Head of Programme

About the Position

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) assists refugees and displaced persons around the world, providing emergency aid, fighting for their rights, and strengthening their opportunities for a better future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along displacement routes, and within the countries in which refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive to achieve responsible and sustainable solutions. We work for the successful integration of vulnerable communities and, where possible, for the fulfillment of their wish to return home.

We are currently seeking a Head of Programme for our operations in Chad. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of DRC’s strategy in Chad, ensuring high programmatic standards, and contributing to quality assurance and lessons learned.

Responsibilities

Management and Coordination

• Represent the program/operations within the Senior Management Team (SMT).
• Coordinate the country's sectoral and overall programmatic strategy.
• Provide technical quality support for the operations in Chad.
• Line management, performance driver, and staff development of Programme Development and Quality Manager, Protection Coordinator, Economic and Recovery Coordinator, Specialists, and other program staff.
• Promote and facilitate effective coordination between the program and other CO departments.
• Provide oversight and/or support Field and Project Managers in the overall implementation of program- and project-level activities, ensuring these are planned strategically and meet high standards of delivery.

Fundraising and Strategy

• Provide contextual program analysis inputs to DRC’s country and fundraising strategy, ensuring program relevance and expansion, in line with DRC’s Strategy and donors' priorities.
• Participate in consolidating DRC’s operations in Chad and advise on partnerships and programmatic opportunities.
• Ensure effective planning, management, and mobilization of program resources, including financial and human resources.
• Ensure effective implementation of the fundraising strategy and consolidate DRC’s operations in Chad.

External Representation

• Ensure coordination and representation of DRC in relevant humanitarian fora/clusters/working groups, in support of the Country Directors.
• Support both CDs in building and strengthening donor relations and making DRC more known in the donor and NGO environment in the country.
• Oversee the development of communication tools increasing DRC’s visibility among humanitarian stakeholders and the general public.

Programme Quality, Reporting, and Compliance

• Ensure quality of overall project and program activities, with increased synergy and complementarity across projects.
• Develop/update the country's protection strategy using a participatory approach and disseminate it to field teams.
• Drive and continuously improve program performance by ensuring alignment and streamlining of program and financial management tools and processes, grant management, and reporting.
• Support the collection and management of quality data for protection data as well as protection analysis.
• Support the design and implementation of food security & livelihoods, financial inclusion, and peacebuilding projects.
• Work closely with DRC’s national partners, assess their capacity, and implement organizational and technical capacity-building plans accordingly.
• Supervise the development of timely and quality project reports matching DRC and donor requirements.
• Promote, streamline, and strengthen cross-project capitalization and learning opportunities.
• Support and oversee the development and implementation of strong Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning systems and feedback mechanisms.
• Ensure monthly qualitative and quantitative reporting and data collection, in line with DRC’s Results Framework.
• Actively mainstream protection and gender in all projects and advise on climate mainstreaming; ensure the inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable groups and assist the program with working towards Core Humanitarian Standards and relevant SDGs as well as adherence to SPHERE standards.
• Ensure project compliance to DRC and donor policies and requirements.

Cross-cutting Duties

• Maintain effective working relationships with other members of the program as well as with DRC HUB WANALA and DRC HQ.
• Contribute to a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and performance optimization across all projects.
• Be a role model for diversity, inclusion, and belonging and a positive contributor to team spirit.
• Work in accordance with DRC values and humanitarian principles.
• Any other reasonable duties, including interim representation of the mission, as requested by CD.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• At least 7 years’ experience in the humanitarian sector.
• At least 4 years’ experience with people management.
• Full professional proficiency in English and French.
• Experience in managing program operations, including at country senior management level.
• Experience in fundraising and good understanding of key donor requirements.
• Proven leadership skills and competence in people management.
• Experience with proposal development, budget development, program implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Experience in effectively coordinating with national partners, local/government authorities, NGO partners, UN agencies, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Any other relevant professional background in protection, emergency, and economic recovery.
• Previous experience in developing program strategies and producing technical guidance related to protection, economic recovery, and/or peacebuilding.
• Experience in working with donors such as ECHO, SCDS, CDS, FPI, EU, FHRAOC, US FOND, etc.
• Previous professional experience in West and Central Africa.
• Very good knowledge of humanitarian principles.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to cope with heavy workloads and work under pressure.
• Highly motivated, results-oriented, and creative problem solver.
• Computer skills in Microsoft Pack (Excel, Office, Outlook, etc.).
• Good understanding of and commitment to DRC values.

Skills and Qualities Required

• Strive for excellence: focus on achieving results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborate: cooperate with and involve stakeholders, actively seeking their opinions and sharing key information with them.
• Taking the lead: take responsibility and prioritize work in line with DRC's overall vision and objectives.
• Communicate: write and speak effectively and honestly, adapting your style and tone to the situation.
• Demonstrate integrity: respect and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in line with DRC's values and code of conduct, including protection from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.
• Ability to work in a multicultural and cosmopolitan environment.
• Proactivity, with a cooperative and collaborative approach.
• Excellent communication skills (including attentiveness and patience) are required.
• Good organizational skills are required.
• Exemplary sense of ethics.
• Ability to work as part of a team, with a good sense of humor.

General Regulations and Ethics

• The Employee shall comply with DRC's safety, confidentiality, and ethical requirements, including compliance with the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework.
• The Employee shall not engage in any other employment during his/her employment with DRC without prior authorization from his/her manager.
• The Employee shall not engage in any activity that is detrimental to DRC or the implementation of its projects during his/her employment with DRC.
• The Employee must not give interviews to the media or share project-related content without prior authorization.
• The Employee shall return to DRC any DRC equipment or property at the end of his/her employment contract.

Application Procedure

All applicants must upload a cover letter and updated CV both in English (no more than four pages). Applications can only be submitted online via the DRC website. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

The application period will close at midday on July 19, 2026.

We encourage national and international candidates to apply and offer competitive salaries. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC's terms and conditions of employment. This is a non-family duty station. For more information, please visit the DRC website.

DRC guarantees equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability. The DRC encourages all candidates to apply and does not discriminate in any way during the recruitment process. However, applicants should bear in mind that DRC cannot employ, under an international contract, a national of the country in which they will be working.

If you have any questions or problems with the online application process, please contact [email protected]. For more information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit our website drc.ngo.

About the Company

Founded in 1956, DRC Danish Refugee Council is Denmark’s largest, and a leading international NGO. We have continuously been ranked as one of the best NGOs in the world - and are one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. In over 30 countries, we protect, advocate, and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.

By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of over 6,000 employees. We pride ourselves on our:

• Professionalism, impact & expertise
• Humanitarian approach & the work we do
• Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
• Culture, values & strong leadership
• Fair compensation & continuous development

DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s, and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote 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. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer and we consider all applicants based on individual merit and qualifications, regardless of personal characteristics or attributes. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce, aiming for a 50% balance of men and women in management roles and ensuring that at least 50% of management roles are filled by national staff. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is crucial for achieving our organizational goals and making a positive impact on the communities we serve.