The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental and non-profit organization founded in 1956 that works in more than 35 countries around the world. DRC has been operating in Kenya since 2005, where we assist refugees and displacement-affected communities in Dadaab, Mandera, Lodwar, Kakuma, Kalobeyei and Nairobi through protection and livelihoods activities to enhance their self-reliance and expand opportunities for a dignified life. DRC provides both humanitarian assistance and longer-term development support to respond to the needs of communities affected by acute crisis as well as those in protracted displacement situations.
Overall purpose of the role:
The Project Manager-Karamoja Strong will be responsible for the successful delivery of the DANIDA funded “Karamoja Strong: Community-led resilience in the face of climate-induced loss, displacement and conflict’’ cross-border project to be implemented in Kenya and Uganda. The position will hold overall responsibility for the coordination of implementation throughout the project cycle in collaboration with consortium partners, including budget management, project reporting, MEAL, staff support and management, advocacy, and external representation (including relationships with government authorities, civil society organizations, relevant working groups, and project partners), as well as contributing to fundraising and programme development. The position will adhere to DRC security procedures and regulations, representation in the field locations, adherence to DRC’s standard regulations and operational procedures (including the Code of Conduct, the DRC Programme Manual and administrative regulations), oversee the capacity strengthening of project staff and partners, safeguard staff and assets contribute to planning, coordination and learning within DRC Kenya.
Responsibilities:
R1. Strategic planning:
- Contribute to the development and implementation of Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP) internal strategies for Kenya, with a focus on initiatives in border areas of the Karamoja Cluster.
R2. Project Management and Technical Quality:
- Provide leadership for the effective and efficient management of the project, in accordance with DRC organisational and donor requirements.
- Oversee implementation and achievement of project objectives by the project team and partners.
- Ensure that planning, budgeting, and reporting are conducted promptly.
- Identify areas where additional inputs are needed to ensure high quality programming, ensuring that relevant technical expertise and capacity strengthening support is available to staff and partners.
- Ensure an overall MEAL plan is in place for the project.
- Explore and build opportunities for programme growth and follow-on funding while implementing the project through quality programme delivery processes.
- Be responsible for nurturing and maintaining a robust, honest, and transparent relationship with project partners, ensuring the project’s partnerships are managed in line with DRC partnership approach.
- Lead in the identification of project risks and proactively work with partners to mitigate risk factors against partnership and project delivery plans.
R3. Organizational and people management:
- To develop an effective working relationship with the Kenya programme team based on a clear understanding of respective roles, as well as a collaborative approach.
- Line management of project staff to ensure delivery of timely and high-quality outputs, effective implementation of performance management, learning and development plans, and managing external consultants, as needed.
- Monitor project implementing partners work and report accordingly.
- Ensure compliance with organizational HR policies and national requirements.
R4. Finance and Fundraising:
- Have overall responsibility for financial management of the project, including working with implementing partners and ensure that all activities and expenditures are conducted within budget allocations.
- Facilitate monthly level grant management meetings to monitor programme expenditure, prepare budget revisions and forecasts, review monthly financial data and ensure timely financial reporting to the donor, in coordination with the grant managers.
- Lead on narrative reporting to donors, including coordinating reporting by partners and consolidating overall reports.
- Together with the Area Manager, monitor and mitigate project risks to DRC and partner project staff safety and security and contribute to the development and implementation of safety and security procedures
- Ensure the development of project budgets and spending projections.
- Together with immediate supervisor and country office technical teams, identify opportunities for new projects and funding, including contributing to proposal development.
R5. External representation and Advocacy:
- Ensure good and constructive relations with government structures at cross-border, county and sub-county levels.
- Strengthen DRC’s engagement and with other NGO/CBOs operating in areas of operation.
- Representation in external meetings in Turkana, Garissa, Mandera, West Pokot and Moroto as delegated by the supervisor.
- Ensure good relations with DRC partner organizations.
- Represent DRC to donors at the local level during donor visits.
- Any other tasks requested by the immediate supervisor and/or the Country Director.
