Summary
Date Posted: Thursday, June 08 2023, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:

Overall purpose of the role
• Regional Borderlands Specialist:This is a regional position that will work in close coordination with Regional Humanitarian Disarmament & Peacebuilding Coordinator and other members of the Technical Sector Unit to support DRC’s East Africa and Great Lakes ten country offices, and strengthen DRC’s regional borderlands work. The role will focus on both external partner engagement for borderlands advocacy and coordination, as well as support building of internal cross-border programming areas for DRC. The Borderlands Specialist will be expected to keep abreast of programmatic and policy developments, maintain knowledge sharing platforms, promote organisational learning and exchange, and build relationships with key stakeholders, like-minded agencies and donor focal points working in the borderlands sphere with the aim of supporting and further developing DRC’s cross-border programming capacity. The Borderlands Specialist will be the focal point for the DRC-led Borderlands Working Group and Borderlands Knowledge Hub, and for DRC’s internal cross-border workstream.
• Commercial Contracts Lead: The key focus of this role is to lead internal coordination and project management of commercial contracts, such as the BRAVE program. The key objectives of this role include: Overseeing internal delivery of BRAVE, including financial management, risk, compliance and other areas of internal support; Supporting BRAVE leadership for effective, efficient project delivery, including quality reporting, governance, client management and work planning; Ensuring that the Kenya SMT, through the Project Director, has clear knowledge and regular updates of program implementation, operational, reputation, and safety challenges.

Key responsibilities
Borderlands Working Group and Knowledge Hub
• Lead in coordination of regular meetings of the BWG and dissemination of information to BWG mailing list
• Organise and facilitate learning events, conferences and/or webinars for the Borderlands Working Group community
• Sustain bilateral engagement with relevant external stakeholders working in borderlands space
• Coordinate information management of the Borderlands Knowledge Hub and ensure it remains up-to-date
• Maintain database of active members and secondary contacts for Borderlands Working Group (BWG)
• Use the BWG platform to promote critical reviews of existing policies in order to influence policy dialogue around borderlands issues
Programme development and programme guidance
• Participate in the design and formulation of cross-border programming and contribute technical guidance to country offices during establishment of cross-border interventions.
• Support in mapping of current and future potential cross-border presence and creation of information sharing platforms between relevant country offices
• Provide country offices with knowledge sharing and technical guidance on proposal development for cross-border/borderlands programming in coordination with Regional Humanitarian Disarmament & Peacebuilding (HDP) Coordinator.
• Support in identifying and documenting existing innovative programming models in border areas
• Ensure programme staff have a holistic understanding of the dynamics of borderlands and cross-border movement and work with Regional HDP Coordinator to ensure a conflict sensitive lens in borderlands programming

Learning
• Disseminate and operationalise guidance on lessons learnt and best practices from previous cross-border and borderlands initiatives
• Monitor trends and patterns in border areas across the region, and adapt best practices from regional/global security and governance networks
• Support in knowledge sharing between country offices and working closely with Regional MEAL team to ensure best practices are documented and centrally stored including learning products, and publications.

Business Development
• Maintain relationships with donor focal points, key representatives of regional bodies and other stakeholders working on borderlands initiatives
• Coordinate with borderlands actors and stakeholders both at a country-specific level and regional level to ensure that borderlands work is well linked with other related initiatives.
• Support with quality assurance of proposals as requested by Business Development Partnership Unit and country programme teams
• Actively seek and initiate new business development opportunities in support of cross-border programming and borderlands initiatives in cooperation with DRC’s Technical Sector Unit and the Business Development and Partnerships Unit

Project Operations Management:
Oversee and coordinate the work of BRAVE’s support functions, especially finance, to implement compliant and efficient processes in line with CSSF and DRC requirements.
In coordination with the BRAVE leadership, consult on the BRAVE workplan and associated activity-based budgets (ABB);
Support coordination and communication between the BRAVE team and the DRC Kenya Country Office to ensure optimal cooperation and collaboration so that BRAVE is supported, integrated, and follows all applicable DRC policies and processes. Provide monthly updates to the Kenya Country Office on project implementation, spend, and challenges

Support BRAVE leadership to prepare and submit programmatic reports to ASI as required;
Contract Compliance, Financial Management and Value for Money:
• Lead the development and submission of compliant BRAVE invoices to FCDO on a quarterly basis. This includes:
• Working with the BRAVE leadership, as well as the DRC Kenya Finance team, to ensure the invoice is supported by all required evidence and documentation of output achievements; and,
• Working with DRC CO, RO and HQ as necessary for approvals, documentation, submissions and payments.
• Ensure BRAVE’s compliance with terms and conditions of DRC’s contract with the prime (ASI), including code of conduct, security and reporting.
• Oversee the set-up and management of BRAVE’s finances in DRC Dynamics, including serving as Budget Holder for all BRAVE subprojects.
• Develop, roll out and maintain the BRAVE financial management system, prioritising best practice for commercial contracts, ie Value for Money. This includes:
• Leading DRC and subcontractors in regular financial tracking and forecasting, through the Financial Tracker; and,
• With the oversight and support of the Global Commercial Advisor, managing the development and submission of any budget amendment requests, including coordinating requested changes from all BRAVE subcontractors, DRC CO, DRC RO, DRC HQ and other stakeholders.

Risk Management:
• Maintain and update the BRAVE Risk Matrix, including the external and internal versions – liaising with the Project Director to ensure risk management; and,
• When assigned, take responsibility for implementing specific risk mitigation measures outlined in the BRAVE Risk Matrix.
• Provide monthly updates to the Kenya Country Office SMT on the risk matrix

About you
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s 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.

Qualifications and Experience
• Advanced degree in International Relations, Peace, Conflict, Security, Development Studies or related degree.
• Minimum of 5 years programming experience in the areas of humanitarian, development or peacebuilding work preferably in borderlands areas or on cross-border projects in East Africa and Great Lakes region
• Minimum of 3 years field experience in conflict affected areas particularly in border areas; experience in East Africa and Great Lakes is a significant advantage
• Strong coordination skills and proven ability to manage existing partner dynamics and engage new partners
• Demonstrated capacity in engaging with a diverse spectrum of stakeholders including researchers, NGOs, policymakers, local administrations and communities
• Strong contextual understanding of the East Africa and Great Lakes region, particularly in conflict and resilience dynamics in Horn of Africa
• Proven experience in project management, including planning and project development, budget management, quality assurance, and MEAL
• 3-5 years’ experience in managing the implementation of complex programmes, including project management
• Experience working with commercial contracts
• Excellent organisational and planning skills
• Proven ability to work independently, with a clear understanding of risk escalation requirements
• Proven ability to propose creative solutions to challenges, and proven ability deliver results within a flexible and adaptive framework
• Proven capability in budget and financial management, VFM, and needs-based cost reduction
• Fluency in English
• Knowledge of regional languages desirable e.g French
• High degree of computer literacy

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 60

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure
Interested and qualified? Go to Danish Refugee Council on job.drc.ngo to apply

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