Head of Programme

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. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation.

Overall purpose of the role: As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Head of Programme drives the overall country strategy, in line with DRC’s global and regional strategies as well as needs and contextual developments on the ground. The HoP oversees the conceptualization and development of programmes, leads fundraising and donor engagement, and is responsible for ensuring programmatic quality in addition to the effective management of grants. The position manages a team of technical programme staff at the CO level and is responsible for ensuring programmatic quality standards are met across the board, including through robust MEAL processes, capitalization of learning and cross-cutting issues (protection and age, gender, and diversity mainstreaming). The HoP actively engages with other DRC offices working on the Syria response, partners, civil society and the donor community to ensure DRC’s views and priorities are represented. S/he plays a key role in ensuring adherence to policies and systems.

About the job

The individual will report directly to the Country Director. Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Programming Strategy & Development

• Lead continuous in-depth analysis of the humanitarian, and development context, trends, gaps, challenges and opportunities in Jordan, and as a key member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) bring inputs to the SMT forum in regards to strategic direction of DRC programming.
• Drive the conceptualization and the finalization of the country strategy, and develop/define the country programming in a collaborative way ensuring programme appropriateness, relevance and accountability;
• Contribute to the sustainable management of programme growth with an eye towards new programme development that addresses evolving needs on the ground
• Foster synergies between programme areas (integrated approach); mainstream protection, gender, and conflict sensitivity in all programme areas; and ensure adherence to humanitarian principles and any other international standards when relevant
• Enhance private sector engagement to pursue innovative and alternative financing instruments as well as to build shared value partnerships in support of programme objectives.

Programme Implementation & Coordination

• Provide oversight, guidance and leadership to all technical coordinators to ensure quality programme implementation and integration
• Ensure effective and transparent budget follow up, planning and use of financial resources in compliance with DRC and donor policies and priorities
• Oversee effective management of the entire grants cycle, including smooth kick-off to ensure shared understanding across all departments, periodic grants review to identify and address implementation challenges and facilitate collective troubleshooting, and successful closeout of grants and fulfilment of all contractual obligations
• Identify key risks in regards to programme implementation and inform Country Director / SMT to ensure adequate risk management plans are in place
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor programme implementation and interact with implementation teams; and coordinate all donor monitoring visits to the field
• Ensure regular DRC representation and contribution in all programme related working groups and coordination mechanisms in country
• Ensure DRC’s programme complements government strategies and addresses gaps in services through coordination and consultation with state authorities, humanitarian and development actors
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with both current and prospective donors, providing transparent updates and oversight of implementation, as well as informing them in terms of course correction and needs for adjustments where necessary.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

• Provide oversight, guidance, and leadership on all aspects of program design, development and quality assurance.
• Ensure programming is principled and in line with Core Humanitarian Standards, Sphere standards and other relevant legal frameworks.
• Ensure there are systems and tools in place for conflict sensitive including do-no harm approaches to programming. 
• Develop a close and productive working relationship with implementation teams to ensure by-in of quality standards and processes and that designs, and course corrections are evidence based and informed by learning.
• Ensure the implementation of effective and participatory Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning strategies at all levels of the country programmes.
• Facilitate collaboration and the utilization of global and regional technical support in areas of new programmatic initiatives (localization, greening, innovation etc.).
• Ensure Information Management is embedded with DRC programme and that data management adheres to GDPR and other data protection protocols including PIM. 
• Adopt an evidence based approach that see the dissemination of lessons learned and best practices within DRC country and Region teams, to donors and to other stakeholders when relevant in order to ensure synergetic programming and cross-program collaboration with Syria and other refugee hosting countries in the region.
• Supervise monitoring and evaluation of the operations to ensure the overall implementation is in accordance with agreed work plans, donor agreements and humanitarian accountability framework.

Fundraising, Proposal Writing & Reporting Processes

• Lead the development and updating of DRC Jordan’s fundraising strategy and donor engagement plan
• Pursue funding opportunities in all DRC competence areas from both traditional/institutional donors as well as by piloting innovative funding instruments (e.g. results-based and blended financing)
• Ensure the timely submission of high quality funding proposals, donor reports, and modification requests and obtain necessary sign-offs before submission from DRC’s regional office and headquarters Partnership Management
• Lead the development, revision, and implementation of DRC Jordan’s partnership strategy
• Continue the roadmap for localisation approaches of the country programme while ensuring effective management of associated risks
• Oversee programme implementation by all partners, including progress against targets and spending against budgets, and bring any major risks or bottlenecks to the attention of the SMT
• Improve partnership management systems, processes, and tools based on lessons learned and feedback from staff and partners
• Oversee capacity building activities for implementing partners based on identified gaps
• Identify and pursue new partnerships for scaling impact and fundraising.

Research, Advocacy, and Communications

• Lead the development, revision, and implementation of DRC Jordan’s advocacy strategy and action plan
• Identify opportunities for joint research and advocacy activities with other actors, including INGOs, LNGOs, and academic institutions
• Oversee communication activities and review all communications products (e.g. success stories, photo essays, videos) that highlight the impact of DRC’s work in Jordan
• Ensure donor visibility requirements are upheld in the field and in all non-sensitive publications

Staff Management and Capacity Building

• Line-manage country programme team – including technical coordinators, MEAL, grants and partnerships, and project managers – to ensure an effective collaboration between technical and programmatic implementation teams.
• Develop overall staff competence through leadership, training and coaching of staff and reflect personal development plans in staff performance appraisals
• When needed, draft and/or review terms of reference to hire and manage external consultants and manage those consultancies to ensure timely and quality submission of all deliverables

About you

To be successful in this role we expect that you possess the following:

• Graduate degree in International Development and/or Humanitarian Assistance, Project Management or any other related field in the social sciences
• Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience in programme management and development in conflict or displacement settings
• Minimum 4 years of experience in managing complex refugee responses, including 2 years at country senior management level preferably in the Middle East
• Demonstrated experience and skills in multi sectoral proposal development, budget
• development and management, programme implementation, program risk management, monitoring and evaluation
• Strong understanding of protection and economic recovery (livelihood) programming, integrated programming, protection and diversity mainstreaming, and conflict sensitive programming
• Proven track record of successfully raising funds and cultivating new donors
• Prior experience working with key institutional donors such as EU, Danida, FCDO, and BPRM amongst others
• Familiarity with innovative financing instruments (e.g. outcome-based and/or blended financing instruments such as impact bonds) and private sector engagement
• Experience managing people responsible for program management, implementation, and design
• Previous successful experience working with DRC on senior Program Management role is an a
• dvantage
• Proven experience in effectively coordinating with government authorities, international and national NGO partners, and UN agencies
• Experience managing and strengthening the capacity of local implementing partners
• Excellent communication skills and diplomacy
• Fluency in spoken and written English is required
• Proficient Arabic language skills are desired

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 act in line with DRC’s vision and values. 

Application process

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

Jordanian candidates are highly encouraged and welcomed to apply.

Location: Amman

Closing date for applications: 19-05-2025

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

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