Economic Recovery Project Manager

In 2003, , DRC became one of the first organisations to provide humanitarian assistance in the country. Today, DRC continues to provide humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable displacement-affected families, including IDPs, returnees, and host communities in Basra, Baqubah, Jalawla, Gatoon, Baghdad, Muqdadiya, Balad, Aziz Balad, Samarra, Mosul, Duhok, Tel Afar, Baa’j, Sinjar, and Erbil.

Find more about DRC operations in Iraq here: Iraq | DRC Danish Refugee Council

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Economic Recovery Project Manager to be based in Faluja/Amiriya Faluja, covering Anbar and Basra with frequent travel to the field.

About the job

Under the supervision of the Area Manager (AM), the Economic Recovery Project Manager is responsible for the planning, implementation, management and quality assurance of the Economic Recovery programme in Anbar and Basra In close coordination with the Economic Recovery Technical Coordinator (based at Country Office) and the AM, the Project Manager leads the development and implementation of DRC’s sector strategy in Southern areas, as well as the harmonization and rollout of tools and guidelines. The Project Manager will also lead on the representation of DRC in relevant humanitarian coordination and will provide leadership and capacity building to the DRC team in Southern areas.

The Economic Recovery Manager will follow up on the day-to-day implementation of all economic Recovery project activities, monitoring progress, quality and tracking of intervention outcomes in addition to systematic management of budget vs actual together with project monitoring, providing feedback, direction in every step of the project and producing of progress reports related to the intervention.. Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Program Implementation

• Responsible for ensuring high quality, on time project implementation in accordance with donor and DRC regulations. This includes meeting donor targets (activity and budget), ensuring donor compliant implementation and supervising Economic Recovery activity quality.
• Develop detail and regularly update Implementation Plans. Plans should set out future activity and track progress to date on outputs and activities in the Project Management Tool for presentation at monthly Grant Review Meetings.
• Provide strategic direction and oversight for the economic recovery specialist, ensuring that their activities align with project objectives and contribute effectively to sustainable waste management, WASH, and agricultural initiatives. Set clear milestones and targets in collaboration with the specialist to guide their work towards achieving desired outcomes.
• Conduct regular field visits to key sites to ensure technical quality and adherence to key standards and processes.
• Maintain close communications with colleagues in (a) other sectors, (b) Area Office management, (c) Country Office technical supervision, and (d) support office (Finance, HR, Supply Chain) regarding challenges and opportunities.
• Prepare high quality and timely narrative reporting for donors, check this reporting against area financial reports, liaise with technical coordinators for quality assurance and feed into checking of financial reports for accuracy.
• Develop procurement plans and liaise with relevant support departments to ensure that activities are carried out according to plan, including participation in supply chain processes and ensuring goods are in line with programmatic standards.
• Complete and regularly update budget forecasts for project activities and staffing and monitor budget vs actual on a regular basis. Manage expenditure and take timely corrective action to prevent over and under-expenditure.
• Maintain ongoing communication with Safety regarding relevant contextual developments and incident reporting.
• Support integration of Economic Recovery interventions with other sectors, ensuring close collaboration between field teams.
• Regularly update the project monitoring tools, including (a) ensuring appropriate indicator and quality tracking (both quantitative and qualitative) , track project outcomes, and impact regularly and (b) working closely with MEAL to put in place accountability measures.
• Focus on improving waste management practices in a sustainable manner including recycling, waste reduction and proper disposal methods.
• To build resilience in communities by integrating water and land management practices.
• Improves land tenure systems and implements property management schemes to improve the proper use of agricultural lands.
• Promote social cohesion, inclusivity, and community participation to improve integration and responsibility among community members through facilitating community dialogues and organizing cohesion events.

