In 2003, DRC became one of the first organisations to provide humanitarian assistance in the country. Today, DRC continues to provide humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable displacement-affected families, including IDPs, returnees, and host communities in Basra, Baqubah, Jalawla, Gatoon, Baghdad, Muqdadiya, Balad, Aziz Balad, Samarra, Mosul, Duhok, Tel Afar, Baa’j, Sinjar, and Erbil.

Find more about DRC operations in Iraq here: Iraq | DRC Danish Refugee Council

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified and competent Shelter and Settlement Project Manager

About the job

Under the guidance of the Area Manager (AM), the Shelter and Settlement (S&S) Manager is entrusted with the comprehensive planning, implementation, and management of shelter and settlement projects, with WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) serving as a crucial subdivision within settlement initiatives, within the designated area. Ensuring the highest standards of quality and efficacy in these endeavors, the role collaborates closely with the Shelter & Settlement Technical Coordinator (based at the Country Office) and the AM to lead the development and execution of DRC’s sector strategy across Salah Al Din, Diyala, Anbar, and Ninewa. This encompasses the harmonization and deployment of tools and guidelines to uphold consistency and excellence. Integral to achieving DRC’s objectives and mission in the region, the Shelter & Settlement Manager plays a pivotal role in facilitating sustainable community development and humanitarian assistance. Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Program Implementation

• Timely and Budget-Compliant Execution: Ensure on-time and budget-compliant implementation of projects in the designated area, meeting donor targets for activities and budgets while maintaining donor compliance and quality standards.
• Knowledge of Project Cycle Management: Proficiency in project cycle management methodologies, ensuring effective planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation throughout project lifecycles
• Field Visits: Conduct regular field visits (approximately weekly) to key sites to ensure technical quality and adherence to standards and processes.
• Implementation Plans: Develop and regularly update detailed implementation plans, identifying risks, planning for mitigation, and tracking progress on outputs and activities.
• Budget Management: Complete and consistently update budget forecasts for project activities and staffing; regularly monitor budget versus actual expenditures, manage spending, and take corrective actions to prevent over or under expenditure.
• Integration and Joint Programming: Lead integration and joint programming initiatives with other sectors to enhance the impact of DRC’s work.
• Reporting: Prepare high-quality, timely narrative reports for donors, aligning them with area financial reports and ensuring accuracy through coordination with technical coordinators.
• Collaboration with Support Departments: Collaborate closely with relevant support departments to ensure activities are carried out as planned, proactively engaging with support managers to address bottlenecks.
• Safety Communication: Maintain ongoing communication with the Safety department regarding contextual developments and incident reporting.
• Communications and Advocacy: Identify opportunities and material for communications and advocacy work, supporting media visits and providing necessary facilitation.
• Risk Management: Develop and implement a risk management framework to identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks associated with project implementation.
• MEAL Coordination: Coordinate and collaborate with the MEAL team to ensure adherence to designated outputs and outcomes, ensuring accountability and transparency in program implementation.

Team Management

• Capacity Building: Build the technical and management capacities of the S&S teams; assess training and development needs and develop and implement capacity-building plans in line with DRC’s transition to nationalization policies and guidelines.
• Recruitment and Line Management: Recruit and line-manage project staff, including conducting appraisals, performance management, and coordinating with HR on contract amendments and terminations.
• Team Performance: Liaise with line and technical management regarding team performance, providing necessary feedback and support.

Program Design

• Needs Assessment: Collaborate with Technical Coordinators and the line manager to identify community needs and gaps in S&S and WASH services within DRC’s areas of intervention.
• Technical Input: Provide technical input into the development and implementation of relevant SOPs and technical standards, leading draft development where necessary and appropriate.
• Program Strategy: Contribute to the area-level program strategy and establish sector-based log frames and targets in coordination with the AM.
• Innovative Approaches: Work with the Technical Coordinator to develop innovative approaches to enhance access to Shelter and WASH services for targeted communities.
• Proposal Development: Participate in the proposal development process by providing field-specific context analysis, technical sector-specific insights, and feedback on concepts, including proposing activities and costing at the field level in line with Area Log Frames.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Collaborate with MEAL and IM teams to develop and design data collection tools, ensuring close coordination in their implementation. Strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure robust tracking of project impacts and outcomes, using data to inform decision-making and improve program effectiveness.

Strategy implementation

• Ensure the roll out of the DRC Iraq Shelter and Settlement sector strategy and its integration into the DRC Iraq program strategy and the response.
• Work closely with Technical Coordinator and line manager on identification of needs of communities and gaps in S&S activities within DRC’s areas of intervention.
• Provide, upon request, technical input into the development (and implementation) of relevant SOPs and technical standards.
• Contribute to the Area level program strategy and to the establishment of sector-based log frames and targets.
• Identify innovative approaches and practices to increase project impact.
• Participate in the proposal development process by providing field specific context analysis, technical sector specific analysis, beneficiary information, feedback on the concept including proposing the activities.
• In coordination with MEAL, provide inputs to tools and use the tools for data collection including indicator tracking tables.

