Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Country Director for our operations in Cameroon.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been operational in Cameroon since 2017 to support Central African Refugees in the eastern part of the country (Adamawa and East) and in Southwest region for IDPs and host communities’ victims of the anglophone conflict. DRC Cameroon currently implements Protection, Food Security and Livelihood and Shelter / NFI projects.
 

About the job

Under the supervision of the Regional Operation Director (ROD), the Country Director is the person ultimately accountable in country for all aspects of DRC work. This role will be expected to lead and consolidate DRC programming and impact while overseeing the efficient use of resources. The Country Director will be also responsible to ensure that the organizational set up is adapted to the context of operations. This role is eventually expected to be strong in management. The Country Director should be able to delegate specific duties as necessary while maintaining global oversight and accountability.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Representation

• Represent DRC to authorities, donors, partners, and in selected co-ordination forums
• Strengthen DRC’s position nationally and regionally
• Ensure that DRC maintains excellent and productive relations with all key stakeholders, especially beneficiaries, local authorities, the humanitarian community and donors

Direct managerial oversight and support

• Ensure that the Senior Management Team (SMT) have clear and realistic performance-based management goals
• Overall management of the operation and direct manager for senior staff members. This includes coaching, ensuring co-ordination between managers, recruiting, and development of staff
• Frequent travel to the field offices for direct operational support and representation
• Ensure compliance with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement.

Fundraising and Advocacy

• As the majority of the fundraising is done locally, the Country Director will lead the process of applying for funding and broadening the funding basis in a challenging funding environment
• The Country Director will lead his/her team in writing concept papers, project proposals and budgets in line with the approved country strategy
• Maintain high quality exchanges with the Regional Office team and mobilize the country team to participate to regional project and strategies.
• Lead in the team’s advocacy in all DRC key messages.

Security and Safety

• Be accountable for ensuring that DRC country programme is delivered in a safe and secure manner
• Provide overall accountability for security, including development of and ensuring adherence to security procedures, monitoring of the security situation, analyzing and provision of recommendations

Support Services

• Together with the Head of Support Services, provide overall budget monitoring, financial management and expenses control including compliance with minimum DRC and donor requirements and ensuring that necessary systems are in place
• Manage the resources allocated effectively and transparently by respecting and meeting all legal requirements in country
• Oversee finance and administrative services in the Programmes
• Support the implementation of ERP system and follow up

Human Resources

• Together with the HR team, provide leadership support to staff and promote best practices in human resources management
• Provide coaching and counselling advice to staff when necessary and lead initiatives to devTelop staff capacity
• Organise regular meetings with the senior management team and all staff for the purpose of exchanging information, coordination and learning
• Ensure that the country senior management team is effective, mutually supporting and sufficiently involved in decision making

Programme development

• Lead the development and update of the programme strategy, within DRC’s overall regional and global strategic frameworks
• Lead the development of the programme within the strategic objectives and not being constrained by the current limitations of existing programming
• Ensure that DRC standard regulations and operational procedures (Code of Conduct, DRC Management handbooks, HAP standards etc.) are followed

Accountability and Quality

• Be accountable for ensuring that programmes comply with the organisational quality and accountability commitments
• Guided by the Programme Handbook, continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of activities and our presence

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to posses the following: 

Experience and technical competencies: 

Required

• Master in political or social science, international development, economics
• Minimum 8 years' relevant work experience in emergency contexts for a humanitarian agency or similar
• Minimum 8 years' experience as people manager
• Proven leadership skills and a competence in people management
• Proven experience managing large and complex humanitarian operations
• Full professional proficiency in French and English

Desirable

• Experience in representing a large and leading international organization to donors, external partners and authorities
• Experience with networking, advocacy and coordination
• Experience in financial and safety management
• Work related experience from the region/country
• Broad organizational experience

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: You act in line with DRC’s vision and values. 
 

We offer

Contract length: 1 year

Level: D

Designation of Duty Station:  Yaounde l Accompanied Family Duty Station

Start date: As soon as possible.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than two pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered. 

Apply here: https: //candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx cid=1036&ProjectId=164825&DepartmentId=19109&MediaId=5

Closing date for applications: 26 June 2022

The screening process for this position is on rolling basis, so early submission of applications is encouraged.  DRC reserves the right to start with the next steps in the recruitment process prior to the closing date, should we identify a suitable candidate. 

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact our job support at drc.ngo/jobsupport.

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