DanChurchAid (DCA) is looking for a Head of Programme (HoP) for our Syria Programme

DanChurchAid (DCA) invites applications for an experienced Head of Programme (HoP) for our Syria programme. This is a non-family position, based in Raqqa, North-East Syria (NES).

The HoP is expected to provide strategic direction and leadership to a growing multi-sectoral, integrated, nexus-focused humanitarian response programme. Your main responsibilities are to ensure all programme and project activities are coordinated and implemented to a high standard, that all concept notes, proposals and donor reports are developed and submitted in a timely manner and that you assist the Country Director (CD) with strategy development, ensuring programme synergies and relevance in a volatile and fast changing context. Close coordination and engagement with the Operations Manager who directly manages and oversees the Humanitarian Mine Action programme component is a must, in order to ensure synergies and complementarity within DCA’s overall humanitarian response in NES. You will advise on humanitarian principles, ensure the programme mainstreams protection and gender, and assist the programme with working towards Core Humanitarian Standards and all relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The HoP is part of the Senior Management Team and reports directly to the Country Director.

You will work in a potentially hostile and arduous environment. You will therefore need to demonstrate a positive and self-motivated attitude. Conditions in Syria require a cool head, an ability to multi-task and work under tight deadlines, a great deal of flexibility and a good sense of humour. If you have these qualities and skills, and you are looking for a challenging opportunity with a leading mine action and humanitarian NGO then we would like to hear from you.

DCA international staff are currently managing the programme with direct presence in NES, however a remote management modality is highly possible at times, due to access restrictions to project areas.

The main duties relating to this position are as follows:

• Represent all Syria programme sectoral departments (Protection, Shelter/ NFI, Emergency Response/Early Recovery and Food Security and Livelihoods), within the Senior Management Team (SMT) and engage with the SMT to solve and address programme challenges pertaining to the overall Country Programme
• Financial oversight of all project expenditure, ensuring all activities are delivered within budget allocations
• Ensure quality of overall project and programme activities, with increased synergy and complementarity across programme departments and MEAL in order to become one programme delivering one coordinated response
• Ensure high quality donor proposals through the development of concept notes and project proposals and take an active lead on fundraising activities This includes project design, and development of project proposals, together with colleagues in Syria and HQ
• Oversee the development of timely and high quality project reports and case studies to donors, in close collaboration with technical programme staff
• Manage information and provide structured mentoring and capacity building related to donor and cluster reporting requirements
• Coordinate with international technical managers/ coordinators to monitor project progress and ensure that objectives are reached
• Coordinate with relevant humanitarian fora, international NGOs, UN agencies, donors, national and local authorities, working groups and other stakeholders
• Oversee the continuous development of strong Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning systems, in close collaboration with technical programme and MEAL staff
• Provide inputs to DCA’s country and fundraising strategy, ensuring programme relevance and expansion
• Participate in consolidating DCA’s presence in Syria and advise on partnerships and programmatic opportunities
• Identify and assess new programme opportunities and advise the CD on programme improvements
• Actively mainstream protection and gender in all projects and assist the programme with working towards Core Humanitarian Standards and relevant SDGs
• Identify, develop and grow new and existing relationships with - and work through - local partners
• Ensure project compliance to DCA and donor policies and requirements
• Contribute to a culture of excellence, continuous improvement and performance optimization across all projects
• Work in accordance with DCA values and humanitarian principles
• Maintain effective working relationship with other members of the programme
• Be a role model for diversity and inclusion, as well as a positive role model for contributing to the team spirit
• Any other duties, as requested by CD.

Management responsibilities include:

• Be the interface between CD and programme departments
• Direct staff management of Technical Coordinators of all following programme departments: Protection, Shelter/NFI, Emergency Response/Early Recovery, Food Security and Livelihoods, MEAL as well as the Fundraising and Donor Liaison Manager
• Provide input to and actively participate in regular SMT meetings

Applicants must have the following qualifications and experience:

• A relevant academic qualification preferably a Masters level or higher
• Minimum 3 years’ experience at a similar position level, preferably in complex humanitarian environments, is essential
• Have proven experience in writing successful concept notes/proposals and reports to institutional donors such as Danida, US Department of State, ECHO and EU
• Clear understanding of cluster/technical working group systems, with sector expertise particularly related to protection, food security and livelihoods
• Strong leadership and managerial skills
• Experience in a volatile and insecure contexts and the ability to keep a cool head under pressure
• Team building experience and good communication skills - both spoken and written
• Be committed, flexible, result oriented and possess strong interpersonal skills including the ability to manage a busy workday with conflicting deadlines, and have an organized and structured approach
• Computer literacy essential including proficiency in MS Office
• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential, knowledge of Arabic would be advantageous

We offer:

• A 12 month contract with the probability of extension (subject to performance)
• A competitive salary package of DKK 48.626,48 per month
• 30 days of paid annual leave
• A generous R&R allowance
• Insurance as per industry standards
• An interesting and challenging experience addressing humanitarian needs

All qualified candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, abilities or ethnic affiliation are encouraged to apply for the vacancy. Only online applications consisting as a minimum a CV and a cover letter will be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Closing date is December 16th 2024. Interviews are expected to be held in English during the first two weeks of January 2025. Please note, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and DCA reserves the right to select a candidate prior to the closing date.

For more information on DCA, please visit https://www.danchurchaid.org/. For any questions related to the position, please contact Country Director, Grant Pritchard ([email protected])

Everyone applying for a job at DCA conducts an anti-terror check as part of the recruitment process. It is a prerequisite that you can pass this check and maintain this status throughout your employment with us. Everyone applying for a job with DCA must be ready to comply with our Code of Conduct, Staff Policy on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment and our Child Safeguarding Policy. Completion of Hostile Environment Training (HET) prior to deployment will also be mandatory.

Department: CO Syria

Deadline: 16 December 2024

Location: Ar Raqqah