Head of Programme- Erbil (National Contract)

Who are we?

In 2003, DRC became one of the first organisations to provide humanitarian assistance in the country. Today, DRC continues to provide humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable displacement-affected families, including IDPs, returnees, and host communities in Basra, Baqubah, Jalawla, Gatoon, Baghdad, Muqdadiya, Balad, Aziz Balad, Samarra, Duhok, Tel Afar, Baa’j, Sinjar, and Erbil.

Find more about DRC operations in Iraq here: Iraq | DRC Danish Refugee Council

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Consultant to facilitate Countering Disinformation and Misinformation in Baghdad.
 

Overall purpose of the role:

As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Head of Programme drives the overall country strategy, in line with DRC’s global and regional strategies as well as needs and contextual developments on the ground. The HoP oversees the conceptualization and development of programmes, supports the CD in fundraising and donor engagement, and is responsible for ensuring programmatic quality in addition to the effective management of grants. The position manages a team of technical programme staff at the CO level and is responsible for ensuring programmatic quality standards are met across the board, including through robust MEAL processes, capitalization of learning and cross-cutting issues (protection and age, gender, and diversity mainstreaming). The HoP actively engages with partners, civil society and the donor community to ensure DRC’s views and priorities are represented. S/he plays a key role in ensuring adherence to policies and systems.

Responsibilities:
Programme Strategy & Development

• Identify and keep abreast of key developments and trends in the country and position DRC to address these with quality and efficiency. 
• Drive the conceptualization and development process of the country strategy, and sector strategies collaboratively and with the participation and inputs from the overall country operations. This includes ensuring the strategy is evidence based and includes internal/external accountability and that it is informed by DRC’s expertise and stakeholder consultations.
• Ensure that the key global and regional frameworks are contextualized and applied across programs and ensure that staff are aware of and understand these.
• Foster synergies between program areas including integration, harmonization across Area Offices and ensure quality assurance for more holistic approaches to assistance.  
• Ensure the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan for Iraq (EPRP) is updated and facilitate assessments and rapid responses for new emergencies as discussed and agreed with the SMT. 
• In close collaboration with the Country Director, ensure advocacy is embedded in and informed by programs as well as used for external communications with government authorities, donors, and other humanitarian and development stakeholders. 

Program Quality & Coordination

• Provide oversight, guidance, and leadership on all aspects of program design, development and quality assurance.
• Ensure programming is principled and in line with Core Humanitarian Standards, Sphere Standards and other relevant legal frameworks.
• Ensure there are systems and tools in place for conflict sensitive programming including do-no harm approaches to programming.  
• Develop a close and productive working relationship with Area Offices (implementation teams) to ensure by-in of quality standards and processes, and that designs and course corrections are evidence based and informed by learning. 
• Ensure the implementation of effective and participatory Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning strategies at all levels of the country program. 
• Facilitate collaboration and the utilization of global and regional technical support in areas of new programmatic initiatives (localization, greening, innovation etc.). 
• Ensure Information Management is embedded in DRC’s programme and that data management adheres to GDPR and other data protection protocols including PIM.  
• Adopt an evidence-based approach that sees the dissemination of lessons learned and best practices within DRC country and regional teams, to donors and to other stakeholders when relevant in order ensure synergetic programming and cross-program collaboration in Iraq and in the whole region.
• Supervise monitoring and evaluation of the operations to ensure the overall implementation is in accordance with agreed work plans, donor agreements and humanitarian accountability frameworks.

Fundraising, and Grants Management 

• Ensure proposals are in line with the Strategic Plan and Sector Strategies, and that they are submitted in a timely manner and with quality.  
• Ensure effective and transparent budgeting, planning and follow-up in compliance with DRC policies and priorities as well as donor rules and regulations.
• Ensure grants opening, review, and closure meetings take place systematically.
• Ensure quality control of donor reports and authorize the submissions of these and proposals to HQ/donors. 

Donor liaison, Partnerships and Representation

• Support the Country Director in representing DRC Iraq to current and potential donors.
• Cultivate key relationships that enhance DRC’s visibility and credibility, and position DRC as a key displacement focused organization in Iraq.
• Review and oversee implementation of the CSO partnership strategy and promote DRC’s localization agenda within DRC Iraq. 
• Identify local NGOs/partners and develop partnerships with relevant and complementary partners. 

Direct staff management: 

• Ensure that technical managers, coordinators, and specialists under HoP line management have clear and realistic performance-based management goals.
• Provide on-going support and coaching and ensure that line managed staff have the required capacities to fulfil their responsibilities.
• When needed, work with the SMT to adapt the program’s structure according to budget availability and needs.

Other

• In close collaboration with the broader Senior Management Team, lead by example to ensure continual progress towards DRC’s Age, Gender, and Diversity policy and AGD programmatic minimum standards, and promote compliance with DRC’s commitment to zero-tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy. 
• Other duties as requested by the Country Director.

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in program management, leadership, and design in conflict affected countries and post-conflict contexts.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in proposal development, budget development, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Proven experience in effectively coordinating with National Governments, International and National NGO partners and a variety of donors.
• Preferably previous successful experience with DRC.
• Proven experience in managing integrated programs as well as capacity building.
• Full professional proficiency in English is required.
• Kurdish and Arabic languages are desirable.

Education:

• University degree in International Development and/or Humanitarian Assistance, Project Management, or any other related field. 

Languages:

• Fluent in English.
• Arabic/Kurdish Desirable.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies: 

1. Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 
2. Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 
3. Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 
4. Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 
5. Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
    

We offer

• Contract length:  12 Months
• Position Band:  E Management Level 1
• Suggested start date: 7 December 2025
• Duty station: Erbil (frequent travel to field)
• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Nationals.

Application process

Interested to apply? All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 18 October 2025

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