DRC is recruiting for a highly qualified Emergency Manager to lead DRC’s overall safety management and access support across the large and diverse humanitarian operation in South Sudan.
Background
Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is operational in South Sudan since 2005, working with the overall aim of achieving durable solutions for displaced populations. The Humanitarian and Disarmament activities started in 2006.
Danish Refugee Council main programme objectives (2019-2021) in South Sudan are:
To save lives and alleviate suffering among displaced people and their hosts
To reduce displacement related risks and support and facilitate solutions
To promote peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies and address root causes to displacement
DRC primarily operates across Upper Nile and Unity states and other parts of the country, both of which are heavily affected by conflict and experience high numbers of internally displaced populations as well as refugees in need of humanitarian assistance. DRC has operational bases in Maban, Malakal, Kodok and Aburoc in Upper Nile, in Bentiu, Mayom, Kodok, Central Equatoria (Magwi and Ngulere), Ajuong Thok in Unity state, and the Mobile Response Team and all are supported by a country-office in Juba.
DRC recently developed important multi-sectorial mobile response teams based in Juba able to rapidly respond to new and urgent humanitarian situations countrywide at short notice to conduct assessments and responses
Overall purpose of the role:
Under the direct supervision of the Country Director, the Emergency Manager is responsible for the management and strategic development of the DRC Emergency Mobile Response Team and the guidance of wider emergency response programming across other field offices. The Emergency Manager is responsible to develop/update a comprehensive emergency preparedness and response plan (EPRP), emergency strategy and accompanying response modalities. Key to the position will be an ongoing analysis of the humanitarian context, developing emergency-related funding opportunities to support responses, and representing DRC at relevant cluster at cluster coordination meetings. The Emergency Manager will be the line manager for sector specific staff and be responsible for the overall safety and security management of the field activities, in close collaboration with the Country Safety Coordinator. In addition, the Emergency Manager is responsible for the development of tools and SOPs for multi-sectoral emergency responses and serve as the DRC South Sudan Emergency Rapid Response Mechanism (ERRM) focal point.
Responsibilities
To achieve the objectives of the position, the Emergency Manager will perform the following tasks and undertake the following responsibilities:
Programing
- Plan and oversee the deployment of the DRC Mobile Response Team in response to acute emergencies in hard to reach locations. Provide programme advice related to emergency response activities, including on management related issues.
- Review and provide feedback on sector specific and multi-sectoral needs assessments completed by the Mobile Response Teams.
- In collaboration with the MEAL team, responsible for the MEAL process, including the review of MEAL tools and systems, the feedback and complaint mechanism within the Mobile Response Team.
- Ensure the rigorous application of project cycle management standards at field level to achieve protection program quality in design, implementation and monitoring; i.e strengthening data collection, in-depth reporting and analyses, monitoring accountability initiatives, and documenting the impact of DRC presence in the field;
- Provide capacity building and technical support to the mobile protection team and other field offices on emergency response, including the Emergency Rapid Response Mechanism and activation of crisis modifiers.
- Provide regular updates on ongoing missions to the CD and relevant Technical Coordinators;
- Ensure synergy between Protection, CCCM, FSL and SNFI teams to strengthen multi-sectoral assessments and responses.
- Led in the development and review of funding opportunities to support the strategic expansion of DRCs emergency programming across South Sudan.
Context analysis and Strategy Development
- Engage in ongoing assessments of the humanitarian context across South Sudan as a means to update country-based emergency strategies and accompanying response modalities.
- Facilitate the development/review of Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP).
- Facilitate the roll-out and advise in the operationalization of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP).
- Develop/ Update the Mobile Rapid Response strategy and provide guidance during implementation of emergency responses in new areas of operation.
Finance and Supply Chain
- Serve as the overall budget holder for the Mobile Response Team activities and review/approve all expenditure requests.
- In collaboration with the Project Managers/Team Leaders prepare monthly forecasts for the Emergency program and track budget expenditures to ensure timely utilization of funds vis-à-vis work plans, and implementation schedules and adjust budget forecasts when needed.
