Ethiopia: Chief of Party - DFID Migration

About Us

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is leading an international consortium to deliver a £21 million programme to protect would-be migrants and refugees form unsafe irregular migration through and from the Amhara and Tigray regions of Ethiopia as well as Djibouti. The 4-year programme, funded by the Department for International Development, UK (DFID, UK) will address the barriers to reducing unsafe irregular migration through and from Ethiopia, taking into consideration the most vulnerable groups - women, girls and unaccompanied irregular migrants.

The programme will coordinate and engage in high level national and regional advocacy with key stakeholders. The programme is anticipated to be innovative, cross-sectoral and solutions-oriented with strong emphasis on research, learning and adaptive mangement.

This appointment is subject to DRC succesfully securing funding from DFID, UK.

About the role

The Chief of Party (COP) will have overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the project. The right candidate will ensure that planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation as well as donor reporting functions are executed efficiently and effectively to ensure that the project achieves its purpose and outputs. Also, the right candidate will coordinate the process of learning, capturing and disseminating lessons from the programme.

The COP will lead and manage a multi-disciplinary team for the DRC in Ethiopia, including virtual and matrix management across the globe of in-country technical teams to deliver programme objectives set out in the donor terms of reference (TORs), our technical and commercial proposals and the logical framework. The COP will report to the Country Director, DRC Ethiopia and will be required to liaise on a regular basiswith the relevant DRC Regional office and DRC Headquarters in Copenhagen.

Responsibilities:

Management and Coordination:

• Oversee implementation of the programme according to contract objectives, ensuring the programme meets or exceeds agreed targets, annual plans and budgeting processes for the programme with full accountability to the DRC, project partners and to DFID, UK.
• Ensure DFID, UK’s compliance requirements are fully met.
• Lead the overall technical, financial and operational management of the consortium, including programme planning and budget follow-up.
• Identify and effectively manage due diligence and all associated key risks related to the programme.
• Ensure Value for Money (VfM) is mainstreamed across the programme, supporting its incorporation into decision-making and programme delivery, and effectively reported to the donor.
• Ensuring that technical, financial, and operational activities, including reporting are carried out according to DFID, UK’s and DRC's policies and procedures e.g quarterly and annual reports and submission of deliverables and payment by result (PbR) milestones to DFID, UK.
• Represent the consortium in local, national, and international stakeholder meetings and events, as appropriate.
• Identify and effectively manage all key risks related to the project, including compliance with DFID, UK’s International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) and due diligence requirements.

Programme and Technical Support:

• Working closely with the implementation and technical leads in the Programme Management Unit:
• Provide technical oversight of all programming in all field offices, ensuring achievement according to targets, on time, within budget, consistent with high impact quality programming and in compliance with core protection principles and best practices, and DRC and donor regulations;
• Actively seek opportunities for generating and disseminating new research obtained by the program, managing adaptively throughout the program as necessary according to learnings.
• Coordinate technical inputs from the consortium’s Technical Coordinator and Advisors with implementers in the field to maintain a high level of program quality

Finance and Administration:

Working closely with the Support Services Manager/Head and the wider Finance Team, assume full responsibility and accountability as the primary

budget holder for the programme:

• Ensure that efficient and effective systems and procedures are established to monitor PbR requirements and demonstrate VfM .
• Oversee and regularly update a comprehensive master budget for the programme.
• Ensure full compliance with DRC and donor financial guidelines and policies.

Human Resources:

Working closely with the Head of Support Services and Human Resources Manager:

• Assume full responsibility over the programme team, with direct line management over Managers as indicated above. Manage all team members and support respectful and positive working relationships for quality programme implementation

Logistics and Procurement:

Working closely with the Head of Support Services:

• Ensure logistics and procurement processes are in place in all field offices and fully compliant with DRC and donor policies and standards.
• Work with the Field Coordinators to collaborate with the Supply Chain Manager, ensuring that field-based records are well managed, fulfil DRC and donor requirements, and are always up-to-date for use in donor reports.

Safety and Security:

• Ensure all relevant information regarding safety, security in the relevant context is collected, updated and shared in a regular and timely manner.
• Collaborate with the Senior Management Team to make decisions and manage security incidents at a local level.

Experience and Technical Competencies:

• Experience managing DFID contracts
• An advanced degree in a related field, such as international relations, migration, human rights, law, or social sciences;
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience working in international humanitarian and/or development aid, preferably with displaced populations, and with at least five (5) years as a Chief of Party or Deputy Chief of Party engaged in commercial contract delivery.
• Proven ability to manage consortia with extensive experience managing multi-agency program
• Technical expertise and experience in migration, protection and/or livelihoods programming
• Demonstrated experience in managing large multi-location programs in complex operating environments;
• Comprehensive understanding of DFID donor requirements, Value for Money and DFID results agenda
• Robust analytical and strategic planning skills
• Strong experience in management of finance and budget monitoring, financial forecasting, contracts and risk management
• Demonstrable track record of meeting or exceeding programme targets, whilst maintaining technical quality
• Highly diplomatic with excellent political awareness and understanding
• High-level communications and interpersonal skills
• A demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with host governments, donors, partners, local organizations, and other stakeholders
• Fluent in written and spoken English

Additional preferred background experience:

• Previous experience in the Horn of Africa or East Africa desirable with experience in Ethiopia preferred

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.

Apply here.
Deadline 10 November