Chief of Party

Amman

Organization: DRC - Danish Refugee Council
Location: Amman
Grade: Mid/Senior level - Mid/Senior - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
Closing Date: Closed

We are looking for a highly qualified professional with strong experience in livelihoods, local economic development and social cohesion programming for the position of Chief of Party, based in Amman, Jordan. Successful candidates will possess high-level management and coordination skills, have a proven track record in leading Consortium programme design and implementation and show a clear ability to successfully manage and interface between Consortium partners, donors and other stakeholders.

Who are we?

The LEADERS Consortium operating in Jordan and Lebanon is made up of six organisations dedicated to supporting people in refugee hosting communities to develop locally-owned solutions to the economic and social challenges that they face. With the support of the European Union’s Madad Trust Fund and the Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP), the LEADERS Consortium brings together the technical expertise and capacity of 6 agencies, including Danish Refugee Council (Consortium Lead), Save the Children, CARE, ACTED, Oxfam and the Makhzoumi Foundation. The project’s activities are centred on evidence based interventions in support of creating viable economic opportunities and wider local economic development initiatives.

On top of overall coordination, leadership and management of the LEADERS Consortium that ensures synergies and strategy alignment is built, maintained across the consortium target countries, the COP will wear the dual hat of leading the day-to-day programmatic coordination and grant management function for the Jordan LEADERS program portfolio. The DCOP under the guidance of the COP, will fulfil this role for Lebanon and both the COP and DCOP will work hand-in-hand, ensuring core project functions (implementation, coordination, quality, advocacy, government and donor representation, grant management, etc.) are both regionally aligned and meet the specific needs of the target country. While the Consortium Management Unit reports to a Steering Committee with a regional purview, the COP in Jordan and DCOP in Lebanon will coordinate and seek guidance from the country level working groups and senior management teams, including the Country Director/Head of Programs of member agencies and the country-level Technical Management Units, Advocacy Working Groups and Advisory Groups.

About the position

Under the supervision of the Steering Committee, and in close coordination with DRC’s Regional Office, DRC and Partner Country Offices’, the Chief of Party (COP) is responsible for providing vision, leadership and direction to the Consortium and its activities. She/he will supervise project implementation and ensure the project meets stated goals. The COP will ensure the consortium has a coherent strategy that responds to the requirements of people the project intends to support. Furthermore, the COP will take a leadership role in coordination and advocacy among donors, key stakeholders and implementing partners. The COP position requires diplomacy and ability to advocate on behalf, and represent a coalition of partners especially when interacting with numerous GoL/J institutions and national and county-level government officials.

The specific LEADERS representational roles for Jordan undertaken by the COP will account for approx. 60% of the work-time. The additional 40% will be in building regional synergies between countries and programmatic approaches. Many of responsibilities outlined below are specific to Jordan for the COP, however, the COP will lead the larger regional project, with a specific focus on the areas of strategy development, management of the CMU, grant management, compliance, representation, reporting and business development. Other regional duties may be assigned to the COP as and when required by the LEADERS Steering Committee.

Duties and Responsibilities

Management & Leadership

Ensure high-quality technical program monitoring through hands-on guidance and support grounded in the program’s strategic objectives and adherence to donor requirements. Overall responsible for program and budget monitoring
Recruit and directly supervise CMU project staff in line with DRC HR policies and input from the consortium members
Co-Chair the project steering committee, ensuring key information on the project is available to senior members of the consortium and decisions are taken to support the effectiveness of the consortium
Document and disseminate key steering committee decisions, roll-out the decisions and follow-up as required.
Monitor work plan and keep partners accountable to program commitments.

Compliance & Support

The COP will manage and guide a Finance and Admin Coordinator to provide supervision and monitoring of the programme support aspects of the consortium (including administration, finance, logistics, and human resources);
Provide logistical oversight to consortium partners on contract inception, implementation, and closeout activities, including preparation of the sub-grants, sub-grant briefing materials for partners, required approvals, waivers, allowances, funding, procurement, property inventory, and audit file documentation as well as maintain a knowledge base of different processes and requirements for fund and project management
The COP will provide support to the Finance and Admin Coordinator, to verify all financial reports and expenditure, lead and coordinate the auditing process, maintain knowledge of all donor requirements and be able to provide advice to partners in finance, procurement, human resource, and visibility requirements. This will include staying updated on all relevant contracts entered into by the consortium and communicating to the donor as required.
Oversee financial management, project accounting systems, sub-grant management, and ensure operational efficiency through monitoring partner financial reports, providing guidance on cost eligibility, acting as the donor focal point to clarify rules and processes, and supporting the implementation of corrective measures when required.
Maintain Jordan specific and project wide risk register, consolidating agency specific risks at the consortium level, ensuring all risks have appropriate ownership, are monitored and mitigation and response measures are in place.
Respond accordingly to risk escalation and ensure periodic review and discussion of risk management with relevant risk owners and relevant consortium governance bodies.

