Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

DRC Syria

DRC has been actively operating in Syria since 2008 mainly supporting refugees. In June 2012, DRC was authorized by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to expand its humanitarian efforts and provide assistance to IDPs and the vulnerable resident population countrywide. Since then, DRC activities have been focused on NFI distributions, Shelter, WASH, Protection, Education, Livelihoods and Mine Risk Education in six Governorates (Damascus, Rural Damascus, Dara’a, Aleppo, Hama, and Homs). While Protection/community service activities are provided to beneficiaries throughout our Community Centers.

About the job:

The Program Development and Quality (PDQ) Manager is responsible for the coordination and management of key program processes, particularly in program and proposal development, ensuring timely reporting to donors, and providing leadership to his/her team. The PDQ Manager contributes to increased quality by ensuring program coherence, adherence to program standards, and appropriate learning from lessons learnt across the country program.

The overall objective of the PDQ Manager will be to manage the Grants, MEAL, and IM functions to support DRC Syria with quality programming and accountability towards beneficiaries, donors and other stakeholders. Business development will be an essential component of the role, and under the management of the Head of Programme (HoP), the PDQ Manager will lead bid management for successful proposals. The PDQ Manager will be responsible for overseeing the development of a MEAL framework, including Community Feedback Mechanisms and protocols for each technical sector in line with the regional and country strategies, to ensure harmonized and standardized systems and procedures across different areas of intervention. In collaboration with the HoP, the PDQ Manager will oversee the Partnerships function, including partnerships processes and compliance. In collaboration with the MEAL Manager and the sectoral Technical Coordinators, and under the management of the Head of Programme (HoP), the PDQ Manager will be responsible for developing and managing program quality framework that supports quality assurance across all sectors, tracks program performance, promotes evidence-based decision-making, and ensures the documentation and use of lessons learned and best practices across the Syria program.

Responsibilities:

1. Programme Development and Quality Management

• In collaboration with the HOP, coordinate all aspects of the proposal development process from bid identification, proposal calendar, , through to development and timely submission of high quality proposals.
• Work with technical teams to ensure proposals reflect needs and response analyses, and are supported by an appropriate program logic and MEL framework.
• Contribute to the drafting and lead on the review and quality assurance of proposals for consistency with the requirements of solicitations, requests or calls for proposals, and securing the necessary information to complete the process
• Develop and roll out the Quality Management strategy including tools development, data system and analysis, grants and reports writing, lessons learned; with standard approaches and shared practices and systems.
• Lead the PDQM team to prepare and facilitate the project Kick-off meetings, review meetings and close-out meetings to ensure compliance, support implementation monitoring, and highlight cross-project components aimed at replicating good practices and strengthening synergies between projects or programs.
• Ensure that all Monitoring Evaluation Learning and Information Management initiatives are fully and accurately budgeted during the proposal design process.
• Perform other duties as directed by the HoP.

2. Grant Management and Reporting

• Develop and maintain overview of all grants, donor requirements, rules and regulations, systems and processes to support implementing teams to ensure full compliance.
• Support external donor audits and donor monitoring visits.
• Manage official communications with donors such as delivery of reports, responding to requests for information, grant adjustments, proposal submissions, operational advocacy approaches.
• Plan and coordinate the development of high-quality reports and project proposals, including narratives, budgets, budget narratives, work plans, staffing lists, and other required annexes in coordination with programme team.
• Support induction and capacity-building of teams to ensure full understanding of grants processes, PCM and updates on donor rules and regulations.
• Maintain and update DRC’s online system related to grants (Sharepoint and Dynamics).
• Ensure learning from donor grants is captured, consolidated, and disseminated, contributing to knowledge building to influence policies and programme planning.
• Support in Grants kick off and closing.

