DRC Uganda is currently looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual to join our dynamic team as a Uganda Cash Consortium Manager.

The overall purpose of the role:

The Cash Consortium Manager will lead a consortium for a DG ECHO-funded programme. The programme was designed to respond to the humanitarian needs of the most socio-economically vulnerable refugees hosted in Uganda through the provision of multi-purpose cash assistance to meet basic needs, contribute to addressing the most urgent protection cases and enhance access to education.

The Cash Consortium Manager will provide leadership to the project and its activities, oversee the implementation of the project through the consortium, and oversee the administration and implementation of the grant in line with ECHO procedures. He / She will lead a team and build and maintain relationships with stakeholders ranging from refugee and community members to national and district local government officials and governmental entities, UN agencies, other Non-Governmental Organizations and DG ECHO.

The role is hosted by Danish Refugee Council but represents all partners (currently two) within the Uganda Cash Consortium.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Management and Coordination:

• In collaboration with the Consortium’s Steering Committee (SC), set the strategic vision for the programme and consortium members.
• Organize quarterly Steering Committee meetings.
• Lead the process of applying to relevant call for proposals.
• Ensure a well-planned setup and readiness for timely and well-informed implementation, ensuring that both support and programme functions are fit for purpose and efficient. This entails ensuring recruitments, new staff inductions and sub-contracting are completed in accordance with agreed timelines.
• Supervise the Project Management Unit (PMU).
• Drive localization within the consortium.
• Lead drafting all consortium reports and ensure they are submitted in a timely manner in line with donor requirements.
• Oversee timely implementation of the programme in full compliance with the contractual commitments to and policies of the donor and with full accountability to the DRC, consortium members, sub-grantees and the donor.
• Collaborate with other ECHO-funded consortia and other partners supporting the consortium targeting process.
• Set all policies and procedures required for smooth program implementation including ensuring ‘Standard Operating Procedures’ are fit-for-purpose across the consortia.
• In collaboration with the MEAL Coordinator, ensure the functionality of the MEAL system for the Consortium, analyze findings, and share lessons learned with the donor, SC, and consortium members.
• Organize and facilitate regular briefings and meetings with the Consortium’s SC to ensure accountability of each organization. Ensure that the consortium members are well informed on the programme’s progress and challenges and that decisions are made in accordance with consortium contractual obligations.
• In collaboration with Finance, provide all required calculations for the consortium members, ensure that the consortium budget meets all required splits and donor requirements, and be proactive in finding solutions to avoid exchange rate losses or savings and other financial risks.
• Manage the programme’s relationship with the donor, governmental representatives, UN agencies and other international organizations.
• Represent the Consortium in local, national, and international meetings and events as appropriate, with a focus on the Uganda Cash Working Group.
• Proactively identify and effectively manage all key risks related to the programme.
• Demonstrate high levels of commitment to the DRC and its vision, mission, and values in order to ensure that the objectives of your role and the country program are met.
• Develop and document communication materials including documentation of best practices. Ensure adherence to donor visibility requirements.

Finance and Administration:

• Ensuring that technical, financial, and administrative activities, including reporting are carried out according to DRC and donor policies and procedures and that deadlines are met.
• Assume responsibility for the effective management of the programme’s budget through accountability of budget holders and their compliance with the consortium’s budget management processes. This entails regularly monitoring spending and ensure timely utilization of funds in accordance with agreed spending plans.
• Contribute to monthly Budget Review Meetings and actively monitor expenditure and co-funding levels.
• Communicate regularly with the consortium steering committee on progress against spending, flagging risks and proposing mitigation measures as required.
• Pro-actively monitor the ‘Total Cost to Transfer Ratio’ (TCTR) across the consortium and strategically advise on the same.
• Ensure Value-for-Money in decision making.

Human Resources:

• Ensure the programme remains fully staffed and with the appropriate combination of expertise across technical and operational areas, that equity in gender across staffing is sought and that diversity and inclusion are promoted.
• Line manage with professionalism and support respectful and positive working relationships which allow for the effective achievement of the programme’s objectives. This is to be achieved through leadership, team building and day-to-day support.
• Make sure that all staff members under the consortium from DRC and partner organizations are well informed about the program and its progress
• Ensure staff are well versed in DRC and donor code of conduct, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguarding, and accountability to affected populations.
• Collaborate with the DRC Human Resources department to ensure staff evaluations are conducted on a regular basis.

Supply Chain:

• Ensure supply chain processes of consortium members are sufficiently harmonized and fully compliant with DRC and donor policies and standards.
• Ensure collaboration across consortium members in selecting Financial Service Providers (FSPs).
• Monitor performance of FSPs.

Safety and Security; Fraud Management:

• Ensure relevant information regarding safety and contextual developments in the programme’s operational areas is collected, updated and shared with the DRC Country Director on a regular and timely basis.
• Ensure a functioning Feedback and Complaints Handling Mechanism across all programme locations.
• Collaborate with the DRC’s Country Director for Uganda and the Uganda Senior Management Team (SMT) to make decisions and manage security incidents related to the programme.
• Make sure that all fraudulent activities are well reported and investigated in line with DRC and ECHO policies.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have sound experience implementing cash and voucher assistance (CVA) in a complex setting with a strong focus on Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• Master’s degree in international development, economics or social sciences or another relevant field
• A degree in international development, economics, agronomy or social sciences.
• A minimum of 7 years’ experience working in international humanitarian and/or development aid, preferably with displaced populations, and with at least four (4) years in managerial positions.
• The candidate should have strong business development experience and leading on proposal writing and reporting is a core function of the role.
• Knowledge and experience on the localization approach including onboarding, capacity strengthening and jointly implementing with local partners
• Familiarity with CALP Network glossary and terms.
• Deep understanding of Minimum Basket Expenditures; experience in price market monitoring; experience in calculating transfer values
• Comprehensive understanding of DG ECHO donor requirements.
• Robust analytical and strategic planning skills.
• Strong experience in management of finance and budget monitoring, financial forecasting, and risk management.
• Strong numeracy and analytical skills.
• Highly diplomatic with excellent political awareness and understanding.
• High-level communications and interpersonal skills.
• A demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with host governments, donors, partners, local organizations, and other stakeholders.

Desirable

• Previous experience in the East Africa desirable with experience in Uganda preferred;
• Experience managing DG ECHO grants
• Previous experience on localization is an added value
• Experiences in Using KoBo Collect and KoBo Toolbox

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

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

• Contract length: 12 months (renewable based on performance and funding)
• Band: F1
• Designation of Duty Station: Kampala
• Start date: As soon as possible

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national employees; please refer to our website.

Application process

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: 08.11.2024

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