Programme Development and Quality Manager at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Area of Operation: Nigeria
Supervised by: Head of Programme
Reporting to: Head of Programme
Contract Type: Expatriate
Contract length: 12 months starting January 2022
Band: E
Start date: 6 January 2022

Introduction

• The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.
• The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.
• Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

• Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and its Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding technical unit - the Danish Demining Group (DDG), has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015.
• DRC Nigeria is the largest DRC country mission in the West Africa region and one of the largest DRC country missions globally.
• Currently, DRC delivers life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities in the areas of armed violence reduction, humanitarian mine action, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in 30+ Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in northeast Nigeria.

Purpose

• The DRC Nigeria is looking to recruit an experienced, highly- qualified and enthusiastic professional to lead the effective implementation of DRC’s programme quality activities in Nigeria and oversee a committed team consisting of a MEAL Coordinator, Communications Officer, and Grants Management Specialist.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Programme Development and Quality Manager (PDQM) is responsible for strategic leadership, technical guidance, and management of the Grants and MEAL functions for DRC in Nigeria. The PDQM will develop and maintain systems and tools for efficient grant management; and ensure a coordinated approach to risk-management in cooperation with the finance department. The role also contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks.
• The Programme Development and Quality Manager is based in Maiduguri (Borno State) – but expected to travel frequently to Abuja and field locations in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe States.

The Main Responsibilities and Tasks of the Programme Development and Quality Manager:

• Provide strategic leadership and management oversight of the Quality Assurance department, with a portfolio including: grants management, programme quality, reporting, and information management.
• Line manage and provide technical support to the Communications Officer, Grants Management Specialist, and MEAL Coordinator.
• Oversee the timely submission and reporting in relation to DRC Nigeria’s portfolio of projects
• Organize and lead monthly budget follow-up meetings
• Establish in-country level grants filing systems based on donors and periods.
• Liaise with relevant Regional Office and HQ counterparts responsible for programme design, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation.
• In coordination with the DRC Head of Programme, Technical Sector leads and Area Managers ensure high quality and evidence-based programme design and proposal development, monitoring and evaluation, and learning processes are streamlined throughout the country mission;
• Ensure timely compliance with all internal and external grants management requirements, including contractual compliance and reporting;
• Coordinate and provide timely reporting and feedback to the Head of Programmes, Country Director and SMT on Programme Quality activities.
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the DRC Head of Programme and the CD

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, 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
• In addition to the above, the Programme Development and Quality Manager may be asked to carry out other duties requested by the Head of Programme - but always in the scope of this job description.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Political Science, International Development, Economics or other relevant field
• In lieu of the above, a Bachelors Degree and several years of relevant experience.
• Full professional proficiency in English is required
• At least five years of professional experience in humanitarian emergency contexts with PDQA responsibilities, preferable to have at least two years of experience at senior management level.
• At least 3 years' experience with people management
• Knowledge and experience working protection, food security, WASH, shelter, NFIs, mine action, mine risk education, and armed violence reduction is an asset.
• Proven ability to lead a high performing and diverse team, manage performance, foster a positive working environment and manage issues sensitively and diplomatically.
• Extensive knowledge of US and European institutional donors and their compliance requirements with proven experience of developing successful funding proposals and overseeing large complex grants.
• Excellent understanding of the principles of budgeting, financial and contract management.