Programme Manager (Sokoto State)

Introduction

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a Danish international non-governmental organisation, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world. DRC is present in more than 30 conflict territories around the world assisting displaced people with shelter, food, income-generating activities, and a wide range of other assistance. It is of utmost importance for DRC to work in compliance with the DRC Accountability and Quality Management system and national legislations. Smooth, reliable, and effective operational systems are preconditions for DRC to maintain its position as a trustworthy and reliable partner for our donors and an accountable organisation towards our beneficiaries.

Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015 and has experience working in 33 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the BAY states and Northwest Nigeria (Sokoto and Zamfara). DRC provides life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including IDPs, returnees, and host communities in the sectors of armed violence reduction, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter, and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).

The operational contexts in northeastern and northwestern Nigeria remain challenging, as the ongoing conflict impedes conflict-affected communities’ access to what limited basic services are available, as well as DRC and other humanitarians’ access to persons of concern.

Purpose

The Programme Manager will provide leadership in the design, delivery and quality of DRC programs/projects in the area and would be responsible for compliance to DRC policies and procedures.  As DRC’s primary representative and line manager of all program staff in the area, the Program Manager is responsible for the coordination, management, development and representation of DRC programming in the area. S/he will oversee program implementation according to DRC strategies in the area and ensure that operations are implemented within DRC’s regulations, procedures, guidelines and strategy; enable a productive and accountable relationship with beneficiaries, communities’ leaders/representatives, relevant governmental authorities, donors, national and International NGOs and UN Agencies

Duties and Responsibilities:

Management of DRC area portfolio

• Oversee programme quality of current and proposed projects.
• Lead on the planning and kick-off of new projects in the area (Project Planning, grant opening meetings, Project Implementation Plans development, etc.)
• Provide line management and daily support to sectoral team leaders to implement project activities on time, scope, and budget.
• Ensure compliance with donor guidelines during project implementation
• Ensure programmatic positions are staffed and projects are on track
• Develop clear lines of communication between project staff and partners
• Develop tools and processes to capture, share and incorporate lessons learned and best practices to inform and enhance quality of programming
• Lead on the rollout and implementation of DRC Project Cycle Management tools
• Ensure narrative and financial reporting is timely and be a key focal point for the donor
• Oversee area budget management ensuring timely and accurate expenditure and flagging any issues with SMT in a timely manner. 

Strategy and funding development and resource mobilization

• Regularly provide updates to the CD, HoP and TCs on needs evolution in the area, results of assessment, and engagement with external stakeholders to inform project design.
• Lead and coordinate partnership assessments for DRC's local partners
• In coordination with the Head of Programme and Technical coordinators, lead the consolidation of inputs for proposal development
• Ensure the existence of emergency response preparedness capacities within the area office.

Advocacy, coordination and representation

• Represent DRC in relevant humanitarian coordination fora, engaging with UN & INGO counterparts and proactively seeking to shape agendas in line with DRC and humanitarian priorities. In addition, represent the programme to partners and authorities to boost DRC's profile and portfolio.
• Ensure a coordinated DRC's programme response across sectors within the area office.
• Ensure all relevant program approvals are obtained and up to date
• Represent DRC to relevant national authorities

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility.
• Accountable for making significant decisions on programme implementation with the area office
• Accountable for people management of all direct reports. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC

The responsibilities listed above are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Experience and technical competencies:

Essential:

• Master's degree in a relevant subject
• At least 5 years' experience in a project/ program management role involving responsibility for developing new and successful proposals.
• Strong experience in implementing durable solutions and self-reliance program interventions with a focus on economic recovery, WASH and protection sectors, across the entire project cycle with be of an added advantage:
• At least 3 years' experience with people management
• Skills and experience in project/program planning, delivery, monitoring, reporting, review and evaluation
• Skills in fundraising, budget management and donor reporting/ accountability/ compliance
• Experience in working in complex emergencies or challenging security settings and within security management frameworks.
• Calm and diplomatic in nature.
• Experience in capacity building of staff and local partners
• Ability to produce timely project proposals and high quality reports
• Full professional proficiency in English
• Knowledge of Hausa and/or other languages used in northwest Nigeria would be a plus

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer.

Contract length: One (01) Year, with a possibility of extension depending on funding availability. 

Workplace: Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria

Start date: When the right candidate is identified. 

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the DRC National salary structure.  This is contractually a national position for which local Nigerian terms and conditions apply. 

General Regulations:

Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position online: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.

However, all applicants shall take into consideration that DRC cannot offer an international work contract to a citizen of the country of assignment (in this specific case, Nigeria).

Deadline: Applications close on the 22nd of May 2025 at midnight (GMT time).