Position title: Project Manager (DRC zone focal point)
Supervised by: Country Director
Reply to: Country Director
Duty Station: Kousséri / Far North Cameroon (partner’s office)
Area of Operation: Cameroon
Period considered: 12 months renewable (subject to funding)
Type of contract: National contract (exclusively reserved for Cameroonian nationals)
Salary & Benefits: Management F, level 2
Introduction
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) helps refugees and displaced people around the world: we provide emergency aid to these people, we fight for their rights and we strengthen their opportunities for a better future. We work in conflict-affected areas, as well as along displacement routes, and within countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive to achieve responsible and sustainable solutions. We work for the successful integration of vulnerable communities and, where possible, the fulfillment of their wish to return home.
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC for Danish Refugee Council) was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown into an international humanitarian organization with over 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Headquartered in Copenhagen, and present in 40 countries, DRC is a non-governmental, non-profit, politically neutral, independent and non-sectarian aid organization.
Our vision is a life with dignity for all displaced people around the world. All our efforts are based on our moral compass: humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty and transparency.
1. Background
Under the leadership of the regional office in Dakar and closely linked to interventions in neighboring Central African Republic (CAR), DRC began operations in Cameroon in 2018 responding to the humanitarian needs of CAR refugees and vulnerable Cameroonians in the Central African Republic (CAR) region. ‘Adamaoua. The Roving Emergency Team (EMPACT) also established the presence of the DRC program in the South West region at the end of 2018 to respond to the needs of people forcibly displaced in the context of the Anglophone crisis, by starting humanitarian activities in January 2019. In 2023, DRC operates in the East region with a regional office in Meiganga in the Adamaoua region, in the South West region with a regional office in Buea,
In 2023, DRC will initiate a new consortium project thanks to funding from Cendre de Crise et de soutien (CDCS). DRC will operate in partnership with a national organization (ASOL) with which it will share offices. The initiative aims to strengthen local capacities to prevent and manage conflicts, ease inter-community rivalries and improve the protection of human rights. The project encompasses a protection component to support survivors of rights violations, as well as an economic dimension aimed at creating new opportunities for young people. It also involves building community resilience by rehabilitating water points and establishing management committees for collaborative resource management. The project thus seeks to resolve the tensions related to access to land and water through community governance and the financing of micro-projects. The Kousséri office is therefore looking for a Program Manager to coordinate the implementation of this program, and ensure the management of the Kousséri office under the direction of the Country Director.
2. General purpose of the position
The Project Manager (with a focus on Peace and Social Cohesion programming) will be responsible for the proper implementation of DRC activities, aimed at contributing to the promotion of peace and social cohesion in the Far North of Cameroon, to the supervision of the DRC team on site, the coordination and capacity building of the local partner. She/He contributes to the development in the peace & social cohesion strategy, protection or any other sector of intervention of DRC in the Far North region and to its effective implementation in compliance with DRC and donor guidelines. The Project Manager will also be responsible for contributing to the proper coordination of actions and capacity building of the consortium partner and other actors in the program’s target intervention areas.
Finally, the Project Manager anticipates and mitigates risks by ensuring that operations in the area comply with DRC’s financial, logistics, HR, transparency and security procedures.
3. Responsibilities
Project planning
- Develop an overall project implementation strategy, systems, methods, tools and materials;
- Organize the kick-off and closing meetings of the project with the project teams of DRC and its partner;
- Plan the different stages of project implementation and provide direction by prioritizing and organizing activities and resources to achieve project objectives;
- Ensures at least monthly updating of the activity schedule, PMT and all other relevant documents for effective project management.
Project management
- Supervise and manage the implementation of the project by ensuring that quality and technical standards are taken into account and respected during the implementation of the project;
- Ensure that project implementation is delivered on time, on target and on budget, using effective MEAL systems to achieve desired impacts;
- In collaboration with the area manager, coordinate with the program managers of other partners to ensure the consistency of the approaches implemented;
- Is able to feed the intervention strategy in the Far North by constantly monitoring the humanitarian situation in the intervention area;
- Ensure accurate budget forecasting and efficient cash management.
Management of support services (Finance, Logistics and Human Resources)
- In coordination with the Head of Support Services, ensure relations with donors and authorities in the area, in particular with regard to compliance, registration and audit issues;
- Supervise the support team and support the partner’s support team through strategic and technical leadership in conjunction with the Support Services Manager;
- Supervise, audit, control and implement corrective actions related to DRC operational standards in the field of support;
- Ensure that DRC maintains and develops its operational capacity, in particular with regard to its supply and transport systems;
- Develop and maintain the necessary tools to ensure the efficiency of the support team;
- Ensure that legal and administrative systems are fair and meet internal, donor and local government requirements;
- Alert the Head of Support Services to the main financial and operational risks and implement a mitigation strategy;
- Work to build the capacity of support staff and the partner through the implementation of training sessions and personalized mentoring.
Technical support
- In collaboration with the Program Manager, is responsible for ensuring that the projects implemented are in line with the strategy, donor standards and DRC standards;
- Collaborates with the protection, SARE and MEAL departments of the national coordination to ensure the transversality of protection in the implementation of the program;
- Regular field supervision of the quality of interventions;
- Ongoing technical support to teams in the field;
- Ensure lessons learned are documented, shared and factored into project planning and decision making.
Monitoring, reporting and development
- Develops program monitoring tools in coordination with the MEAL department;
- Writes donor reports in coordination with the coordination;
- Participates in the development and writing of new projects;
- Conducts needs assessments on a regular basis to inform programmatic strategy.
