Deputy Programme Manager

Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
INGO, non-profit, aid and support to refugees and IDPs
Closing date: 27 Mar 2009

Location: Kenya - Nairobi

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title: Deputy Program Manager South-Central Somalia

NOTE: This is a national post. The post is only open to people who are legally eligible to work in Kenya

Location: Nairobi with monthly travel to Somalia (Mogadishu and Hiran Region)

Start of Contract: April 2009

Duration of Contract: 1 year with possibility of renewal BACKGROUNDThe Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997.

In South-Central Somalia DRC implements humanitarian and recovery programs in the sectors of livelihoods, water & sanitation, social infrastructure, protection and humanitarian relief.

These programs target conflict affected populations in underserved areas.

PURPOSE

The Deputy Program Manager supports the Program Manager in the overall management of DRC South-Central’s large and diverse program portfolio.
S/he is the key conduit between program and support teams as well as between the field and relevant regional and HQ staff.
The Deputy Program Manager is a multi-tasker who is well versed in the program cycle, HR, budget management and basic logistics; and is able to create effective synergies between support and program teams

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program:
- Support the Program Manager in tracking/monitoring program progress against milestones
- Support Project Mangers in the development/up-date of work plans, procurement plans and budget forecasting
- Participate in program monitoring and evaluation
- Participate in strategic planning for operation as different scenarios and phases of recovery emerge; foster innovation, identify potential opportunities and challenges for implementation of new operations- Coordinate and develop proposals and budgets
- Strive to improve and maintain overall team cohesion and foster team-building Administration, Logistics & Finance
- Ensure that staff receive an appropriate level of logistical, technical, financial, managerial and administrative support to carry out their duties.
- Ensure staff performance/development system is properly established and adhered to; centralize and standardize all aspects of the performance/development cycle
- Support the recruitment process for senior and middle management staff; ensure staff benefits/responsibilities are addressed in due time (salary disbursal, grievances, contracts, visas, succession planning, probation, insurance, etc.); coordinate the orientation of newly arrived team members
- Ensure the implementation and monitoring of procurement, finance and administrative policies and procedures
- Ensure timely reactivity between HR, logistics and finance staff in HQ, regional and base offices - Provide ongoing guidance and support to logistic, admin and finance staff; liaise with field, regional and HQ finance, admin and logistics managers.
- Ensure timely and efficient use of donor funds through monthly budget review, feedback, problem solving and follow-up
- Provide monthly analysis of, and support Project Manager with action-plans for, exchange rate gains/losses- Ensure procurement and expenditure is executed in light of donor guidelines
- Ensure timely disbursements of funds and cash flows to field teams and partners
- Ensure the systematic up-date of relevant databases/records for HR, logistics and finance (assets, insurance, emergency information, etc.)
- Provide light logistical support (procurement, flight bookings, visas, coordination of events, etc.)

Coordination & Representation:

- Represent DRC and participate in relevant forums; as needed provide minutes
- Proactively coordinate with relevant stakeholders
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key partners and stakeholders within a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural environment.
- Build strong partnerships with peer organizations and stakeholder to provide input into setting the direction of the organization from both an operations and a programmatic perspective.

Reporting
- Support teams through the development of external/internal proposals and reports- Responsible for editing all reports for content, quality and use of language, as well as ensuring all reports meet requirements; ensure reporting deadlines are adhered to- Support reporting/writing/analysis skills development of relevant staff

QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Accounting Business, Management, or other related discipline (a Bachelor’s degree in one of the above disciplines with 5+ years of experience may substitute for a Master’s degree).
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, community development or related field- Minimum 3 years working experience with INGOs at the senior-management level- Demonstrated success in designing, monitoring and implementation of projects
- Ability to monitor a large, diverse program portfolio
- Possess strong analytical and conceptual skills - Solid experience in budget oversight and management- Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills; highly independent and self-motivated; ability to support others from a distance; networking and facilitation skills
- Proactive problem solver
- Excellent command of written and spoken English; proven ability to write and edit donor proposals/reports, budgets, and develop/maintain databases; well versed in Windows Word and Excel
- Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines
- Committed to extensive travel and living in highly volatile and insecure locations (Security Phase-4)- Previous experience in Somalia an added advantage

MANAGEMENT: The post has no direct management authority, however the post holder will matrix-mange relevant staff.
post reports to the South-Central Program Manager.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

This is a locally recruited post and is open to individuals who are legally able to work in Kenya. $4,000-$5,000 per month contingent on experience plus basic benefit package.

NOTE: The post holder will make frequent visits to South-Central Somalia where conditions are basic.
The areas that DRC operates in are highly volatile and insecure.
Please only apply for this post if you are willing to spend time working in Somalia.

How to apply

APPLICATION PROCESS

Deadline for applications is 27. March 2009.
Applicants should send a 1-page cover letter and their CV and to: DRCjobskenya@gmail.com Please write “Deputy South-Central PM” as the subject heading.

CVs longer then 4-pages will NOT be considered. Candidates that are short-listed will be interviewed and take a written test.