Support Services Team Leader

(Yemen – Mocha)

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 6500 staff. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

About the role

Overall purpose of the role:

The Support Services Team Leader coordinates, monitors, and follows up on Human Resources, Administration, Supply Chain, and Finance activities in the West Coast (WC), ensuring that agreed plans, procedures, targets, reports, and deadlines are met. Reporting to the Base Manager and working under the technical management of the Support Services Manager, the role is the main coordination link between WC support functions, Program Managers, and the respective Heads of Support Functions Aden Area Office. The position promotes integrated planning, information sharing, compliance with the Operations Handbook, timely program delivery, tracking of actions and KPIs, daily supervision of assigned support staff, and timely escalation of technical, approval, and management issues.

Main responsibilities:

HR

• Coordinate WC HR plans and priorities with Program Managers and other WC support functions so that staffing requirements are identified early and followed through.
• Maintain regular coordination between the WC HR team and the relevant Head of Support Function in Aden, and follow up on technical guidance and agreed actions.
• Coordinate timely monthly HR reports, track departmental targets and outstanding actions, and update the Base Manager and Support Services Manager on progress and risks.
• Coordinate recruitment and workforce planning with Program Managers, WC HR, and the relevant Head of Support Function in Aden – HR Team Leader, in line with procedures and delegated authority, including liaison with the Local Labor Office where required.
• Coordinate annual and sick leave planning with Program Managers and support-function supervisors to maintain operational coverage and compliance with approved procedures.
• Follow up on the completion of quarterly HR activities, including staff induction, Code of Conduct training, and leave planning, and report any delays or gaps to the Base manager.
• Follow up on annual HR activities, including Performance and Development Reviews, in line with the Operations Handbook and technical guidance from Aden.
• Monitor recruitment documentation, contract renewals and amendments, timesheets, and leave tracking, and address dependencies with Finance, Administration, and Program Managers.
• Escalate technical HR matters to the relevant Head of Support Function in Aden and the Support Services Manager, and matters requiring decisions or approvals to the authorized manager.

Administration

• Coordinate WC administrative planning and services with Program Managers and other WC support functions, aligning office, accommodation, utility, and liaison requirements with program plans.
• Maintain regular coordination between WC Administration and the relevant Head of Support Function in Aden, follow up on technical guidance and agreed actions, and consult the Support Services Manager on critical cross-functional matters.
• Coordinate registration and liaison with relevant authorities, keeping Program Managers informed of requirements, timelines, and operational implications.
• Track pending administrative actions and provide updates to the Base manager.
• Monitor routine administrative tasks and related Supply Chain and Finance inputs, track pending actions, and escalate technical or approval issues to the appropriate manager.

Supply Chain and Fleet

• Coordinate procurement planning and delivery with Program Managers, Finance, and other WC support functions, agreeing specifications, budgets, timelines, and responsibilities early.
• Maintain regular coordination between WC Supply Chain and the relevant Head of Support Function in Aden, follow up on technical guidance and actions, and keep the Support Services Manager informed of material risks or delays.
• Follow up procurement and tender processes to ensure that documentation and procedural requirements are met, without exercising approval or award authority beyond the IDRA.
• Monitor procurement plans, trackers, KPIs, and monthly reports; review bottlenecks with Program Managers and WC support functions; and report delays and mitigation actions to the Base Manager and Support Services Manager.
• Coordinate grant-level procurement plans with Program Managers and Finance, follow up against program timelines, and agree corrective actions where delays may affect implementation.
• Coordinate fleet plans, movement requirements, and cancellations with Program Managers, Safety, Administration, and authorized managers, balancing operational priorities with available capacity.
• Monitor procurement, fleet, asset, and warehouse targets with WC support functions and Program Managers, referring technical matters to the relevant Head of Support Function in Aden.
• Follow up on outstanding actions and Operations Handbook compliance, escalating technical or cross-functional matters to the relevant Head of Support Function and Support Services Manager and approval matters to the authorized manager.

Finance

• Coordinate with Finance, Program, and other support teams to ensure a shared understanding and consistent application of financial compliance requirements, seeking guidance from the Finance Team Leader in Aden and the Support Services Manager as needed.
• Follow up on the completion and timely submission of monthly finance activities, including payroll, cashbooks, and cash forecasts, in coordination with the Finance Team Leader in Aden and in accordance with Operations Handbook procedures.
• Monitor outstanding finance actions and promptly communicate delays, gaps, or compliance concerns to the Base Manager and Support Services Manager, while coordinating any required technical follow-up with the Finance Team Leader in Aden.
• Facilitate coordination between Finance and program/support teams on routine financial matters, address operational bottlenecks at base level, and escalate matters requiring technical guidance or management action to the Support Services Manager or Base Manager, as appropriate.

Supervisor Responsibilities

• Under the line management of the Base Manager and the technical management of the Support Services Manager, coordinate integrated HR, Administration, Supply Chain, and Finance services in WC in line with operational priorities, policies, and functional guidance.
• Hold regular coordination meetings with WC support functions and Program Managers, assign clear owners and deadlines, and follow up on cross-functional dependencies.
• Maintain structured coordination with the respective Heads of Support Functions in Aden to ensure that guidance, risks, updates, and actions are communicated effectively between Aden and WC teams.
• Coordinate the daily activities of assigned staff and support their performance and development, with technical input from the Support Services Manager and relevant Heads of Support Functions.
• Monitor workplans, KPIs, deadlines, and targets, providing operational updates to the Base Manager and technical and cross-functional updates to the Support Services Manager.
• Follow up on operational decisions and line-management direction from the Base Manager, as well as technical guidance from the Support Services Manager and Heads of Support Functions, documenting implementation and flagging delays.
• Coordinate solutions to issues across program and support teams, escalate matters requiring approval or management intervention, and perform other related duties assigned by the Base Manager in consultation with the Support Services Manager.

Experience and technical competencies:

• At least 3 years of management experience in an INGO in Human Recourses, Administration, Supply Chain and Finance.
• Proven experience in west coast environment (Preferred)
• Strong people management and leadership skills.
• Strong writing and public speaking skills in English and Arabic
• Experience or knowledge of Financial, Supply Chain and HR practices in humanitarian organizations.

Education:

• University degree in relevant field

Languages:

• Fluency in English (speaking, writing, reading) is essential
• Fluency in relevant national languages mandatory

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence : Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
•   Collaborating : Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead : Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating : Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity : Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Contract length: March 31, 2027

Position Band: This position will be placed in the Management (G) band. Reports to the Base Manager.

Start date: ASAP

Duty station: Mocha with frequent visits to Khokha Office.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s National Terms of Employment.
 

Application process

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.

' Female candidates are encouraged to apply '

Closing date for applications: September 19, 2026, recruitment process is planned to start in maximum 2 weeks after the closing date.

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