Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Area Manager for our operations in Bolivar, Colombia.

The primary objectives of the Area Manager will be together with the Country Director, Head of Programme and Support Services to ensure operational and programmatic implementation of projects, supervise programme and support staff, oversee staff safety and compliance with safety protocols, ensure local external representation of DRC in coordination space and with local authorities and stakeholder, and steer the area-based programme strategy.

Under the Country Director direct line management, the Area Manager will be based in Montecristo, Bolivar and will be responsible for the overall management and activity implementation in the surrounding areas. The position includes travel to the implementation sites in the mentioned area as well as occasional visits to hosting areas: rural communities for assessment, and meetings with partners and donors as necessary.

Overall purpose of the role: The primary objectives of the Area Manager –Bolivar -, will be together with the Country Director, Head of Programs (HoP), Head of support services and the Country Senior Management Team (SMT- based in national Office in Bogotá)– to manage the operational base, ensure the timely and effective implementation of programs, mainly Mine Action, in the targeted areas (Montecristo, Arenal, Tiquisio), lead the recruitment of new local staff and oversees the security of DRC staff and activities.

Under the Country Director direct line management, the Area Manager will be based in Montecristo and will be responsible for the overall management and activity implementation in the surrounding municipalities. The position includes travel to suboffices and travel to the implementation sites in the mentioned areas as well as occasional visits to hosting areas: rural communities for assessment, and meetings with authorities, partners and donors as necessary. The position will include the line management of a team of international and national staff, capacity building of national staff, support tasks and procedures.

Responsibilities:

Management

• Line manager of program and support teams (Finance, Human Resources and Supply Chain).
• Ensure inter-department coordination at area level;
• Closely coordinate with the Senior Management Team and ensuring regular information flows;
• People management of direct reports (including development, people planning and performance);
• With supervisors, supervise the program activities budget lines; ensuring effective and efficient use of resources including financial, human and all assets;
• Ensure overall provision of and adherence to DRC policies (including Code of Conduct), procedures, guidelines, systems and standard practices;
• Provide leadership in overseeing logistical/procurement, Human Resources/administration and office services activities and ensure their timely/efficient delivering.
• Implements the manager’s decisions through the work of subordinate employees, often playing a role in deciding how to do it; and how to achieve the objective set by the manager.

Representation, coordination, and reporting

• Primary DRC representative in the area of operation and attend with support from DRC technical staff all relevant fora/meetings in order to strengthen DRC’s position;
• Foster relationships with local authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the area of operation;
• Support working relationships with donors, national and international organizations and local stakeholders;
• Comply with internal reporting requirements, contribute to, and provide quality assurance of external reports from area of operation.

Programme development

• Lead the process of adapting DRC national strategy to the local context and circumstances;
• Provide regular analysis on the context and humanitarian situation in the area for the development of project proposals and safety assessments in cooperation with the HoP, Country Director and Grants coordinator.

Safety

• Ensure a safe and secure environment for DRC staff, beneficiaries, and assets by ensuring the local security procedures are up to date and SOPs are being followed in line with DRC policy. Given the highly conflictive context within the areas of operation, the Area Manager will have to monitor closely the activities that take place on the ground and the staff that conduct them, making sure that they respect safety protocols;
• When expanding activities to new areas, the Area Manager is responsible to gain access to them and to secure that all DRC staff follow the safety and security protocols;
• Conduct regular safety and security monitoring and assessments.

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the areas of responsibility.
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions, and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
• Accountable for people management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. 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.
• Contribute to recruitment and/or performance appraisal of members of the team.
• Implements the manager’s decisions through the work of subordinate employees, often playing a role in deciding how to do it; and how to achieve the objective set by the manager.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• Master’s degree in political science, international development, humanitarian assistance, economics, or other relevant fields from a top-tier university; or

Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields with 3 years’ working experience in similar position

• Minimum 7 years´ experience in managing integrated humanitarian programs;
• Experience with Humanitarian Demining operations is a plus;
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in relevant field overseeing humanitarian multi-sector programs in environments in conflictive areas and context;
• At least 5 years’ experience in people management;
• Strong leadership skills and a competence in people management;
• Practical and extensive financial, Human Resources and administration management;
• Experience working with an integrated ERP system (end to end process of procurement, and other peripheric modules of logistics) – MS Dynamics considered an advantage;
• External stakeholder management (especially with local authorities);
• Proven experience in working with national partners, local/government authorities and in consortium modalities;
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills, excellent communication skills, calm and a good sense of humor;
• Full proficiency in Spanish is mandatory.
• Proficiency in English is mandatory.
• Experience working in remote areas, with limited opportunities to create social networks.

Desirable

• Calm and diplomatic in nature;
• Ability to manage competing priorities and to meet deadlines;
• Effective team-player;
• For this role, the best candidate will also demonstrate ability to think beyond evidence, to deliver results and solve problems. He/She will show wit and ambition as well as a longsighted mindset.

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• Master’s degree in political science, international development, humanitarian assistance, economics or other relevant fields from a top-tier university; or Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• Spanish fluid
• English Fluid

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 uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 6 months

Band: E

Type of Contract: National or expattriate contract

Designation of Duty Station: Bolivar -Non family Duty Station

Start date: 1st July 2024

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies.

Application process

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

Closing date for applications: June 3, 2024