Grants Management and Multi Country Operations Specialist
• Supervised by: Regional Programme Manager
• Reporting to: Regional Programme Manager
• Duty Station: Dakar
• Area of Operation: Region of West Africa
• Employment Period:12 months (renewable)
• Type of Contract (Expat/National/Trainee): National or Expatriate
• Salary & Benefits: Band Non Management G
• Insurances 100% paid for by DRC: Accommodation 100% paid for by DRC in a guesthouse


Introduction
The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfilment of the wish to return home.
The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.
Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.


Background
DRC has been providing relief and development services in West Africa since 1998 and in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2011. Using a human rights framework, the DRC WANALA operation focuses on people who are affected by displacement, including refugees, internally displaced, migrants, and host communities in Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Colombia, Libya, Mali, Mexico, Niger, Nigeria, Tunisia, Venezuela. Led by the Regional Executive Director, the DRC WANALA oversees, supports, and provides strategic directions for DRC’s Country Offices within the above-mentioned regions. The WANALA Regional office also supports multi-country projects and non-operational initiatives, focusing on protection analysis and displacement trends, civil society engagement, as well as advocacy and policy initiatives related to displacement. DRC portfolio in the WANALA region covers all DRC core sectors (Protection, Economic Recovery, Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding, Shelter and CCCM) through the entire response framework (Emergency response, Durable Solutions and Root causes).

A department of multi-country grants and operations has been established since February 2021 with multi country and cross border projects and regionally held grants. The Regional multi-country’s portfolio is composed of multi-country and multi-year programmes (including in consortia) that operationalize triple nexus in strategic partnerships with local/international actors and integrate multiple sectors (economic recovery, protection, peacebuilding).


Purpose
Based in the DRC WANALA Regional Office in Dakar, within the department of multi-country operations, the Grant Management and Multi-Country Operations Specialist will share its workforce between grant management purpose and support to the multi-country operations implemented within the Region. She/he will share the time equally between the two portfolios, though this is an average allocation, meaning that the time dedicated to each portfolio will be flexible and depend on the demands and prioritised files.
Grant Management
The Specialist will manage an efficient and timely grant management for the projects being implemented and/ or coordinated by the WANALA itself. S/He will ensure the development and quality review of multi-country donor proposals and reports covered by the WANALA.


Multi-country operations
The Specialist will monitor the multi-country projects implementation. S/He will also contribute to create tailored communication and advocacy products, and assist in the organization of regional internal and external program events.
The Specialist will be part of the Department supervising multi-country grants and operations and will work intensively with the Programme as well as the Support Services (especially its Finance Department).


Responsibilities
Under the management of the Regional Projects Manager (RPM), the Grant Management and Multi-Country Operations Specialist will have the following activities and tasks:

Grant Management:
• Keep track on and coordinate donor reporting schedule and requirements, as stipulated in the various donor contracts, through the preparation of the Rolling action plan ensuring all relevant staff are aware of their obligations
• Ensure regular updating of DRC’s grants management tool (via DRC Dynamics)
• Oversee, coordinate, and consolidate the timely drafting of donor reports and project proposals with program staff
• Ensure the follow-up of contractual and official information and correspondence for the relevant grants
In coordination with relevant staff, contribute to design, maintain, and inform internal procedures, systems and tools to facilitate DRC compliance with contractual obligations to donors, including regarding communications
• Contribute to collect and centralise information on new funding opportunities, calls for proposals and donor guidelines.

Operations:
• Ensure the monitoring, and contribute to the review and revision of the multi- country projects, including of the project management tools such as the budgets, workplans and project targets
• Contribute to the organisation and implementation of project activities held by the Regional Office
• Contribute to the review and/or development of multi-country donor, program or partners’ reports, budget and amendments, in coordination with the regional and country teams, partners and according to priorities defined with the RPM;
• Work with the RPM to ensure regional report workflows and deadlines are followed by teams and partners ;
• Participate in the organisation of kick-off and closure meetings for regional projects, regional project reviews and external events ;
• Draft and/or review communication and advocacy products based on information from country / regional teams and partners according to priorities defined with the RPM;
• Ensure the compliance to DRC and donors’ communication guidelines;
• Provide support in liaising and coordinating with programme and support DRC teams at regional office and in country offices to facilitate the implementation of multi-country projects
• Manage follow-up of contractual and official information and correspondence with donor, only when required ;
In coordination with relevant staff, design, maintain and inform internal procedures, systems and tools to facilitate DRC compliance with contractual obligations to donors.
• Contribute to the mapping and vetting of partners and to the management of partnerships in the Multi-Country Operations Department

Required Qualifications
• Post-graduate degree/ University Degree (Bachelor or Master) in International Development/Development Studies, International Relations, Economics, Political Science/Public Affairs, Business Administration or Management, or another relevant field is required ;
• Min. 2 years’ experience in an international organization in grant management, reporting management and/or operational management;
• Proven experience in developing projects with humanitarian and development aid donors.
• Strong organizational skills;
• Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities, meet demanding deadlines, and work under pressure in unstable security environments.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills with a well-developed ability to motivate and persuade at high levels ;
• Full professional fluency in French language (70% of the professional communication in this position will be done in French, including almost all the communication within the WARO) ;
• Professional Proficiency (written and spoken) in English (30% of the professional communication in this position will be in English) ;
• Understanding of the different contexts of the West Africa Region ;
• Excellent Computer Skills (MS Office, Internet) and an advanced proficiency in Excel are required.


Required Skills & Qualities
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: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment
• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are required
• Multi-tasking and Organizational skills are necessary
• Adaptable and Flexible
• Proven analytical and critical thinking skills
• Exemplary sense of ethics in the workplace
• Team-oriented & good sense of humor

General Regulations
The employee shall follow :
• DRC regulations on safety, health, COVID-19 norms and hygiene
• The Code of Conduct and all ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework
• Rules for the use of the DRC guesthouse, which is a working accommodation
In addition :
• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request