Job Details:

• Organization: DRC – Danish Refugee Council
• Location: Kabul
• Grade: Mid level – Mid-level
• Occupational Groups:
• Legal – International Law
• Human Rights
• Migration
• Refugee rights and well-being
• Project and Programme Management
• Peace and Development
• Closing Date: 2023-12-25

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 opportunities 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 JOB

The overall role of the Diaspora Project Specialist is to ensure the successful implementation of the Diaspora Support Fund (DiPS) program in Afghanistan, focusing on the management and monitoring of ongoing diaspora-led projects funded by DiPS in Afghanistan.

The Diaspora Project Specialist will serve as the main focal point for diaspora and local partners implementing DiPS-funded projects. He/she will support them during the project implementation to ensure the implementation of impactful and compliant projects.

DiPS will cover salary costs and handle the daily supervision and management, and DRC Afghanistan will handle HR-related issues.

Responsibilities:

Partnership selection and management

• Support with the assessment and selection of diaspora concept notes and budget proposals according to DiPS set criteria while considering the local context and needs of the communities/target groups.
• Support the development of preliminarily approved projects to receive DiPS funding by providing comprehensive input on all components of the project under DiPS guidelines, reviewing project documents, and providing input to DiPS HQ and partners.
• Lead the due diligence process for selecting local partners based in Afghanistan, including risk assessment and vetting under the Implementing Partner Policy and other relevant guidelines.
• Identify needs for capacity development or technical support amongst local and diaspora partners and coordinate with DiPS HQ to provide or facilitate relevant support.

Management of ongoing diaspora-led projects implemented in Afghanistan.

• Led and served as the DiPS’s main focal point for managing diaspora-led projects implemented in Afghanistan. This includes assisting Diaspora local partners with administrative and procedural compliance and responsibility for direct follow-up.
• Ensure successful and timely implementation of project activities according to the Funding Agreement and DiPS Implementation Guidelines and liaise with DiPS HQ regarding challenges/risks and regular updates.
• Support the diaspora project team in ensuring correct financial and administrative management of the projects through, i.e. reviewing, advising, and approving procurement documents, budget revisions, and financial and narrative reports (under DiPS internal guidelines).
• Facilitate capacity development training on procurement, financial management, and reporting guidelines.
• Closely monitor risk assessment and mitigation strategies for each diaspora-led project.
• Responsible for monitoring all diaspora-led projects per DiPS MEAL guidelines. This includes developing MEAL plans for all projects and conducting monitoring visits.
• Coordinate with relevant actors in cases where DRC DP deems third-party monitoring necessary due to access issues.
• Coordinate closely with the DiPS HQ team through participation in weekly project meetings and monthly project review meetings and provide timely alerts about changes, risks, or challenges in DiPS projects implemented in Afghanistan.

Coordination and context monitoring

• Facilitate and support enhanced DiPS and DRC Afghanistan coordination and ensure synergies with the DRC Afghanistan Civil Society Partnership Strategy.
• Provide advice to the DiPS and DP team on contextual developments in Afghanistan, including identifying opportunities and challenges for diaspora engagement.
• Ensuring – when relevant – necessary technical input for assessment by liaising with relevant DRC experts.
• Identify fundraising opportunities in Afghanistan with DRC Afghanistan and contribute to developing new project proposals.
• Monitor and track Afghan diaspora engagement and initiatives in Afghanistan.
• Support the Diaspora Programme`s engagement in Afghanistan by providing ad-hoc advice and support as relevant and feasible.

Support the development and improvement of DIPS processes, guidelines, and templates

• Support DiPS HQ in ensuring DiPS processes (such as Internal Handbook, Implementation Guidelines, and annexes, etc. are relevant, accurate, and useful through sharing lessons learned from experience with partners and the country team, gaps identified, and areas for improvement with the DiPS HQ team.
• Support developing and revising processes and guidelines through drafting or providing input to draft guidelines when relevant.

Budget and financial management

• Monitor the DiPS Afghanistan budget by reviewing TDLs and conducting a Budget Follow-Up meeting with the DiPS Coordinator. Track overall spending and budget and ensure expenditure is posted correctly.
• Ensure transfers made to local partners in Afghanistan through DRC Afghanistan are done correctly and efficiently and support DiPS HQ and DRC Afghanistan finance colleagues in making payments or addressing challenges with payments.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in this role you must have:

Experience and technical competencies: 

• At least 4-5 years of project management of mid-to large-scale grants administered by INGOs.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and managing multi-sectoral, multi-location projects.
• Previous experience in working with vulnerable, displaced, and conflict-affected Afghan communities.
• Technical expertise in at least two sectors relevant to the project (Emergency Response, Protection, Livelihoods).

Qualifications & Skills:

Required

• At least three years of experience in similar capacities.
• Well-demonstrated effective oral and written communication skills
• Excellent command of English and Local language (Dari/Pashto) with excellent grammar
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office.
• Self-motivated and keen to collaborate with people with patience and multitasking skills.

Education/qualifications:

• University degree in a relevant discipline

Languages:

• Fluent in written and spoken Dari and/or Pashto.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.Other skills:

We Offer:

• Contract length: to 31st of December 2024 with the possibility of Extension.
• Band: NMG
• Designation of Duty Station: Country Office Kabul
• DRC has Flexible working hours for Female staff as per DRC Policy.
• The 13th month’s salary Will be paid by the end of each month with salary.
• Top-up credit card as per office regulations.
• 1+1 Health Insurance will be provided by DRC.
• Eid Bonus.
• DRC provides Transport allowance/ Transportation Facilities for females and people with disability.
• DRC Provides kindergarten/daycare allowance for max 2 children – Applicable to female mothers.
• Per diem allowance for employee and her Mahram – Applicable for female
• Salary and conditions will be per the DRC salary scale.

Application process:

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking the below Apply button.  All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages), Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV-only applications will not be considered.

Note: Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply