Danish Refugee Council in Ethiopia Job Vacancy for Chief of Party

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997 and initially focused assisting those who are displaced by conflict, but now works with all those in the region impacted by displacement. DRC has a presence across the region, and has been working in Ethiopia in 2009 and Djibouti since 2015 to address the needs of refugees, IDPs, host communities, and migrants in those countries. In Ethiopia, DRC has offices in Addis Ababa, Dollo Ado, Gambella, Jijiga, and Shire, and implements projects in numerous refugee camps and host communities as well as along migration pathways, across the country.
DRC, on behalf of a consortium made up of DRC and other NGO partners, is seeking an experienced and innovative Chief of Party (COP) based in Ethiopia for an anticipated DFID-funded migration project that will address irregular migration from and through Ethiopia as well as related issues.

The Position
The DRC-led consortium in Ethiopia is looking for a highly-qualified professional with strong experience in management and displacement programming for the COP position. The COP will be responsible for the overall management and implementation of a multi-year migration project, as well as providing leadership for the project consortium in the coordination of project activities among a diverse group of stakeholders and beneficiaries.

Responsibilities
The COP will manage and coordinate the programmatic, technical, logistical, and administrative aspects of the anticipated project. Specifically, the COP’s responsibilities are expected to include:

  • Ensuring delivery of the project’s objectives and accountability to consortium partners and the donor;
  • Supervising project progress and coordinating project activities across Ethiopia;
  • Leading the overall technical and financial performance of the consortium, including project planning and budget follow-up;
  • Managing the Consortium Management Unit (CMU) seated within DRC;
  • Recruiting, hiring, and managing consortium-specific staff, consultants, and sub-contractors as needed to carry out activities;
  • Ensuring that technical, financial, and administrative activities are carried out according to DFID and DRC’s policies and procedures;
  • Managing the project’s relationship with local government authorities and other stakeholders;
  • Making sure that project reporting is completed timely and properly;
  • Travelling frequently throughout Ethiopia for project purposes;
  • Working closely with the consortium’s Steering Committee made up of consortium partners to ensure that each partner delivers their parts of the project;
  • Guaranteeing that technical inputs from the consortium’s Technical Advisory Group are used to maintain a high level of project quality;
  • Engaging in frequent, routine communication with the DRC Country Director and partners’ consortium focal points, so they are aware of both progress and potential issues; and
  • Representing the consortium in local, national, and international meetings and events as appropriate.

In this position, you will also be 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.

Reporting
The Chief of Party reports directly to DRC’s Country Director for Ethiopia and Djibouti.

Requirements
To be successful as COP of this project, you must have:

  • An advanced degree in a displacement-related field, such as international relations, project management, human rights, law, or social sciences;
  • A minimum of 10 years’ experience working in international humanitarian and/or development aid, preferably with displaced populations, and with at least three (3) years being in a COP or Deputy COP position or its equivalent;
  • Demonstrated experience in managing large field operations, grants, and/or consortia;
  • Robust analytical and strategic planning skills;
  • High-level communications and interpersonal skills;
  • A demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with host governments, donors, partners, local organizations, and other stakeholders; and
  • Fluency in written and spoken English.

Additional preferred background experience:

  • Technical expertise and experience in migration, protection, and/or livelihoods programming;
  • Previous experience in the Horn of Africa or East Africa desirable with experience in Ethiopia preferred; and
  • Prior management of DFID-funded programs.

Conditions
Contract: DRC will offer the successful applicant a 24-month renewable contract, conditional on secured funding. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC’s current Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.ngo under Vacancies for the same.

This position is rated as A11 on the DRC salary scale available at www.drc.dk or competitive salary for National staff as per DRC national staff terms of employment.

Duty station: This position is an accompanied position and will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,

General
Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework

How to apply:

Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit an updated CV and cover letter explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the post.

DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.dk under Vacancies.
Please forward the application and CV, in English through the online application no later than 6 August, 2017

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact

Please note that this COP position is contingent upon successfully obtaining donor funding for this project.