Head of Humanitarian Response and Mine Action Unit - DanChurchAid

Are you driven by the humanitarian imperative and motivated to lead a team of dedicated humanitarian advisors and generalists to respond to the humanitarian crisis for people in some of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis? Then now you have the opportunity to apply for the position in DanChurchAid (DCA) as Head of the Humanitarian Response and Mine Action (HRMA) Unit. We seek a strong humanitarian and team-oriented leader that can lead and develop DCA’s humanitarian work based on international humanitarian law principles.
DanChurchAid is one of Denmark's largest humanitarian NGOs. DCA works in 19 countries with offices in Africa, Middle East, Asia, and Ukraine, employing 1250 staff in total and partnering with some 200 civil society organisations. In 2023 we reached 5 mill people through our country programmes. DCA is rights-based organisation guided by four organisational values - compassion, proactivity, accountability, and respect. DCA’s work delivers on four strategic goals in DCA’s Global Strategy: saving lives, building resilient communities, fighting extreme inequality, and creating engagement.
DCA’s Global Strategy
DCA’s Global Strategy
As a humanitarian organisation, DCA delivers humanitarian assistance to people in need in the areas of Mine Action, Cash, Protection, and Conflict Prevention & Peace Building. Being a multi-mandated organisation, DCA has a long history of working in the nexus between development and humanitarian work for affected populations in countries. Through humanitarian mine action, DCA clears mines and unexploded ordnance to prevent mine accidents posing severe threat to civilians, hindering access to essential services, and impeding societal reconstruction efforts for generations to come as an enabler for resilience and socio-economic change.
The HRMA unit plays a central role in operationalising DCA’s emergency response and preparedness capacities, working closely with our colleagues in Copenhagen and country offices. As a Head of Unit, you will set the direction for the DCA’s response to sudden and slow onset disasters and ensure fast responses. DCA is committed to promoting local leadership and equal partnerships also in fragile settings through a localisation approach and Charter4Change and Grand Bargain commitments. DCA advocates at the international and national levels for increased funding to and inclusion of local actors. DCA engages a broad range of partners including local NGOs, faith actors, social movements, private sector, and research as drivers for change. As a HRMA leader, significant practical experience with partner-based humanitarian activities in difficult & complex crisis is preferred across DCA’s key humanitarian responses such as cash, sclr/GCT, protection mainstreaming, mine action.
The position is based in DCA’s HQ in Copenhagen, Denmark. You will report directly to the International Director and be part of the International Management Team. As part of the Management Team you will play a leading role in developing and coordinating HRMA’s efforts to implement and resource our Global Strategy (2023-26), especially under the Saving Lives Goal. In this capacity, you will advise the International and Senior Management while leading and driving Humanitarian interventions in close cooperation with the units’ advisors and other HQ Units and Country Offices. You will also coordinate with the ACT Alliance and with ACT in places where DCA does not have a presence.
As Head of Unit, you are responsible for ensuring staff welfare and wellbeing in the HRMA unit through trust-based relations, inclusive leadership and recognition. This includes developing a clear sense of purpose and mandate of the unit, and leading into how DCA delivers on the Saving Lives goal of DCA’s strategy. The Head of HRMA will nurture a culture where the key competencies of HRMA staff are brought forward and implemented in our humanitarian work in Country Offices, and where key areas of expertise are developed through co-creation and collaboration with other HQ units and partners. As a Head of Unit, you will represent HRMA’s humanitarian mandate and expertise both within the organisation and externally from a clear IHL perspective and localisation approach. This includes positioning DCA in relevant networks and fora as well as with donors and UN organisations, either in your own capacity or through representation of DCA’s expert advisors to represent DCA in relevant networks.
Travels to DCA Countries to work closely with our offices and partners, as well as international network meetings, are expected part of the job, but not extensive travels (less than 10 weeks annually).
DCA offers leadership training to all managers as part of the organisation’s commitment to leadership development to stay fit-for-purpose in the sector.
Your key responsibilities:
Your key responsibilities:
As Head of HRMA, you will lead a unit of 15 humanitarian specialists in HQ – some with specialized/thematic competences, others with more general humanitarian competences and coordination roles. The unit is structured with one team leader leading a group of advisors and coordinators, while the other advisors refer directly to you as the head of unit. Some staff are HQ-based while others work remotely. The unit has two student assistants and works closely together with other HQ units in international department and Country Offices.
Your key responsibilities are to:
Your key responsibilities are to:
Your key responsibilities are to:

Lead, motivate and facilitate a dedicated humanitarian team (15 team members) and develop a dynamic working environment within HRMA, while keeping a broader overview of humanitarian trends in the sector.