- Guide the team in preparation of procurement plans for project activities and coordinate with logistics personnel on the procurement process. Collaborate with the Programme Support Specialist to ensure the completion and submission of SRFs to the Logistics Cluster and track the progress of movement of items to field locations.
Human Resources and Administration
- Overall responsibility for managing the Mobile Response Team, including direct line management of Project Managers and Team Leaders, ensuring a collaborative and positive working environment within the team.
- Support staff on recruitment efforts of national staff and lead on the recruitment of Project Managers in collaboration with HR, and regularly review staffing structures and staff deployment plans ensuring appropriate gender balance, paying sensitivity to ethnic contexts and expanding opportunities for nationalization.
- Ensure that all staff have completed the performance and appraisal process for their staff and also complete the process with staff under direct line management. Contribute activity to the evolution of the country office nationalization strategy and policies.
- Carry out staff skills needs assessments, prepare annual capacity building and training plans in consultation with the relevant Technical Coordinators and HR Manager and oversee the execution of the plan.
- Ensure staff is well versed on the DRC's Code of Conduct, accountability, respectful dialogue with communities, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.
Logistics, Procurement, Safety and Security
- Serve as the lead Safety focal point for the Mobile Response Teams, oversee and complete daily check-ins with field teams, in collaboration with the Safety Coordinator provide guidance and support to field teams in the management of security incidents.
- In collaboration with the CD and Safety Coordinator, closely monitor the situation and development in population movements, security context, accessibility constraints, and natural or environmental phenomena.
- Closely work with the CD and Safety Coordinator in planning and implementing appropriate safety measures that safeguard DRC team and assets during deployment, review mission safety plans.
- Ensure staff compliance with security management rules and procedures (for i.e. ensuring relevant documentation and procedures are understood and adhered to by staff).
- Ensure all staff have a specific mission order for deployment for assessment and interventions.
Coordination and Representation
- Serve as the DRC ERRM focal point and represent DRC at relevant cluster and coordination meetings, including providing presentations or briefings to key external stakeholders, planning and coordinating joint missions with ERRM partners.
- Identify gaps in service provision to displaced communities, proactively referring those gaps to relevant forums or advocating with government authorities or humanitarian partners for additional support
- Represent DRC at local level humanitarian response coordination meetings providing feedback and analysis to the CD with recommendations for future planning;
- Perform other relevant duties assigned by the line manager.
About You
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate each of DRC’ five core competencies:
- Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results through the Regional team both to position DRC and ensure excellence in all deliverable.
- Collaborating: You lead regional initiatives and processes by involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
- Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
- Communicating: You listen to other stakeholders and staff; and you communicate concisely and persuasively.
- Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with DRC’s vision and values.
Moreover, we also expect the following:
Experience and technical competencies
- University degree in law, international cooperation, social sciences or social work (bachelors as a minimum);
- At least five years’ international experience working in an emergency context in programme management and design.
- Experience in and knowledge of multi-sectoral programming, including knowledge of Camp Management and Camp Coordination, SNFI, and Protection programming in emergency contexts.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the Emergency Rapid Response Mechanism programme model.
- Experience in budget management and the development of proposal development for donors including ECHO, BHA, and the Country Humanitarian Funds.
- Demonstrated successful leadership experience managing a multi-disciplinary team and cross-cultural dynamics;
- Ability for rapid analysis of very complex issues, strong decision-making, and translation of programmatic learning and priorities into operational strategies;
- Higher level of diplomatic, access negotiation, and coordination skills are essential, both for internal coordination and for working with key stakeholders, experienced in participating in coordination meetings and engaging with donors.
- Experience of managing programs in a complex and rapidly changing security context, and the management of security incidents.
- Established capacity to deal with stressful situations, willingness to work in remote and isolated location;
- Ability to respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner, producing high-quality outcomes;
- Strong commitment to DRC vision, mission and core values;
- Good computer and IT skills and strong English communication and writing skills.
- Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Desirable qualifications
- An understanding of the South Sudan context.
- Self-motivated and able to work with a minimum of guidance and supervision;
- Experience working in security-sensitive environments and enforcement of team security protocols is an asset.
Conditions
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies. This position will be placed at Employment Band – F1 (Management).