3. Assessment, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEAL) of Programmes

• Provide oversight and strategic support to the MEAL Manager in developing appropriate monitoring, tracking, and reporting systems, tools, and templates that enhance monitoring of program outputs and quality, generate reliable evidence on outcomes, and promote the use of data for evidence-based decision-making.
• Oversee technical survey processes by supporting the MEAL Manager to ensure that tools and templates are in place, identifying gaps in data collection and analysis, reviewing and validating reports when necessary, and ensuring operational procedures (e.g., approvals) are followed to mitigate risks to staff and respondents.
• In collaboration with the MEAL Manager and HoP, support the design and implementation of operational research and evaluations, including drafting terms of reference, developing methodologies, and overseeing the quality and utility of assessments, baselines, and evaluations, ensuring learning is captured and disseminated.
• Support the development and improvement of systems that strengthen DRC’s ability to analyze, communicate, and reflect its impact internally, externally, and — most importantly — to communities.
• Support the MEAL Manager with capacity-building efforts for sectoral and field teams to better integrate MEAL within their roles and responsibilities, in alignment with DRC’s Project Cycle Management (PCM) field guide.
• Support the MEAL Manager in presenting key findings and recommendations to the Senior Management Team.

4. Information Management

• Provide oversight into the development of a coordinated and integrated data management system that centralizes timely information updates, ensures data quality assurance, and facilitates knowledge sharing and learning across programs.
• Ensure programs’ compliance with GDPR and DRC’s internal data protection policies.
• Support the Information Management Specialist and MEAL Manager in contributing to regional and HQ-level strategic planning and the rollout of harmonized information systems.
• Oversee the team and support the provision of timely, relevant data and analysis from IM systems for use in proposal development, reporting, and country and program-level strategy processes.

5. Accountability

• Assess gaps and work to support country and project-level policies and practices to ensure DRC is compliant with the Core Humanitarian Standard.
• Advocate for and ensure that DRC’s Accountability policies and standards are integrated and mainstreamed within all aspects of operations.
• Ensure the functioning of an effective Community Feedback Mechanism that is responsive and accessible to the most vulnerable groups and different demographics in all DRC operational areas.
• Ensure community/Person of Concern (PoC) engagement throughout the Project Cycle Management (PCM) stages as relevant and appropriate, in adherence to the ‘Do No Harm’ principles.

6. Management

• Manage the PDQ team on a day-to-day basis by providing leadership support and guidance, on-the-job training, and coaching.
• Prepare work plans with clear objectives and achievement benchmarks, long-term and short-term priorities. Assist the staff in identifying professional development needs and opportunities.
• Provide continuous performance feedback to staff; identify performance issues and work with staff and HR to document and address issues in a timely manner. To ensure an effective remote team management system is in place when access is not guaranteed.
• Risk manages external reputation of DRC Syria by ensuring quality, relevant communications at all times.
• Provide regular updates on grant delivery, gaps, risks and issues to SMT;
• Manage a team of approx. five to six staff, including performance management and overseeing staff budget lines.

7. External representation

• In collaboration with the HoP, engage and communicate with relevant donor counterparts and coordination bodies
• Coordinate with the MEAL and Communication units for the creation of quality communication and information products for external and internal use.

Experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience in proposal, project, or programme development, reporting, or grants management in an INGO.
• At least 3 years’ experience in people management.
• Prior experience in designing and/or overseeing a MEAL systems is desirable
• Experience developing Theory of Change, Logical Frameworks, MEAL frameworks, MEAL plans, information management systems, and learning frameworks.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis and qualitative research methods is expected. Familiarity with Python or R is an asset.
• Experience in grants management, programme quality, business development and fundraising in humanitarian settings.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize large workloads, to consistently meet deadlines and adapt in a complex and challenging work environment.
• Proven ability to manage stakeholders with strong communication, coordination, influencing and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability in thinking creatively and practically to improve the quality of projects.
• Analytical and critical thinking with the ability to work operationally without losing sight of the strategic goal.
• Strong project management, planning skills and data analysis.
• Ability to lead and work within a multi-cultural/diverse team.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and DRC values.

Education

Degree in relevant subject e.g. Social Sciences, International Development, or equivalent work experience.

Languages

• English – fluent
• Arabic – desirable

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 act in line with our vision and values.

We offer:

Contract length: 12 months

Level: F

Location: Damascus – Syria

Expected Start date: As soon as possible

How to Apply:

Application process

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the below link:

Programme Development and Quality Manager (Re-Advertised) – Application Form

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV only applications will not be considered.

Applications close on 24th of May-2025

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. DRC reserves the right to conduct tests and interviews before the closing date and can close the advertisement earlier in case of finding a suitable candidate.

Need further information?

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/jobsupport.

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