DRC has been operating in Somalia since 1998 using a protection of human rights framework. Somalia is experiencing a devastating humanitarian crisis, with nearly 80% of the population in need of some form of humanitarian assistance. DRC in Somalia is scaling up the operation in emergency response through an integrated approach accessing hard to reach populations.

Overall purpose of the role:

DRC Somalia is looking for a dynamic and experienced Program Quality and Development who will provide overall quality and development of DRC’s programs across all established areas of operation in Somalia. The Programme Development & Quality Manager (PDQM) is a management position supporting country leads to ensure the country strategy and programme design are of high quality, based on evidence, and implemented according to the organization’s standards amd mitigate aid diversion. The PDQM is responsible for leadership and management of the Programme Quality department, which consists of Business Development and Grants Management, MEAL, Information Management, and Partnerships. This position also provides coordination and technical support to the Head of Programs (HoP). The position provides support to the HoP in donor relations and engagement as well as coordination to the Regional Office (RO) and HQ counterparts.

Responsibilities

Programme planning and overall quality

• Work closely with the HOP, HoOPs, BDGMU and Technical Coordinators to design competitive final proposals responsive to donor guidelines and requirements.
• Coordinate with the relevant departments for submission of quality proposals, revisions and reports; providing technical oversight on strategic considerations and programme activities so as to ensure accurate, coherent and timely reporting.
• Technically support teams in the management of grants and awards, including capacity building on grant management related aspects
• Support the country and sub-offices to ensure the inclusion of DRC programmatic standards and policies in the program development process.
• Suppport the Busisness Development Manager in review of proposals for consistency with the requirements of solicitations, requests or calls for proposals, predicting or preventing bottlenecks in the proposal development process and securing the necessary information to complete process.
• Support the CD and HoP in ensuring that the country strategy has a robust fundraising and donor engagement strategy to support its operationalisation.
• Ensure lessons learned and analysis of data from MEAL to contribute to the development of high quality, innovative programs that are based on evidence and in coordination with relevant technical coordinators and specialists.
• Ensure monthly grants meetings with all relevant departments contribute to the review of overall progress, quality, consolidated spending, implementation, procurement, and staffing plans for each project and flag up discrepancies to the teams and HoP;
• Ensure systems and tools for efficient grant management; and ensure a coordinated approach to risk-management in cooperation with relevant departments; ensuring Dynamics is implemented in a timely manner and that grants are tracked and coordination with the RO and HQ;
• Liaise with donor representatives and coordinate donor visits to programme sites, in support to the HoP and Country Director
• Lead on needs assessments, programme analysis to support annual strategy review and project/programme planning processes
• Identify and advocate for future opportunities to for DRC to develop conflict-sensitive, accountable and gender sensitive programming in Somalia as best suits the Somali context.
• Ensure relevant communications tools and strategies are in place and all key staff involved in generating communication items are well versed with the tools/strategy and complying with its requirements.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

• Oversee the MEAL Coordination unit to ensure MEAL framework and plans are available for all grants and e!ective system is in place including capacity of staff to gather, analyze and report on M&E indicators;
• Contribute to creating and maintaining an environment for learning where ideas, solutions, challenges and learning are shared and adopted in programme design and implementation as part of the MEAL policy and implementation strategy
• Ensure robust measures are followed in line with DRC Somalia´s Aid Diversion Mitigation Strategy
• Ensure learning from the country programme is documented/captured, consolidated and disseminated, contributing to knowledge building and sharing within Lebanon and globally to influence policies and programme planning
• Support the MEAL Coordinator leading and conducting learning activities.
• Coordinate technical assistance and capacity strengthening for project teams and partners in project management standards and related MEAL, including capacity assessment, training material development and delivery of trainings;
• Advise on right sizing of MEAL strucure
• Support in the updating of CHS reviews, make recommendations for improvements whilst supporting the focal point for rolling out the recommendations across all departments
• Ensure tools, processes and systems are in place for DRC to improve communication and accountability to beneficiaries
• Complete regular field visits to deliver technical oversight, identify needs, provide support, troubleshoot, strengthen capacity, and ensure quality programming (when possible)
• Act as the Safeguarding focal point for programming – ensuring sta! are aware of Code of Conduct and DRC have in place a PSEA policy.
• Program Strategy & Development
• Contribute to the conceptualization and evolution of the country strategy, define the country programming in a collaborative way ensuring program appropriateness and accountability among the country program team with active leadership in the preparing the Annual Review and drafting of the DRC Strategic Programme Document
• Collaborate closely with CD and senior management staff in the development and design of innovative initiatives to drive new program development in DRC Somalia in accordance with DRC’s assistance framework

