AVR Manager – Danish Refugee Council

Background
Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an independent, non-profit organization (NGO), founded on the basis of humanitarian principles, and human rights based approach, to secure the protection of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and to promote long term solutions to the problems of forced displacement.

Danish Demining Group (DDG) is a specialized unit within DRC which implements mine action and armed violence reduction (AVR) programmes. DDG’s mandate is ‘to create a safe environment free from armed violence and the remnants of conflict’, and DDG does this via a programmatic focus on four key sectors: Security Systems Reform, Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) management, Mine Action and Conflict Management.

Since July 2015, DRC/DDG have started up emergency operations in Nigeria in order to respond to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in northeastern Nigeria. In 2016, DRC/DDG will commence an EU-funded programme that seeks to promote stability and socio-economic recovery in Borno and Adamawa states. The programme will focus on four key programmatic axes:

Promoting socio-economic recovery and sustainable livelihoods
Addressing the needs of youth at affected by displacement and at risk of criminality and radicalisation
Enhancing community protection and conflict mediation capacities
Reducing the risks associated with mines/explosive remnants of war (ERW)

Position’s Overall Objective
The Armed Violence Reduction (AVR) Manager is responsible and accountable for designing, managing, monitoring, and advising on DRC/DDG AVR activities in northeastern Nigeria – these include community safety planning, dialogue facilitation between IDPs and security providers, conflict mediation capacity development and capacity development for at risk youth. The AVR Manager’s role is to ensure that AVR-related activities implemented within the DRC/DDG programme are in line with DRC/DDG’s objectives, strategies, donor requirements, and are compliant with DDG’s AVR methodology and tools.

Reporting Lines

The AVR Manager reports to the EU Programme Manager, responsible for the overall implementation of the EU programme. The AVR Manager also works in close collaboration with DDG’s Regional Manager, Global Specialist Lead for AVR and other DRC/DDG Managers based in Nigeria (e.g Mine Action, Livelihoods, M&E). The AVR Manager monitors, advises and line manages national staff responsible for implementing AVR-related activities (ie AVR supervisors and facilitators).

Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include:
Provide overall leadership for DDG’s Armed Violence Reduction work in Nigeria
Recruit and help to induct and train national programme staff
Plan and lead the implementation of all project activities
Develop realistic workplans which focus on achieving tangible results within a short timeframe
Devise future AVR project plans and funding proposals
Collaborate with M&E staff to ensure rigorous monitoring and evaluation of mine action activities
Coordinate effectively with other sector managers as part of an integrated DRC/DDG programme
Draft interim and final project reports and provide briefings for donors and stakeholders as needed
Contribute to the management of safety and security by adhering to established protocols
Other tasks as requested by the DRC/DDG EU Programme Manager
Specific tasks and responsibilities include:

Operations
Mentor, monitor, advise and supervise the national programme staff in the assigned sections, ensuring that they carry out their duties and responsibilities in accordance with their job descriptions, the community safety operational guidelines and as tasked.
Ensure that all activities within the assigned sections are coordinated with and complementary to each other and all other programme sections and other relevant programming including both DRC-DDG and external partners
Make regular field visits to monitor and advise the national staff in programme delivery
In collaboration with the PM and Country Director, lead the development of DDG AVR programming.
Ensure that AVR staff are well trained and have the relevant skills and capacity to deliver the programme efficiently and effectively.
Maintain working relationships with other DDG AVR programmes within the West Africa Region to exchange experience and ideas and contribute to programme development

Stakeholder relations
Liaise with local authorities; external partners etc. within his/her assigned areas of responsibility and coordinate with the Country Director and senior national staff.

Reporting
Assist the national staff in the timely and quality compilation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports for their specific sections.
Make regular field visits and reports
Support the Country Director to prepare annual reports to the host government, donors and DDG Regional and Head Offices as requested.

Admin/HR
Work close with Head of Admin and Finance Manager and assist to monitor admin and HR aspects of his/her assigned sections; including monitoring the discipline and welfare of the programme staff and ensuring that the correct level of staff capacity is maintained.
Line-manage the assigned national staff. The AVR Manager will also coach and mentor the senior national staff in management skills in relation to their teams (AVR supervisors and officers).

Finance
The AVR Manager is responsible for working with Head of Admin and Finance for monitoring of the financial aspects of the activities in his/her assigned sections.

Required Qualifications
A postgraduate qualification in conflict prevention, international relations, African Studies, peace studies, political science or related field;
At least 5 years’ experience of working on issues related to stabilisation, security system reform/policing, conflict management, small arms control, community-based approaches, and awareness raising;
At least 3 years’ experience in engaging with national authorities and donors. Capacity to advocate, liaise and coordinate with various actors.
At least 3 years’ experience of project management including staff management and monitoring and evaluation;
At least 2 years’ experience working in international NGOs
Excellent drafting and communication skills in English. Strong knowledge of French an advantage;
Experience of management of project finances;
Experience of working in complex and politically-sensitive contexts, and excellent political judgement; prior experience working with security providers, e.g. military, police, etc an advantage
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; must be proficient in word, excel and powerpoint
Willing to live in shared team house

Conditions
Availability: February 2016
Duty station: Yola, Nigeria with frequent travel within Borno and Adamawa states
Duration: 12 months with possibility of renewal, subject to performance
Contract: A10/A11 dependent on final project design agreement with the donor
This is a Non Family Duty post.

Employer want to submit job applications through their website at: Apply Online

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