Danish Refugee Council is one of the worldโs leading humanitarian NGOs, working in 34 countries to provide adequate assistance with a rights-based approach to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees and migrants. DRC is currently looking for a highly qualified Spanish and English-speaking Localization & Communication Specialist for his country office in Venezuela. This is an opportunity for an experienced professional to support DRCโs emergency response and durable solutions in Venezuela.
DRC established operational presence in Venezuela in 2019 to meet the urgent needs of vulnerable host communities and people in mixed migration movements. DRC is currently scaling up its response in Venezuela through an integrated programming. Primarily based on protection activities (protection monitoring, individual protection assistance, community-based protection, legal assistance and case management), the response also includes growing components of Economic Recovery, with current food security (including support to small scale agriculture) and livelihoods activities (employability, T-VET). DRC is currently active in Apure, Zulia and Sucre, both through direct and indirect implementation, with a strong capacity-building component.
The overall purpose of the role:
The Localization & Communication Specialist is responsible for overseeing the localization & communication management of Venezuela CO portfolio in accordance with donor and DRC regulations. This includes ensuring effective partnersโ proposal development, donor compliance, timely reporting, design and development of communication products and social media posts and overall accountability to donors. The position reports to the Head of Programme and collaborates closely with Country Director, Head of Support Services, Technical Coordinators, and the Senior Management Team on all localization & communication-related matters, compliance, and external representation.
Responsibilities:
Daily Localization & Communication Management
Ensure high-quality partnership & communication management in close cooperation with SMT, anticipate and identify potential risks, and implement mitigation strategies; support the HoP in communication with donors and prepare modification requests and other contractual documentation for partners as required. Coordinate and facilitate horizontal coordination meetings with partners for kickoff/opening, review and closing, including monitoring progress against timelines and action points and actively participate in the KPI meetings hosted among CO, Field Bases and partners. Monitor and update that DRC's Partners Mapping and internal documentation systems (Localization SharePoint) are fully updated. Lead the Project Cycle Management processes related to local partners and other relevant local actors in line with DRC global and national SoPs and methodologies Facilitate the coordination and communication between DRC and its partners in terms of grants management, contract compliance and quality assurance. And ensure it is in line with DRC Implementing Partners SoPs. Participate in new staff inductions by providing an overview of Localization & Communication functions, active strategies and relevant project documents. Provide ad hoc support and guidance to programme staff on localization management and communication-related issues. Advise SMT members on internal and external communication strategies Lead training session for field teams on the development and identification of success stories. Lead communication activities in the field including the development of photos and videos of the activities Prepare social media posts tailored to different social media platforms in accordance with the SMT Compile relevant inputs for Success Stories, Factsheets, Annual Report, Quarterly Situational Reports, Flash Reports, Capacity Statements, Internal Monthly Newsletter and other relevant communication products assigned by the HoP. Lead vetting, due diligence and sub-agreements processes with local partners. Lead the selection and identification of local partners, including the yearly Expression of Interest for the selection of new partners. Advise the SMT in the development of new Memorandum of Understanding for strategic alliances. Provide technical inputs in reports and proposal for the Localization & Communication sections in accordance with donors rules and regulations. Document lessons learned and best practices from localization and communication initiatives. Contribute to internal learning events and after-action reviews to strengthen institutional memory. Document lessons learned and best practices from localization and communication initiatives. Develop the Localization & Communication strategy in accordance with the SMT and receive guidance by relevant stakeholders in field offices and HQ.Compliance Monitoring and Quality Assurance
Act as the Localization & Communication Donor Compliance Focal Point in the CO, ensure understanding of contractual obligations and regulations, and seek support from HQ for any questions. Ensure all communication materials (internal and external) comply with donor and DRC branding guidelines. Provide guidance to partners on co-branding and visibility requirements. Coordinate with program teams to ensure that communication with communities is two-way, inclusive, and culturally appropriate. Develop and implement feedback mechanisms to ensure community voices inform program design and implementation. Quality control on all partnersโ contracts before signature, seeking DRC HQ, MEAL and finance advice when required and facilitating the signing of sub-grant agreements or consortium MoU. Ensure that contractual obligations (including visibility requirements) and reporting deadlines are known and met by Programme, M&E and Operations team. Troubleshooting identified gaps for meeting deliverables in the given timeframe and budget, informing relevant staff in the country and seeking DRC HQ Program Department advice on potential solutions that would meet donor rules. Actively participate in Localization & Communication Community Meetings to stay up to date with DRC Localization & Communication Management Best Practices as well as new regulations and requirements from donors.Reporting and New Business Development
