Job Openings at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a Danish international non-governmental organisation, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world. DRC is present in more than 30 conflict territories around the world assisting displaced people with shelter, food, income-generating activities, and a wide range of other assistance. It is of utmost importance for DRC to work in compliance with the DRC Accountability and Quality Management system and national legislations. Smooth, reliable and effective operational systems are preconditions for DRC to maintain its position as a trustworthy and reliable partner for our donors and an accountable organisation towards our beneficiaries.

We are recruiting to fill the following positions below:

1.) Chief of Party

Job Location: Abuja

Purpose

• Responsible for providing vision, leadership and direction to the Consortium and its activities.
• Supervise project implementation and ensure the project meets stated goals.
• Ensure the consortium has a coherent strategy that responds to the requirements of people the project intends to support.
• Take a leadership role in coordination and advocacy among donors, key stakeholders and implementing partners.

Duties and Responsibilities
Management & Leadership:

• Ensure high-quality technical program monitoring through hands-on guidance and support grounded in the program’s strategic objectives and adherence to donor requirements. Overall responsible for programme and budget monitoring.
• Recruit and directly supervise CMU project staff in line with DRC HR policies and input from the consortium members.
• Chair the project steering committee, ensuring key information on the project is available to senior members of the consortium and decisions are taken to support the effectiveness of the consortium.
• Document and disseminate key steering committee decisions, roll-out the decisions and follow-up as required.
• Monitor work plan and keep partners accountable to program commitments.

Compliance & Support:

• Manage a Finance and Admin Coordinator to provide supervision and monitoring of the programme support aspects of the consortium including administration, finance, logistics, and human resources.
• Provide oversight to consortium partners on contract inception, implementation, and closeout activities as well as maintain a knowledge base of different processes and requirements for fund and project management.
• Provide support to the Finance and Admin Coordinator, to verify all financial reports and expenditure, lead and coordinate the auditing process, maintain knowledge of all donor requirements and be able to provide advice to partners in finance, procurement, human resource, and visibility requirements.
• Oversee financial management, project accounting systems, sub-grant management, and ensure operational efficiency through monitoring partner financial reports, providing guidance on cost eligibility, acting as the donor focal point to clarify rules and processes, and supporting the implementation of corrective measures when required.
• Maintain country-specific and project wide risk register, consolidating agency specific risks at the consortium level, ensuring all risks have appropriate ownership, are monitored and mitigation and response measures are in place.

Program Implementation & Strategy:

• In coordination with the Steering Committee and Technical Working Groups, develop the consortium intervention strategy.
• Facilitate and ensure the effectiveness of different governance structures, including the Steering Committee, Country Level Technical Groups, Advocacy Groups, Advisory Groups and other ad-hoc working groups deemed necessary.
• Oversee planning, program design and delivery of consortium objectives, and budgets.
• Facilitate the decision-making process within the project governance structure and that actions are documented and followed up.
• Ensure the timely delivery of agreed outputs of the Consortium and ensuring quality program implementation in line with the agreed strategy.
• Ensure the set-up of a harmonized Vulnerability Assessment Framework, of robust community engagement, and of a centralized, interoperable information management system that facilitates data sharing and coordination among the humanitarian community.

Representation & Advocacy:

• Provide support to the Consortium Advocacy Lead in facilitating country level Advocacy Working Groups (AWG).
• Serve as primary project representative to donor and other local and international stakeholders, responsible for addressing all project matters.
• In coordination with country level AWGs and relevant partner focal points, develop and maintain positive relations with relevant ministries and other government counterparts, donors, local organizations and program partners.
• Engage in and represent the consortium at the country level INGO and UN coordination architecture, promoting interoperable information management system that facilitates data sharing and coordination among the humanitarian community.
• Provide strategic leadership on external communications in line with Steering Committee and AWG guidance.
• Provide support to the development and roll-out of project communication strategies, including compliance with donor’s branding and marking requirements.

Reporting & Communication:

• Monitor program implementation and ensure regular reporting by consortium partners.
• Ensure all partners are submitting timely financial and narrative reports in line with donor and DRC system requirements.
• Review and approve final donor reports based on inputs from consortium partners Finance and Admin Coordinator.
• Review actual financial performance against the budget, and explain variances on a regular basis.
• Ensure the DRC online project management database is regularly updated.

Business Development:

• Identifying, researching and developing new funding opportunities within the Consortium mandate and utilizing consortium member’s specific skills and capacities.
• Lead and coordinate and the development of full proposals.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of professional work experience in humanitarian work, some specifically in displacement settings.
• Proven success and experience in managing consortia, with a strong preference for knowledge of ECHO-funded programs.
• Demonstrated expertise in representation, networking, and engaging with multiple stakeholders.
• Motivated, detail-oriented, and accustomed to working in challenging environments.

Required Skills & Qualities:

• Proficiency in analytical thinking, strategic planning, and communication.
• Strong writing and negotiation skills.
• Competence in data analysis
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are required.

Application Closing Date: 12th January, 2026.

Click here to apply online

2.) Economic Recovery Coordinator

Job Location: Abuja, Nigeria 
Supervised by: Head of Programme 
Reporting to: Head of Programme
Employment Period: 1 year renewable 
Type of Contract (Expat/National/Trainee):  National or Expat 

Purpose 

• The Economic Recovery (EC Rec) Coordinator works closely with DRC Nigeria’s coordination and implementation teams in the Northeast and Northwest, as well as implementing and strategic partners.
• The position provides strategic and technical oversight across all EcRec core sectors: food security, livelihoods, agriculture, financial inclusion, and market systems, ensuring high-quality programme design and delivery.
• The role leads the technical direction of DRC’s Economic Recovery portfolio, including graduation approach programming, cash and voucher assistance (CVA), and market systems approaches, supporting the development of strategies, tools, SoPs, capacity, and new funding opportunities.  

Duties and Responsibilities
Technical Coordination and Advisory:

• Provide technical advisory throughout the project cycle to ensure high-quality Economic Recovery programming across all DRC operational areas. 
• Lead the development, update, and roll-out of DRC’s EcRec technical strategy, with emphasis on affected population needs, innovation, environmental sustainability, and durable solutions. 
• Provide technical inputs to proposal development, donor reports, concept notes, assessments, and evaluations, ensuring alignment with sector strategies. 
• Ensure technical support during implementation of the graduation approach,  including: 
  • Development of SoPs, tools, and implementation guidance. 
  • Development of curricula and training materials tailored to coaches, MEAL teams, and programme participants. 
  • Support and quality assurance for profiling, targeting, and monitoring processes.
  • Coordination of technical elements of the graduation approach with JIPS. 
• Support the start-up of new EcRec initiatives, including other graduation or social protection programming, ensuring strong planning, quality design, and effective monitoring. 
• Provide capacity building, ongoing coaching, and quality monitoring for field teams and partners across all EcRec modalities, including CVA, livelihoods, agriculture, and market systems. 
• Prepare knowledge products such as SoPs, guidance notes, innovative practice, and learning briefs to strengthen sector-wide technical coherence. 
• Conduct analysis of EcRec trends, challenges, and opportunities to inform strategy and programme adaptation. 
• Provide technical support during the recruitment of field and technical staff. 
• Support MEAL in the development of appropriate monitoring tools and systems for qualitative and quantitative measurement, including graduation-specific indicators and approaches. 

Representation, Fundraising and Advocacy:

• Lead DRC’s EcRec representation at national and area-level coordination platforms, including working groups and relevant technical forums. 
• Engage with donors, government authorities, INGOs, UN agencies, academic partners, and private sector stakeholders to represent DRC’s EcRec portfolio and identify partnership opportunities. 
• Contribute to fundraising efforts by identifying funding opportunities, contributing to concept notes, and supporting full proposal development, particularly for graduation, livelihoods, and social protection programming. 
• Produce advocacy materials highlighting EcRec results, innovations, and needs, supporting strategic engagement and donor visibility. 
• Liaise with HQ Hub and global EcRec counterparts to ensure alignment with global DRC approaches and learning. 

Coordination, Representation & Advocacy: 

• Maintain strong collaboration with technical leads across DRC Nigeria, WAAM HQ HUB, and HQ to ensure technical consistency and harmonisation. 
• Participate actively in programme planning meetings and internal coordination processes. 
• Coordinate closely with MEAL, Protection, and other sector technical teams to ensure an integrated and protection-mainstreamed approach. 
• Provide onboarding, handover briefings, and training for new EcRec staff and short-term technical support deployments 
• In addition to the above, the EcRec Coordinator may be asked to carry out other duties requested by the Head of Programme - aligned with the scope and purpose of the position. 
• In addition to the above, the EcRec Coordinator may be asked to carry out other duties requested by the Head of Programme - aligned with the scope and purpose of the position. 

Experience and technical competencies
Essential: 

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in humanitarian or development programming in at least four of the following areas: food security, livelihoods, agriculture, financial inclusion, cash and voucher assistance, or market systems. 
• Strong experience in the design and implementation of livelihood and financial inclusion interventions across the full project cycle. 
• Technical experience in graduation programming, social protection, resilience-building, and/or integrated economic recovery approaches. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop SoPs, tools, training curricula, and implementation guidance. 
• Experience in coordinating and delivering training to diverse audiences (coaches, field teams, partners, community structures). 
• Experience in proposal development, donor engagement, and strategic planning. 
• Knowledge of market assessment methodologies and ability to support the design of market-based programming. 
• Experience coordinating with partners, including INGOs, government authorities, and technical agencies. 
• Strong communication, facilitation, and writing skills. 
• Full professional proficiency in English. 

