Head of Programme, occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency pursuing our mandate to protect and promote durable solutions to displacement-affected populations based on humanitarian principles. Our response in the occupied Palestinian territory is centred on empowering conflict affected communities to meet their basic needs and promoting safety and dignity by addressing protection risks.  Operating from two hubs in Deir al Balah and Gaza City, and with a coordination office in Ramallah and a representation office in East Jerusalem, the DRC maintains an active presence with over 30 national and international staff and four civil society partners.  DRC now aims to grow our operation into a Country Office, as part of the Middle East Hub, which also comprises Türkiye, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan. 

Overall purpose of the role

• Responsible for the overall programmatic strategy across the entire country operation.
• Responsible for providing technical input to the implementing actors within the different sectors.
• Responsible for developing policies, processes and standards within respective areas.
• Enable and oversee the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation activities across the entire country operation.
• Fundraising activities and external representation. 

Duties and Responsibilities

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

Programme Strategy & Development

• Identify and keep abreast of key developments and trends in the country and position DRC to address these with quality and efficiency.
• Drive the conceptualization and development process of the country strategy, and sector strategies collaboratively and with the participation and inputs from the overall country operations. This includes ensuring the strategy is evidence based, and includes internal/external accountability and that it is informed by DRC’s expertise and stakeholder consultations.
• Ensure that the key global and regional frameworks are contextualized and applied across programmes and ensure that staff are aware of and understand these.
• Foster synergies between programme areas including integration, harmonization across Area Offices and ensure quality assurance for more holistic approaches to assistance. 
• Ensure the emergency preparedness and response plan for OPT is updated and facilitate assessments and rapid responses for new emergencies as discussed and agreed with the SMT.
• In close collaboration with the Regional or Country based Advocacy Coordinator, ensure advocacy is embedded in and informed by programmes as well as used for external communications with government authorities, donors, and other humanitarian and development stakeholders.

Program Quality & Coordination

• Provide oversight, guidance, and leadership on all aspects of programme design, development and quality assurance.
• Ensure programming is principled and in line with Core Humanitarian Standards, Sphere standards and other relevant legal frameworks.
• Ensure there are systems and tools in place for conflict sensitive including do-no harm approaches to programming. 
• Develop a close and productive working relationship with Area Offices (implementation teams) to ensure by-in of quality standards and processes and that designs, and course corrections are evidence based and informed by learning.
• Ensure the implementation of effective and participatory Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning strategies at all levels of the country programme.
• Facilitate collaboration and the utilization of global and regional technical support in areas of new programmatic initiatives (localization, greening, innovation etc.).
• Ensure Information Management is embedded with DRC programme and that data management adheres to GDPR and other data protection protocols including PIM. 

Fundraising, and Grants Management

• Ensure proposals are in line with the Strategic Plan and Sector Strategies, and that they are submitted in a timely manner and with quality. 
• Ensure effective and transparent budgeting, planning and follow-up in compliance with DRC policies and priorities as well as donor rules and regulations.
• Ensure grants opening, review, and closure meetings take place systematically.
• Ensure quality control of donor reports and authorize the submissions of these and proposals to HQ/donors.

Donor liaison, Partnerships and Representation

• Represent DRC’s OPT to current and potential donors.
• Cultivate key relationships that enhance DRC’s visibility, and credibility and position DRC as a key displacement focused organization in OPT.
• Review and oversee implementation of the CSO partnership strategy and promote DRC’s localization agenda within DRC OPT.
• Identify local NGOs/partners and develop partnerships with relevant and complementary partners.
• Keep abreast and engage with strategic coordination structures including the Durable Solutions Task Force and Working Group and ensure DRC is well represented in these as well as other external for a as deemed strategic.

Direct staff management: 

• Ensure that technical managers, coordinators, and specialists, under HoP line management have clear and realistic performance-based management goals.
• Provide on-going support and coaching and ensure that line managed staff have the required capacities to fulfil their responsibilities.
• Plan, draft and/or review scopes of work to hire and manage technical consultants, including review of technical efficacy and contract budget.

Experience and technical competencies:

To be successful in this role we expect you to have:

• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in program management, leadership, and design in countries of conflict or post-conflict
• Minimum 4 years of experience working in managing emergency operations, including 2 years at senior management level and at least 2 years in the Middle East.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in proposal development, budget development, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Proven experience in effectively coordinating with National Governments, International and National NGO partners and a variety of working with and coordinating with a variety of donors including SDC, GAC, BHA, OCHA, SIDA, DANIDA, and the EU.
• Previous successful experience as a Head of Program or in similar position.
• Preferably previous successful experience with DRC.
• Proven experience in managing integrated programmes as well as capacity building.

Languages

• Full proficiency in written and spoken English
• Arabic language skills are considered an asset.

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: 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: 12 Months

Position Band:  This position will be placed at Management band (E1)

Start date: January 01, 2026

Duty station: Ramallah/Jerusalem/Amman

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates or Nationals. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact [email protected]

Application process

Interested to apply? All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, DRC reserves the right of conducting tests and interviews before the closing date, and can close the advertisement earlier in case of finding a suitable candidate.

Closing date for applications: October 10, 2025

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