Coordinate provision of training for partners in proposal development and reporting with the support of DRC Country office and field teams. Review partners budget ensuring that all the needs are covered and that the ratio between programme and support costs are aligned with DRCโs ones in coordination with the finance team. Work with the HoP to update the partnersโ mapping and partners funding tracker, keeping abreast of localization funding trends and donor strategies, paying special attention to diversifying the partners portfolio and the CO localization strategies. Support HoP in maintaining active and regular communication with partners, ensuring timely response to communications and coordinating with relevant country team members on high-quality feedback. Participate in external Coordination and fundraising-related meetings as delegated by HoP Support the HoP in coordinating with local partners in the Go No Go meetings for new grants and support the proposal planning meeting. Collaborate with program technical coordinators, base managers, support services and implementing partners to gather their input for proposal development. Edit and compile the final draft of the partnersโ proposal and annexes and ensure that they meet the required quality standards before submitting them to the Head of Programmes for review. In collaboration with MEAL team, ensure that partnersโ Project proposal development and donor reporting are informed by reliable organizational data and learning. Lead on communication, negotiations and coordination with donors and external stakeholders.Promote Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and display respect, care and interest in all employees.
Any ad-hoc tasks assigned by the Head of Programme
Experience and technical competencies:
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders. At least 3 years of experience in localization and/or communication management, preferably with an international NGO or other donor-funded organization. Knowledge and experience working with multiple sectors including protection, food security and livelihood, WASH and Disaster Preparedness. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other relevant software, including Word, Canvas, Excel, Adobe Suite, Mailchimp and PowerPoint. Solid experience in the compilation of partners documents for donor proposals, modification requests and reports; with practical experience in working with UNHCR, SIDA, ECHO, GFFO, VHF and private foundations. Knowledge of localization policies and best practices. Knowledge of donorsโ rules and regulations for communication and partnership processes. Previous experience in drafting MoU, sub-agreements and capacity building plans. Ability to tailor content for different platforms (Twitter/X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram). Demonstrated ability to prioritize large workloads, to consistently meet deadlines and adapt in a complex and challenging work environment. Excellent communication, coordination, influencing and interpersonal skills. Demonstrate ability in thinking creatively and practically to improve the quality of projects. Ability to lead and work within a multi-cultural/diverse team. Ability to coordinate proposal development with multiple stakeholders and ensure alignment with donor expectations. Strong grasp of donor branding, visibility requirements, and contractual obligations. Ability to review and quality-control partner budgets and contracts. Commitment to Humanitarian principles and DRC values.Education:
University Degree in Social Sciences, International Development, Communication or relevant fields.Languages:
Fluency in English & Spanish (speaking, writing, reading) is essential.We offer:
Designation of Duty Station: Caracas, Venezuela The opportunity to be part of one of the best NGOs worldwide. Access to over 1,000 free online trainings and certifications. Contract Length: 6 months renewable depending on funding and performance. Salary: Band G / Non-management. National contract. HCM insurance fully covered by the organization.DRC Core Competencies:
Achieving Excellence: Focus on achieving results and ensuring efficient processes. Collaboration: Engage relevant parties and encourage feedback. Taking the Initiative: Take ownership and initiative while seeking innovation. Communicating: Listen and speak effectively and honestly. Demonstrating Integrity: Act in accordance with DRC's vision and values.Application process: Applications must be submitted through this page by clicking Apply button. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four 2 pages) in English. No application sent by email will be accepted.
Closing date for applications: October 15, 2025 at 11:59pm Local Time. Please note that applications will be reviewed continuously, and interviews will be scheduled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. DRC reserves the right to close the vacancy before the deadline once a suitable candidate is identified.
Start date: 1 November ot 1 December 2025, depending on funding approvals.