Ethiopia: Area Manager

Aug 4, 2014 | Danish Refugee Council

Currently DRC is implementing emergency WASH activities for Leit-Chuor and Kule refugee camps as well as the Burbeiy transit centre which includes standard WASH activities as needed. We are also engaged in NFI distribution, garbage pit and latrine construction. There will be engagement in Livelihoods development and implementation and possibly protection programming as required by the Government of Ethiopia (ARRA) and UNHCR. Currently this is a full on emergency response requiring high dedication, professionalism and long hours to ensure quality implementation leading to more protracted response.

About the Job

The Area Manager is responsible for overall management and strategic direction of DRC emergency programme in Dolo Ado. The programme covers but is not limited to NFI’s, Shelter, Community Driven Development and Livelihoods with Somali Refugees and refugee hosting communities, as well as displaced populations within the region. The Area manager will represent DRC with the local and regional government bodies, especially UNHCR, partners, beneficiaries and other (I)NGO’s as part of regular and quality communications to maintain good relations. The post holder will need to clearly understand and ensure fair, accountable and transparent management of programme, finance and human resources and promote a learning environment for staff and the organisation. The Area Manager will also be responsible for compliance to Standard Operating Procedures for safety, security and general operations.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Management

  • Overall responsibility for the design, implementation and effective monitoring of agreed projects and activities in areas of livelihoods and infrastructural projects with refugees and host communities.
  • Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and documentation of all activities and processes. Ensuring the analysis of data collected (at various levels) to inform activity changes to improve programme quality.
  • Ensure the development and implementation of all activities in line with Humanitarian Accountability Principles (HAP) and DRC programme policies especially gender, age and disability.
  • Proactively seeking funding opportunities to scale up and/or expand activities working closely with the Country Director and Country Advisors. This includes identifying and undertaking assessments and writing concepts and proposals.

Technical Programme

  • To be engaged strategically with all technical sectors as need and provide management and strategic input/oversight.
  • To facilitate linkages and support with Regional Advisors and be the point person if there are no technical leads.
  • Oversee and provide strategic support to sectoral teams (for now LVH, Community Driven Development, and Shelter.

Representation and Relations

  • Represent DRC with the regional/local governments, UN agencies and non-government organizations as needed. Ensure appropriate DRC staff attend the ad hoc and regular meetings, clusters, technical working groups as applicable to DRCs programme and work in the region.
  • Engage with all stakeholders as regularly as possible. This would include local and refugee leadership, local and regional government, Donors, and partners
  • Ensure accurate and on time reporting internally and externally. Including contributing to external donor reports and ensuring monthly DRC progress reports are sent to regional government, ARRA, UNHCR, and any other donor.

Team Management

  • Lead regular staff and management meetings at Dolo Ado level.
  • Manage direct reports to agreed job priorities and identify learning and development needs for programme staff, under your direct and indirect supervision. Bring human resource/staff management issues to the senior management team and/or CD for decisions.
  • With team leaders manage the programme activities budget lines; ensuring effective and efficient use of resources including financial, human and all assets.
  • Ensure programme teams work closely with the support team to delivery DRC policies and procedures in finance, procurement and logistics including effective planning weekly, monthly and quarterly.
  • Overall responsibility for security in and around the Dolo Ado zone including ensuring adherence to agreed security protocols, recommending changes to security protocols and working with the Logistics and Security Officer to deliver the agreed security action plan.
  • Any other activities as requested by the Country Director.

Qualifications

  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in programme development and implementation in emergency context, including quality monitoring and evaluation processes.
  • A University level degree in, social sciences or economics. Substantial work experience in the areas of emergency, camp management, development sector, especially with displaced/refugees communities can substitute education qualification.
  • Relevant technical expertise/experience in some sectors of humanitarian programming such as shelter, livelihoods, WASH, community development, etc.
  • Proven ability to build external relationships with diplomacy, tact and professionalism in a complex and demanding environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage and support multi-sector programmes including operational planning and problem solving.
  • Demonstrated experience of people management and team-building.
  • Demonstrated experience of financial and asset management,
  • Demonstrated ability to undertaken representation with senior government officials.
  • Excellent written and presentation skills in English
  • Strong analytical capacity for programme design and development.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Proficiency in common computer packages and financial software i.e. Word, Excel, Power point etc.
  • Must show ability to work in an isolated and challenging environment.

We Offer
DRC will offer the successful applicant a one year contract, renewable dependent on both funding and performance. You must be available to start work from August 2014 or before and be willing and able to work in Nyininyang with travel to Gambella and other locations in Ethiopia.

Based in Dolo Ado, Somali region with regular travel to relevant field sites. Dolo Ado is a security level 4 which is relatively high and therefore requires adherence to standard operating principles. It is a difficult posting but there is 1 weeks R&R every 6 weeks excluding annual leave. Benefits can been seen on DRC webpage.

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.

How to Apply:

Interested? Go to www.drc.dk > Vacancies > Current vacancies (click on the vacancy, then on “Apply” at the bottom of the window that opens).


All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV only applications will not be considered.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contactjob@drc.dk.

Applications close 10th of August 2014.