Employer: Danish Demining Group
Location: Afghanistan
Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is looking for an experienced and capable Area Manager for our activities in the Southern areas, based in our Kandahar sub-office with regular travels to Kabul.
Context and background of DRC in Afghanistan
Three decades of conflict have left Afghanistan as one of the world’s poorest countries, despite modest progress reported in the health and education sector. According to the UNDP, the life expectancy at birth is 44 years. Only 23 percent of the population enjoy access to safe water and 88 percent of Afghans do not have access to adequate sanitation. The country’s limited resources are further strained by the return of over five million refugees since the fall of the Taliban regime in late 2001, and by the large number of IDPs, who have been forced from their lands due to conflict and drought amongst other causes.
Promoting solutions for IDPs in accordance with internationally acceptable principles, including local integration as a possible solution alongside return, is challenging. Since 2002, over 5.6 million Afghan refugees have returned home. These returnees represent nearly a quarter of Afghanistan’s population, yet more than 40% have not fully reintegrated, and almost half a million IDPs are also not integrated; given their inherent destabilizing potential, this represents a significant security concern.
DRC started up its programme in Afghanistan in January 2011. The goal of DRC’s work is to promote durable solutions to refugee and displacement problems, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works with the urban IDP case load but also with rural communities in Kabul province with a high return rate, as well as DRC provides logistic support to UNCHR across country. Sector wise activities are mainly focused on protection, livelihood, community mobilisation/infra-structure, and emergency logistics/response.
Key responsibilities
The Area Manager is responsible for the coordination, management, development and representation of DRC programming in the southern Afghanistan. s/he will normalize administration (HR/Finance), logistics (Procurement, Supply) and programme implementation. s/he will ensure that field teams are prepared to respond to emergencies and concurrently ensure the safety and security of DRC staff and assets in her/his area of responsibility. The Area Manager will assist in the Programme Managers’ follow-up of technical departments’ field work, promoting at the same time programme integration while acting as a conduit and focal point for coordination as the senior representative of DRC in the area.
The position requires a high degree of responsibility, flexibility and understanding of complex organisational charts including horizontal liaising among different senior managers. S/he reports to the DRC Country Director. The key responsibilities include:
Representation
• Act as the main DRC representative in the area and attend all relevant forums/meetings including active participation in the Humanitarian Regional Team (HRT) with the objective to strengthen DRC’s position in the area;
• Develop, implement and regularly revise a DRC engagement strategy and acceptance in the area;
• Identify and build relationships with authorities and other relevant actors in the area.
Management
• Leadership, coordination and integration of DRC activities in the area including, but not limited, to livelihood, protection and emergency response;
• Direct line management of the staff based in Kandahar, including recruitment, coaching, capacity building and ensuring interdepartmental co-ordination;
• Liaise and closely coordinate with the senior management team based in Kabul (PMs, M&E, HoFA, SA etc);
• Ensure a rights-based approach to all DRC programming in his/her area of responsibility;
• Encourage a positive, innovative and mutually supportive team spirit amongst the Kandahar team.
Programme development
• Lead the process of adapting DRC national strategy on the local context and circumstances, including the engagement strategy to gradually increase humanitarian access for DRC in the area;
• Be a driving force in terms of developing DRC programme in the southern Afghanistan and provide input to fundraising efforts;
• Draft and present to the DRC country office regular analysis on the context and humanitarian situation in his/her area of responsibility to inform future proposal development processes in the area.
Safety and Security
• Act as security manager in the area ensuring adherence to security procedures and monitoring the development in the security situation;
• Actively support the country safety department to develop and regularly update the local security plan for his/her area of responsibility;
• Be a member or actively support the Crisis Management Team as required and if requested;
• Develop and maintain a security focal persons' network in his/her area of responsibility.
Finance and administration
• Provide budget monitoring, financial control in compliance with DRC country office requirements;
• Ensure necessary systems in procurement are in place.
Reporting
• Ensure compliance with internal reporting system and participate in the DRC internal coordination mechanisms as required.
Accountability
• Guided by the DRC Programme Handbook, continuously monitor and suggest relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of DRC activities in the area.
Qualifications
• University degree in international relations, management, human rights, social science or related field;
• Minimum 5 years professional work experience within international humanitarian/development work;
• Good understanding of displacement issues of both internally displaced and refugees and related international standards/frameworks;
• Solid project management experience;
• Extensive experience in representation and networking;
• Excellent analytical and strategic skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with local staff and other stakeholders;
• Excellent negotiation, advocacy and communication skills;
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English;
• Knowledge of displacement issues and local context in Afghanistan is a clear asset.
• Ability to live and work in a insecure, isolated and changing environment.
We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of age, nationality, race, gender or age.
Conditions
Availability: As soon as possible.
Duty station: Kandahar, Afghanistan with frequent trips to Kabul.
Contract: 6 months with the possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance.
Salary and other conditions in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates, which can be found on our website www.drc.dk under Vacancies. The position is placed at Level A10.
Further information
You are welcome to contact Head of Desk, Rikke Johannessen: ph. +45 3373 5037, for additional information on the position. For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk.
Application and CV
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications sent together with a CV will be considered. Please provide references, but do not attach any written recommendations.
Please submit your application and CV in English and marked “Area Manager – Kandahar". CV-only applications will not be considered. Please note that applications are not to be sent to Ms. Johannessen. We only accept applications sent via our online recruitment system on www.drc.dk under Vacancies/Current vacancies/Area Manager – Kandahar. Applications sent directly to Ms. Johannessen will not be considered.
Problems with on-line application?
Please contact Camilla Lenti/Anne Poulsen, job@drc.dk, if you have questions to the application process or experience problems with your on-line application.
About DRC
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty five countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief. The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRC’s work.
