East Africa: Expatriate program manager - Danish Refugee Council

EXPATRIATE PROGRAMME MANAGER

Somali Displacement Programme in Mogadishu(currently based in Nairobi, with visits to Mogadishu)

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) invites applications for the position as Programme Manager (PM) for its program dealing with population displacement in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Since 1997 DRC has worked in Somalia (Somaliland, Puntland, Hiiran) to support the reintegration of returning refugees from neighbouring countries as well as to assist the large population of internally displaced persons. In 2006, DRC began working with the displaced in Mogadishu to better understand their plight, provide immediate humanitarian relief and, finally, to prepare the displaced for a time that a durable solution to their displacement becomes possible.
The programme will operate with three main components to achieve its long-term objective:
• Development of better knowledge of the needs (and develop the capacities) of IDPs through a number of initiatives including the profiling of the IDPs situation, working with the IDP leadership to improve their capacity to interact with authorities and participation in a number of working groups aiming to find solutions to IDP issues in Mogadishu.
• Provision of humanitarian and livelihoods support to IDPs during their displacement. Support has included/will include temporary shelter, improvements to sanitation, facilitated access to credit and other initiatives as prioritised under the first component.
• Advocacy for human rights and peace-building including protection of returnees and IDP’s. While working on all aspects of rights advocacy, a particular focus is the support to traditional conflict resolution activities as well as the integration of traditional leadership systems into rights protection.

In addition to a contribution from its own funds, DRC has also received seed funding from UNHCR for this program and is currently in the process of applying for continued funding with several donors.

DUTIES
The PM is currently based in Nairobi, with expectation of moving to Mogadishu when the situation stabilises. Under the guidance of the Regional Director (based in Nairobi), s/he has the overall responsibility for the implementation of the current DRC programme and to lead further programme development.

Owing to the current situation in Mogadishu, all work is through local partners who require monitoring and support. As well as providing this support the PM will lead a small team of DRC staff assisting with program design, contract preparation, monitoring and evaluation. The PM is responsible for all aspects of program leadership, including financial and narrative reporting responsibilities.

As part of DRC’s regional approach, the PM will be expected to work closely with other DRC Managers and Advisors working in Somalia and Kenya.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Proven (3 year minimum) management skills, including financial management, from a developing country;
• Solid professional experience of working with local partners including supporting community based planning, implementation and monitoring through participatory processes;
• Experience in negotiating with individuals, communities, organisations, donors and authorities at all levels in a conflict or post-conflict situation;
• Fluency in written and spoken English;

The following qualifications, while not essential, are highly desirable:
• Experience from working in post-conflict areas with refugees/IDP’s;
• Work experience in Somalia or with Somalis;
• Knowledge of Somali or Arabic;
• Technical experience in one or more of: Local Capacity Building, Livelihood Development, WatSan, Conflict Resolution;

CONDITIONS
Duty station:
Currently Nairobi, Kenya with expectation of moving to Mogadishu when the situation stabilises. Subject to security, frequent travel to Mogadishu is to be expected in any event.
Contract:
6 months, in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s “Terms of Employment for Expatriates (available at www.drc.dk under Vacancies). Extension subject to satisfactory performance and funding
Commencement:
1 July 2007

FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information on the programme and the position, please contact Anders Knudsen on email: [email protected] Please note that applications are NOT to be sent to Anders Knudsen, but to [email protected]

APPLICATION AND CV
Only applications with a CV and letter of application that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered.

CV-only applications will NOT be considered.

Please forward application, in English, marked “Mogadishu - PM“, by email no later than Monday, 30. April, 2007 to [email protected]

The Danish Refugee Council kindly requests that you, in your application, state where you first saw this job-posting.

Interviews are expected to take place in Nairobi during the last 2 weeks of May 2007