Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Area Manager for our operations in Mekelle, North Ethiopia Region.

The Area Manager is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of DRC’s response in North Ethiopia Region (Tigray and Afar) under the direct supervision of the Head of Operations (HoO). Area Manager oversees programme and support implementation, fosters positive stakeholder relationships (government, donors, UN agencies, I/NGOs and CSOs), ensures compliance with DRC and donor regulations and promotes a culture of accountability and transparency.

Duties and Responsibilities will be:

Strategic Development

• In consultation with the Senior Management Team (SMT), lead the strategic development of the Area Office and ensure that DRC remains relevant to the needs of the people of concern in the region.  

• Provide leadership, coordination, and integration of DRC activities in the area, including, but not limited to protection, WASH, economic recovery/livelihoods, humanitarian disarmament and peacebuilding, through an integrated, area-based programming model.

• Continuously monitor the context and in consultation with the CO Emergency Response Coordinator ensure DRC’s preparedness to respond to shocks

• Ensure DRC projects in the area remain aligned to DRC global strategy and country strategic direction.

• Ensure appropriate representation of DRC at all relevant forums in the area & liaise with local authorities & different stakeholders.

• Ensure that the reputation of DRC in the area remains high and issues of concern are raised in time.

• As a member of the SMT and ESMT, actively contribute to the strategic direction of programming through active and ongoing participation in regular SMT and ESMT meetings and contribution to country strategic planning meetings and development of strategic documents.

• Implement the vision developed for the DRC Ethiopia Country office, identify opportunities, and liaise with donors and partners.  

• Positively contribute to the teambuilding efforts and ensure that effective coordination exists between program and support teams at area and country office level.

• In close collaboration and consultations with the Head of Operations, Head of Programs (HoP) and Head of Support Services (HoSS), ensure program strategy and delivery is up to date and well resourced. 

Programming and Technical Support:

• Provide oversight of all programming in North Ethiopia Region in compliance with core humanitarian and protection principles and best practices, and DRC and donor regulations, while upholding rigorous project cycle management (PCM) standards in coordination with HoO, HoP and HoSS.

• Supervise effective, efficient, and timely implementation of all projects according to agreed grants/contracts, budgets, DRC project cycle management guidelines and donor requirements.

• Provide oversight to technical program managers on project design, implementation and reporting responsibilities and ensure all program leads have clear work plans in place and are following them (including personal development and performance plans)

• Together with HoP, Grants and technical Project managers develop project proposals and budgets in line with country strategy. 

• Identify initiatives to respond to needs of conflict-affected communities as well as specific strategies which build upon existing assets within the population. 

• Ensure timely delivery of high-quality programs and project reports to donors and relevant stakeholders.

• Be Project Manager (Focal point) for certain projects.

• Provide regular area information and flash reports on programme activities, policy matters and external relations, based on agreed formats and schedules.

• In close consultation with the MEAL department, ensure that relevant beneficiary data is collected, compiled, analyzed, and distributed and that relevant assessments are conducted in the project area and learning institutionalized.

• Ensure community feedback and complaint handling mechanisms are in place in all projects and promote accountability concepts.

• Ensure that programmes are delivered in line with DRC’s quality standards and facilitate monitoring of key outcome/Impact performance indicators in collaboration with the CO technical team.

• Ensure humanitarian accountability to DRC's beneficiary populations through effective project monitoring and community engagement. 

Support Service Management (Finance, HR, Administration, Logistics and Procurement) 

• Lead Area Office recruitment processes and ensure that relevant staffing structures are in place and are reflective of appropriate gender balance in coordination with country office HR.

• Ensure that HR activities (recruitments, on boarding, performance evaluation) are effectively managed and conducted in adherence to DRC standards (Code of Conduct and accountability).

• Provide oversight to area office support staff (including development, people planning and performance evaluation) and resources in the area and coordinate with country office support service teams as required.

• Lead on all financial management, area office master budget and resource scheduling development and regular update, and maintain efficient financial control, and tracking, including donor reporting. Monitor and analyze financial risks in line with the financial procedures’ handbook.

• Collaborate regularly with the Country finance team, technical program managers, HoSS, and HoO to monitor spending and ensure the timely utilization of all grants, including ensuring regular monthly budget and proposal follow-up is conducted in the area office and feedback shared with the Country office.

• Proactively engage in proposal budget development, implementation and revision as may be required and requested from the program team and CO finance.

• Collaborate with the HoSS, the Supply Chain and programme teams to develop and implement procurement plans for all projects.

• Support with ensuring that supply chain processes are in place and fully compliant with DRC and donor policies and standards. 

• Coordinate with CO IT department and manage IT and communications systems in the area ensuring asset lists are up to date. 

• Promote professional development by identifying training and capacity building opportunities and ensure staff are well quipped and continuously developing their ability to fulfill job descriptions and acquiring new skills.

Safety and Security:

• Responsible for ensuring DRC Safety protocols are implemented in carrying out all activities in the area and adequate measures are in place to mitigate any potential risk to office, staff & assets. 

• Continuously review the security situation in the area and coordinate with country office Safety and Access Manager on all matters related to safety & security.

• Collect, update, and share relevant safety and security information in a timely manner and update SoPs/tools accordingly. 

As Manager the post-holder is accountable for the following:

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility.

• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the Area Office does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.

• Accountable for people management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.

• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC.

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.

Job Requirements

Experience and technical competencies: 

• Minimum 6 years of work experience in a similar or equivalent role in an INGO in areas of humanitarian/development sector, in a conflict & post conflict environment, experience within the field of protection, particularly within the field of humanitarian response and refugee/IDP protection. 

• At least 5 years of experience in a senior project management position and managing large and diversified teams consisting national & international staff.

• Strong hands-on experience of managing safety & security in a high intensity conflict zone.

• Demonstrated experience in fundraising and proposal development for Humanitarian and Development focused projects. 

• Demonstrated experience in representation with donors & external actors and managing emergency response.

• Experience with strategy development and understanding of linkage between strategy and programming. Experience of advocacy and communications.

• Excellent analytical and writing skills.

• Strong initiative and self-motivated, with a strong commitment to teamwork and humanitarian principles.

• Ability to work independently, multi-task and cope with competing demands under tight deadlines.

 EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

• Master’s degree in law, social sciences, international development, or other relevant field. 

  LANGUAGE: (indicate Fluency level)

• . Fluency in written and spoken English.

We offer

Contract length: 12 Months 

Contract Type: International or National Contract

Band: E2 –Management

Designation of Duty Station: Mekelle

Accompanied / Non-Accompanied Position :  Non-Accompanied 

Start date:  December 1, 2025

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expat/National employees

How To Apply

Application process

This vacancy has been reposted, so qualified applicants are highly encouraged to apply again.

Apply using THIS LINK

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: October 17, 2025

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

Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.
Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status, or other protected characteristics

We strongly encourage female candidates to apply for the position!

We encourage both qualified International and Ethiopian Nations to apply. DRC considers all applicants based on merit.