ProLAC Manager

Are you passionate about a more inclusive humanitarian ecosystem and local leadership in humanitarian responses? Do you want to support one of the largest humanitarian NGOs and its partners to improve the protection response in Latin America? Do you understand the challenges and opportunities of contexts characterized by conflict, displacement, fragility and political instability? Do you understand the context of Latin America, especially with regards to protection barriers and risks faced by people affected by conflict and displacement? And do you bring the seniority, expertise and personality necessary to contribute to the cultural, programmatic and organizational change process needed for those ambitions to become reality? If so, you might be the right candidate for the role of ProLAC 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-profit-making, 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.

1. Background

The complex and regional nature of the protection crisis in Latin America and the Caribbean paired with an increasing resource-constrained environment calls for greater efforts from protection actors in joining capacities to efficiently produce congruent and comparable data and information to inform the humanitarian and protection response.

Furthermore, the complexity of onward movements and displacements, and interconnected crises throughout the region has shown the immediate need to move from a fragmented analysis and response that risks major gaps in reaching the most affected populations while undermining advocacy efforts to build the protection environment.

To address this gap, DRC and NRC have established ProLAC, a regional protection information management initiative providing a harmonized regional protection monitoring system, in 2024. The ProLAC System offers a set of quantitative and qualitative tools for data collection and analysis along with Standard Operating Procedures and ongoing technical support to ProLAC international and national partners. The project is currently supported by ECHO for 2 years.

To date, ProLAC is implemented in Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, México, Panamá, Perú and Venezuela by DRC, NRC and Encuentros and the first joint regional protection monitoring has been published in December 2024. A second monitoring is planned for the first quarter 2025 with data and analysis from 8 partners (4 international and 4 nationals) allowing larger

geographical coverage and therefore a stronger analysis. Within its second year of implementation, it is expected that ProLAC will further expand its coverage by involving more international and national stakeholders.

2. Purpose of the job

Under the supervision of the Steering Committee, the ProLAC Manager provides coordinated and strategic leadership for the implementation and the development of the initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean. This includes responsibility on ProLAC strategy development, planning and implementation, external relations including fundraising and management of the ProLAC team.

Geographical scope: This role has a focus on Latin America and ensures compliance to DRC and donors’ procedures and guidelines within the scope of implementation.

3. Responsibilities

Management of the ProLAC initiative

• Chair the ProLAC Steering Committee (calendar, agendas, notes)
• Direct and manage the ProLAC team (ProLAC analysts and specialists)
• Develop work plans to be submitted to the Steering Committee
• Responsible for the overall program quality of the project
• Manage budgets and contributions of various donors and of ProLAC partners.
• Ensure that project planning includes relevant support service requirements (such as lead times and appropriate budgets)
• Ensure that resource mobilization is realistic and meets the needs of support functions, by using the operations budget to input to donor proposals
• Be the focal point for the compliance self-check, risk register, internal audit.

External Engagement

• Promote the ProLAC initiative in Latin America and globally
• Coordinate and manage analysis initiatives on areas of relevance and interest, as approved by the Steering Committee, and establish the reputation as a pre-eminent protection stakeholder.
• Responsible to identify and propose new partners to integrate ProLAC
• Ensure excellent relationships with ProLAC’s donors
• Support resource mobilization for the ProLAC initiative.

Protection Information Management & Analysis

• Chair ProLAC technical committee
• Oversee the collection of protection data, information, reports, best practice experiences and working methods available in the region to assist partners in planning their work.
• Oversee the analysis of data and production and dissemination of quality products (analysis, reports…)
• Facilitate the dissemination of ProLAC information and communication products including the maintenance of ProLAC web portal, to make information and analysis available to regional agencies, local actors, academia, and state authorities.

Advocacy, promotion of regional dialogue, networking and coordination

• Coordinate with NRC the ProLAC advocacy component (component lead by NRC within the consortium).
• In collaboration with partners and relevant actors, facilitate and coordinate regular consultations/ workshops and conferences/meetings, to identify areas for analysis or tools development.
• Assist in the development of ProLAC advocacy and communication strategy.
• Support existing forums and members to engage with governmental and inter-governmental actors on protection.

• Offer analyses and resources to support international and inter-regional conferences, workshops and debates, all to add value to the relevant sector.
• Foster conversation and collaboration with other protection working groups, clusters and stakeholders to ensure complementarity of protection information management, analysis and coverage.

4. Required Skills & Qualities

• At least 5 years' experience in designing, managing and leading coordinated protection strategies, analysis and response
• At least 3 years' experience with people management
  Previous experience in managing / coordinating initiatives involving several international and national stakeholders
• Previous experience in representing organization in high level humanitarian and political fora
• Knowledge of project cycle management•
•  Knowledge of supply chain management and procurement processes
• Knowledge of budget cycle and monitoring processes
   Knowledge of code of conduct principles and the HR systems for performance management
• Knowledge of key donor policy and compliance procedures

 Full professional proficiency in Spanish and English.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in coordinating
• Previous experience in Latin America context.

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: 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

• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment
• Proven analytical and critical thinking skills
• Team-oriented & good sense of humor

5. General Regulations

The employee shall follow :

• DRC regulations on safety, health and hygiene
• The Code of Conduct and all ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework

In addition :

• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request

6. Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position online: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process. DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

Closing date for applications: 31/01/2025. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Expected starting date: April 1st 2025.

Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.