Head of Support Services (Re-advertised)

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international humanitarian organization founded in Denmark in 195

• With a mission to assist refugees and internally displaced persons globally, DRC provides emergency aid, advocates for rights, and works towards sustainable solutions for displaced populations. The organization has grown to employ over 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers, operating in multiple countries affected by conflict. DRC's vision is to ensure a dignified life for all displaced individuals, guided by values such as humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty, and transparency. In Syria, DRC has been active since 2008, focusing on supporting refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) through various humanitarian efforts authorized by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 201
• DRC's activities in Syria include distributions of non-food items (NFI), shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), protection, education, livelihoods, and mine risk education across six governorates, including Damascus, Rural Damascus, Dara'a, Aleppo, Hama, and Homs.

Job Overview:
The Head of Support Services (HoSS) at the Danish Refugee Council plays a crucial role in ensuring effective and efficient support services across Finance, Administration, Human Resources, IT, and Supply Chain within Syria. This position is integral to developing and implementing country-specific strategies while enhancing operational systems, processes, and policies that align with DRC's mission. The HoSS will be a key member of the Senior Management Team, responsible for program support and the timely achievement of annual performance indicators related to support functions. The role requires proactive communication with Area Managers, Sector Managers, and Project Managers to address finance, supply chain, administration, and human resources issues, prioritizing urgent tasks. The HoSS will also ensure compliance with DRC procedures and guidelines, contributing to the development of country strategies that translate into actionable plans and daily tasks, while providing technical guidance to country operations and overseeing activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The HoSS will lead and manage support service teams, ensuring high performance and quality approaches are maintained. Responsibilities include managing current operations program support, establishing high-performing teams, and developing operational approaches and compliance systems. The HoSS will oversee operational support units, ensuring DRC's capacity for rapid emergency response, particularly in procurement and transport. They will develop a risk management plan identifying financial and operational risks, ensuring all administrative and legal systems are accurate. The HoSS will also manage the country master budget, ensuring it is regularly updated and used for project proposals. They will support the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director in liaising with donors and auditors, ensuring compliance with operational standards and leading audit responses. Additionally, the HoSS will ensure the effective use of the DRC Dynamics ERP system for improved performance.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess at least 7 years of management experience in relevant fields, with proven operational experience in financial, supply chain, human resources, and information management. A minimum of 3 years in a similar role, preferably within an international NGO, is required. Previous experience in senior management roles and working in the Middle East is preferred. Candidates should demonstrate strong leadership skills, competence in people management, and operational management experience, particularly in conflict areas. Understanding of institutional fundraising and sensitivity to the cultural context of DRC's operational countries is essential, along with experience in ERP systems related to supply chain, finance, and HR.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in international development, economics, business management, or a related field is required for this position.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years' management experience in relevant fields, with at least 3 years in a similar role, preferably in an international NGO context. Candidates should have proven operational management experience, particularly in conflict-affected areas, and demonstrate leadership skills and competence in people management.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory, while Arabic language skills are considered an advantage for this role.

Additional Notes:
The contract length for this position is one year, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. The position is classified at the management level E1, and the expected start date is as soon as possible. Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and an updated CV, both in the same language as the vacancy note, as CV-only applications will not be considered. The application deadline is March 24, 2025, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis. DRC reserves the right to conduct tests and interviews before the closing date and may close the advertisement earlier if a suitable candidate is found.