Area Programme Manager
(Hajjah, with 50% travel across North Area Office)
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 6500 staff in 35 countries. 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 Programme Manager (APM) is responsible for the quality and timely implementation DRC’s programs in Hajjah, Saada and Hodieda. The APM is a key Area Management position ensuring cross-cutting programmatic management in alignment with a cohesive programmatic vision for the area. S/he must ensure that policies, systems and people are continuously and accurately working in a coordinated manner resulting in a coherent and comprehensive program design, reporting, and implementation.
Main responsibilities:
Program Implementation & Reporting
· Ensure that efficient and effective systems are in place to strengthen Project Cycle Management in the North.
· Lead on monthly program reviews for grants implemented by North Area Office teams to ensure quality and timely program implementation according to work plans, targets, and with appropriate levels of spending throughout the project duration.
· Maintain oversight of monthly progress against project indicators and ensure reported figures are accurate and in-line with workplans.
· Ensure high-quality internal and donor programmatic reports are submitted in a timely manner; support capacity building of program staff on reporting as required.
· In close collaboration with the Support Services Manager, ensure that procurement plans and accurate budget expenditure forecasts are continuously updated and reviewed to ensure timely delivery of project activities.
· Support PMs and the Team Leaders in project implementation, identifying integration opportunities and ensuring geographic convergence.
· Identify risk areas to delivery of projects and coordinate solutions and mitigation measures in a timely manner.
· Assure compliance with DRC standards and procedures and donor compliance regulations, through regular coordination with support services teams at Area Office and Country Office level.
· Ensure project kick-off and closure meetings are conducted and that project staff have access to all relevant documents, tools and reports required for implementation of the project; lead on grant opening and grant close out meetings for grants when assigned as a focal point.
· Ensure that technical direction for implemented projects is aligned with DRC Global and National strategies, in collaboration with technical coordinators.
· Responsible for actively promoting, supporting and driving lessons learnt and adherence to relevant quality standards.
· Support project managers and Team Leaders in identifying technical capacity building needs for their teams, and coordinate delivery of relevant trainings and capacity building efforts, in collaboration with technical coordinators.
· Ensure that technical support is provided to the field programs by the Programs Unit at the Country Office, and act as a bridge between the Country technical coordinators and the program managers/Team Leaders
· Frequent travel to the program sites for direct support, representation and identification of opportunities for organizational growth.
· Ensure projects have sufficient exit strategies in place that are implemented by the project teams for a streamlined closure of activities and/or exit from communities as required.
Program Development and Fundraising
· Contribute to planning and implementation of needs assessments, in close consultation with technical coordinators, including identification of potential new areas of operation.
· Maintain oversight of contextual changes and their potential impact on program delivery and/or changes in needs of communities in North areas of Yemen.
· Coordinate with the Country Office program development and grants department, the technical coordinators and the PMs/TLs to ensure coordinated efforts towards developing quality proposals.
· Lead narrative and budget development of proposals, concept notes, and reports for the Area Office for programmes.
· Work with PMs/TLs to develop programmatic strategies relevant to the evolving context and contribute towards Area Office programmatic planning and logframes.
Staff Management
· Direct supervisory of Sectoral Program Managers/Team Leaders in North areas in 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 program technical staff.
· Support PMs/TLs in ensuring sufficient staffing structures are in place for project teams to ensure delivery of programs.
· Support PMs in operational aspects of programme implementation and liaise with relevant Support functions.
Representation
· Represent DRC at relevant coordination forums/ meetings with concerned authorities and relevant ministries in North Area.
· Represent programmes in the North Area Office within the Area SMT, and lead effective coordination with Technical Coordinators and the Head of Programme at the Country Office level.
· Develop good rapport with the Key Stakeholders at Sanaa, Hajjah, Saada and Hodieda.
· Assist Area Manager in conducting regular stakeholder analyses to ensure that DRC has good understanding of dynamics/relationships within Yemen North.
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 Hajjah, Hodeida and Saada 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:
To be successful in this role, we expect you to be a positive, mature program leader with a proven track record of developing effective initiatives, programmes, and impact. You are an effective people manager and enjoy working with teams of committed staff to build collaboration and capacity within the North Area/Field Office programmes team and building strong relationships with the country program team.
· Minimum 5 years of program development and implementation experience in a volatile and complex humanitarian setting is required, with preference for a candidate with technical program experience in one or more of DRC Yemen’s key sectors of implementation such as Economic Recovery, Protection, CCCM/Shelter and WASH.
· 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 donor compliance.
· A strategic thinker who is able to collaboratively contribute to and convey a programmatic vision to the area team.
· 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 ERP, Word, 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 (Highly Desirable)
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.
Contract length: 28 Feb 2027
Position Band: This position will be placed in the Management (F2) band. Reports to the North Area Manager.
Start date: ASAP
Duty station: Hajjah, with 50% travel across North Area Office areas of geographic coverage, including Hodieda and Sa’ada
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: February 03, 2026, 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.