Head of Programme - Nigeria at Danish Refugee Council
Job Title: Head of Programme - Nigeria at Danish Refugee Council
Date Posted: 11th December, 2025.
Expiry Date: 29 Dec 2025
About the Job
The HoP reports directly to the Country Director and is an integral part of the in-country Senior Management Team. The HoP will be to contribute to and oversee the implementation of DRC’s strategy in Nigeria, taking a proactive and hands-on approach to ensure the highest programmatic standards, with an emphasis on quality assurance and lessons learning. The Head of Programme is responsible for the overall programmatic strategy across Nigeria’ operations and is responsible for providing technical input to the implementing actors within the different sectors. The Head of Programme is responsible for developing policies, processes and standards within respective areas and plays a lead role in fundraising activities and external representation. This role also includes Cluster representation and technical quality assurance across various protection sectors.
Your Job Description
Duties and Responsibilities
People Management
Represent the program/operations within the Senior Management Team (SMT).
Coordinate the country's sectoral and overall programmatic strategy.
Provide technical quality support for operations in Nigeria.
Line management, performance driver, and staff development of all programme staff.
Promote and facilitate effective coordination between the programme and other CO departments.
Provide oversight and support to Field and Project Managers in the implementation of programme- and project-level activities, ensuring strategic planning and high standards of delivery. Follow up and support as needed.
Fundraising and Strategy
Provide contextual programme analysis inputs to DRC’s country and fundraising strategy, ensuring programme relevance and expansion in line with DRC’s Strategy and donor priorities.
Participate in consolidating DRC’s operations in Nigeria and advise on partnerships and programmatic opportunities, including thematic complementarity, geographic presence, and consortia with local, national, and international partners.
In close collaboration with the CD and Support Supply Manager, ensure effective planning, management, and mobilisation of programme resources, including financial and human resources; provide guidance and orientation to program/project staff.
In consultation with the program team, ensure effective implementation of the fundraising strategy and participate in consolidating DRC’s operations in Nigeria.
External Representation
Ensure coordination and representation of DRC in relevant humanitarian fora, clusters, and working groups, in support of the Country Director.
Support the CD in building and strengthening donor relations and increasing DRC’s visibility in the donor and NGO environment.
Oversee development of communication tools (project presentations, leaflets) to increase DRC’s visibility among humanitarian stakeholders and the general public.
Programme Quality, Reporting, and Compliance
Ensure quality of overall project and program activities, with increased synergy and complementarity across projects; provide regular updates and advice on programme improvements.
Develop/update the country's protection strategy using a participatory approach and disseminate it to field teams.
Drive and continuously improve programme performance by ensuring alignment and streamlining of programme and financial management tools, grant management, and reporting.
Support collection and management of quality data for protection analysis.
Support design and implementation of food security & livelihoods, financial inclusion, and peacebuilding projects.
Work closely with DRC’s national partners, assess capacity, and implement organisational and technical capacity-building plans.
Supervise the development of timely and quality project reports matching DRC and donor requirements.
Promote, streamline, and strengthen cross-project capitalisation and learning opportunities with the MEAL Manager and Project Managers.
Support development and implementation of strong Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems and feedback mechanisms.
Ensure monthly qualitative and quantitative reporting and data collection in line with DRC’s Results Framework.
Mainstream protection and gender in all projects, advise on climate mainstreaming, ensure inclusion of marginalised and vulnerable groups, and assist in working towards Core Humanitarian Standards, SDGs, and SPHERE standards.
Ensure project compliance with DRC and donor policies and requirements.
Cross-Cutting Duties
Maintain effective working relationships with other members of the programme as well as with DRC RO and DRC HQ.
Contribute to a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and performance optimisation across all projects.
Be a role model for diversity, inclusion, and belonging and a positive contributor to team spirit.
Work in accordance with DRC values and humanitarian principles.
Perform any other reasonable duties, including interim representation of the mission, as requested by the CD.
The Job Requirements
Required Qualifications
At least 7 years’ experience in the humanitarian sector, with both humanitarian and durable solutions programming.
At least 4 years’ experience with people management.
Experience in managing programme operations, including at country senior management level.
Experience in fundraising and good understanding of key donor requirements.
Experience with proposal development, budget development, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Experience in effectively coordinating with national partners, local/government authorities, NGO partners, UN agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
Previous experience in developing programme strategies and producing technical guidance related to protection, economic recovery, emergency response and/or peacebuilding.
Previous professional experience in West and Central Africa is an asset.
Strong organisational, interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills.
Master's degree in political science, international development, economics or other relevant field.
Full professional proficiency in English.
Required Skills & Qualities
Core Competencies of DRC
Striving for excellence
Collaboration
Taking the lead
Communication
Demonstrating integrity
Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are required.
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 authorisation.
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 authorisation.
Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request.