Job Profile
Programme Coordinator
Regional Development and Protection Programme for refugees and host
communities in the Middle East (Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq)
Based in Copenhagen, Denmark
Reference number: DK-53921-2015/HCP.01-W
1.
Preliminary
1.1. Short background:
The post is advertised to fill a vacant position as Programme Coordinator in the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs in Copenhagen for the innovative Regional Development and Protection
Programme (RDPP), for refugees and host communities in the Middle East (Lebanon, Jordan
and Iraq). The RDPP was initiated by the European Commission and commenced
implementation on 1 July 2014 under the overall responsibility and management of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Implementation is planned to run until 30 June 2017.
1.2. Purpose of memo:
This memo describes the main tasks involved in the position and the qualifications requested
from candidates to the job.
1.3. Expected composition of the selection committee:
Applicants for the position will be selected for interview by the Dept. for Humanitarian Action,
Civil Society and Personnel Assistance (HCP), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (MFA).
Mercuri Urval will participate in the process of appointment by conducting personality tests
and test interviews with the selected candidates. The final interview panel consists of
representatives from HCP and possibly also the Human Resource Department of MFA and
the consultant from Mercuri Urval A/S in charge of the recruitment process.
2.
The Regional Development and Protection Programme
2.1. The RDPP in brief:
The RDPP targets not only Syrian refugees but also vulnerable host communities. Overall
objectives are:
• To ensure that refugees are fully able to avail themselves of a durable solution
once the possibility arises as well as to encourage the ability of refugees to access
basic rights;
• To support socio-economic development in host countries that will benefit both the
host populations and refugees.
The specific objectives are:
• To strengthen protection of refugees and asylum seekers in the region through
promoting improved rights, appropriate legal assistance as well as capacity
building of, and other types of support to, local and national authorities and civil
society actors in the field of asylum and migration;
• To enhance economic opportunities and general development of local host
communities through social and economic measures aiming to mitigate the
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negative impacts and maximise the opportunities arising from the presence of
refugees;
To sustain and develop the livelihood capacity and self-reliance of refugees in
urban and encamped settings.
To achieve these objectives, the RDPP consists of four inter-linked and complementary
components, the budgets for which appear in brackets:
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An 'impact analysis and research' component (2,9 million Euro);
A protection component (6,1 million Euro);
An advocacy and political dialogue component (0,6 million Euro);
A component focused on social and economic development in communities
affected by displacement (14,5 million Euro).
Currently, the total budget amounts to 26,17 million Euro over a three-year period but may be
increased in case additional donors join in or existing donors decide to increase their
contribution.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark has the overall responsibility for programme
implementation. The programme management is guided by a Steering Committee, composed
of all donors to the RDPP (in addition to Denmark, the European Commission, Ireland, the
United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic) and chaired by Denmark. Other
relevant stakeholders, including EU Member States, may join the Action at a later stage if
interested.
Responsibility for daily management is placed with an international Programme Manager,
who is based in Beirut. The Manager is assisted by a relatively lean programme support
team, consisting of a Finance and Administration Manager in Lebanon and a Programme
Liaison Officer in Amman. The Programme Coordinator will be placed in the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs in Copenhagen to oversee all relations with the European Commission and
other members of the Steering Committee, including management of reporting, preparation of
meetings, to conduct other international liaison as needed, and to perform administrative,
contractual and financial management as well as programmatic backstopping support for the
field team.
The actual execution of the RDPP is done through implementing partners, including inter alia
UNHCR, UNDP, ILO, the World Bank, Oxford University’s Refugee Studies Centre, civil
society organisations and other NGOs with a strong record in displacement-related
assistance.
The RDPP is characterised by a number of risks, including (but not limited to):
• Dramatic increase in the number of refugees from Syria jeopardises the capacity
of host governments and partners to respond and becomes a destabilising factor
in host communities;
• Changes in host governments’ attitude to deal with refugees;
• Worsened in-country and regional peace and stability;
• Limited humanitarian access, in particular in Iraq;
• Early return of refugees to countries of origin before the security situation has
improved;
• Continuing pressure on host governments' budgets in the context of the global
financial crisis and the financial burden placed by the presence of refugees.
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3.
The Position
3.1. Title:
Programme Coordinator.
3.2. Place of service and reporting structure:
The Programme Coordinator will be a member of the Humanitarian team in the Department
for Humanitarian Action, Civil Society and Personnel Assistance (HCP) in the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Copenhagen, with occasional missions to the countries covered by the
RDPP. The incumbent reports to the Head of the Department.
3.3. Terms of employment:
Employed as a Special Consultant. Contract period: Starting date as soon as possible until
30 June 2017. Remuneration package in accordance with the Danish AC agreement.
3.4. Special conditions of the function:
See above.
