Danish Refugee Council (DRC) Livelihoods (Economic Recovery & Resilience) Coordinator Job Vacancy

We are looking for a highly qualified and self-motivated Livelihoods (Economic Recovery) Coordinator who is able to work with diverse teams of both national and international staff as well as local government authorities, UN agencies, I/NGOs and other partners under difficult, stressful and sometimes insecure conditions .

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 Danish Demining Group (DDG) started Humanitarian Mine Action 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, 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 and in Bentiu, Mayom, Kodok and Ajuong Thok in Unity state, 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

Purpose of the post

Reporting to the Head of Programmes, The Livelihood Coordinator will have overall responsibility for the development and coordination of effective intervention in South Sudan. A strong emphasis will be put on development of the Economic recovery, resilience and Livelihoods strategies and portfolio, increasing quality resilience work and self-reliance interventions. The Livelihood Coordinator will provide strategic vision and sectorial technical support to DRC technical teams (managers and officers) in the field and to Area Managers in order to support the designing and delivery of effective and high quality economic recovery resilience and livelihood programming. One of the key roles of the Livelihoods Coordinator is to constantly improve programme quality and relevance. This can be done by designing appropriate tools based on needs identified in the field, developing innovative approach, troubleshooting issues arising in areas, compiling lessons learned and promoting best practices across sites. While the Livelihoods Coordinator does not directly manage the Livelihoods teams and is not directly in charge of project implementation, they are responsible for the mentoring, capacity building and training of Livelihood Managers and officers based on technical needs identified amongst the staff.

The Livelihoods Coordinator will ensure a close collaboration and strong external relations, as required, with clusters, donors and other sector relevant partners. The Livelihoods Coordinator will identify funding opportunity for DRC in Livelihoods and support the development of programmes with the Head of Programmes, Grants Management Coordinator and field staff. The Livelihoods Coordinator supports networking and partnership development, will attend the national FS/Livelihoods cluster, key sector forums and other relevant working groups, including linkages with DRC regional and global livelihoods technical advisers ensuring information flow to and from field sites.

Responsibilities

Strategic programme development :

Lead in the development and launch of a new country resilience and livelihood policy and programme guidance, including developing training and materials
Ensure high quality and timely resilience, market, food security, and livelihood assessments and provide prioritized recommendations for programme interventions to the Country programme
Design effective response programmes in resilience, food security, agriculture and livelihood, with an emphasis on cross-sectoral program responses and strategy, in collaboration with country and Area teams
Campaigning DRC’s livelihood and resilience findings, best practice and evidence around displaced communities
Draft technical proposals and budgets for international donors, work in close collaboration with DRC grants and finance staff to finalize proposals and respond to any requests for additional information
Select and implement appropriate monitoring systems; ensure consistent reporting and analysis of results to enhance program effectiveness and quality in collaboration with the country Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) personnel
Identify axes of improvement on the quality and impact of DRC economic recovery programming in South Sudan and develop innovative approaches – produce guideline to implements these improvements and innovations.
Identify opportunities and facilitate strategic assessments in the field in coordination with the Head of Programme, MEAL Manager and Sector Managers in the field. Participate in assessments when required;
Contributing to livelihoods proposal development, providing strategic direction, innovative approaches in consultation with DRC Grant Management team and Sector Managers. Support the Grants Team in the definition and description of resilience, economic recovery and livelihood activities, on the preparation of log frames with SMART indicators and on the development of the budget.
Ensure conflict-sensitivity and protection principles are mainstreamed throughout the programme strategy and implementation, including land dispute issues, safety and dignity, and gender dynamics.

External relations:

Represent DRC in external meetings related to Livelihoods, resilience and economic recovery, attend and engage in strategic discussions during the FS/Livelihoods national cluster meetings;
Present DRC livelihood strategy, innovative approaches, assessment outcomes, or/and key achievement in donor meeting or/and in National and State Cluster meetings;
Establish links with all relevant technical actors and stakeholders;
Stay up to date with donor strategies and practices within South Sudan and provide technical backstopping to the Head of Programme in donor relations;
Maintain close collaboration and good relations as required with donors and other partners.
Identify funding opportunity for DRC in livelihoods, resilience and economic recovery

Staff capacity building:

