Colombia: Head of Programme - DDG Colombia

The Head of Programme (HoP) role in DDG Colombia is required to have overarching responsibility for a dynamic operations and support team, and will be involved in the setup, launch, and implementation of new Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) and Armed Violence Reduction (AVR) activities for a programme undergoing an expansion process.

About the job

DDG has recently received desk accreditation to work in Colombia, to conduct Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) activities including clearance, Risk Education (RE), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Technical and Non-Technical Survey. DDG’s operations will be conducted in Meta and Caquetá departments of Colombia, with possible expansion subject to future tasking by the national authorities.

DDG Colombia’s main goal is to assist the Government of Colombia, Descontamina Colombia, and the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in achieving compliance with the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention and to support national priorities for mine action services in light of the implementation of the recent Peace Accords. Further potential expansion into Armed Violence Reduction (AVR) activities may be undertaken in due course, and relevant AVR personnel would also be under the responsibility of the HoP.

The Head of Programme’s main duties and responsibilities:

Management and Fundraising

1. Lead the DDG Colombia programme as the senior staff member in-country, with oversight for all national and international staff.
2. Liaise with relevant donors, partners, and government authorities to ensure increased relevance and positioning for DDG in the sector.
3. Undertake strategic planning, development and roll-out of future DDG projects
4. Lead development and continuous update of Programme strategy in close coordination with DDG HQ
5. Lead resource mobilisation efforts for HMA and AVR activities in close coordination with DDG HQ
6. Contribute to funding proposals and budgets, in coordination with relevant personnel locally and in HQ

Operational Oversight

1. Lead the implementation of DDG/DRC‘s HMA and AVR activities in Colombia including ensuring the successful completion of all processes related to the operational accreditation process, launching the setup of new projects, and initial implementation of NTS and clearance operations in Colombia
2. Have oversight for the international Operations Manager, ensuring operations are delivered in accordance with the DDG HMA and AVR Frameworks, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and National Mine Action Standards (NMAS)
3. Ensure priorities set by the DDG programme and the national authorities are met and the requirements of the donors and beneficiaries are taken into consideration.
4. Work with the Operations Manager to monitor and analyse productivity and ensure recommendations for improvement are subsequently met, including keeping relevant DDG HQ staff informed
5. Deliver and monitor, where applicable, training to build capacity within the national staff in consultation with other national and international managerial personnel in-country
6. Implement outcome and impact monitoring frameworks for DDG programming

Support Services Oversight

1. Ensure that appropriate support services (Logistics, HR, Finance, and Administration) are in place and serving operational teams adequately
2. Monitor monthly and annual program expenditure of activities with assistance from DDG HQ and other in-country personnel
3. Implement security measures in accordance with a developed security plan, coordinate with the DRC/DDG Safety Team, and keep relevant HQ personnel informed of the local security situation

Other ad hoc responsibilities will be required, particularly given the evolving nature of a new start-up programme.

Required Qualifications:

• A minimum of 5+ years of working experience at senior management level with international humanitarian NGOs or similar international bodies out of which 3+ years must have been within the HMA sector, preferably in challenging security environments. IMAS Explosive Ordnance Disposal knowledge or qualifications is an advantage.
• Successful experience with donor fundraising and managing multiple grants.
• Experience with programme management, staff management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience with liaison with donors and Government authorities.
• Proven ability to mentor and coach others, and to build national capacity.
• Experience in managing the safety of personnel and assets.
• Fluency in verbal and written Spanish, with excellent writing skills is required. Either excellent English or French language skills are also required to ensure liaison with HQ.
• Experience in managing NTS and Risk Education programming is desired, experience with AVR programmes is an asset.
• Working experience from Colombia is an asset.
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy.
• The capacity and willingness to be flexible and accommodating in difficult circumstances.
• Relevant degree from an internationally recognized university, or sufficient proven professional experience related to the sector. Certification will be required.

Personal competencies:

All employees should master DRC/DDG's core competencies:

• Communicating
• Taking the lead
• Collaborating
• Striving for excellence
• Demonstrating integrity

Colombian national candidates are encouraged to apply.

We offer:

A challenging and rewarding job in one of the best International NGOs in the world. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Demining Group/Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies for more information. The successful applicant’s salary level will be decided based on his/her background and experience. DDG/DRC has a generous benefits package, including R&R, pension, and duty station allowances.

Contract length: 12 months (renewable subject to funding)

Duty Station: Bogota, Colombia

Start date: February 2018

For further information, please contact the DDG Programme and Operations Coordinator for Colombia at clare.oreilly@drc.dk.

For general information about Danish Demining Group and the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.danishdeminingroup.dk and www.drc.dk. Applications sent directly to Clare O’Reilly will not be considered.

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the “*apply for position”* button or go to www.drc.dkand find Current Vacancies. All applicants should include a cover letter and an updated CV no longer than four pages, in English. Your CV should also include contact details of three professional referees.

Applications close on 21January 2018. Please note that DDG reserves the right to recruit a qualified candidate should one be identified before this closing date.

Please note that applications are not to be sent to individuals within DDG, but should be submitted by clicking the below “*apply for position*” button.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/jobsupport.