3.5. Area of responsibility/tasks:
The Programme Coordinator is based in Copenhagen and gives support to the Field Office
Management Team while also carrying out oversight, monitoring, analytical and other support
functions on behalf of the Danish MFA and the Steering Committee. When necessary, the
Programme Coordinator receives specialist support from colleagues in the MFA, i.e. from
financial specialists, humanitarian policy specialists etc. The areas of responsibility for the
Programme Coordinator include:
Support to the Programme Manager and his team
- Provision of day-to-day support in the field of programme development and management,
administration, and external relations.
- Ensure required linkages to and support from other parts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Continuous monitoring and analysis of relevant contextual developments in and around
the programme areas with a view to assessing the possible need for adjustment of
programme strategies, work plans and budgets.
- Assist in assessing the expertise and capacity of potential partners, as well as the quality
of their project proposals, to the extent required.
- Assist in assessing the quality of project documentation submitted by existing and
potential partners.
Oversight functions
Based on the agreed programme document and other core documents, including applicable
guidelines and regulations, and in close cooperation with HCP’s Finance Management
Officer:
- Review and approve projects recommended by the Programme Manager.
- Approve contracts with implementing partners.
- Approve transfer of funds to partners.
- Ensure overall budget monitoring and related financial control functions.
- Conduct periodic monitoring missions to programme implementation areas.
General analytical and policy-oriented functions
Conduct and maintain an overall analysis of the evolving situation in the region with a
particular focus on political, social, economic, migratory movements and other conflict-related
dynamics of relevance to the RDPP and its stakeholders. Prepare briefs and other inputs to
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programme modifications as well as broader policy formulation that can be in support of
RDPP objectives.
Other support to the Steering Committee
- Manage all contractual relations with the European Commission and other members of
the Steering Committee, including ensuring that all required documentation such as
programme documents as well as financial and narrative reports are submitted in a timely
fashion and in a quality that meets agreed standards.
- Organise meetings of the Steering Committee, including sending out invitations and draft
agendas along with other preparatory documents, drafting of minutes, etc.
- Being focal point for co-donors at the capital level, as well as for implementing partners at
headquarters level.
- Fundraising and outreach to new potential donors to the RDPP.
- General advocacy and information sharing about the RDPP.
- Promote alignment of the RDPP with the strategies and activities of other relevant
humanitarian and development actors, including Denmark and the other co-donors.
- Prepare contractual agreements and ensure administrative follow-up with other co-donors.
Finally, the Steering Committee and/or its representatives may assign any other task as
deemed relevant and necessary.
3.6. Success criteria:
The key success criterion is that the RDPP is implemented effectively in accordance with
agreed strategies, work plans and budget and that guidelines and accountability standards
are respected as per the contracts with co-donors. This should be reflected in close
collaboration and information sharing with the co-donors through the Steering Committee.
The RDPP is still open to more donors, and an expansion of the donor base would be a
considerable success.
Finally, the maintenance of a close working relationship with the Programme Manager and
his team is key in order to support and facilitate day-to-day operations as well as the
continued development of the programme as a whole.
The above success criteria require that all defined tasks are managed in a satisfactory
manner and that other challenges emerging are handled proactively and with a positive
outcome.
It is recognised by all involved that this is a very ambitious initiative that is to be implemented
in a highly complex environment.
4.
Demand Profile/Qualifications
4.1
Requirements and expectations concerning professional qualifications:
• A solid, relevant academic background, preferably within social sciences.
• Extensive experience from management of humanitarian and development
programmes in the Middle East, and experience in bridging humanitarian and
developmental activities.
• Extensive experience in liaising with governments and local authorities in a complex
political environment, preferably Syria or neighbouring countries.
• Broad experience from working with NGOs, the UN, EC and/or bilateral programmes is
a considerable asset.
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Familiarity with Danida and European Commission contractual systems and procedures
highly desirable.
Fluency in Danish and English is required.
4.2
Requirements and expectations concerning personal qualifications:
• Team player but also able to work independently.
• Strong abilities for efficient and pro-active planning and decision-making.
• Meticulous.
• Ability to think strategically.
• Ability and willingness to travel in insecure environments.
5.
Recruitment Procedures
5.1
How to apply:
Information about the mandatory application procedure can be found at:
www.danidajob.um.dk. Reference number DK-53921-2015/HCP.01-W should be stated in
the application.
5.2
Deadline for applications: 12 March 2015 at 12.00 noon (CET).
5.3
In-depth interview and personal evaluation conducted by Mercuri Urval: Week 14/15.
5.4
Language test: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided that all candidates called in for
interview - except for those to whom the relevant language is mother tongue - shall be
language tested in Denmark in the working languages required (i.e. English).
5.5
Presentation to the appointments committee: 17 April 2015.
5.6
Decision: A decision is expected to be made as soon as possible thereafter.
5.7
Expected commencement: As soon as possible.
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