Are you an experienced professional? Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is hiring a Area Manager in Mogadishu. The successful candidate will bring strong Management/leadership experience spanning at least 5 - 6 years. Interested applicants should submit their applications before Jun, 17.
Area Manager
DRC has been operational in Somalia since 1998 and is currently among the largest international
non-governmental organizations (INGOs) in the country, with country-wide programmes implemented
through six main offices and nine sub-offices in South Central Somalia, Somaliland, Puntland and
Galmudug regions. Somalia is vulnerable to extreme weather patterns and remains in a protection
crisis where armed conflict, insecurity and natural disasters trigger the displacement of thousands of
people.
About the job
The Area Manager (AM) will provide leadership in the design, delivery and quality of DRC
programs/projects in the area and is responsible for compliance with DRC policies and procedures.
S/he shall be responsible for the planning and implementation of safety procedures/protocols within
the area & ensure the safety of all staff and assets in South Central region of Somalia in line with
DRC leadership concept and the core competencies. You actively manage administration
HR/Finance, Supply Chain and Program implementation, ensure field teams are prepared to respond
to emergencies. You assist in the program coordinators and managers' follow-up of technical
departments' field work, promoting program integration while acting as a conduit and focal point for
coordination.
APPLY FOR POSITION
Application due:
6/17/2026
Workplace:
Mogadishu
Department/Country:
Somalia
Contract type:
As DRC’s primary representative and senior manager in the area, the AM is responsible for the
coordination, management, development and representation of DRC programming in the area. S/he
will oversee program implementation according to DRC strategies in the area and ensure that
operations are implemented within DRC’s regulations, procedures, guidelines and strategy; enable a
productive and accountable relationship with beneficiaries, communities’ leaders/representatives,
relevant governmental authorities, donors, national and International NGOs and UN Agencies.
The Area Manager provides direct oversight, strategic direction, and technical leadership for DRC
Somalia’s emergency response operations, including mobile emergency response teams, and
oversees the implementation of DRC’s emergency Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) portfolio
in both static locations and Hard to reach The Area Manager is responsible for ensuring the effective
delivery of emergency projects to the most vulnerable conflict-affected and displaced populations
through enhanced targeting modalities.
Responsibilities
Strategic Development
- In consultation with the SMT, lead the strategic development of the Area/ Field Offices and ensure
that DRC remains relevant to the needs of the people of concern in the region.
- Provide leadership, coordination, and integration of DRC activities in the area, including, but not
limited, to protection, emergency response, livelihood, and area-based programming.
- Ensure DRC projects in the area remain aligned to DRC global strategy and Country strategic
direction.
- Implement an area-based approach to respond to the needs of the population in our areas of
operation.
- Represent DRC at all relevant forums in the area & liaise with local authorities & different
stakeholders.
- Ensure that the reputation of DRC in the area remains high and issues of concern are raised with
Head pf Operations in time.
- Positively contribute to the teambuilding efforts and ensure that effective coordination exists inter
program teams and between program and support teams at area and country level.
- In close collaboration and consultations with the Head of Programs and Head of Support
Services, ensure program strategy and delivery is up to date and well resourced.
Program Management
- Be a driving force in terms of developing DRC's program in south Central Somalia and provide
inputs to fundraising efforts, in coordination with the Business Development Unit, HoP and the
Head pf Operations.
- The position will include a specific project focusing on accessing Hard to Reach populations in
Somalia and will be working with program managers based in country, as well as at the HQ level.
- Supervise effective, efficient, and timely implementation of all projects according to agreed
contracts, budgets, and donor requirements.
- Provide clear and coherent guidance and synergies to DRC’s multi-sectoral emergency and
longer-term projects in the area.
- In consultation with Head of Operations oversee project work plans from Tech Specialists and
PFPs in accordance with annual planning and funding.
- In close consultation with the MEAL Manager, ensure that relevant beneficiary data is collected,
compiled, analysed, and distributed and that relevant assessments are conducted in the project
area and learning institutionalized.
- Monitor budgets in coordination with area program leads to ensure there is no overspending or
underspending and flag any issues at the monthly CO project review meetings.
- Provide regular area information and flash reports on programme activities, policy matters and
external relations, based on agreed formats and schedules.
- Ensure complaint handling mechanisms are in place in all projects and promote accountability
concepts.
Expatriate or national contract
- Oversee preparation of program portfolios by area teams for presentation at quarterly meetings
and identify opportunities for new projects in coordination with country program teach leads.
- Manage all area program managers and coordinators and ensure all program leads have clear
work plans in place and are following them.
- Quality control and monitoring of key result contract performance indicators in their areas.
- Coordinate with Head of Operations, Head of Programme and Program Managers on technical
gaps and obtain support from technical sector managers/coordinators/ specialist’s staff.
- Develop and monitor detailed operational plans for all emergency response related project
activities in accordance with the overall EPRP and other relevant emergency action and response
plans in coordination with the SMT and relevant Technical Programme Managers.
- Update Somalia EPRP based on current context.
- Identification and prioritization of geographical areas for assessment and innovative response,
especially those with high needs and access constraints in HCT Priority 1 areas, in close
collaboration with Project/Programme/Sector Managers/Technical Programme Managers.
Support Management
- Manage DRC staff and resources in the area and coordinate with support sector managers as be
required.
- Ensure that the activities of support teams are conducted in compliance to DRC policies,
procedures, and operations handbook.
- Ensure all key staff functions (program and Support) are adequately staffed, including master
budgets for both program and support staff are available for effective management of area/field
offices.
- Ensure that monthly technical and support function reports are sent timely to the CO senior
management team.
- Lead on all financial management, area master budget management and maintain efficient
financial control, and tracking, including donor reporting. Monitor and analyse financial risks in line
with the financial procedure’s handbook.
- Oversight and management of the Bank Accounts including deposits, withdrawals, preparation of
bank reconciliations and revision/negotiation in regard to bank charges on a yearly basis.
- Proactively engage in proposal budget development, implementation and revision as may be
required and requested from the program team and CO finance.
- Directly responsible for control on procurement and management of supplies, vehicles, assets &
stock and ensure necessary systems in procurement and logistics are in place and continuously
followed.
- Coordinate with CO IT department and manage IT and communications systems in the area
ensuring asset lists are up to date.
- Ensure that HR activities (recruitments, on boarding, performance) are effectively managed.
- Ensure that national staff are continuously developing their ability to fulfil job descriptions and
acquiring new skills as much as possible through internal and external trainings.
- Responsible for ensuring DRC Safety protocols are implemented in conducting all activities in the
area and adequate measures are in place to mitigate any potential risk to office, staff & Council)
- Continuously review security situation in the area and coordinate with country safety team on all
matters related to safety & security.
- Ensure DRC Area operations comply with all local labour laws and legislations.
About Mogadishu
Mogadishu, known locally as Muqdisho, is the capital of Somalia and the country's largest city. It serves as the political, economic, and cultural heart of the nation. The city hosts the headquarters of numerous UN agencies, international NGOs, and government institutions, offering diverse career opportunities for development and humanitarian professionals.
Ereyada Soomaaliga (Somali Keywords): Shaqo Muqdisho • Shaqo Buuxda • Shaqo Cusub