Head of Programme

The Danish Refugee Council is a leading protection agency pursuing our mandate to protect and promote durable solutions to displacement and conflict affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. In Latin America, DRC has a regional approach to respond to the protection crisis  with regional interventions and country operations in Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. DRC is present in Venezuela since 2020 and currently provides protection and humanitarian assistance in Zulia, Apure, and Sucre. Focused both on generalized violence and mixed population movements, DRC provides assistance in  four key sectors: Protection, Economic recovery (including food security and livelihood), DRR and Emergency response. 

Overall purpose of the role: As Head of Programme you contribute and coordinate the development of the DRC Venezuela country strategy, sector strategies and coordinate technical design including for proposals and budgets, in close collaboration with the Humanitarian Country teams. You oversee the technical programme unit that provides the base managers and programme coordinators responsible for implementation, with the technical tools, training, and oversight to support the quality implementation of the country portfolio. As part of this drive for quality, you also line manage the MEAL team, to enable close monitoring of the effectiveness of DRC’s programming in line will country, regional and global strategies. You are a member of the senior management team (SMT), providing input to the overall DRC country operation.

Responsibilities:

Program strategy and business development

• Responsible for the overall programmatic strategy across the entire country operation.  Ensures strategic coherence and vision of the whole country programme, based on active participation in the drafting of the DRC Strategic Programme Document and as part of the Senior Management Team
• Provides technical expertise to the entire country operation and ensures technical advice on programme quality, MEAL and programme development for the Country programme
• Design, contribute and/or lead assessments for emergency or longer-term programming in existing or new project locations
• Responsible for shaping and driving the Advocacy strategy for the country and feeding into regional initiatives 
• Establish strong and efficient partnerships with organisations, donors and authorities, in line with the country programme strategy and DRC partnership management policy

Quality and accountability of the programs

• Responsible for developing policies, processes, and standards within respective areas 
• Oversee and support continuous improvement of programme quality standards, including application and harmonisation across field bases
• Ensure that DRC values and code of conduct are respected and upheld, including through setting a personal example 
• Support the grants team in timely submissions of high-quality donor reports.
• People Management and internal communication
• Manage, coordinate and coach members of the programme team, ensuring their professional development and capacity building as needed
• Oversee and support capacity building for expatriate and national staff on technical issues and program cycle management, based on assessment of the critical program improvement needs of the country mission.
• Work in close cooperation with programme and support staff in the country mission, and actively seek support, knowledge and coaching as necessary from colleagues from regional office and HQ

External relations and representation

• Together with Country Director, ensure adequate bilateral representation of DRC with government authorities, donors, UN agencies, humanitarian agencies and other partners in regard to programme and participation in coordination meetings as relevant.
• 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; and accountable for ensuring DRC´s compliance procedures are in place at all levels.
• Accountable for people management of direct reports. 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.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• Minimum 5 to 7 years at international level of progressively responsible experience in program management, leadership and design in countries of conflict or post-conflict,
• Min 5 years management experience, of which at least 3 should include management of a portfolio of programmes across multiple sectors (with strong protection component) of at least 5 M USD.
• Good understanding of displacement issues and related international standards/frameworks
• Experience in emergency response programming as well as early recovery and livelihood program to facilitate the achievements of durable solutions for refugees, migrants, returnees and internally displaced.
• Strong experience in programme quality, MEAL, programme development (including proposals) and proven fundraising abilities with key donors (UNHCR, ECHO, DANIDA, SDC, and  relevant international cooperation agencies)
• Proven experience in effectively coordinating with National Governments, International and National NGO partners.
• Previous successful experience with DRC is an asset.
• Proven experience in managing integrated programs as well as capacity building.                      
• Proven excellent communication and report writing skills. 
• Full proficiency in Spanish and English.

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

Relevant University Degree, Masters or post-graduate in international relations, Humanitarian Programs Management, political science, international development and/or similar field.

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• Fluent in English
• Fluent in Spanish

We offer:

• Designation of Duty Station: Caracas, Venezuela. 
• Nonfamily duty station and non-accompanied
• Accommodation: Individual housing allowance
• Start date: June, 2026.
• Contract Length: 12 months renewable depending on funding and performance. 
• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment: Level E – Manager.

Application process: Applications must be submitted through this page by clicking Apply button. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than two 2 pages) in English. No application sent by email will be accepted. 

Closing date for applications: May 10, 2026.

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