Ensure that DCA delivers timely and high-quality humanitarian responses to sudden and slow onset disasters, among other things through DCA’s Humanitarian Crisis Fund, in collaboration with expert staff and Country Offices.

Lead DCA’s strategy and implementation of the Saving Lives Goal within the areas of humanitarian response and mine action and develop DCA’s future strategic responses to fragility and conflict.

Foster collaboration between the HRMA Unit and other units (PAL, GPRM, SQM, etc.), including through ensuring that relevant working groups are established and supported.

Lead and develop holistic programming and learning from country specific experiences, and contribute to strategic fundraising and positioning, in areas where we integrate multiple humanitarian interventions e.g., Humanitarian Mine Action and Emergency livelihoods, Cash, Climate and Conflict, Triple Nexus, Financial Inclusion & Markets, etc.

Support the International Director and Senior Management in the development of strategies as well as achieving agreed long-term organisational objectives.

Lead the unit’s annual planning process and budgets to develop effective strategies to achieve the humanitarian objectives.

Ensure that humanitarian capacity sharing with DCA staff and partners at country level takes place through HQ advisory functions and facilitate that relevant tools and guidelines including e-learning solutions are developed and implemented as part of DCA’s matrix structure and programme quality approach through Country Programmes.

Ensure a close, good, and effective cooperation between HRMA and all country offices through collaboration with DCA’s Programme Directors and Country Directors.

Facilitate good cooperation with relevant external stakeholders and fora, including sister organisations within the ACT Alliance.

Lead, motivate and facilitate a dedicated humanitarian team (15 team members) and develop a dynamic working environment within HRMA, while keeping a broader overview of humanitarian trends in the sector.
Ensure that DCA delivers timely and high-quality humanitarian responses to sudden and slow onset disasters, among other things through DCA’s Humanitarian Crisis Fund, in collaboration with expert staff and Country Offices.
Lead DCA’s strategy and implementation of the Saving Lives Goal within the areas of humanitarian response and mine action and develop DCA’s future strategic responses to fragility and conflict.
Foster collaboration between the HRMA Unit and other units (PAL, GPRM, SQM, etc.), including through ensuring that relevant working groups are established and supported.
Lead and develop holistic programming and learning from country specific experiences, and contribute to strategic fundraising and positioning, in areas where we integrate multiple humanitarian interventions e.g., Humanitarian Mine Action and Emergency livelihoods, Cash, Climate and Conflict, Triple Nexus, Financial Inclusion & Markets, etc.
Support the International Director and Senior Management in the development of strategies as well as achieving agreed long-term organisational objectives.
Lead the unit’s annual planning process and budgets to develop effective strategies to achieve the humanitarian objectives.
Ensure that humanitarian capacity sharing with DCA staff and partners at country level takes place through HQ advisory functions and facilitate that relevant tools and guidelines including e-learning solutions are developed and implemented as part of DCA’s matrix structure and programme quality approach through Country Programmes.
Ensure a close, good, and effective cooperation between HRMA and all country offices through collaboration with DCA’s Programme Directors and Country Directors.
Facilitate good cooperation with relevant external stakeholders and fora, including sister organisations within the ACT Alliance.
You have the following essential skills and knowledge:
You have the following essential skills and knowledge:

Have demonstrated leadership experience in promoting a strong team culture and staff wellbeing through staff management, facilitation, and mentoring – preferably both through staff management in physical workspaces and remote management.

Have a deep knowledge of how to put humanitarian competencies into practice in humanitarian responses. While a specific sectoral expertise is not required, a broad and substantial knowledge of humanitarian response as well as sector coordination is essential, preferably within one of the thematic areas where DCA works (e.g., Protection, Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding, Livelihood in Emergencies, Humanitarian Mine Action, and Cash-based programming).

Have minimum 10 years of relevant experience (including at least 5 years at relevant management level) in international emergency, mine action and/or post-conflict settings. Experience of living and working in conflict settings is a must.

Demonstrated experience in combining humanitarian response with programme development, strategic fundraising, advocacy and stakeholder engagement at country and global level is highly preferred.

Be strategic and visionary and have the ability to make difficult decisions and resolve problems through trust-based, transparent and inclusive leadership.

Have demonstrated abilities of working with people of different cultural backgrounds.

Have ‘hands-on’ understanding of the modalities of both partner-implemented and direct-implemented programmes and a proven track-record for building capacity of national partners, local authorities, and other relevant stakeholders. 

Knowledge of/exposure to relevant global humanitarian networks and forums i.e. global/local humanitarian clusters as well as an understanding of key institutional donors at EU, UN, US, and other levels.