Coordination and Representation

• Donor Visits: Conduct donor visits in close coordination with the country office donor focal points, providing briefings and updates to donors.
• Agency Coordination: Ensure DRC’s work is coordinated with other agencies’ efforts to address the specific needs of vulnerable communities.
• Partner Engagement: Engage with relevant coordination bodies, governmental and non-governmental partners, to enhance collaborative efforts and resource sharing.
• Representation: Represent DRC in various forums and meetings, ensuring that the organization’s activities are well-integrated and aligned with the broader humanitarian efforts in the area.
• Innovation and Learning: Foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning within the team, encouraging the adoption of best practices and new technologies to improve program outcomes.

Other

• Code of Conduct: Uphold the DRC Code of Conduct and the zero-tolerance policy on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), adhering to humanitarian principles and integrating Protection and Age, Gender, Diversity (AGD) mainstreaming into DRC programming.
• Additional Duties: Undertake any other duties assigned by the Line Manager.
• Sustainability and Exit Strategy: Develop and implement sustainability and exit strategies for all projects, ensuring that community capacity is built, and projects can continue independently in the long term.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 5 years of relevant expereince. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• Extensive Sector Experience: Proven experience of at least 4 years in shelter and settlement programming, including significant experience in construction project management, preferably in an emergency or early recovery setting. Experience in WASH as a subsector within settlement programming is highly desirable.
• Managerial Expertise: Minimum of 2 years’ experience in managerial roles focused on people management and capacity building, ideally managing teams larger than 8 individuals.
• Cultural and Gender Sensitivity: Demonstrated cultural and gender sensitivity, with a proven ability to adapt and remain flexible in diverse and challenging environments.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Hands-on problem solver with a proactive approach to overcoming obstacles and implementing effective solutions.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong technical knowledge of shelter, settlement, and WASH standards and best practices, with the ability to apply these in field settings.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of effectively engaging with diverse stakeholders, including local communities, authorities, and partner organizations.
• Project Management: Expertise in project management, including planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting, ensuring timely and compliant project execution.
• Safety and Compliance Awareness: Keen awareness of safety and compliance requirements, with experience in implementing protocols to ensure the safety and security of staff and beneficiaries.
• Innovation and Adaptability: Ability to foster a culture of innovation, encouraging the adoption of new technologies and methodologies to improve program outcomes.
• Capacity for High-Stress Environments: Experience working in high-stress environments, with the ability to maintain composure and effectiveness under pressure.
• AGD and Humanitarian Principles: Strong commitment to humanitarian principles and values, including the integration of protection and AGD (Age, Gender, Diversity) mainstreaming into programming.
• Attention to Detail: Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills, the ability to manage information, plan and manage workload, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Humanitarian Standards Familiarity: Familiarity with international humanitarian and protection standards, such as WASH and Shelter standards from the Sphere Handbook and USAID Field Operations Guide.

Education:

• Educational Background: Advanced university degree in architecture, construction management, civil engineering, water and sanitation engineering, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering.
• Project Management: Certifications or coursework in project cycle management preferred.
• Experience Consideration: Significant relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree, if appropriate.

Languages:

• Professional proficiency in English
• Professional proficiency in Arabic
• Proficiency in Kurdish, Turkmen, and Assyrian languages is an asset.

Key stakeholders:

Internal

• Area Manager
• Shelter and Settlement Technical Coordinator
• Shelter and Settlement team (Team Leader, Officers, Assistants)
• Support Services Team (Support Service, Finance, Supply Chain, and Human Resources)
• MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning) and IM (Information Management) Team

External

• People of Concern
• Private companies
• Relevant local authorities and line ministries
• Relevant coordination fora and actors

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.

Reporting to: Area Manager

Technical line manager: Shelter and Settlement Coordinator

Direct reports: Shelter and Settlement Team leaders, Officers & Assistants

Unit/department: Shelter and Settlement

Location: Salah Al Din office (based in Balad district) with frequent travel to Diyala, Anbar, and Ninewa

WE OFFER

• Contract Length: 12 months (pending donor approval)
• Salary Band: F level 2 (Management)
• Start Date: August 1, 2024 (pending donor approval)
• Comprehensive health insurance for staff, spouse, and up to two children under 18.
• Personal Accident insurance coverage in the event of work-related accidents during working hours.
• Psychosocial support for staff and family members.
• Learning & Development opportunities for professional growth.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National Staff. 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. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Females are strongly encouraged to apply.

Closing date for applications: 7 July 2024

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