Job Description
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.
About the role
Overall purpose of the role:
The Area Support Services Manager (ASSM) has overall
leadership responsibility for DRC’s operational management for DRC Aden Area
Office, West Coast base office and its field bases across South Yemen, with
oversight on Finance, Administration, HR, IT, and Logistics and Procurement.
The role is directly responsible to support DRC’s programming across the Aden
Area and West Coast base Office and ensuring support functions are in
accordance with operational standards per the DRC Operations Handbook and other
DRC global and country-level guidelines.
Main responsibilities:
Planning and strategy
- Ensure
annual planning for support services is done and key performance
indicators are met
- Ensure
project planning includes relevant support service requirements (such as
lead times and appropriate budgets)
- Ensure
resource mobilization is realistic and fit for purpose to meet programme
needs
- Ensure
that Area/Base Office retains and continually develops its operational
capacity to provide rapid emergency response
- Lead
on compliance self-check and facilitation of internal and external audits
- Support
the roll-out and continuous functioning of DRC Dynamics (Enterprise
Resource Planning System) including being a heavy user, training relevant
teams in the Area and Base Office
- As
required, support the scale-up and scale-down of Base and Area Office
operations, including establishing operational presence in new geographic
locations.
- Closely
liaise with the leads of support functions in Country Office as required.
Team Management
- Direct
supervisory of Support Services Team Leaders in IRG-controlled areas of
Yemen.
- Ensure
performance objectives and key performance indicators are established and
regularly reviewed for direct reports.
- Provide
regular constructive feedback to direct reports, and support direct
reports in performance management of their team members.
- Develop
staff competence through recruitment, leadership, training and coaching of
key operational staff.
- Lead
on building high performing support teams for Aden Area Office, with a
focus on improving operational efficiencies while ensuring compliance with
DRC Global, Country Level, and donor regulations
- Ensure
that a capacity building plan is in place for national staff, and support
succession planning of positions in line with DRC Yemen nationalization
policy and guidelines, currently being developed.
Finance
- Primary
budget holder for all support service budget lines for Aden Area Office
- Lead
on the Master budget update, analysis and monitoring for South and West
Coast with support from Base and Area Managers
- Responsible
for budget and BFU monitoring, expense forecasting, Rebooking, and
proposal budgeting for support costs
- Work
with Country Finance Manager on capacity building of programme and support
teams as relevant on financial compliance
- Support
completion of key financial tasks, such as donor financial reports,
payroll, social security payments, cashbooks and cash forecasts, etc – in
line with DRC SOPs and operations handbook
- Ensure
an efficient and low risk liquidity management in the operation in
accordance with DRC rules and regulations
Supply Chain
- Work
with the Supply Chain Team Leader to ensure each of the sub departments
(procurement, fleet, assets, and warehouse) is able to support Aden Area
and West Coast Base Offices operational needs in a timely manner.
- In
coordination with Country Office, oversee the International Procurements
conducted from Aden to ensure compliance with internal procedures, donor
regulations, and on-time delivery of tenders.
- Monitor
department KPIs and monthly reports; support the Supply Chain Team Leader
in improving KPIs and team efficiency
HR & Admin
- Support
the HR team in delivering on key functions such as recruitment, trainings,
contract management, facilitation of performance reviews, staff
inductions, payroll preparation, personal income tax calculations
- Support
the admin team to ensure follow up on key functions such as management of
premises (office and guesthouse), local-level registrations, utility
services and bills, rental and lease agreements
- Ensure
monthly reports and key performance indicators are met by both HR and
Admin department
Representation
- Represent
support services in the South Area and Base Offices within the Area SMT,
lead effective coordination with Area/Base Support Services and the Leads
of Support services at the Country Office level.
- Assist
Area Manager in conducting regular operational analyses to ensure cost
efficiency of the South and West Coast offices.
- Represent
the Area office as an OiC during absence/leave of the Area Manager.
General
- Maintain
high level of security awareness and adhere to all safety regulations
provided by DRC for safety and security of DRC staff and assets in Aden as
member of the Area Management Team.
- Comply
with DRC policies and practice with respect to child safeguarding, code of
conduct, safety and security, anti-harassment, and other relevant policies
and procedures.
Experience and technical competencies:
- Minimum
5 years of support services and implementation experience in a volatile
and complex humanitarian setting is required, with preference for a
candidate with experience in one or more of DRC Yemen’s key support
services such as Supply Chain and Finance.
- Minimum
4 years in staff management in a highly operational INGO; a strong
preference for demonstrated capacity building and coaching skills.
- Excellent
negotiation and communication skills – verbal and written.
- A
strong understanding of key donor policies and compliance procedures.
- Experience
in ERP system is highly desirable.
- Ability
to adapt to the complex and stressful working conditions of the area of
operations along with willingness to follow security policies and
procedures.
- High-level
knowledge and practice with Excel, Outlook, etc., as well as data
analysis.
Ability/willingness to work with extremely tight
deadlines and balance multiple tasks.
Education:
- Master’s
degree in relevant field of social science such as humanitarian action and
development; or an additional 4 years of relevant work experience in lieu.
Languages:
- English
(Fluent)
- Arabic
(Fluent)
All DRC roles require the post-holder to master
DRC’s core competencies:
- Striving
for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient
processes.
- Collaborating:
Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
- Taking
the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
- Communicating:
Listening and speaking 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.
We Offer.
- Contract
length: August 31 2026
- Position
Band: This position will be placed in the Management (F1) band.
Reports to the South Area Manager.
- Start
date: ASAP
- Duty
station: Aden, Yemen
- Salary
and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s
National Terms of Employment.
How to Apply
Application process
All applicants must upload a cover letter and an
updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email
will not be considered.
Closing date for applications: July 18, 2025,
recruitment process is planned to start in maximum 2 weeks after the closing
date.
For further information about the Danish Refugee
Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.