Programme Manager

Duty Station – Sittwe, Rakhine (temporary duty station in Dhaka, Bangladesh, until visas for Myanmar become available)

Report to – Area Manager – Rakhine (technical supervision line to country office Head of Programme)

Direct Report – Protection Managers x 3, CCCM Manager, Economic Recovery Manager, Shelter Manager and WASH Manager

Overall purpose of the role:

The Programme Manager – Rakhine is effectively the Deputy Area Manager for Programs, who will have the overall management and oversight responsibility for the program design, planning and implementation for all Rakhine programs’ portfolio. This includes Protection (Child protection, General Protection and Gender-Based Violence prevention and response), Livelihoods, Shelter, WASH and Camp Management and Camp Coordination (CCCM) Programs. The role will ensure quality program implementation and alignment with DRC and relevant global technical and program management standards.

The Programme Manager – Rakhine will be responsible for the day-to-day management of project managers, which currently include Protection managers, CCCM Manager, Economic Recovery Manager, Shelter Manager and WASH Manager, ensuring adequate support and capacity development is provided to the overall program team to ensure highest levels of performance. Where Country Office Technical Coordinators are in place, they will be responsible for technical supervision of the relevant project managers, so the Programme Manager will work closely with the Technical Coordinators. The Programme Manager will also work closely with the MEAL Manager, Heads of Programs, Grants Unit, Finance and Support Services departments, ensuring timely and smooth coordination between programs and other support departments.

Due to the current access challenges in Myanmar, the role will be carried out remotely, from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Occasional inter-personal engagement with staff from Myanmar (for capacity strengthening, strategy development etc.) will be possible through workshops in the region.

Geographic scope: Area (Rakhine)

This role has an area focus and ensures compliance with DRC procedures and guidelines within the area. The role contributes to the development of area strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and guidance to all area’s operations in Central and Northern Rakhine State.

Responsibilities:

Strategy and Program Development:

• Along with the Area Manager and Head of Programmes, responsible for developing the overall programmatic strategy across Rakhine, ensuring that program design and implementation is in line with the overall country program strategy.
• Ensure strategic programme planning for upcoming program cycles in line with available funding, and identify funding gaps where needed.
• Along with Technical Coordinators and Area Manager, and where required, support the development of sector strategies at Area Level to be in line with country sector strategies.
• Responsible for supporting the development and rolling out/implementing programmatic policies, processes and standards within respective areas.
• Deliver inputs to program strategy and identify opportunities for new projects.
• With support of MEAL team, lead assessments for emergency or longer-term programming in existing or new project locations
• Contribute to and/or lead (as requested) on the development of concept papers, budgets and proposals with support from Grants unit, Technical Coordinators and Project Managers.
• With support from Area Manager, ensure the incorporation of the on-going context analysis and scenario planning as part of programs’ strategy and planning.
• With support of Area Manager and Head of Programme, lead on the development of the programmatic component of the Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPreP) for Rakhine

People Management:

• Lead and manage program staff (including workplanning, performance, well-being and development).
• Assess capacity gaps and training needs, and work with program teams on capacity development plans.
• Provide clear guidance and support and ensure workplans, policies and requirements are properly communicated to all program staff.

Program Management and Quality Assurance:

• Enabling and overseeing effective, efficient and timely implementation of all projects according to agreed contracts, budgets, policies and in accordance with specific donor requirements
• Lead on area level grants opening, close out and monthly program performance meetings for all area programs, with support from the Grants Team
• Support project managers in developing project level master budgets.
• Ensure project implementation plans and budget monitoring tools and plans are up to date, according to DRC Project Cycle Management guidance and minimum standards.
• Develop and modify/adapt program management tools as needed.
• Ensure financial management of all programs budget, ensuring budget forecast, reviews and procurement plans are integrated at each of program cycle management phase.
• Implement and oversee the DRC administrative guidelines and policies, safety and security procedures, logistics support and other tasks.
• Support programs in adapting program approaches for areas of reduced humanitarian access.
• Support programs in the establishment and management of responsible partnership with local NGOs and Civil society groups as needed.
• Regular coordination with Technical Coordinators to ensure implementation of technical approaches for quality programming.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning and Reporting:

• Support the MEAL team in developing and managing MEAL plans, and monitoring and evaluations tools and indicators.
• Ensure quality control processes and tools are developed ensuring technical and performance quality standards are upheld.
• Accountable for the development of monthly, Quarterly and final donors reports with support from Grants. These would usually be prepared at sectoral level by Project Managers, with the Programme Manager’s role being consolidation, coherence and ensuring the Rakhine component of any report is completed on time and to a high level of quality.
• Ensure programs’ records are up to date and are in line with donors’ retention policies.
• Ensure that relevant beneficiary data is collected, compiled, analyzed and distributed and that data protection and information security are maintained.

Representation, external relations and advocacy:

• Increase the visibility and credibility of DRC’s program in the area and maintain close relations with all relevant stakeholders including other international organizations, UN agencies, Donors and others.
• As requested, represent DRC in donor meetings and visits and actively participate and represent DRC in cluster meetings and other coordination meetings ensuring that advocacy messaging are efforts are in-line with the overall advocacy strategy.
• Ensure effective coordination and visibility of the implementation of the projects with all humanitarian and development actors.
• Coordination with Area Manager and Technical Coordinators to agree and clarify key messages for advocacy, DRC positions and other external communications.

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, national Project Managers. 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.
• Any other duties relating to the nature of the job as requested by the Manager.

Essential Skills, Experience and technical competencies:

• Master’s degree in political science, international development, economics or other relevant field.
• At least 5 years’ experience in relevant field.
• At least 4 years’ experience with people management, grants and program management, preferably in protection, CCCM and/or livelihoods programs
• Proven leadership skills and a competence in people management
• Strong skills in programme budget development and management
• Experience providing remote management to a diverse team
• Experience conducting trainings remotely is highly preferred.
• Experience with effectively coordinating with national partners, local/government authorities, NGO partners, UN agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
• Full professional proficiency in English

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ 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: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Contract: DRC will offer the successful applicant a 12-month contract with the possibility of extension. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates. The position is placed in Employment Band F-management.

Further information

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website www.drc.dk