly organized individual with strong planning skills.
• Languages: English (Fluent)

Required Skills & Qualities:

• Core Competencies of DRC:
  • Striving for excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Taking the lead
  • Communication
  • Demonstrating Integrity
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment.
• Excellent writing, proof-reading, and communication skills
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills
• Strong ability to adapt, take initiative and work in a multicultural environment.
• Interest for humanitarian sector and donor’s environment
• Listening, analytical and synthesis skills
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness
• Exemplary sense of ethics in the workplace