SRF Deputy Director – Dakar, Senegal

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is hiring an experienced and highly motivated professional for the position of SRF Deputy Director in Dakar, Senegal. This senior-level humanitarian and development role offers an excellent opportunity for professionals with expertise in NGO management, grant management, humanitarian response, donor compliance, localization programming, and regional operations leadership.

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Job Overview

• Position: SRF Deputy Director
• Location: Dakar, Senegal
• Organization: Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
• Department: Sahel Regional Fund (SRF)
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Contract Type: National or Expatriate Contract
• Employment Duration: 24 Months
• Industry: NGO / Humanitarian / International Development
• Reporting To: SRF Fund Director
• Regional Travel: Required within Sahel countries including Mali, Niger, Chad, and Burkina Faso
• Work Environment: Multicultural humanitarian operations and regional donor-funded programs

About the Organization

The Danish Refugee Council is one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations supporting refugees, internally displaced persons, and vulnerable communities in conflict-affected regions. DRC operates in over 40 countries and focuses on emergency response, displacement solutions, humanitarian protection, and sustainable development initiatives.

The Sahel Regional Fund (SRF) was launched to strengthen humanitarian response systems and support localization efforts across the Sahel region. The fund is financially supported by UK Aid and other humanitarian partners.

Key Job Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Coordination

• Support implementation of SRF regional strategy and localization frameworks
• Coordinate humanitarian fund operations across multiple African countries
• Develop operational policies, compliance procedures, and partner engagement strategies
• Strengthen coordination between grants, finance, operations, and field teams
• Contribute to donor reporting, humanitarian planning, and risk mitigation activities

Grant Management & Donor Compliance

• Manage humanitarian grant portfolios and localization funding mechanisms
• Supervise partner onboarding, due diligence checks, and contractual processes
• Review donor budgets, expenditure tracking, and financial reporting systems
• Ensure compliance with donor regulations and NGO operational standards
• Monitor grant implementation performance and accountability measures

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Risk Management & Operational Oversight

• Maintain operational risk registers and internal control systems
• Lead compliance monitoring, safeguarding implementation, and audit support
• Ensure adherence to anti-corruption policies and ethical humanitarian standards
• Identify operational challenges and implement corrective actions

Team Leadership & Capacity Building

• Supervise regional fund managers and country-level teams
• Provide mentoring, coaching, and professional development support
• Conduct performance evaluations and staff capacity strengthening
• Promote collaborative leadership and cross-functional coordination

Representation & Partnership Development

• Represent SRF during donor meetings and humanitarian coordination forums
• Build partnerships with local NGOs, civil society organizations, and humanitarian actors
• Support localization initiatives and regional humanitarian networking

Educational Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

• Master’s Degree in:
  • International Development
  • Humanitarian Affairs
  • Political Science
  • Public Administration
  • Economics
  • International Relations
  • Development Studies
  • Or a related field

Experience Requirements

Mandatory Experience

• Minimum 7 years of humanitarian or development sector experience
• At least 4 years in senior management or leadership roles
• Minimum 5 years of team management experience
• Strong background in:
  • Grant management
  • NGO operations
  • Localization programming
  • Partnership management
  • Humanitarian coordination
  • Donor-funded projects

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience working in conflict-affected or fragile states
• Experience within the Sahel region is highly desirable
• Strong understanding of compliance systems, risk management, and humanitarian standards
• Experience working with international NGOs and donor agencies

Required Skills

• Humanitarian leadership
• Strategic planning and execution
• Project and program management
• Financial oversight and budgeting
• Donor compliance and reporting
• Stakeholder engagement
• Team leadership and mentoring
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Cross-cultural communication
• Operational coordination
• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Decision-making under pressure

Language Requirements

Candidates should have:

• Fluent English communication skills
• Fluent French communication skills

Knowledge of additional African regional languages is considered an advantage.

Salary and Benefits

The organization offers a competitive international NGO compensation package under Management E Level 1, including:

• Competitive monthly salary
• Housing and accommodation support
• Health and medical insurance
• Annual paid leave
• Regional travel allowance
• Pension and social security benefits
• Relocation assistance for expatriate staff
• Professional training and leadership development
• Humanitarian safety and security support
• Career growth opportunities within international NGO operations

Training & Professional Development

Selected candidates may receive:

• Humanitarian leadership training
• NGO compliance workshops
• Grant management certification
• Donor reporting and financial management training
• Safeguarding and protection training
• Emergency response coordination training
• Security management orientation
• Capacity-building and coaching programs

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Why Apply for This Role?

This role provides an opportunity to:

• Lead high-impact humanitarian operations in Africa
• Work with international donors and global NGOs
• Support localization and sustainable humanitarian systems
• Strengthen regional humanitarian coordination
• Influence policy and operational strategies in conflict-affected regions
• Build a long-term international development career

Application Process

Interested applicants should prepare:

• Updated CV or Resume
• Cover Letter
• Academic Certificates
• Professional References
• Leadership and project management documentation

Shortlisted candidates may undergo:

• Technical interviews
• Leadership competency assessments
• Compliance and background verification
• Reference checks

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Danish Refugee Council promotes diversity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunities. Applications from qualified professionals of all backgrounds are encouraged. The organization maintains strict ethical standards, safeguarding principles, and anti-discrimination policies throughout the recruitment process.