Area Programme Manager

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Area Programme Manager.

About the job

The DRC is looking to recruit an experienced and dedicated Area Programme Manager to oversee the Protection, Economic Recovery, Humanitarian Mine Action and Community Safety (Peacebuilding) programmes in Western Libya and manage the programme implementation teams.

The Area Programme Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, coordination, and implementation of all DRC programmes in Western Libya. The role ensures strategic and operational integration across sectors, high‑quality implementation, donor compliance, and alignment with DRC’s Programme Cycle Management (PCM) standards. The APM leads area‑level programme planning, oversees budgets and grants, and works closely with Support Service teams (Finance, HR, and Supply Chain) to ensure timely, efficient, and compliant programme delivery. In coordination with the Area Manager and relevant technical teams, the APM represents DRC at area level with authorities, partners, and coordination fora and ensures that protection principles, accountability, and safety are integrated across all interventions.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Project Implementation

• Oversee the timely and quality implementation of Protection, Economic Recovery, Humanitarian Mine Action and Community Safety (Peacebuilding) programmes across Western Libya, ensuring adherence to budgetary constraints, alignment with donor requirements and organizational goals.
• Conduct and supervise weekly project updates and movement meetings, in close coordination with the safety and access team.
• Develop Detailed Implementation Plans, including activity work plans, budgets, HR, and procurement plans for all active projects and ensure timely monitoring of progress.
• Support Programme Coordination and Field Team colleagues in identifying areas for collaboration and integrated programming between teams and sectors.
• Contribute to the development of new programme initiatives as requested by the Area Manager or Head of Programme.
• Ensure programme implementation is responsive to community and partner needs and aligns with DRC and Core Humanitarian Standard principles and values.
• Contribute to the development of the Country Strategy including integrating mainstreaming elements such as protection mainstreaming, gender and inclusion into programme implementation.
• Ensure that the programme is implemented in a conflict-sensitive manner and that the capacities of the programme implementation staff are strengthened in conflict-sensitive programming.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor implementation quality, identify risks, and support problem‑solving.
• Ensure compliance with DRC's Code of Conduct throughout the project cycle.

Financial Management and Coordination with Support Services

• Hold overall responsibility for programme budgets in the area, ensuring effective budget planning, forecasting, and follow‑up.
• Work closely with Finance to monitor expenditure, address variances, and ensure accurate monthly forecasting.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain to ensure timely procurement, contracting, and asset management in support of programme implementation.
• Liaise with HR to support recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and staff development at area level.
• Ensure smooth coordination between programme and support functions to avoid implementation delays and compliance risks.

Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning

• In coordination with the Programme Coordination Unit and MEAL team, input into the development of M&E tools & roll-out the tools/processes to measure program quality and impact.
• Monitor program objectives, outputs, indicators and activities according to project and organizational monitoring commitments– ensuring team deliverables remain on track as per agreed donor commitments.
• Ensure timely and quality reporting to donors in accordance with project agreements and donor requirements, coordinating with relevant teams to gather necessary data and information.
• Review and finalize donor reports to ensure compliance and quality standards are met. Serve as the focal point for addressing donor inquiries and requests related to project implementation and reporting.
• Contribute to the documentation and consolidation of lessons learnt from multi-sectoral programme activities.

Representation:

• Represent DRC to donors and external actors during programme visits, in coordination with the Area Manager, Head of Programme, and Country Director.
• Lead project kick-off meetings with local authorities and stakeholders in coordination with the Area Manager and relevant programme implementation teams.
• Assume responsibility for external representation in the absence of the Area Manager or international colleagues during periods of remote management.

Team and People Management:

• Manage direct reports and oversee all programme implementation staff, including recruitment, development, accountability, people planning, and performance.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and enabling work environment.
• Provide proactive staff capacity building and ensure performance reviews are conducted regularly.
• Address underperformance effectively in coordination with HR and the SMT.

Other

• Ensure the respect of DRC Code of Conduct and DRC’s zero tolerance policy of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), humanitarian principles and contribute to the integration of Protection and Age, Gender, Diversity (AGD) mainstreaming into DRC programming.
• Promote collaboration between all of DRC’s departments engaged in the delivery of programming.
• Undertake any other duties that may be assigned by the Line Manager.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in project and/or programme management with an international NGO or UN Agency, demonstrating a solid understanding of humanitarian principles and practices.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Proven track record of at least 3 years of successful team management experience, including recruitment, capacity development, and performance management.
• Demonstrated practical experience in implementing projects, preferably in the field of Protection and within a conflict-affected context.
• Knowledge and understanding of the conflict and displacement context and dynamics in Libya.
• Experience in budget management and ensuring financial resources are effectively allocated and utilized in line with donor requirements.
• Previous experience engaging with multi-sectoral teams in complex operational environments, ensuring effective coordination and collaboration.
• Experience in engaging with external actors, including donors, local authorities, civil society, international NGOs and UN agencies, in a professional and effective manner.
• Strong drafting skills and the ability to write high-quality donor reports and project proposals.
• Strong diplomatic skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including beneficiaries, community leaders, local authorities, civil society, international NGOs, and UN agencies.
• Proven ability to manage and motivate a diverse team of staff, fostering a positive, collaborative, and enabling work environment.
• University Degree in relevant field or project management diploma
• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply
• Fluent in Arabic (required),excellent working proficiency in English (required)

*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: Until Nov 30, 2027
• Band: MF1
• Designation of Duty Station: Tripoli
• Suggested Start date: 01 Dec 2026

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national employees; please refer to our website. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact Us.

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