Team Management

• Recruit and line manage (including conducting appraisals performance management and providing instructions to HR around contract amendments and termination) project staff.
• Provide regular constructive feedback to direct reports, following DRC’s Performance management procedures, and support direct reports in performance management of their team members.
• Assess training and development needs within the Economic Recovery team, develop a capacity building plan and implement the plan, in line with DRC Iraq nationalization policy and guidelines.
• Liaise with line and technical management as necessary regarding team performance, ensuring technical standards are upheld.
• Create an enabling environment and team spirit among the Economic Recovery team and ensure sectoral partnership of Economic recovery team with other sectoral team
• Enable the economic recovery specialist’s expertise to guide capacity building efforts, focusing on sustainable waste management, WASH, and agricultural initiatives. Empower the specialist through tailored mentorship and skill-building opportunities, ensuring their pivotal role in enhancing project outcomes

Budget Management

• Work closely with the finance team to apply a SMART budgeting for project activities.
• Ensure proper utilization of budgets as the Donor and DRC policy and requirements
• Timely updates of monthly forecast to enable smooth implementation of activities

Strategy implementation

• Ensure the roll out of the DRC Iraq Economic Recovery sector strategy and its integration into the DRC Iraq program strategy and the response.
• Work closely with Technical Coordinators and line manager on identification of needs of communities and gaps in Economic Recovery activities within DRC’s areas of intervention.
• Provide, upon request, technical input into the development (and implementation) of relevant SOPs and technical standards.
• Contribute to the Area level program strategy and to the establishment of sector-based log frames and targets.
• Identify innovative approaches and practices to increase project impact.
• Participate in the proposal development process by providing field specific context analysis, technical sector specific analysis, beneficiary information, feedback on the concept including proposing the activities and costing at field level in line with Area Log Frames.
• In coordination with MEAL, provide inputs to tools and use the tools for data collection including indicator tracking tables

Coordination and Representation

• Regular coordination and liaison with Economic Recovery and other partners in the field, with attention to the specific needs of vulnerable communities;
• Engage with area-based coordination as necessary and relevant and present the project in meetings and workshops.
• Responsible for conducting donor visits in close coordination with the country office donor focal points.
• Pro-actively build good rapport with local authorities, CSOs and community representatives.
• Identify opportunities and material to contribute to communications and support facilitation of media visits.

Other

• Ensure the respect of DRC Code of Conduct and DRC’s zero tolerance policy of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), humanitarian principles and contribute to the integration of Protection and Age, Gender, Diversity (AGD) mainstreaming into DRC programming.
• Undertake any other duties that may be assigned by the Line Manager.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 5 years of relevant expereince. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• Minimum 5 years of experience with NGO project implementation, including at least 3 years’ experience managing people and teams. Experience providing technical guidance, training, and capacity building of staff and CSO partners or government counterparts is essential.
• An excellent professional track record with a minimum of 3 years’ work experience in implementing multi-sectoral projects with a focus on waste management, shelter upgrades, economic recovery and community resilience initiatives.
• Significant experience managing projects, ensuring tracking of targets and activities, and donor reporting.
• Experience in producing high-quality technical material (training material, programme tools, proposals, strategic documents etc.) and written narrative reports.
• Experience and excellent demonstrable understanding of Project Cycle Management
• Proven communication, negotiation, leadership, and diplomacy skills.
• Knowledge of Gender and Protection mainstreaming, AGD, MEAL and AAP approaches.
• Experience working with national/local NGOs and civil society organizations is desirable.
• Strong familiarity with project cycle management, monitoring and evaluation frameworks and donor compliance requirements.
• Experience or knowledge of social cohesion and/or community development programming.
• Willingness and capacity to work in the field and travel frequently to project sites when needed.
• Ability to work with a diverse team and commitment to the implementation of Age, Gender and Diversity initiatives.

Education:

• Advanced university degree in environmental science, civil engineering, Economics, Agriculture, Community Development, or a relevant subject.
• Strong relevant experience will be considered in lieu (if appropriate)

Languages:

• English (Fluent)
• Arabic (Fluent)

Key stakeholders:

Internal

• Area Manager
• Economic Recovery Team Leaders, specialist, Officers and Assistants
• Economic Recovery Coordinator
• Support Services managers (Area SSM, Finance, Supply Chain, HR)
• MEAL and IM Team.

External

• People of Concern
• Private companies
• Relevant local authorities and line ministries
• Relevant coordination for a and actors

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: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

WE OFFER

• Contract Length: 1 year
• Salary Band: F level 2 (Management)
• Start Date:12 May 2024
• Comprehensive health insurance for staff, spouse, and up to two children under 18.
• Personal Accident insurance coverage in the event of work-related accidents during working hours.
• Psychosocial support for staff and family members.
• Learning & Development opportunities for professional growth.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National Staff. Please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies.

Application process

Allpplicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 22 April 2024

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.