Introduction

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.

1. Context

DRC has been operating in West Africa since 1998, and in Mali since 2013. DRC is present in the Centre and North regions, and has activities in the following sectors:

Food security and livelihoods: DRC implements a comprehensive food security program that aims to build household and community resilience by linking emergency, rehabilitation and development while addressing structural and long-term issues. The program is designed around seasonal cash transfers, complemented by individual and community activities, such as nutritional screening, training in farming techniques and cooperative farm management for farmers’ organizations.

Protection: DRC implements ambitious integrated protection programs aimed at providing direct assistance to victims of human rights violations (in an emergency context), building community, individual and institutional protection knowledge and capacity, and participating in coordination and advocacy efforts at regional and national levels.

Peace-building: DRC implements ambitious and innovative conflict prevention, monitoring and resolution projects, complementing other DRC projects through both endogenous capacity-building (humanitarian mediation) and response actions carried out by DRC and its partners (such as rapid conflict analysis, inter/intra-community and cross-border dialogues, support for community plans, etc.). Activites are carried out in conjunction with the relevant institutions (notably the National Early Warning Center). The projects also include a component for education on the risks associated with explosive devices, as well as assistance for victims of such devices. As part of implementating all these projects, DRC systematically seeks to reinforce the inclusiveness of conflict prevention and resolution systems (by integrating women, young people and people with special needs).

2. Objective

Based in DRC West and North Africa and Latin America Regional Office (WANALA RO) in Dakar, Senegal, with daily online communication with the Mali office, the Program Development Specialist is responsible for grants management and key aspects of business development. Under the supervision of the Head of Programs and with the support of a Grants Trainee, the Program Development Specialist coordinates the business development and reporting processes and ensures that DRC complies with DRC operational and donor grant management guidelines and requirements. DRC is looking for a person with a good understanding of funding and grant management mechanisms with international donors (ECHO, SIDA, BHA, UN), who is able to work under pressure and produce high quality work in a short time frame.

3. Responsibilities:

The responsibilities listed are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs identified at the time as long as they remain consistent with the general responsibilities of the position.

Support to Fundraising and External Representation

• Support the Country Director and Head of Programme in actively seeking funding opportunities at a national level, in liaison with the DRC regional office and headquarters.
• Maintain a mapping of relevant donors, funding opportunities and DRC donor engagement
• Research and maintain information on donor priorities and strategies in country
• Assist in monitoring calls for proposals and identifying funding opportunities.
• Coordinate and take the lead in proposal development including: organizing key meetings, creating timelines, ensuring team members respect deadlines, drafting non-technical sections and annexes, translating sections as needed (English/French), editing and proof reading.
• Ensure that final proposals documents contain high quality writing, are well structured and comply with donors’ administrative guidelines (quality assurance).
• Take the lead in producing project one-pagers, fact sheets and other briefing documents for donor engagement.
• Represent the organization before internal and external bodies, as requested and/or delegated.

Contract Management

• Ensure the contractual follow-up of each grant in the ERP system (Dynamics) and archiving.
• Support project managers and department heads to ensure operational compliance of grants with donor guidelines and regulations.
• Monitor signing of grant and sub-grant contracts and implementation protocols.
• Support development of amendments to grant and sub-grant contracts.
• Maintain a calendar of project opening, review and closing meetings. Lead on organizing meetings and take notes/action points.

Reporting

• Maintain a calendar of external reporting dates according to DRC’s contractual commitments, and ensure it is shared with DRC team members in Mali and at the regional office.
• Coordinate the drafting of reports, producing timelines and assigning responsibilities to project teams, technical coordinators and the MEAL department.
• Support and strengthen the skills of project managers to identify lessons learned and improve the quality of donor reports.
• Consolidate and revise narrative reports to be submitted to donors, ensuring excellent writing quality, well-structured content and timely submission.
• Work closely with the Finance team to ensure timely submission of financial reports.

In addition, the Program Development Specialist will be expected to carry out any tasks required by the Head of Programme or Country Director. This Program Development Specialist position is based in Dakar, Senegal, but covers Mali only: this implies regular travel to Bamako, on a minimum quarterly basis (but which could sometimes be much more frequent, depending on needs), with stays ranging from a minimum of one week to one month.

4. Experience and Skills Required

Master’s degree in social sciences, political science, international relations or any other field relevant to the position.

• At least 3 years experience in grants management and/or business development within an international NGO.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of donor rules and procedures: BHA, ECHO, European Union, UN
• Proven experience in writing project proposals, donor reports and contract amendments in French and English
• Excellent knowledge of English and French, including excellent writing skills in English and French.
• Ability to produce high quality, structured work within short deadlines
• Capacity building skills
• Autonomy, flexibility and proactivity, with a cooperative and collaborative approach

5. Core Competencies and Other Skills

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate the five core competencies of the DRC, namely:

• Strive for excellence: you focus on achieving results while ensuring an efficient process. You strive to produce accurate, thorough and professional work with optimal use of time and effort.
• Collaborate: you cooperate with and involve stakeholders, actively seeking their opinions and sharing key information with them. You support and trust others, while encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take responsibility and prioritize your work in line with DRC’s overall vision and objectives. You take the initiative when faced with a challenge or opportunity and look for innovative solutions.
• Communicate: you write and speak effectively and honestly, adapting your style and tone to the situation. You actively listen to others and engage them in dialogue.
• Demonstrate integrity: You respect and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and code of conduct, including protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
  • Ability to work in a multicultural and cosmopolitan environment
  • Excellent communication skills (including attentiveness and patience)
  • Very good organizational skills
  • Very good stress management skills
  • Ability to work as part of a team, with a good sense of humor.

How to apply

If you are interested, please apply online by going to : https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1036&ProjectId=169293&DepartmentId=19040&SkipAdvertisement=true

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