External coordination and representation
- Ensure coordination and representation with other actors in the area, and cultivate good relations with key humanitarian actors – local and international, including government authorities and non-state actors – by regularly participating in technical and bilateral meetings;
- Ensures the sharing of relevant information at consortium level and at the level of the zone and regional clusters;
- Ensures regular communication with the Program Managers of other partner NGOs, Identify opportunities for collaboration and coordinate efforts with other organizations to ensure that our activities capitalize on theirs without duplicating them;
- Support, facilitate or carry out liaison and communication activities to actively consult and involve beneficiaries, key informants, actors, partners and stakeholders during all stages of project design and implementation;
- Ensure that all contacts with beneficiaries are conducted in a respectful and sensitive manner;
- If necessary, liaise with donors and work closely with partners on project updates, site visits and other communications.
Internal coordination
- Facilitate cross-departmental communication and information sharing to create a positive work environment;
- Ensure the implementation of DRC coordination mechanisms at the area level.
Security management
- Analyze the security context of the area and in close collaboration with the country security manager, contribute to the definition, analysis and assessment of risks;
- Collaborate with area-level stakeholders to ensure access and support for interventions;
- Dealing with safety and security risks by implementing standard operating procedures defined for the area;
- Ensure that offices and homes are in compliance with safety, security and health standards;
- Ensure that all staff adhere to security procedures;
- Ensure that security incidents are quickly escalated to the coordination office in Yaoundé.
Relationships
A. Internal
- Under the authority of the Country Director
- Supervising the project team (2 program officers, 1 support officer)
- In professional links:
– HDP (Humanitarian Disarmament & Peacebuilding), SARE (Food Security and Economic Recovery) and Protection DRC Cameroon specialists;
– Program Manager;
– Head of Support Services;
– Regional Coordinators (SARE, protection, HDP…);
– Capital support departments (Finance, logistics and admin);
– Consortium partners: ASOL.
B. External:
- local authorities;
- National and international partners (including working groups and coordination bodies);
- Non-governmental actors.
These responsibilities are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs while respecting the overall role of the Program Manager.
4. Qualifications required
- University degree (Master’s degree preferred) in social sciences, international development, international relations, project management or related field;
- At least 5 years of relevant experience in the management of humanitarian and development projects, including at least 2 years in coordination or team management functions within an international NGO;
- Demonstrated experience in implementing projects related to peace, social cohesion, protection, and economic recovery, preferably in complex or post-conflict contexts;
- Relevant professional certificates recognized in SARE and project management (CHS, SPHERE, etc.) are desirable but field experience is the main condition;
- Very good knowledge of humanitarian principles;
- Experience in displacement contexts;
- Experience in team management and supervision and capacity building of national staff and/or partners;
- Very good budget management skills;
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills;
- Ability to cope with heavy workloads and work under pressure;
- Highly motivated, results oriented and creative in problem solving;
- Computer skills in Microsoft Pack (Excel, Office, Outlook, etc.);
- Good understanding and commitment to DRC values;
- Proficiency in written and spoken French at the professional level is mandatory;
- English at least basic.
5. General regulations
- Employee must follow DRC’s security, confidentiality, and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and Humanitarian Accountability Framework;
- The employee must not engage in any other remunerated activity during the term of the DRC contract without prior authorization;
- The employee must not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the term of the DRC contract;
- The employee must not grant interviews to the media or publish photos related to DRC programs or share other materials without receiving prior authorization;
- The employee must return all equipment loaned by DRC to perform the work after the end of the contract period or upon request by DRC.
6. Skills and qualities required
- In this position, you must demonstrate the five essential skills of the DRC, namely:
- Striving for excellence: you focus on achieving results while ensuring an efficient process. You strive to produce accurate, thorough and professional work with the best use of time and effort.
- Collaborate: You cooperate with and involve relevant parties, actively seeking their opinion and sharing key information with them. You support and trust others, while encouraging feedback.
- Take the reins: You take responsibility and prioritize your work according to DRC’s overall vision and goals. You take the initiative in the face of a challenge or an opportunity and you seek innovative solutions.
- Communicate: You write and speak effectively and honestly while adapting your style and tone to the situation. You actively listen to others and involve them in dialogue.
- Demonstrate Integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s Values and Code of Conduct, including protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment .
- Ability to work in a multicultural and cosmopolitan environment
- Proactivity, with a cooperative and collaborative approach
- Excellent communication skills (including attentiveness and patience) are required
- Good organizational skills are required
- Exemplary sense of ethics
- Ability to work in a team and good sense of humor.
How to apply
7. Application Process
If you are interested, then apply online via the link https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1036&ProjectId=168985&DepartmentId=19109&MediaId=5
Applications can only be made online, on the site indicated above. You must upload your CV (3 pages maximum) and a cover letter online. The CV and cover letter can be in French or in English.
Applications made by post, by sending an e-mail or by submitting a physical file will not be considered.
DRC provides equal employment opportunities and prohibits any practice of discrimination based on race, sex, skin color, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, age, marital status or a any disability. DRC does not discriminate in its recruitment processes.
For more information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit the organization’s website: drc.ngo.
Applications will be closed on September 05, 2023 at 23:59 (Yaoundé time). Nevertheless, it is possible for the DRC to begin, before the end of the publication of the offer, the recruitment process if an application meets the expectations and requirements of the position.
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