Program Implementation & Strategy

In coordination with the DCOP, Steering Committee and Technical Working Groups, develop the consortium intervention strategy and Theory of Change;
Facilitate and ensure the effectiveness of different governance structures, including the Steering Committee, Country Level Technical Groups, Advocacy Groups, Advisory Groups and other ad-hoc working groups deemed necessary;
Ensure synergies and inter-communication between project governance groups and committees
Facilitate the decision making process within the project governance structure and that actions are documented and followed-up
Ensure the timely delivery of agreed outputs of the Consortium and ensuring quality program implementation in line with the agreed strategy;
Ensure the effective implementation of project activities in Jordan through direct leadership of the Jordan specific governance bodies and working groups. Provide hands on support and guidance to the DCOP to cover these duties in Lebanon.
Supervise and coordinate the implementation of project sub-components and activities with partners
Lead the work planning process with partners and coordinate between partners to ensure complimentary activities and sequencing among activities and between projects.
Ensure quality technical inputs into the design and delivery of the program activities including field implementation;
Oversee activities between result areas to ensure that they are integrated and synergistic;
Ensure the timely delivery of agreed outputs of the consortium and ensuring quality program implementation in line with the agreed strategy; Oversee planning, program design and delivery of consortium objectives, and budgets;

Representation & Advocacy

Provide support to the Consortium Advocacy Lead (Oxfam) in facilitating country level Advocacy Working Groups (AWG) with a specific focus on Jordan
Serve as primary project representative to donor and other local and international stakeholders, responsible for addressing all project matters. Day to day representational needs in Lebanon may be assigned to the DCOP.
In coordination with country level AWGs and relevant partner focal points, develop and maintain positive relations with relevant ministries and other government counterparts, donors, local organizations and program partners. Day to day representational needs in Lebanon may be assigned to the DCOP.
Engage in and represent the consortium at the country level INGO and UN coordination architecture for livelihoods, promoting the values of the consortium, coordinating with external actors and representing the consortium. Ensure that meetings are documented and results circulated to appropriate staff, relevant partner focal points and other actors on a timely basis. Day to day representational needs in Lebanon may be assigned to the DCOP.
In coordination with Oxfam-Jordan support the development of the Consortium Advocacy Strategy and promote the use of consortium-generated knowledge and learning;
Coordinate with DCOP and Oxfam Lebanon to ensure consortium advocacy strategy is regionally aligned.
Provide strategic leadership on external communications in line with Steering Committee and AWG guidance
Provide support to Oxfam-Jordan in the development and roll-out of project communication strategies, including compliance with donor’s branding and marking requirements
Assists with the coordination of visits of donors, and/or partners related to the project
Establish project Advisory Group for Jordan in coordination with consortium partners, donor and relevant stakeholders
Lead on organizing joint consortium events, such as joint advocacy, research, project launch etc.

Reporting & Communication

Monitor program implementation and ensure regular reporting by consortium partners;
Review and approve final donor reports based on inputs from consortium partners compiled by the DCOP and Finance and Admin Coordinator
Establish and maintain clear lines of communication with project staff;
Provide technical assistance, as needed, to partners on financial compliance and reporting;
Support the Finance and Admin Coordinator receive, consolidate, prepare and submit annual and quarterly financial and reports to the donor
The COP will ensure all partners are submitting timely financial and narrative reports in line with donor and DRC system requirements
Review actual financial performance against the budget, and explain variances on a regular basis.
The COP will ensure the Finance and Admin Coordinator is sharing regular budget vs actual reports to the consortium and other financial information required for effective project management.
Ensure the DRC online project management database is regularly updated

Business Development

Identifying, researching and developing new funding opportunities within the LEADERS Consortium mandate and utilizing consortium member’s specific skills and capacities.
Lead and coordinate and the development of full proposals, from conception to submission.

About you

To be successful in this role you must have:

A post-graduate degree in international relations, business administration, management, human rights, social sciences or related field;
Proven analytical and strategic planning skills;
High-level communications and people skills;
Excellent writing and communication skills able to negotiate effectively between different stakeholders, and to represent the Consortium at high level forums;

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ 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.

We offer

DRC will offer the successful applicant a 12 month renewable contract, conditional on secured funding. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.ngo under Vacancies. This position will be placed at level A11 for expats or F for national staff. The position will be based in Amman, Jordan.

Application process

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button.

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV only applications will not be considered.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact job@drc.dk

Applications close 21/01/2017. The interviews are expected to take place in the following week.

Commitments

DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html).

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

Please note that applications sent directly to DRC staff will not be considered.

This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: