Site Management Assistant

Introduction

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. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profitmaking, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and its safety unit, has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015. DRC Nigeria is the largest DRC country mission in the West Africa region and one of the largest DRC country missions globally. Currently, DRC delivers life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including internally displaced persons, returnees, and host communities in the areas of armed violence reduction, humanitarian mine action, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in 30+ Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in northeast Nigeria and in Sokoto and Zamfara states in Northwest Nigeria.

Purpose/objective of the position:

The CCCM/ Site Management Assistant is responsible for IDP hosting site management, local stakeholder, information management, and assisting other DRC field teams with project implementation. This is a field-based position and may require spending extended periods of time in the field.

Duties and Responsibilities:

CCCM/ SMC Implementation

• Regular visits to the Site Management and protection targeted sites each week as per agreed plan in consultation with supervisor and share site report.
• Facilitate CCCM trainings including government/local authorities on CCCM/ SMC
• Support in the creation and strengthening of Site Management Committees (SMCs); build capacity of SMC members through coaching on CCCM principles and practice and reinforce adherence to the TOR and Code of Conduct
• Ensure regular contact (visits and phone calls) and collect information and updates from SMC and IDP representatives and share with relevant line managers
• Assist in identifying needs, service gaps and duplications in all targeted sites, and report such issues through Cluster reporting tools and flag for action through appropriate coordination channels
• Facilitate site-level meetings with SMCs and other stakeholders such as humanitarian actors and government officials to discuss needs, issues, and gaps
• Attend all relevant SMS coordination meetings, representing DRC, as well as attend meetings with various stakeholders, including clusters, local authorities and IDPs as requested.
• Provide accurate and timely information for drafting the weekly SMS reports and other updates.
• Support in efforts to disseminate information to IDP populations
• Help conduct site verification, detailed site assessments, safety audits, and eviction risk mapping by providing information and collecting data as requested.
• Follow and uphold humanitarian principles and centrality of protection at all times.
• Excellent liaison with other Site Team Members, ensuring consistency and coordination of activities in the site.
• Any other tasks as requested by SMS Coordinator.

Site Management Coordination and Representation:

• Represent DRC with communities, local authorities, site partners, and other stakeholders
• Build and maintain mutually respectful relationships with site management, service providers, local authorities, IDP community members as well as host community members
• Foster collaborative relationships with local authorities to facilitate implementation of activities
• Attend and facilitate meetings with stakeholders, such as local authorities, Clusters, NGOs, INGOs, UN and IDPs, including translation of meeting proceedings and provision of meeting minutes.

Community participation and representation:

• Establish, support and aid in the design of site management committees, recognizing influence of ‘Camp Leaders’ in Nigeria context
• Support representative committees and community groups, ensuring Inclusion is main factor in composition and any community-based targeting
• Supporting and promoting participation of women, youth, people with specific needs and marginalized groups in camp governance mechanisms and CCCM Activities.

Information Management:

• Establish, maintain, and actively utilize networks of key informants at IDP sites
• Ensure the timely registration of new IDPs, including identification of protection related needs
• Support in the drafting of weekly situation reports and provide other relevant information on site conditions and services
• Provide, document, and track timely referrals and service requests to key partners
• Update public information boards with site management and partner information. Ensure that the information on the boards are accessible to everybody, include non-literate populations.

The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Education and professional experience:

• Diploma in social or political sciences, engineering, urban planning or relevant discipline
• Minimum two years of experience in international and/or local NGO; ideally involved in the direct implementation and supervision of field level humanitarian assistance to IDPs
• Significant professional knowledge of SMS/SMC strategies, policies, and modalities.
• Strong conceptual understanding of gender, protection, human rights and humanitarian principles
• Proven leadership skills and related experience in building, establishing, and negotiating relationships and social networks with various stakeholders at the community, local, and national levels
• Strong representation, negotiation, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Strong team spirit and ability to work comfortably in multi-cultural contexts
• Ability to spend extended periods of time in field conditions
• Ability to come up with innovative solutions to unexpected and challenging problems

Competencies: (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

• Computer literacy (Word, Excel)
• Respect and a non-discriminatory attitude
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Good reporting skills
• Ability to show empathy
• Ability to work under pressure
• Fluency in Hausa, Kanuri, and any other spoken languages spoken in Sokoto State (written and spoken)
• Working knowledge of English (written and spoken)

General Regulations

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality, and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework.
• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization.
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period.
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization.
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request. 

Application Process

A cover letter (1 page max) outlining motivation and suitability.

An updated CV (max 4 pages).

Subject line – The position you are applying and the location

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Any submission after 30th May 2025 will not be considered.

DRC is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity.