Accountability Officer

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 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.  

DRC has been operating in the West Africa region for over 15 years, running a combination of emergency, livelihood, protection, and advocacy programmes through Country Offices (COs) Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and a Regional Office (RO) in Abidjan. DRC has 17 offices and more than 500 staff members across the WA region.

DRC started operating in Nigeria in 2015 where plans to run a combination of emergency, livelihood, WASH, protection, and advocacy programmes has been set. DRC currently has offices in Abuja, Yola, Mubi, Maiduguri and planning to run an office in Yobe, besides 50 staff members subject to increase in near future.

Overall purpose of the role: This role has an area focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the area. The role contributes to the development of area strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to base operations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Information Sharing and CFM Handling Process:

• Work closely with Accountability Specialist to support and develop content for CFM awareness-raising and design attractive IEC materials e.g. posters, brochures and business cards and make sure they are disseminated to the public.
• Conduct regular Accountability training to staff and partners.
• With support of the CO and AO MEAL team, continually aim to improve information sharing and participation with communities, support the design and roll out of innovative methods that increase the engagement and participation of persons of concern and stakeholders.
• Supervise the day-to-day functions of the CFM and ensure the timely entry of all feedback received from beneficiaries/stakeholders into the CFM database.
• Ensure that all non-sensitive feedback should be directly referred to the DRC designated colleagues for internal and external follow-up when required. Also, ensure immediate referral of protection related concerns and sensitive feedback according to the DRC CFM workflow.
• Develop a monthly CFM report and ensure it is shared with relevant staff and share/present the findings to AO team to ensure learning process procedures are followed.
• Provide narrative updates on AAP activities in contribution to donors and other internal reports.

General Support to DRC MEAL System:

• In collaboration with the Area team and MEAL team, closely monitor AAP materials stocks and expenditure on accountability budget lines. 
• With the support of the MEAL Team Leader, provide budget forecasts on accountability lines for the budget follow up (BFU) updates. 
• Support the Accountability Specialist in the updating of a mission-wide Accountability Framework and/or relevant AAP standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure that relevant accountability SOPs are available to all staff, translated into local language – if required, shared and implemented by all relevant DRC staff.
• Support the CO MEAL team to conduct CHS self-assessment and contribute to the preparation of the resulting accountability improvement plan (AIP).
• Support the MEAL Team Leader in generating lessons learned from the CFM to be incorporated during the periodic programmatic learning events.

Capacity Building:

• Coordinate and liaise with DRC staff and partners to improve accountability practices generally and CFM accessibility for program participants, including establishing a broad understanding of the full function of the CFM amongst the communities we work with, DRC staff and partners.
• Conduct regular visits to the DRC and partners’ operation areas and ensure relevant program staff are refreshed on accountability principles by organizing CFM sessions as needed.
• Perform other duties as directed by MEAL Team Leader and Accountability Specialist

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

Essential:

• Minimum of 2 years of previous experience with implementing AAP mechanisms or with monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian programs.
• Knowledge of MEAL and AAP Approaches and SHERE Standard
• Solid computer skills and competency in MS Word and Excel as a minimum.
• Ability to communicate key information in an easy to understand, informative and collaborative manner.

Desirable:

• The position may require frequent travel to project sites in remote and sometimes challenging environments.
• This role may involve working outside of regular office hours to meet deadlines or during emergency responses.
• Excellent facilitation skills and a strong understanding of how to collect feedback safely and accurately from all members of a community regardless of their age, gender, or other diversity factors.
• Experience working in emergency response with INGOs, preferably in a humanitarian context.

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• Bachelor's Degree /HND/PGD in Social Sciences, business administration,  humanities or any other behavioural science degree from a recognized institution.
• Degree /HND/PGD in any field or equivalent field with relevant work experience.
• Excellent communication, presentation, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

Languages

• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Hausa highly desirable and any other language

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Acting in line with DRC’s vision and values

Deadline: Applications close on the 28th of January 2024 at midnight (GMT time).

Note: Applications will be reviewed on rolling bases due to the urgency, therefore a candidate who closely meets the requirements may be selected before the above deadline.

• Only short-listed applicants will be invited for written tests and oral interviews.
• For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult: www.drc.dk