Area Manager

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-profitmaking, 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.

Overall purpose of the role

The primary objectives of the Area Manager – Bogota, with direct supervision and management of the areas of Atlántico and La Guajira, will be - together with the Country Director, Head of Programs and Support Services: To ensure operational and programmatic implementation of projects, supervise programme and support staff, oversee staff safety and compliance with safety protocols, ensure local external representation of DRC in coordination space and with local authorities and stakeholder, and steer the area-based programme strategy.
Under the Country Director direct line management, the Area Manager will be based in Bogotá Office and will be responsible for the overall management and activity implementation in the areas of Bogota/ Cundinamarca, Atlántico and La Guajira. The position includes travel to the implementation sites in the mentioned area as well as occasional visits to hosting areas: rural communities for assessment, and meetings with partners and donors as necessary. This role has a field location focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the country.
The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks.

Responsibilities
Management

• Line manager for Base managers of la Guajira and Atlántico, Support and Program staff ensuring inter-department co-ordination.
• Closely coordinate with the Senior Management Team ensuring regular information flows.
• People management of direct reports (including development and training, people planning and performance).
• Together with team leaders will manage the program activities, budget lines, ensuring effective and efficient use of resources including financial and human resources.
• Ensure overall provision of and adherence to DRC policies (including Code of Conduct), procedures, guidelines, systems, and standard practices.
• Provide leadership in overseeing logistical/procurement, Human Resources/administration and office services activities and ensure their timely/efficient delivery.

Representation, coordination, and reporting

• Primary DRC representative in operation areas. Attend with support from DRC technical staff all relevant for a meeting to strengthen DRC’s position.
• Foster relationships and ensure close coordination with local authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the operation area.
• Support working relationships with donors, national and international organizations, and local counterparts.
• Comply with internal reporting requirements, contribute to, and provide quality assurance of external reports from area of operation.

Programme development.

• Lead the process of adapting DRC national strategy to the local context and circumstances.
• Provide regular analysis on the context and humanitarian situation in the areas for the development of project proposals and safety assessments in cooperation with the Country Director and program staff.
• Ensure coordination - directly or through sector managers - with the National Office programme team to ensure programme implementation is aligned with technical guidance and programme/sector strategies.

Safety

• Ensure a safe and secure environment for DRC staff, beneficiaries, and assets by ensuring the local security procedures are up to date and SOPs are being followed in line with DRC policy. Given the highly conflicting context within the areas of operation, the Area manager will have to monitor closely the activities that take place on the ground and the staff that conduct them, making sure that they abide to the safety protocols.
• Conduct regular safety and security monitoring and assessments.

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the areas of responsibility.
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions, and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
• Accountable for people management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC.
• Contribute to the recruitment and/or performance appraisal of members of the team.
• Implements the manager’s decisions through the work of subordinate employees, often playing a role in deciding how to do it; and how to achieve the objective set by the manager.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• Minimum 7 years´ experience in managing integrated humanitarian programs including Protection, Shelter, WASH, Assistance through cash modalities, NFIs, and livelihood.
• Minimum 3 years' experience in relevant field overseeing humanitarian multi-sector programs in environments in conflictive areas and context.
• At least 5 years' experience in people management
• Strong leadership skills and competence in people management.
• Practical and extensive financial, Human Resources, Logistic and administration management.
• Experience working with an integrated ERP system (end to end process of procurement, and other peripheric modules of logistics) – MS Dynamics considered an advantage.
• External stakeholder management (especially with local authorities)
• Proven excellent communication and report writing skills.
• Experience working in remote areas, with limited opportunities to create social networks

Education

• Master's degree in political science, international development, humanitarian assistance, economics, or other relevant fields from a top tier university.
• Or bachelor’s degree in relevant fields with 3 years’ working experience in similar positions.

Languages

• Full proficiency in Spanish is compulsory.
• Proficiency in English is compulsory.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking 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. 

We offer

The opportunity to join one of the world's leading NGOs.:

• Access to over 1,000 free online training courses and certificates.
• Expatriates contract for work (for the duration of the project/task)
• Band E
• Designation of Duty Station: Guajira-Bogotá-Barranquilla.
• Start date: July 2025. 

Applications close on the 20th of june 2025 at 11:59pm  (GMT-time). Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Note 1: The applicant who applies to this selection process authorizes DRC to validate the personal information provided in the CV. Your identification will be checked in public and private databases for the exclusive use of validating the information, in accordance with our anti-fraud, money laundry and terrorist financing policies.

Note 2: The applicant who freely and voluntarily wishes to take part in the selection process to occupy the position of this publish, must observe strict adherence to the rules that apply to the matter (suitability in the titles presented, execution of tests in a personal and individual and truthfulness in the information) adhering to the manuals and anti-fraud policies of DRC, under penalty of disqualifying the applicant who incurs in any irregularity in the opinion of the organization, even by suspicion, and even in possible criminal conduct under Colombian law.