Apply Online
Location: Afghanistan
Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is looking for an experienced and capable Area Manager for our activities in the Southern areas, based in our Kandahar sub-office with regular travels to Kabul.
Context and background of DRC in Afghanistan
Three decades of conflict have left Afghanistan as one of the world’s poorest countries, despite modest progress reported in the health and education sector. According to the UNDP, the life expectancy at birth is 44 years. Only 23 percent of the population enjoy access to safe water and 88 percent of Afghans do not have access to adequate sanitation. The country’s limited resources are further strained by the return of over five million refugees since the fall of the Taliban regime in late 2001, and by the large number of IDPs, who have been forced from their lands due to conflict and drought amongst other causes.
Promoting solutions for IDPs in accordance with internationally acceptable principles, including local integration as a possible solution alongside return, is challenging. Since 2002, over 5.6 million Afghan refugees have returned home. These returnees represent nearly a quarter of Afghanistan’s population, yet more than 40% have not fully reintegrated, and almost half a million IDPs are also not integrated; given their inherent destabilizing potential, this represents a significant security concern.
DRC started up its programme in Afghanistan in January 2011. The goal of DRC’s work is to promote durable solutions to refugee and displacement problems, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works with the urban IDP case load but also with rural communities in Kabul province with a high return rate, as well as DRC provides logistic support to UNCHR across country. Sector wise activities are mainly focused on protection, livelihood, community mobilisation/infra-structure, and emergency logistics/response.
Key responsibilities
The Area Manager is responsible for the coordination, management, development and representation of DRC programming in the southern Afghanistan. s/he will normalize administration (HR/Finance), logistics (Procurement, Supply) and programme implementation. s/he will ensure that field teams are prepared to respond to emergencies and concurrently ensure the safety and security of DRC staff and assets in her/his area of responsibility. The Area Manager will assist in the Programme Managers’ follow-up of technical departments’ field work, promoting at the same time programme integration while acting as a conduit and focal point for coordination as the senior representative of DRC in the area.
The position requires a high degree of responsibility, flexibility and understanding of complex organisational charts including horizontal liaising among different senior managers. S/he reports to the DRC Country Director. The key responsibilities include:
Representation
• Act as the main DRC representative in the area and attend all relevant forums/meetings including active participation in the Humanitarian Regional Team (HRT) with the objective to strengthen DRC’s position in the area;
• Develop, implement and regularly revise a DRC engagement strategy and acceptance in the area;
• Identify and build relationships with authorities and other relevant actors in the area.
Management
• Leadership, coordination and integration of DRC activities in the area including, but not limited, to livelihood, protection and emergency response;
• Direct line management of the staff based in Kandahar, including recruitment, coaching, capacity building and ensuring interdepartmental co-ordination;
• Liaise and closely coordinate with the senior management team based in Kabul (PMs, M&E, HoFA, SA etc);
• Ensure a rights-based approach to all DRC programming in his/her area of responsibility;
• Encourage a positive, innovative and mutually supportive team spirit amongst the Kandahar team.
Programme development
• Lead the process of adapting DRC national strategy on the local context and circumstances, including the engagement strategy to gradually increase humanitarian access for DRC in the area;
• Be a driving force in terms of developing DRC programme in the southern Afghanistan and provide input to fundraising efforts;
• Draft and present to the DRC country office regular analysis on the context and humanitarian situation in his/her area of responsibility to inform future proposal development processes in the area.
Safety and Security
• Act as security manager in the area ensuring adherence to security procedures and monitoring the development in the security situation;
• Actively support the country safety department to develop and regularly update the local security plan for his/her area of responsibility;
• Be a member or actively support the Crisis Management Team as required and if requested;
• Develop and maintain a security focal persons' network in his/her area of responsibility.
Finance and administration
• Provide budget monitoring, financial control in compliance with DRC country office requirements;
• Ensure necessary systems in procurement are in place.
Reporting
• Ensure compliance with internal reporting system and participate in the DRC internal coordination mechanisms as required.
Accountability
• Guided by the DRC Programme Handbook, continuously monitor and suggest relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of DRC activities in the area.
Qualifications
• University degree in international relations, management, human rights, social science or related field;
• Minimum 5 years professional work experience within international humanitarian/development work;
• Good understanding of displacement issues of both internally displaced and refugees and related international standards/frameworks;
• Solid project management experience;
• Extensive experience in representation and networking;
• Excellent analytical and strategic skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with local staff and other stakeholders;
• Excellent negotiation, advocacy and communication skills;
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English;
• Knowledge of displacement issues and local context in Afghanistan is a clear asset.
• Ability to live and work in a insecure, isolated and changing environment.
We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of age, nationality, race, gender or age.
Conditions
Availability: As soon as possible.
Duty station: Kandahar, Afghanistan with frequent trips to Kabul.
Contract: 6 months with the possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance.
Salary and other conditions in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates, which can be found on our website www.drc.dk under Vacancies. The position is placed at Level A10.
Further information
You are welcome to contact Head of Desk, Rikke Johannessen: ph. +45 3373 5037, for additional information on the position. For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk.
Application and CV
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications sent together with a CV will be considered. Please provide references, but do not attach any written recommendations.
Please submit your application and CV in English and marked “Area Manager – Kandahar". CV-only applications will not be considered. Please note that applications are not to be sent to Ms. Johannessen. We only accept applications sent via our online recruitment system on www.drc.dk under Vacancies/Current vacancies/Area Manager – Kandahar. Applications sent directly to Ms. Johannessen will not be considered.
Problems with on-line application?
Please contact Camilla Lenti/Anne Poulsen, job@drc.dk, if you have questions to the application process or experience problems with your on-line application.
About DRC
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty five countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief. The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRC’s work.
Apply Online