Introduction

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a Danish international non-governmental organisation, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world. DRC is present in more than 30 conflict territories around the world assisting displaced people with shelter, food, income-generating activities, and a wide range of other assistance. It is of utmost importance for DRC to work in compliance with the DRC Accountability and Quality Management system and national legislations. Smooth, reliable, and effective operational systems are preconditions for DRC to maintain its position as a trustworthy and reliable partner for our donors and an accountable organisation towards our beneficiaries.

Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015 and has experience working in 33 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the BAY states and Northwest Nigeria (Sokoto and Zamfara). DRC provides life- saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including IDPs, returnees, and host communities in the sectors of armed violence reduction, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter, and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).

The operational contexts in northeastern and northwestern Nigeria remains challenging, as the ongoing conflict impedes conflict-affected communities’ access to what limited basic services are available, as well as DRC and other humanitarians’ access to persons of concern.

Purpose

To provide effective and quality technical strategic direction and technical advisory to the implementation team and Country Office team, to spearhead fundraising for WASH and Shelter sector and to represent DRC in technical coordination bodies and working groups.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The role is dedicated to technical coordination, advisory, fundraising and representing DRC in relevant technical forums and working groups. The WASH and Shelter Coordinator is responsible for formulating technical strategy for DRC Nigeria bringing innovative modalities to the sector with emphasis on Value for Money and Going Green. The Coordinator will provide technical advisory to the implementation team and to the Technical Unit in line with the technical and country strategy. The role will be responsible for representing DRC in relevant technical forums and working groups on country level and area level, should that be necessary, and supporting the Head of Programme in fundraising efforts for their sector through well-designed strategy, timely updates, advisory and sector engagement.

The main responsibilities and tasks of the WASH and Shelter Coordinator:

Technical Coordination and Advisory

• Provide technical advisory to the implementation teams on any stage of programme implementation.
• Lead on creation and roll out of the technical strategy with emphasis on needs of the affected communities, innovation, and environment. Support the Head of Programmes on creating the Country Programme Strategy.
• Provide technical inputs and review to proposals, reports, assessments and evaluations in line with the technical strategy.
• Provide technical capacity building to implementation teams and partners.
• Prepare learning/knowledge products, SoPs and guidelines covering innovative approaches and good practices, to support overall WASH and Shelter sector development and good-practice implementation.
• Initiate and contribute to the systematic assessment of WASH sector capacity gap analysis, in collaboration with government and other stakeholders, and support the design of initiatives to strengthen capacities systematically.
• Analyze Nigeria WASH and Shelter sector challenges, trends, programmes and projects, with a focus on WASH and shelter outcomes, using frameworks, analysis and tools available in the sector.

Representation, Fundraising and Advocacy

• Pro-actively lead on DRC’s WASH and Shelter representation with relevant Sectors and working groups on country level and area level when necessary.
• Engage with relevant stakeholders incl. NGOs, donors and government to promote DRC’s WASH and Shelter programme

and support sector’s fundraising efforts.

• Actively seek out new viable partnerships for the WASH and Shelter sectors.
• Actively seek out appropriate funding opportunities for the sector in line with the sector strategy.
• Produce materials for WASH and Shelter programme advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fund-raising.
• Interact with global and regional initiatives and partnerships for WASH and Shelter Sectors.

In addition to the above, the WASH and Shelter Coordinator may be asked to carry out other duties requested by the Head of Programme - but always in the scope of this job description.

Experience and technical competencies:

Required

• At least 5 years’ experience in technical management and advisory in WASH and Shelter sectors.
• Proven experience with proposal and report writing processes.
• Direct experience with drafting and reviewing of technical SoPs and guidelines, technical papers and analysis with emphasis on innovation and environment.
• Proven experience with representation in Clusters, Working groups and other relevant technical bodies.
• Proven experience with impactfully engaging with stakeholders.
• Experience working in emergency response with INGOs, preferably in a humanitarian context
• Full professional proficiency in English with the capacity to produce well-written products for formal reporting and communication.
• Master’s Degree in civil/Water Engineering, Architecture or Construction.

Desirable

• Experience with capacity building for national partners.
• Prior knowledge of Nigeria context.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Able to prioritize work, multi-task, and meet deadlines.
• Able to cope with stress and heavy workload.
• Strategic leadership and analysis.

• Skilled in impactful communication tailored to relevant audiences.
• Easily adaptable to hardship environments.
• Able to adapt to multi-national teams and environments.

Note: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

We offer.

Contract length: One (01) Year, with a possibility of extension depending on funding availability.

Workplace: Maiduguri with frequent travel to NW Nigeria

Start date: When the right candidate is identified.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the DRC National salary structure. This is contractually a national position for which local Nigerian terms and conditions apply.

General Regulations:

Application Process

• A cover letter (1 page max) outlining motivation and suitability.
• An updated CV (max 4 pages).

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis due to urgency; therefore, a candidate who closely meets the requirements may be selected before the above deadline. Any submission after 16th July 2025 will not be considered.

Note: Only short-listed applicants will be invited for written tests and oral interviews.

• For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult: www.drc.dk
• DRC is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity.