Solution Manager – Danish Refugee Council

Location:  Addis Ababa

Reports to: Country Director

Grade – E1

Number of Positions – 1

Start of Contract & Duration: One year

Posting date: October 21, 2021

INTRODUCTION

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), an international non-governmental organization (NGO), has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. DRC promotes and supports solutions to the problems faced by refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and migrants. The organization has offices across the region, and has been operational in Ethiopia since 2009.  With funding from bilateral and multilateral donors, DRC is currently implementing a range of activities across Ethiopia including WASH and shelter provision, child and youth protection, gender-based violence response, awareness-raising of migration risks, protection monitoring of migration routes, and livelihoods support for returning migrants or those at-risk of migration.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Solutions Manager-Ethiopia is responsible for the overall management and coordination of ReDSS Ethiopia Country Unit. S/he is responsible for developing and implementing the ReDSS Ethiopia unit strategy, work plan and budget while providing strategic direction and representing ReDSS members in relevant fora and coordination mechanisms, both internally and externally. The Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS) is a coalition of 14 NGOs working to advance durable solutions for displacement affected communities – including refugees and IDPs – in East Africa. ReDSS Regional Secretariat is based in Nairobi with country units in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya. It is a coordination and information hub that focuses on research and analysis, capacity development, policy dialogue and coordination. For more information, visit  http://www.regionaldss.org/

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities: (group around key responsibility areas with bullet points under each responsibility area)

External representation and coordination

• Work with key stakeholders towards development of collective outcomes and programming principles on refugee and IDP durable solutions processes
• Represent ReDSS Ethiopia with a diverse range of governmental, humanitarian and development actors, UN agencies, private sector and academia
• Represent ReDSS Ethiopia in high level meetings and fora at regional and global levels
• Ensure continued engagement with key players on displacement and solutions in Ethiopia including national and local authorities, UN agencies, humanitarian and development donors, relevant working groups
• Organize learning events, seminars, and policy discussions at national and regional levels – in coordination with key government and stakeholders

Overall management and coordination of ReDSS Ethiopia Country Unit

• Develop the unit strategy and provide overall implementation and strategic direction, identifying new opportunities and areas where ReDSS can have impact
• Supporting the ReDSS regional manager with fundraising through developing strong networks with donors and foundations with an interest on durable solutions in Ethiopia
• Development and implementation of workplans and budgets
• Monitoring, reporting and evaluation of progress and challenges
• Ensure internal information sharing and coordination among ReDSS members in Ethiopia through regular engagement and communications
• Line management responsibility: performance management and staff development of staff under his/ her supervision
• Ensure strong leadership and clear communication of vision, strategies, procedures and guidelines
• Ensure ongoing management and support to facilitate compliance, adequate procedures and processes, timely and quality project implementation and appropriate budget planning and management, and cost efficiency
• Coordinate the development of donor applications and reports, as well as ensuring donor compliance and quality control

Research and analysis: to support a collective research agenda and increase use of research and analysis to inform durable solutions policy and programming

• Contribute to a common research and learning agenda to address key knowledge, policy and practice gaps in Ethiopia
• Use of the ReDSS Solutions Framework and solutions programming tools to support joint accountability and analysis to monitor progress and challenges
• Managing the work of the ReDSS Ethiopia research team to coordinate, inform, and disseminate learning related to the Ethiopia forced displacement context through collective approaches Lead the implementation and monitoring of the ReDSS Ethiopia research strategy to promote a culture of learning and reflection

Strengthening the capacity of practitioners and policy-makers in the field of durable solutions

• Manage the work of ReDSS Ethiopia staff which aims to strengthen capacities of local authorities and humanitarian and development stakeholders to collaborate in developing integrated approaches for displaced and host communities
• Support the roll-out of training packages on durable solutions, area-based planning, solutions programme mainstreaming, and other areas
• Facilitate mentorship and peer learning through the creation of a network of technical people
• Support development of learning tools such as online tutorials and programme toolkits
• Translate evidence and research into programing and policies guidance

Contribute and support policy actions based on evidence

• Contribute to the development and implementation of forced displacement policies (related to both refugees and IDPs) by supporting government entitities and partners
• Initiate and support policy actions and engagement, based on evidence to improve solutions oriented policies in Ethiopia at national and regional levels
• Continue to implement and monitor ReDSS commitments to the Agenda for Humanity and Global Refugee Forum
• 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 our vision and values.

Experience and Technical Competencies:

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in similar positions involving research, evidence building; analysis and coordination of a consortium of partners
• Experience of leadership and representation roles involving engaging with a diverse group of national and international actors
• Strong knowledge of the socio-economic and political dynamics of Ethiopia and the wider region; more specifically on forced displacement trends with a demonstrated ability to manage politically sensitive contexts
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization

Required skills

• Advanced University degree in social studies, political science, international relations, or other relevant field
• Ability to represent a wide range of actors on sensitive and complex issues, and capacity to bring stakeholders with varying interests and perspectives together towards a common agenda
• Strong analytical and writing skills with proven experience in producing high quality research and policy briefs with ability to present complex information in a simple and accessible manner
• Strong experience in translating evidence and research into programming and policy guidance
• Strong knowledge of capacity development of a wide range of actors including adult learning, mentoring and coaching, training of trainers and impact monitoring of capacity development activities
• Excellent coordination, inter-personal facilitation and communication skills to build trusted relationships with a wide array of humanitarian and development partners, donors, Government agencies, etc.
• Flexibility, proactive engagement, ability to work under pressure and to demonstrate high tolerance for change, complexity and unpredictability
• Indicate additional languages required for the role e.g. French, Arabic, English

TO APPLY

Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit updated CV and cover letter explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the post.

We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies.

Please note that we receive applications up to October 31, 2021.

For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.ngo.

Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.

Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status or other protected characteristics