Support Service Team Leader

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a qualified Support Service Team Leader for our operations in Debark/Dabat, Ethiopia.

Instruction for applicants:
All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV in English. Please ensure that your CV does not exceed three pages. Applications with CVs longer than the specified limit may not be considered

Overall purpose of the role

The Support Services Team Leader is responsible for the overall leadership and coordination of Finance, Human Resources, Administration, and Supply Chain functions within the area office. The position ensures full compliance with DRC Operations Handbook, donor regulations, national legislation, and internal controls while providing strategic operational support to programme implementation. The role oversees financial management, budgeting, procurement, people management, administration, compliance, and audit readiness to ensure efficient and accountable support services.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Leadership and People Management

• Lead and supervise Finance, HR, Administration, and Supply Chain teams.
• Matrix manages support staff in satellite offices.
• Develop departmental work plans and monitor implementation.
• Conduct performance appraisals.
• Coach and mentor staff.
• Identify learning and development needs.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, succession planning, and workforce planning.
• Foster staff well-being and engagement.
• Promote teamwork and cross-functional collaboration.

Financial Management

• Ensure compliance with DRC financial procedures and donor regulations.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.
• Review financial transactions and supporting documentation.
• Ensure accurate accounting in DRC Dynamics.
• Monitor expenditures and budget utilization.
• Support monthly financial reviews and BFU rebooking.
• Supervise cash management, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Ensure statutory tax and social security compliance.
• Support donor financial reporting.
• Provide financial analysis to management for decision-making.

Human Resource Management

• Oversee recruitment and onboarding.
• Ensure compliance with DRC Global People Policy.
• Supervise contract management.
• Lead performance management processes.
• Support employee relations and conflict resolution.
• Ensure staff orientation and induction.
• Coordinate organizational structure reviews.
• Promote staff development and learning.
• Act as Code of Conduct and safeguarding focal point.

Administration

• Oversee administrative services for the office.
• Ensure compliance with administrative policies and local regulations.
• Maintain efficient administrative systems.
• Monitor office facilities and service providers.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain on operational support.

Supply Chain Oversight

• Oversee procurement planning and implementation.
• Ensure procurement complies with DRC Operations Handbook and donor regulations.
• Chair or participate in tender committees.
• Monitor Supply Chain KPIs.
• Oversee fleet, warehouse, asset, and IT management.
• Coordinate closely with Country Office Supply Chain.
• Ensure timely procurement supporting programme implementation.

Budgeting and Planning

• Prepare programme and support budgets.
• Monitor budget implementation.
• Analyze budget variances.
• Recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure efficient cost control.

 

Compliance, Audit and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with donor, DRC, and statutory requirements.
• Serve as field audit focal point.
• Coordinate internal and external audits.
• Ensure audit recommendations are implemented.
• Strengthen internal controls.
• Monitor organizational risks.

Systems and Reporting

• Ensure effective use of DRC Dynamics ERP.
• Review of financial and operational reports.
• Monitor departmental KPIs.
• Prepare management reports.
• Support organizational reporting requirements

Coordination

• Coordinate with Country Office Finance, HR, Administration, and Supply Chain departments.
• Support programme managers in financial and operational planning.
• Liaise with banks, government authorities, vendors, donors, and auditors.
• Represent Support Services in Area Management meetings.

 

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience, including 1–2 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Strong experience in Finance, HR, Administration, and Supply Chain management.
• Experience in budget planning, donor reporting, and compliance.
• Experience working with major humanitarian donors (UN Agencies, ECHO, USAID, FCDO, SDC, etc.).
• Experience using ERP systems (preferably Microsoft Dynamics).
• Strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

• Master's degree (preferred) or bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Management, or another relevant field.

 

LANGUAGE: (indicate Fluency level)

• Excellent skills in speaking, reading and writing English.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies: 

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 12 Months

Contract Type: National Contract

Band: G – Management

Designation of Duty Station: Debark/Dabat, Ethiopia

Start date:  15th August 2026

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National employees

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than three pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered

Please ensure that your CV does not exceed three pages. Applications with CVs longer than the specified limit may not be considered.

Closing date for applications: July 31, 2026

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.

Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.
Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status, or other protected characteristics

We strongly encourage female candidates to apply for the position!

We encourage only qualified Ethiopian Nations to apply. DRC considers all applicants based on merit.

 

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