Danish Refugee Council Country Director - Myanmar

OVERALL OBJECTIVE

The Country Director (CD) will have the overall responsibility for the day to day management, programming, implementation, fundraising and development of DRC’s programme in Myanmar – focusing on displacement and mine contamination issues in Rakhine, Kachin and the Southeast of Myanmar.

BACKGROUND

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is seeking an experienced and capable Country Director to lead our programme and strengthen our operations in Myanmar.

DRC has been operational in Myanmar since 2009, and since June 2012 broadened its presence via the Danish Demining Group (DDG).

The programme includes relief, early recovery, protection monitoring, community mobilization, peer group support, training and awareness raising, longer-term livelihood and community infrastructure activities in natural disaster and conflict affected areas.

After an initial humanitarian response targeting the devastation caused by cyclone Nargis in the Ayeyarwaddy Division, DRC today implements disaster risk reduction and protection integrated humanitarian assistance programmes in Rakhine and Kachin, and is planning to extend its activities to the Southeast.

In Rakhine, DRC has a well-established presence where it initially provided emergency assistance to the communities most affected by cyclone Giri (2010). DRC today implements disaster risk reduction (DRR) integrated rehabilitation and recovery activities in Rakhine. The already well established presence in Rakhine provided a solid platform for responding to the displacement situation arising from the June 2012 outbreak of sectarian violence.

In Kachin, DRC has responded to the large scale displacement caused by the collapse of a long-lasting ceasefire agreement between the Government of Myanmar and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and other factions. Since February 2012, DRC has assisted IDPs in the camps and seeks to facilitate safe and sustainable return of affected populations to their villages. In collaboration with local partners, DRC provides emergency shelter material, NFIs and protection assistance to least assisted IDPs in hard to reach areas.

In the Southeast, DRC will from 2013 work towards establishing a presence to address existing displacement issues in the area and provide assistance to the eventual return movement of Myanmar refugees in Thailand. To this effect, DRC will engage in local networks and liaise closely with local actors in the border area.

DRC’s main office is in Yangon; field offices are located in Myebon and Sittwe (Rakhine State), and Mytkyina (Kachin state) with several other offices planned for opening during Q4 2012 and Q1 2013.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

A Results Contract or similar will be developed to agree on core strategic goals to be prioritized by both the Country Director, representing DRC Myanmar, and services coming out of DRC HQ.

A) MANAGEMENT

• Responsible for overall management of Myanmar operations and function as direct manager for expatriate staff members.

B) PROGRAMMING AND STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

• Develop programme strategy and strategic priorities

• Ensure that DRC is able to adapt it’s strategic focus to the context - both regionally and nationally

C) ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE AND LOGISTICS

• Provide overall budget monitoring, financial management and expenses control including compliance with minimum DRC and donor requirements and ensure that the necessary systems are in place

D) REPRESENTATION, COORDINATION AND FUNDRAISING

• Represent DRC in front of authorities, donors, partners, and in various co-ordination fora. Strengthen DRC’s external position regionally and nationally

• Lead the process of applying for funding and broadening the funding basis

E) SUPERVISION, MONITORING AND REPORTING

• Report to and work in close coordination with DRC Head of Desk for Myanmar

• Ensure compliance with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement

F) SAFETY

• Overall responsible for security including development and ensure adherence to security procedures, monitor developments in the security situation, analyze and provide recommendations

G) ACCOUNTABILITY

• Guided by the DRC operations handbook and DRC’s HAP obligations, continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate matches most/all of the below desired criteria.

• Minimum 5 years of senior management experience positions in international emergency and/or post-conflict settings, preferably with refugees and/or IDPs

• Work experience with Myanmar/South East Asia is an advantage

• Work experience with and/or operational knowledge of Mine Action (DDG) is an advantage

• University degree in management, public administration, social science or the equivalent

• The ability to relate to donors and authorities in a professional manner and to negotiate and advocate for solutions that serve the needs of our beneficiaries

• Experiences of strategic programming and planning, organisational development, field implementation, monitoring and evaluation

• Documented fundraising experience and knowledge of requirements of key DRC/DDG donors

• The ability to resource and manage the finance / admin units adequately

• Excellent negotiation, communication and drafting skills

• Excellent written and spoken English

• Work experience with DRC is an advantage

CONDITIONS

Availability: Mid December 2012 or early January 2013

Duty station: Yangon (family duty station) with regular travel to operation areas

Contract: 12 month contract (possible extension pending funding). Salary and conditions in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates see www.drc.dk under Vacancies.

This position is placed at Employment Category A4.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information, please contact Head of Europe/Asia Section, email: shanna.jensen@drc.dk. Please note that applications are NOT to be sent o Ms Jensen. APPLICATIONS SENT DIRECTLY TO MS JENSEN WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

APPLICATION AND CV

Only applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered.

We only accept applications sent online on www.drc.dk under Vacancies > Current vacancies > Country Director – Myanmar (Click on the vacancy, then on “Apply” at the bottom of the window that opens.) Applications sent directly to Ms. Jensen will not be considered.

Please remember to upload both a letter of application and your CV. CV-only applications will not be considered.

Please forward the application and CV, in English and marked “Country Director Myanmar”, no later than Wednesday, 7. November 2012.

How to apply: 

Only applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered.

We only accept applications sent online on www.drc.dk under Vacancies > Current vacancies > Country Director – Myanmar (Click on the vacancy, then on “Apply” at the bottom of the window that opens.) Applications sent directly to Ms. Jensen will not be considered.

Please remember to upload both a letter of application and your CV. CV-only applications will not be considered.

Please forward the application and CV, in English and marked “Country Director Myanmar”, no later than Wednesday, 7. November 2012.