Job Description
Head of Support
Services
(Sana’a - Yemen )
Who are we?
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 fulfillment 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. Our vision is a dignified life for
all displaced.
All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity,
respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and
transparency.
DRC has been active in Yemen since 2008. Throughout its
eight field offices and a workforce of 273 staff, DRC Yemen upholds its main
programmatic objectives to provide immediate and life sustaining assistance, to
strengthen the protective environment, and to reduce displacement related risks
and vulnerabilities by promoting self-reliance at household and community
level. Sectors of implementation cover Protection, Camp Coordination and Camp
Management, Economic Recovery, Humanitarian Disarmament, and WASI (Wash,
Shelter and Infrastructure).
About the job
The Head of Support Services, reporting to the Country
Director, has a country focus and ensures compliance with 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
and is a focal point for DRC Dynamics. The role provides support and/or
technical guidance to country operations while overseeing country activities.
The Head of Support Services will ensure the existence
of effective and efficient support services in the areas of finance,
administration, human resources, IT and supply chain. The Head of Support
Services will play a key role in developing and implementing country specific
strategies as well as improving operational systems, processes and policies in
support of DRC’s mission in Yemen. The HoSS will be a member of the Senior
Management Team, with overall responsibility of program support and timely
completion of Annual Performance Indicators (APIs) under support functions. The
post holder will play a significant part in qualifying and implementing
initiatives coming from the global and regional DRC organizational development
and financial accountability initiatives. Furthermore, the HoSS will ensure
timely and appropriate communication with Area Managers, Sector Managers and
Project Managers concerning all issues related to finance, administration and
human resources and work proactively to resolve differences and prioritize
time-sensitive tasks.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Management:
- Being core member of
Senior Management Team (SMT) - play a key role in strategic prioritization
and decisions making process on daily bases
- Lead and manage the
support managers (including people planning, performance, well-being and
development)
- Manage, deliver and report
on support services in-line with the program prioritization
- Establish high performing
support teams ensuring high-quality approaches are maintained
- Develop and improve
operational approaches, compliance and systems
- Responsible for the
strategic development, management and implementation of the support
operations
- Ensure appropriate
technical support is available to programs, in line with organizational
priorities
- Ensure support for annual
planning and review processes
- Direct responsibility for
ensuring that the DRC Programme operates in accordance with DRC’s support
function guidelines
- Develop strategic
approaches to ensure high level of legal compliance is ensured throughout
country operations
Operational Management:
- Oversee the operational
support units for the country by providing strategic leadership and
technical support to the areas under his/her supervision
- Ensure that DRC retains
and continually develops its operational capacity to provide rapid
emergency response within its procurement and logistics capacities
- Ensure that DRC support
services continually adapt in-line with DRC’s geographic footprint,
operational capacity, and program strategy
- Ensure that Area Offices
are provided appropriate support from Country Office support services
teams
- Develop a risk management
plan for the country that identifies the major financial, legal,
operational risks and implement a mitigation strategy
- Ensure that all administrative
and legal-related systems are accurate and maintained
- Work to build the capacity
of the operational support staff throughout the operation though frequent
in-service training sessions and mentoring support
- Contribute to the
development and implementation of DRC’s global development initiatives
- Ensure that the Country
Master Budget is updated on a regular basis and is used to adequately
prepare project proposals or cost-cutting measures. Provide regular
analysis of Master Budget to SMT for strategic decision making
- Maintain regular oversight
of all active DRC projects and ensure spending is per budget and in line
with donor financial compliance regulations
Risk Management:
- Support the Country
Director and the Senior Management Team in liaising with donors, auditors
and authorities, especially as relates to issues of compliance,
registration, and audit respectively
- Supervision, audits and
controlling and implementation of corrective actions related to DRC’s operational
standards within support area.
- Support Senior Management
to ensure risk register is up to date and action plan is implemented
accordingly.
- Participate in audit
kick-off and exit meetings and always ensure cooperation during every
audit field work. Lead on providing management response on each audit
report.
DRC Dynamics (ERP) :
- Develop strategic planning
to ensure increased level of systematic learning and development of staff
in regard to ERP functionalities.
- Apply reports and data
analytics from DRC Dynamics to improve overall performance
- Act as heavy user for
most of the Projects & Finance functionalities
About you
To be successful
in this role you must have:
·
At least 5 years'
experience in relevant field
·
At least 3 years'
experience with people management
·
Proven operational
management experience in one or more of the following thematic areas within
conflict settings: finance, supply chain, human resources and/or information
management
·
Experience in a similar
role in an international NGO
·
Experience in
leading/supporting change management processes
·
Proven leadership skills
and competence in people management
·
Understanding and
experience of institutional fundraising
·
Understanding of the
context and sensitive to the cultural dynamics
·
Experience working in an
ERP system, including supply chain, finance, and HR systems
·
Experience in capacity
building of national colleagues as well as partners
·
Full proficiency in spoken
and written English required.
·
Arabic language skills are
considered an asset.
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: You act in line with our vision and values.
Moreover, we also expect the following:
Required Qualifications:
- University
degree in economics, business management, international development, or
other relevant fields.
Languages:
·
Proficiency in spoken and
written English is essential
·
Arabic is an asset
We offer:
Contract length: Two – Years
Contract Length, renewable based on funding availability.
Band: E1 - manager
Duty Station: Sana’a
Yemen, with Country wide scope.
Designation of Duty Station: Non-Family Duty Station
Start date: As soon as possible.
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish
Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment.
How to Apply
Application process:
Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the
apply button. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no
longer than four pages). Both must be in English.
If you have questions or are facing problems with the online
application process, please contact job@drc.dk
Please note that applications sent directly to the email will not be
considered.
Applications close on 22nd
October, 2025.
For further information about the Danish Refugee Council,
please consult our website www.drc.ngo