Partnerships

• Support the BDGMU, develop and roll out partnership strategy including management tools, guidelines, and other resources as needed to effectively management partnerships.
• Improve partnership practices by periodically assessing DRC Somalia’s partnership management approach taking into account both DRC and partners’ perspectives, capture lessons learned and best practices, and make recommendations for improvement.
• Responsible for ensuring partnership assessments and ensuring technical coordinators/support depts are aware of tools and processes
• Oversee the implementation of planned capacity building activities for partners in coordination with relevant DRC departments and measure changes in partners’ capacity levels through objectively verifiable indicators.
• Ensure SGAs are drafted, monitored and followed up on a regular basis
• Directly conduct capacity building activities for partners, including training workshops and one-on-one mentoring of key partner staff on donor rules and regulations, reporting, program development, grants management, and other relevant areas as needed.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with local partners and DRC colleagues in order to maintain trust in DRC’s professional standard and quality of work among all stakeholders.
• Ensure aid diversion strategies are rolled out through regular partner mentoring.

Information Management (IM)

• Support and enhance linkages between IM team and programmatic departments.
• Oversee the development, evolution and scalability of DRC Somalia´s IM system ensuring interoperability with relevant partner systems.
• Ensure Data Sharing agreements are in place
• Support the HPA in evidence gathering for briefs for advocacy purposes.
• Develop strategy for and manage implementation of IM policies, systems, and processes.

People Management

• Directly line manage the PDQ team in SOM (including people planning, performance, well-being and development)
• Support the recruitment of MEAL, Information Management and Business Development and Grants staff as required
• Support the professional development of programme sta! by carrying out an learning needs analysis which informs the learning and development plan.

About you

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: You act in line with our vision and values.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least 5 years’ experience with people management; with the ability to lead and work with teams in rolling out M&E mechanisms, partnership approaches and/or grants management systems
• Post-graduate in international relations, Humanitarian Programs Management, degree, social science, international development and/or similar field
• Practical experience in applying CHS & partnership principles to programming; with the ability to set up and refine accountability systems along with proven experience of upward and downward accountability approaches and mechanisms and applying participatory methodologies
• Demonstrable experience in the nurturing of organisational learning with the ability to draft strategies/frameworks
• Solid experience in project development and management; including ability to lead on assessments, design, implementation, monitoring; with good skills in donor reporting, accountability, and compliance
• Excellent leadership, coordination, communication, organizational and planning skills; with the ability to work flexibly in a diverse team in a dynamic environment, fostering a positive working environment, and manage issues sensitively and diplomatically.
• Strong capacity building, facilitation, and presentation skills with the ability develop strong interpersonal relationships to facilitate communication and support partner and staff.
• Commitment to integrate gender, protection conflict sensitivity and accountability into programming
• Extensive knowledge of UN, US and European institutional donors and their compliance requirements with proven experience of developing successful funding proposals, contract management including consortia grants
• Strong understanding of localization agenda as well as partnership approaches and tools
• Representation skills and excellent communication and report writing skills
• Safeguarding technical certificate
• Keen understanding of the complexities in Somalia and the HOA region

Conditions

Contract: 12 Months with possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment; Employment band Management F

Availability: 1st July 2024.

Duty station: This position is based in Dollow.

Technical Reports: Business Development & Grants Management Unit Manger and MEAL and IM Coordinators

Reporting Line: Head of Programme

Providing equal opportunities, we are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Promoting high standards: DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Application and CV

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

DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies.

Please submit your application and CV in English no later than 31st May 2024.