Coordinator, Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat

The search for durable solutions[1] to the protracted displacement situation in the Horn of Africa (HoA) is a key humanitarian and development concern within the region. This is a regional/cross border issue, highly politicized, dynamic and demands a multi-sectorial response that goes beyond the existing humanitarian agenda.NGOs in both Somalia and Kenya, have engaged in extensive consultations, identifying a wish and vision to establish a body that can essentially assist key stakeholders in working more consistently with the issue of durable solutions.The purpose of the Secretariat is to maintain a focused momentum around the discussion on the Tripartite Agreement and NGOs engagement with durable solutions for displaced and displacement affected communities. The Secretariat will act as a catalyst, and agent provocateur to stimulate forward thinking and policy development on durable solutions during this crucial period in HoA; it will assist NGOs in setting joint programmatic principles and strategies, continue advocacy work, develop guidance on mechanisms for cross border programming, and take this common approach for leverage with donors and stakeholders.The secretariat will engage with a broad variety of stakeholders including the Tripartite Commission, the Governments of Kenya and Somalia, DRA Kenya, the Somalia HCT and donors. However, support will be prioritized to UNHCR Somalia (Durable Solutions Unit), UNHCR Kenya, alongside Dadaab, Kakuma and Nairobi based groups with the aim of supporting coordination amongst NGOs and respective NGO forums (Somalia NGO Consortium, Kenya CD meeting a.o). We will also endeavor to engage with other country based groups outside of the Tripartite Agreement (i.e. Yemen, Ethiopia and Djibouti). Finally, the Secretariat will act as a champion in HoA for the Durable Solutions Initiative (TSI+) global process supporting that development actors engage in the search for solutions.It is important that the work of the new Secretariat remain focused on improving information flow and coordination among the already existing forums in the region and avoid duplicating their efforts. The Secretariat is thus not an implementing agency, but rather a coordination and information hub.The Secretariat is hosted by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) Regional Office for the Horn of Africa and Yemen, in Nairobi. It officially commenced its work in May 2014. It is managed by a steering group and further supported by an advisory board including ACTED, CARE International, Danish Refugee Council (DRC), International Rescue Committee (IRC), Oxfam, Mercy Corps, Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK), World Vision.**1.*****Setting up and management of the Secretariat*· Recruit and manage secretariat support staff.· Develop work plans for the ReDSS, to be submitted to the ReDSS Advisory Group.**2.*****Information Management (regional information centre) & Research*· Gather and share/disseminate existing data, information, legislation, policies and conventions, reports, best practice experiences and working methods available in the region to the contact group in planning their work.· Analysis of regional durable solutions data, strategies, policies and legislation, and production and dissemination of quality reports.· Set up a library and web portal, to make information and analysis available to relevant agencies and state authorities.· Coordinate and manage research initiatives, to be funded by donors, on areas of interest, as approved by the Advisory Group.**3.*****Advocacy, promotion of regional dialogue, networking and coordination*· In collaboration with the members, assist in the development of a regional advocacy strategy and in regional coordination of information campaigns. To include key messages of the Solutions Alliance.· Support existing forums and members to engage with governmental and inter-governmental actors on durable Solutions.**4.*****Support to capacity building and advice*· Support existing forums in the region with a better understanding of the regional aspects of Durable Solutions· Identify experts to offer advice/work alongside agencies/state authorities.· Provide advice on existing tools, training materials and experts on capacity building and response.· In collaboration with the members, facilitate and coordinate regular consultation/technical workshops and conferences/meetings, to identify areas for research or tool development.Strategic and Technical supervision and reporting:The overall strategy and outline for the work of the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat will be laid and approved by the Adivsory Group of the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat. The Coordinator will report to the Advisory Group on a quarterly basis, and work according to the rolling 6 months’ work plans approved by the Advisory Group.Administrative supervision:The Coordinator of The Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat will be supervised by the DRC Deputy Regional Director for the Horn of Africa and Yemen. The ReDSS Coordinator line manages and supervises the technical/administrative staff of the secretariat and any short-term consultants.· Advanced university degree in International Law, Political Sciences or similar;· A minimum of 3-5 years of experience from relevant international position;· Excellent human rights/protection knowledge and solid knowledge of international refugee law;· Having a clear understanding of the regional forced migration dynamic in the Horn of Africa and Yemen;· Field protection experience from one of the concerned countries is an added advantage;· Proven experience in leading and conducting research will be an added advantage;· Good IT command, solid understanding of web, and database design;· Strong analytical and writing skills in English is essential; good command of one of the following languages is a strong added advantage: French, Arabic, Somali and/or Amharic;We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of age, nationality, race, gender or age.Conditions *Availability:* July, 2014.Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya with frequent travel to DRC Field Offices in Horn of Africa & Yemen region. This posting is a non family posting due to travel expectationsContract: 1 year renewable contract.Salary and conditions in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Global Expatriates (available at http://www.drc.dk/ under Vacancies). This position is graded as A10, or the national staff salary scale as applicable.Appointment will be made subject to funding confirmation.You are welcome to contact Deputy Regional Director on email: rikke.johannessen@drc.dkfor further information on the programme and the position. Please note that applications are not to be sent to Ms Johannessen; we only receive applications via our online-application form at http://www.drc.dk/ under Vacancies.For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk.DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability committments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework[1] Durable solutions definition: See UNHCRInterested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit updated CV and cover letter explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the post. Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered.CV-only applications will not be considered.We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on http://www.drc.dk/under Vacancies.Please forward the application and CV, in English and marked “Coordinator ReDSS”, no later than June 16, 2014.