Relevant university degree or equivalent at master level, and excellent communication skills in English – (French or Arabic would be a great advantage but not a requirement).

Excellent understanding and knowledge of the humanitarian standards and principles.

Above all, be a team player and facilitator through good people skills.

Have demonstrated leadership experience in promoting a strong team culture and staff wellbeing through staff management, facilitation, and mentoring – preferably both through staff management in physical workspaces and remote management.
Have a deep knowledge of how to put humanitarian competencies into practice in humanitarian responses. While a specific sectoral expertise is not required, a broad and substantial knowledge of humanitarian response as well as sector coordination is essential, preferably within one of the thematic areas where DCA works (e.g., Protection, Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding, Livelihood in Emergencies, Humanitarian Mine Action, and Cash-based programming).
Have minimum 10 years of relevant experience (including at least 5 years at relevant management level) in international emergency, mine action and/or post-conflict settings. Experience of living and working in conflict settings is a must.
Demonstrated experience in combining humanitarian response with programme development, strategic fundraising, advocacy and stakeholder engagement at country and global level is highly preferred.
Be strategic and visionary and have the ability to make difficult decisions and resolve problems through trust-based, transparent and inclusive leadership.
Have demonstrated abilities of working with people of different cultural backgrounds.
Have ‘hands-on’ understanding of the modalities of both partner-implemented and direct-implemented programmes and a proven track-record for building capacity of national partners, local authorities, and other relevant stakeholders.
Knowledge of/exposure to relevant global humanitarian networks and forums i.e. global/local humanitarian clusters as well as an understanding of key institutional donors at EU, UN, US, and other levels.
Relevant university degree or equivalent at master level, and excellent communication skills in English – (French or Arabic would be a great advantage but not a requirement).
Excellent understanding and knowledge of the humanitarian standards and principles.
Above all, be a team player and facilitator through good people skills.
DanChurchAid offers:
DanChurchAid offers:

Full time and permanent contract starting as soon as possible – preferably by 15 August 2024.

Duty station is Copenhagen. Travelling to DCA country offices and beyond is considered part of the job, but not extensive travels.

Salary and employment as per DanChurchAid's AC Collective Agreement (follows the agreement for civil service in Denmark)

Dedicated colleagues in a rewarding and empowering workplace.

An interesting and challenging opportunity to strengthen and further develop one of Denmark’s largest Humanitarian and Development NGOs.

Leadership training: As part of DCA, you'll have the opportunity to work in a dynamic and highly professional organisation, contributing to the growth and impact of our organization and staff. DCA offers leadership training for all managers. The organization invests in turning leadership theory into practice then implementing leadership principles and DCA values.

Full time and permanent contract starting as soon as possible – preferably by 15 August 2024.
Duty station is Copenhagen. Travelling to DCA country offices and beyond is considered part of the job, but not extensive travels.
Salary and employment as per DanChurchAid's AC Collective Agreement (follows the agreement for civil service in Denmark)
Dedicated colleagues in a rewarding and empowering workplace.
An interesting and challenging opportunity to strengthen and further develop one of Denmark’s largest Humanitarian and Development NGOs.
Leadership training: As part of DCA, you'll have the opportunity to work in a dynamic and highly professional organisation, contributing to the growth and impact of our organization and staff. DCA offers leadership training for all managers. The organization invests in turning leadership theory into practice then implementing leadership principles and DCA values.
Application and deadline
Application and deadline
June 2024
Place of work: Copenhagen, Denmark
Expected starting date: 15 August 2024
When applying, you are kindly requested to attach a copy of relevant certificates, together with your CV and motivation letter that clearly demonstrates experience of competencies as required. Please note all qualifications will be verified. Also note that this is not an expatriate position, and we do not offer housing, schooling or relocation, and formal requirements to live and work in Denmark are required.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, abilities, or ethnic affiliation are encouraged to apply for the vacancy. DCA conducts an anti-terror check as part of the recruitment process. It is a prerequisite that you can pass this check and maintain this status throughout your employment with us. Everyone applying for a job with DCA must be ready to comply with our Staff Policy on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment and our Child Safeguarding Policy.
Who is DCA?
Who is DCA?
DCA is a more than 100 years old Danish humanitarian NGO dedicated to supporting the poorest in the world in their struggle for a dignified life and helping people in need. We provide emergency relief in disaster-stricken areas and long-term assistance in poor regions to create a more equitable and sustainable world. To be prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future, DCA wishes to strengthen our internal control environment and ensure the highest level of compliance for our collaboration partners and donors. DCA is an organization with a Christian-based foundation and identity that is open and inclusive to everyone irrespective of their faith beliefs.
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