Programme Development and Quality Manager at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Purpose 

To lead the effective implementation of DRC’s programme quality procedures in Nigeria and oversee a committed team of a Communications Officer, Grants Management Manager, and MEAL Manager. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

The Programme Development and Quality Manager (PDQM) is responsible for strategic leadership, technical guidance, and management of the Communication, Grants, Information Management and MEAL functions for DRC in Nigeria. The PDQM will develop and maintain systems and tools for efficient grant management; and ensure a coordinated approach to risk-management in cooperation with the compliance and finance departments. The role also contributes to the development of country strategies and is responsible for developing and implementing of fundraising strategy. 

The PDQM is based in Maiduguri and expected to travel frequently to Area Offices and field locations in Adamawa, Borno, Sokoto and Zamfara states and to the capital Abuja. 

The main responsibilities and tasks of the Programme Development and Quality Manager :  

Programme Development and Fundraising: 

• Together with the Head of Programme coordinate proposal development process based on programme strategy, evidence and DRC PCM Field Guide. 
• Coordinate partners in proposal development process and ensure quality, timely partner contribution to a proposal.  
• Contribute to Country Programme Strategy by developing and updating DRC Nigeria’s Fundraising Plan. 
• Develop and update Donor Database. 

Grants Management:  

• Responsible for quality PCM across Country Office, providing guidance and advice on PCM processes. 
• Ensure timely compliance with all internal and external grants management requirements, including contractual compliance and reporting.  
• Organize and lead monthly grants review meetings. 
• Maintain in-country and global grants filing systems based. 

MEAL: 

• Oversee DRC Nigeria’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning processes. 
• In coordination with the Head of Programme and the MEAL Manaher creating and implementing comprehensive programme evaluations and learning exercises. 
• Overseeing that learnings and lessons learnt are properly disseminated for quality organisational learning.   
• Together with the MEAL Manager, improving collection, storing and analysis of MEAL data. 
• Together with the MEAL Manager, improving the functionality of DRC Nigeria’s Feedback and Accountability Mechanism. 

External and internal communication 

• Engage and communicate with relevant donor counterparts and coordination bodies in Nigeria. 
• Oversee the creation of quality communication and information products for internal and external dissemination. 
• Liaise with relevant Regional Office and HQ counterparts responsible for programme design, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation.  
• Coordinate and provide timely reporting and feedback to the Head of Programmes, Country Director and SMT on Programme Quality activities.  

Team management: 

• Provide strategic leadership and management oversight of the Quality Assurance Unit, with a portfolio including: communications, grants management, programme quality, MEAL, and information management. 
• Line manage and provide technical support to the Communications Officer, Grants Manager, and MEAL Manager. 
• Ensure that both programme and support teams maintain good understanding of DRC Nigeria’s grants, MEAL and communication strategy and compliance and the DRC PCM Field Guide through trainings and technical support.  

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following: 

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility. 
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources. 
• Accountable for people management of direct reports, four employees. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc. 
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC. 
• In addition to the above, the Programme Development and Quality Manager may be asked to carry out other duties requested by the Head of Programme - but always in the scope of this job description. 

Qualifications 

• Master's degree in political science, international development, economics or other relevant field. 
• At least five years of professional experience in humanitarian emergency contexts with PDQA responsibilities, preferable to have at least two years of experience at senior management level. 
• At least three years' experience with people management 
• Knowledge and experience working protection, food security, WASH, shelter, NFIs, mine action, mine risk education, and armed violence reduction is an asset. 
• Proven knowledge of MEAL systems and procedures; experience with planning and rolling out programme evaluations. 
• Proven ability to lead a high performing and diverse team, manage performance, foster a positive working environment and manage issues sensitively and diplomatically. 
• Extensive knowledge of US and European institutional donors and their compliance requirements with proven experience of developing successful funding proposals and overseeing large complex grants. 
• Excellent understanding of the principles of budgeting, financial and contract management. 
• Experience with localization and partnership management desirable. 
• Full professional proficiency in English with the capacity to produce well-written products for formal reporting and communication.