Desirable: 

• Prior experience in Northeast and Northwest Nigeria. 
• Experience working with profiling partners such as JIPS or similar data/targeting technical partners. 
• Experience with green or climate-adapted livelihood models. 
• Knowledge of Core Humanitarian Standards and accountability frameworks. 

Education: (include certificates, licenses, etc.):

• Master’s degree in political science, international development, economic studies or other relevant fields.

Salary & Benefits 
F Management, National OR G, Non-Management, International.

Application Closing Date: 4th January, 2025.

Click here to apply online

3.) Head of Programme 

Job Location: Lagos 
Technical supervisor: Programme Principal, HQ
Line manager: Country Director, Nigeria 

Purpose

• The HoP reports directly to the Country Director and is an integral part of the in-country Senior Management Team.
• The HoP will be to contribute to and oversee the implementation of DRC’s strategy in Nigeria, taking a proactive and hands-on approach to ensure the highest programmatic standards, with an emphasis on quality assurance and lessons learning.
• The Head of Programme is responsible for the overall programmatic strategy across Nigeria’ operations and is responsible for providing technical input to the implementing actors within the different sectors.
• The Head of Programme is responsible for developing policies, processes and standards within respective areas and plays a lead role in fundraising activities and external representation.
• This role also includes Cluster representation and technical quality assurance across various protection sectors.

Duties and Responsibilities
People Management:

• Represent the program/operations within the Senior Management Team (SMT).
• Responsible for coordinating the country's sectoral and overall programmatic strategy.
• Technical quality support for the operations in Nigeria
• Line management, performance driver and staff development of all programme staff
• Promote and facilitate effective coordination between the programme and other CO departments.
• Provide oversight and/or support Field and Project Managers in the overall implementation of programme- and project- level activities, ensuring these are planned strategically and to meet high standards of delivery. Follow up and support as needed.

Fundraising and strategy:

• Provide contextual programme analysis inputs to DRC’s country and fundraising strategy, ensuring programme relevance and expansion, in line with DRC’s Strategy and donors priorities.
• Participate in consolidating DRC’s operations in Nigeria and advise on partnerships and programmatic opportunities (thematic complementarity, geographic presence, consortia with local, national and international partners).
• In close collaboration with the CD and Support Supply Manager, ensure effective planning, management and mobilisation of programme resources, including financial and human resources; in coordination with the Area Manager/Project Manager, provide guidance and orientation to program/project staff.
• In consultation with the program team, ensure effective implementation of the fundraising strategy, and participate in consolidating DRC’s operations in Nigeria.

External representation:

• Ensure coordination and representation of DRC in relevant humanitarian fora/clusters/working groups, in support of the Country Director
• Support the CD in building and strengthening donor relations and making DRC more known in the donor and NGO environment in country
• Oversee the development of communication tools (project presentations, leaflets) 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, and provide regular updates and advice on programme improvements
• Develop/update the country's protection strategy using a participatory approach and disseminate it to field teams
• Drive and continuously improve programme performance, by ensuring alignment and streamlining of programme 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 organisational 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 capitalisation and learning opportunities, in close coordination with the MEAL Manager and Project Managers.
• 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 marginalised 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 programme as well as with DRC RO and DRC HQ.
• Contribute to a culture of excellence, continuous improvement and performance optimisation across all projects.
• Be a role model for diversity, inclusion and belonging and a positive contributor for 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.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in political science, international development, economics or other relevant field
• At least 7 years of experience in the humanitarian sector, with both humanitarian and durable solutions programming
• At least 4 years of experience with people management
• Experience in managing programme operations, including at country senior management level
• Experience in fundraising and good understanding of key donor requirements
• 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
• Previous experience in developing programme strategies and producing technical guidance related to protection, economic recovery, emergency response and/or peacebuilding
• Previous professional experience in West and Central Africa is an asset
• Strong organisational, interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills
• Full professional proficiency in English

Required Skills & Qualities:

• Core Competencies of DRC:
• Striving for excellence
• Collaboration
• Taking the lead
• Communication
• Demonstrating Integrity
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are required.

General Regulations:

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework
• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorisation
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorisation
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request

Application Closing Date: 29th December, 2025, 11:59pm  (GMT-time).

Click here to apply online