R6. Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Play a lead role in the DRC Knowledge and Learning strategy, particularly in relation to the node focused on climate, conflict, environmental degradation and displacement. This includes working with DRC MEAL team in setting up adequate MEAL systems to gather programmatic evidence and learning, designed to maximize DRC and partners’ understanding of this set of challenges, and how to respond to them.
- Work with the project MEAL officer and partners on the analysis of data, reporting, learning and sharing.
- Review relevant reports, including evaluation reports, partner narrative reports, and other internal and external resources as necessary to inform project delivery.
- Support bi-annual outcome harvesting workshops and ensure critical MEAL project reflection and reviews take place on regular basis to inform decision making, and that learning informs wider DRC community of practice, including within and between DRC Kenya country teams, and the global programme support, policy and advocacy teams.
- Support DRC organizational objectives on gender mainstreaming, climate change, partnerships and contribute to learning and development around these.
- Work closely with MEAL Officer in preparation of MEAL reports when required.
- Ensure all project activities data is captured using correct monitoring tools provided by organization
- Assist with any other related activities as deemed necessary by the supervisor.
Personal qualities:
- Organized, punctual and delivers on time
- Strong ability to motivate and inspire staff and partners
- Excellent networking skills
- Passionate about promoting cross border relations and a Kenya free of armed violence and conflict
- Intelligent and creative mind that will enable him/her to identify new and suitable solutions to local safety needs
- Analytical and able to present logical arguments
- Curious and seeks out information, strong drive to learn new things and improve own capacity
- Takes initiative – identifies what needs to get done and does it
- Hard working and driven to achieve objectives, Able to work under minimum supervision
- A good team player, culturally sensitive and able to resist external pressure
Experience and technical competencies:
- Have over five years of professional work experience in different capacities with local and international NGOs
- Proven experience of programming in Climate change/environment, displacement and conflict, and/or women’s rights programming at a community, national and regional levels – preferably in contexts of conflict prevention, security and justice and/or peacebuilding
- Good knowledge and understanding of the local context and sensitivities
- Sound experience in progressive management and project management, community security, humanitarian, peace building and/or justice sector.
- Experience in providing mentoring and support to a range of actors
- Demonstrable experience in managing complex projects
- Extensive experience of project management including monitoring and evaluation
- Extensive experience in report writing
- Demonstrated capacity for proposal development
- Understanding of financial management procedures, budget monitoring, and donor reporting
- Sound knowledge of civil society dynamics and their role in addressing peace, gender and climate change challenges peace
- Demonstrable experience in working with partners in sustainable ways that reflect power-sharing, accompaniment, mutual respect, and so forth
- Familiarity with or experience in working on the nexus between conflicts and climate change and/or natural resource management
- A team player: able to demonstrate a constructive, cooperative and problem-solving approach
- Experience of working in insecure environments and of security management
- High degree of computer literacy
Education:
- Master’s Degree in gender, peace and conflict studies, natural resources management, development studies or other relevant field, or training from recognized institutions
Language:
- Fluency in English. Strong command of written English and ability to speak clearly to various audiences
- Fluency in Turkana would be an advantage
DRC’s Core competencies:
All DRC roles require the post-holder to master the DRC’s core competencies below:
- 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 DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
Conditions:
Contract duration: 8-months contract with possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council terms of employment for National staff.
Employment Category: Band F2
Reporting to: Head of Programme
Availability: May 2025
Location: Lodwar (with frequent travel to Pokot and Karamoja in Uganda)
Key stakeholders:
Internal: Turkana HDP team, MEAL Coordinator, MEAL Manager, Partnership coordinator, Program Development & Quality Manager, Grants Coordinator, HDP manager, Head of Operations, Head of Programme, Country Director, DRC Uganda teams
External: Community, Local Authorities both in Kenya and Uganda, Other NGOs, Karamoja Strong consortium Partners
General
Commitments:
DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html)
Application Process:
Qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications, which should include a 1-page cover letter clearly stating their motivation, and qualifications and a CV. Applications should include contact details of three professional referees who have supervised the candidate in the last five years. One referee must be the applicant’s most recent manager. Only applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered.
We only accept applications sent via our online application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies. Applications should be sent no later than: 25th March 2025.
Gender Equality:
DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, female candidates and those from minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