Identify axes of improvement and potential gaps in technical capacity of DRC staff
Prepare a training plan to build the capacity of DRC FS/Livelihoods staff, in coordination with DRC Area Managers
Ensure roll out of the agreed training plan in all sites including preparation of materials and training reports and follow up to the trainings.
Build DRC staff capacity in the utilization of economic recovery methodologies and resources,

Technical advice:

Provide technical support on cash or voucher programming design and implementation, market strengthening, and internal collaboration among operational and programmatic stakeholders involved in cash/voucher programming to the country programme.
Facilitate and/or participate in relevant meetings, workshops, seminars and trainings; support technical coordinators from other sectors to apply a resilience, livelihoods and market-sensitive lens to cross-sectoral assessments and program design
Provide technical support and advice to FS/Livelihoods Managers and FS/Livelihoods staff on implementation of economic recovery activities;
Provide guidance on development of new economic recovery activities;
Promote a participatory approach (engagement of affected population) and sustainable approach to economic recovery in the DRC programme;

Coordination and Information sharing

Strengthen economic recovery programmatic synergies between DRC different implementation areas and between DRC’s different projects and donors

Facilitate communication and coordination between DRC FS/Livelihoods staff based in different locations via information sharing, skype group, workshops and trainings. Ensure a strong information flow to and from field sites, including updates to and from the FS/Livelihoods Cluster;
Ensure that DRC livelihood, resilience and economic recovery programme meets overall programme quality and learning standards. Ensures support to Livelihoods staff with guidelines on quality, impact and accountability.
Support the Livelihoods Team to ensure that DRC is implementing high quality programming in accordance with DRC regional and global standards as well as international standards and best practice across DRC South Sudan
Identify gaps and needs in livelihood, resilience and economic recovery programme in DRC IDPs and Refugees sites;

Ensure link and integration of livelihoods activities with other DRC sectors (CCCM, Protection/SGBV, NFI/Shelter, WASH and Durable Solutions, Mine Action and AVR). Support sector managers on donor reports preparation and review for projects – review performance/progress assessments against pre-defined project objectives, outputs, activities and indicators.

About You

Experience and technical competencies

The desired candidate is expected to have senior level management experience and a demonstrable successful track record of strategic programme development, capacity building and effective programme implementation and monitoring. s/he must also be able to conceptualize and articulate DRC vision and have the strong oral and written communication skill required to translate the vision into tangible action. The incumbent is expected to have extensive donor, government and partner engagement experiences.

Experience and understanding of refugee and displacement issues is an advantage and ideally the candidate will have a good understanding of the region and/or from other similar protection situations

Technical competencies

A degree in agriculture, agribusiness, social sciences, international development or equivalent degree qualifications (Masters level preferred);
At least 5 years’ experience in food security, economic recovery in fragile states, and conflict environments essential Master’s degree, in resilience/international development, food security, agriculture, nutrition or related field
Excellent understanding of resilience, food security and livelihoods technical concepts and experience conducting detailed market, food security and livelihood needs assessments.
Demonstrated ability to work across functions and sectors to design and implement high-quality market-based programming, and in-depth knowledge of supply chain and financial management and controls of cash and/or voucher programs
Demonstrated ability to communicate technical expertise and standards and implement best practice approaches to implementing rapid, consistent, high quality emergency projects as well as protracted displacement situations
Experience managing donor funded programs and grants; including staff management, budget oversight, monitoring and evaluation systems, and technical input to proposal-budget development and donor reports.
Fluent and articulate in spoken and written English.
Experienced with conflict related displacement issues
Experience working in security-sensitive environments and enforcement of team security protocols is an asset

Personal competencies

Excellent internal and external communication and coordination capabilities and excellent team building and management skills
Continuous Learning; a colleague who promotes continuous learning for self and others;
Creativity and Initiative; someone that actively seeks new ways of improving programmes, services and partnership
Performance Management; a person who identify ways and implement actions to improve performance of self and others
Self-motivated and able to work with a minimum of guidance and supervision;
Fluency in written and spoken English language

Commitments

DRC adheres to the Core Humanitarian Standards. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of these standards

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.

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 – F (Non Management).

Key stakeholders: (internal and external)

FS/Livelihoods staff in the field
Area Manager/ Head of Programme
Cluster coordination bodies

Application process

Interested candidates are required to Click Here to Apply

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English. CV only applications will not be considered.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact www. d rc.ngo/jobsupport

Applications close 28th May, 2020.

Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In the light of this, women are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.

Equal opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employee. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status or other protected characteristics

Need further information?

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website www.drc.ngo