Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Project Manager – Return, Reintegration and Mixed Migration.

About the job

The Project Manager – Return, Reintegration and Mixed Migration, will represent and oversee the implementation of the Return and Reintegration programme, as well as help expand DRC’s Mixed Migration programme in Somalia. This includes the management of the projects’ life cycle from proposal development, project implementation and budget management, donor reporting, staff management and capacity building, and technical support to the programme team involved through training, provision of tools, guidelines, etc. External representation is key with various stakeholders including project donors, government, clusters, DRC HQ return unit, and embassies, etc. along with the development of quantitative and qualitative data analysis, lead on project evaluations in coordination with the MEAL unit, and generation of advocacy products to highlight humanitarian needs and fundraising

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Programme Management

• Oversee the DRC Return and Reintegration and Mixed Migration Programme in coordination with the field staff.
• Supervise and coordinate the screening, referrals, registration, financial assistance, and reintegration assistance package to project beneficiaries in close collaboration with the Reintegration Officers, while ensuring compliance with DRC procurement, finance, and HR procedures and Scope of Work agreed with the donor.
• Develop and implement an individual monitoring plan for returnees to track reintegration progress, gaps, needs to improve programme design and delivery.
• With the support of the Reintegration Officers lead on the development of the PSS and Economic Recovery components of the reintegration program, and prepare all necessary information and counseling materials in Somali and English.
• Identify gaps in DRC Somalia’s existing migration-related programming (related to geography, targeting and technical approach) and develop recommendations for addressing such gaps.
• Support the field teams to conduct protection analyses and identify protection risks faced by people on the move along routes, including the causes and impacts of the risks. Based on analyses, support in defining target groups and appropriate responses.
• Gather and share regular context and security analysis, operational challenges, and lessons learned while also regularly integrating this information for both conflict sensitive and adaptive programming.
• Overall responsible for budget management and expenditure monitoring.
• Prepare quality project reports for relevant grants within the timeline provided by the Grants Department.
• Ensure continued engagement with donors monthly through programme meetings.
• Represent the Return and Reintegration and Mixed Migration programme of DRC Somalia.
• Contribute to proposal development.

Capacity building and standardizing tools & materials on Protection programs (Country-wide)

• Support and ensure that the Return and Reintegration staff at area level use standard tools on assessments, monitoring, SME training, VST, PSS, and PFA among other interventions.
• Support learning through regular collection of lessons learnt and follow up on implementation of action points formulated based on those lessons.
• Support the implementation of Mixed Migration programs at area level.

Development of the Routes-Based Strategy and Return and Reintegration Strategy

• Based on collaboration with EAGL and MENA country offices and in consideration of current programming, identify opportunities for immediate collaboration between countries as a means to enhance and provide more comprehensive responses along all points of key migration routes. Collaborate with DRC’s program teams to further articulate and refine the organization’s routes based migration strategy, which connects the organization’s programmes across East Africa and Yemen,
• Design and initiate a forum or mechanism to enhance coordination and information sharing related to migration programming between country operations and regions.
• Collaborate with the MMC to inform and draw from their research agenda for the purpose of strengthening DRC’s migration-related programming.
• Based on collaboration with DRC HQ, develop the DRC Somalia Reintegration Strategy.

Information management, Data Analysis, Proposal Development, and Advocacy

• In collaboration with Protection and M&E teams, assist in the design and support joint needs assessments and evaluations.
• Contribute and share relevant inputs with the Information Management Officer for project reports, quantitative and qualitative data analysis and reports.
• Analyse and triangulate protection risk analysis from protection monitoring, mixed migration monitoring, return trends and government policies to develop thematic reports, and advocacy products.
• Take the lead on return and reintegration and mixed migration related proposals as relevant, and ensure that all proposed interventions are protection mainstreamed, regardless of sector, in close collaboration with DRC’s grants, M&E and program staff.

External Representation

• Represent/ Act as the main focal point for DRC’s Return and Reintegration and Mixed Migration programming in Somalia, in close collaboration with the Country Director, Head of Programme, and Protection Manager.
• Maintain relations with return, reintegration and mixed migration actors especially IOM, UNHCR and MMC, UDI, Embassies, etc.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the relevant government counterparts for this project.
• Remain abrupt on the Somali Gov and external governments policies on returns, migrants, etc.
• Participate in Protection Cluster and sub-working group meetings.
• Build partnerships with other organizations in Somalia and in the region to develop pilot programs on mental health and migration.
• Lead on joint research initiatives related to return and reintegration, and migration.
• Plan and participate in external visits aimed at sharing information on the DRC Reintegration Programme and Mixed Migration.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of programmatic strategies for the country’s program.

Staff management:

• Supervise relevant staff, prepare and follow-up staff activity and development plans and conduct appraisals.
• Contribute to the recruitment and performance management of protection staff as needed.
• Develop staff capacities on the rights-based approaches, participatory protection assessments and monitoring, and inclusion of vulnerable groups through training, mentoring, and coaching.

The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have: –

Required

• 5 years demonstrated experience in the field of migration, specifically in voluntary return and reintegration processes, ideally in the context of Somalia or similar fragile countries
• University degree, preferably in Law, Sociology, Human Rights, or related field.
• Post graduate qualification in the same field is desirable
• Experience in managing or coordinating programs related to the safe and dignified return of Somalis, and migrants, including pre-departure assistance, travel arrangements, reintegration support, and post-arrival follow-up – 5 years.
• Familiarity with international protection frameworks, refugee law, and the rights of migrants – 3 years.
• Knowledge of relevant national, regional, and international policies, frameworks, and guidelines related to voluntary return and reintegration (e.g., UNHCR, IOM, EU frameworks, etc.).
• Experience in policy development, advocacy, and dialogue with government agencies and international stakeholders to shape return and migration policies.
• Proven ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder partnerships and liaise with local government entities, civil society, and international partners.
• Expertise in designing and implementing reintegration programs tailored to the specific needs of returnees, including economic, social, and psychological support – 3 years.
• Knowledge of livelihood support, vocational training, education, and community-based reintegration mechanisms – 3 years.
• Strong understanding of case management principles to assess the individual needs of returnees and coordinate reintegration services.
• Ability to provide tailored support packages to individuals, including financial assistance, accommodation, healthcare, and psychosocial support.
• Understanding of the local context, including socio-economic challenges/barriers, community structures, and governance systems in Somalia.
• Knowledge of protection risks, including gender-based violence (GBV) and child protection, and the ability to integrate these considerations into return and reintegration plans.
• Practical experience in monitoring and evaluating migration and reintegration programs i.e. Ability to assess program impact and success rates, making necessary adjustments based on lessons learned and best practices.
• Experience in delivering training and capacity building on Protection.
• Intellectually flexible with ability to deliver results in a short period of time.
• Proven commitment to accountability and quality assurance.
• Excellent analytical skills in report writing.
• Experienced living and working in a cross-cultural, conflict-affected environments, under team conditions
• Ability to work well under pressure and in adverse conditions.
• Ability to work in a large organization with complex systems.

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: 12 months with the possibility of extension, subject to funding.

Band: Employment band Management F

Work location: Mogadishu with frequency of travel to Program locations in Somalia.

Start date: 1st February 2025

Reporting to: Protection Manager

Direct Reports: Protection Officer – Reintegration, Livelihood; Protection Officer – Reintegration, PSS and monitoring

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for employees on Expat or national contract.