Project Coordinator (Area Lead) Deris Wanaag – 2 positions

About DRC   
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental and non-profit organization, founded in 1956, that works in more than 35 countries around the world. DRC is one of the largest protection actors in Kenya, actively coordinating and advocating for improving the protective environment for refugees and host communities.  DRC implements Protection monitoring, Child Protection and GBV prevention and response programmes in its areas of operation to address protection issues faced by displaced and non-displaced at-risk groups and individuals. The programme also aims to identify and build synergies with DRC´s Economic Recovery sector to facilitate durable solutions and Humanitarian Disarmament & Peace Building activities to enhance to respond to the needs of communities affected by acute crisis as well as those in protracted displacement situations.

The overall purpose of the role: 
The Area Lead is responsible for leading project activities in the relevant field location. The AL will support the Implementation Lead in representing the project with local authorities, beneficiary communities and other key stakeholders. The Area Lead is responsible for coordinating all project activities including context monitoring, M&E, research support, stakeholder engagement and policy support, and grantee oversight and support. The Area Lead will ensure that project activities within their location are delivered in a timely and high-quality fashion, concerning DRC’s commitment to accountability. The primary role of the Area Lead is to support the design, implementation, monitoring and reporting of grantee project activities in line with conflict sensitive, gender equality and social inclusion project policies.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Programme Management, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation
• Leads on Deris Wanaag implementation at area level
• Leads on supporting and overseeing grantee implementation in the field
• Leads on operational aspects of high-level delivery, including management of project office, organisation and coordination of project team travel and accommodation logistics
• Ensures compliance with corporate policies rules and regulations
• Ensures optimum operational support to the project team in line with project guidelines
• Responsible for maintaining project Asset Register, if required by DRC’s client
• Supports the Implementation Lead in the day-to-day design, delivery, and progress of the project activities against agreed targets
• Takes an active role in periodic project review and planning meetings, and external meetings as often as required
• Supports regular project reporting on field-level implementation, context and challenges.
• Supports project work planning, including the development of field-level activity-based budgets (ABBs) and procurement plans.
• Supports the project team in identifying risks and challenges and identifying mitigation and management approaches.

Grants Management

• Supports the design and proposal for all grantees for Garissa and Lower Juba.
• Reviews and oversees progress against grant agreements, including monitoring of implementation to ensure timely results.
• Works closely with M&E staff to document project results and lessons learned, and ensure they are fed into the design of future grants.
• Ensures grantee activities comply with project policies on conflict sensitivity, Do No Harm and gender equality and social inclusion (GESI)
• Supports the Fund Manager and Implementation Lead with any other grant’s management-related tasks, as required.
• Supports Research and Evidence team with support on context analysis and facilitation of research-related activities.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Promotes collaboration and synergy between the project, grantees, local authorities and local communities to promote local acceptance of activities
• Supports the Implementation Lead and Policy and Government Engagement Lead to liaise with stakeholders and the relevant Government of Somalia/Government of Ethiopia, from the location to divisional levels, as needed.
• Participate in external stakeholder meetings and maintain external relations involving government officials and other key stakeholders.
• Support delivery of cross-border activities and stakeholder engagement.

Experience and technical competencies: 

• Must be well experienced with grant management skills and Grant development
• Minimum of at least five years’ experience working in security sector/development and/or humanitarian programming, especially in the thematic areas of peacebuilding, community engagement and livelihoods.
• Proven analytical skills and ability to think strategically.
• Conceptual understanding of the participatory approach and sustainable development
• Proven people management and communication skills leading a multidisciplinary team
• Demonstrable experience in supervising managing coaching and training others, especially local, community-based organisations
• Must have a ‘hands-on’, practical and solutions-oriented mentality, be self-driven and be very motivated.
• Must be well organised, able to take initiative and work independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and good command of English.
• Experience in working in complex and hardship areas/contexts.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Project Management, or any other related fields.

Language: 

• Excellent written and spoken English
• Fluency in the relevant local language required

Key stakeholders: 
Internal: Project team

External: National and Regional government authorities, INGO, NGOs, CSOs, Grantees

About you:  
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s 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 our vision and values.

Conditions  

• Contract: One-year contract with possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment.
• Availability:September 2024
• Duty station: Garissa office & Mandera Triangle

Application and CV:  
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered.  
DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies. Please remember to upload both a letter of application and your CV and do not attach any written recommendations.  
Please submit your application and CV in English no later than 26th August 2024

Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels.  In light of this, Female candidates and those from minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer.  We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees.  We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, color, race, marital status or other protected characteristics.  
DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process. Visit drc.ngo to read more about what we do to secure robust safeguarding mechanisms. 
If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/jobsupport.