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Position Title: SRF Deputy Director
Line manager: SRF Fund Director
Duty station: Dakar, Senegal with travel within the region
Employment Period: 24 months
Type of Contract (Expat/National/Trainee): National or Expatriate
Salary & Benefits: Management E level 1
Introduction
The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.
The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.
Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.
1. Background
DRC has been operating in West Africa since 1998. The West Africa, North Africa and Latin America HQ Hub is based in Dakar, Senegal. The HQ Hub hosts the Sahel Regional Fund (SRF), a new humanitarian fund to respond to the crisis in the Sahel region, the Chad Basin and eastern Chad. The SRF is governed and led by NGOs working in the Sahel and financially supported by FCDO (UK Aid).
Launched in 2022, the SRF is as a funding mechanism for international and national organizations operating in hard-to-reach areas in the central Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad) weakened by conflict and climate change impact resulting in population displacement.
2. Purpose
The Sahel Regional Fund (SRF) is seeking a dynamic Deputy Director to help steer one of the most innovative multi‑country localisation mechanisms in the region. Based in Dakar with regular engagement across Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, and Mali, you will play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence, empowering local partners, and ensuring accountable, high‑impact delivery in some of the world’s most complex environments.
In this senior role, you’ll work at the intersection of strategy, operational oversight, partner capacity strengthening, and risk management, helping shape how localisation is implemented in practice. If you thrive in collaborative, fast‑moving settings and are motivated by meaningful change, this is an opportunity to lead, influence, and make a lasting contribution to the humanitarian sector.
3. Duties and Responsibilities
Your main duties and responsibilities will be:
Strategic Leadership & Coordination
Support the SRF Director and the SRF Head of Finance and Operations in implementing the SRF strategy and its localisation agenda, ensuring alignment with DRC global policies and donor requirements.
Contribute to the development and operationalisation of the SRF’s Localisation Framework, including partner selection, due diligence standards, and capacity strengthening pathways.
Support periodic reviews of SRF strategies, frameworks, operational tools, and policies based on evidence and field learning.
Coordinate closely with the country offices to ensure coherent fund management operations and information sharing mechanisms.
Contribute to the preparation of Board updates, strategic briefs, and knowledge products.
Strengthen coordination between Finance, Grants, and Operations teams at FMU Dakar and country level.
Line Management & Oversight of Fund Manager(s)
Directly line manage the SRF Fund Manager(s) assigned at country level.
Provide managerial guidance, performance management, and coaching to ensure effective delivery of localisation grants.
Ensure Fund Managers implement partner organisational development plans, grant follow-up, monitoring systems, and risk mitigation actions.
Supporting the professional development of team members through coaching, capacity building, and development planning.
Addressing poor performance and disciplinary issues, including handling Code of Conduct cases referred to management, in line with DRC policies and procedures.
Operational Oversight of the Localisation Portfolio
Oversee all operational aspects of the localisation grant portfolio, including: partner onboarding, due diligence and compliance checks, contractual processes, budget review and expenditure monitoring, programmatic and financial reporting.
In collaboration with the SRF Head of Finance and Operations, support the progressive handover to Fund Manager(s) of budget oversight and decision-making authority where assigned.
Ensure that localisation partners receive timely technical support and escalate challenges to the SRF Director when needed.
Lead troubleshooting on operational bottlenecks, compliance issues, and delivery constraints.
Ensure consistency and harmonisation of fund management practices across countries.
Risk Management & Compliance
Maintain the localisation portfolio risk register, ensuring compliance with SRF’s risk appetite and escalation procedures.
Work with the SRF Director and FMU team in Dakar to strengthen internal controls.
Oversee implementation of risk mitigation measures and follow-up to partner-level audits, spot checks, and capacity assessments.
Ensure full adherence to DRC’s Code of Conduct, anti-corruption standards, and safeguarding policies in partner management.
Oversee legal compliance of partners with local laws (registration, taxation, labour laws, NGO regulations).
Grant Cycle Management
Support the design and implementation of grant cycles for localisation windows, including calls for proposals, partner selection, contracting, and monitoring.
Ensure timely and quality submissions of country-level and portfolio-level programmatic information contributing to consolidated donor reports.
Support the Fund Manager(s) and partners in ensuring adaptive management processes based on emerging risks and learning.
Representation & Partner Engagement
Represent the SRF in localisation-related coordination platforms, donor meetings, and peer exchanges as delegated by the SRF Director.
Strengthen SRF visibility on localisation priorities and promote good practices and learning.
Build strong relationships with local civil society, networks, and partners to reinforce SRF’s commitment to localisation.
4. Required Qualifications
Mandatory Qualifications
Minimum 7years’ experience in humanitarian or development programming, including at least 4 years at senior management level.
Minimum 5 years in people Management
Proven experience in fund management, localisation programming, partnership management, or grant portfolio oversight.
Strong experience working with local organizations, due diligence processes, and capacity strengthening approaches.
Strong grasp of risk management, compliance standards, and operational systems.
Previous experience living and working in complex, insecure, or conflict-affected contexts. Experience in the Sahel region is an asset.
Excellent communication, diplomacy, and leadership skills.
Fluency in English and French required.
Education:
Master’s degree in international development, political science, economics, humanitarian affairs, or related field.
Languages:
English (fluent required)
French (fluent required)
Desirable qualifications
Strong leadership, coaching, and team management skills.
Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills.
Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities.
Proactive, collaborative, and solution-oriented mindset.
5. Required Skills & Qualities
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.
Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment
Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration
Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are required
Multi-tasking and Organizational skills are necessary
Adaptable and Flexible
Proven analytical and critical thinking skills
Exemplary sense of ethics in the workplace
Team-oriented & good sense of humor
6. General and ethical 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 authorization
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 authorization
Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request
How to apply
7. Application Process
All applicants must send a Cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) on DRC website. Both must be in English**. Apply** here
DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.
DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.
However, all applicants shall take into consideration that DRC cannot offer an international work contract to a citizen of the country of assignment (in this specific case, Senegal)
Applications close on the 17th of April 2026 at 11:59 pm (GMT).Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.
Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.