Country Director – DRC 175 views0 applications

Background

IRC started working in the DRC in 1996 to respond to the humanitarian crisis in the East of the country. It has since evolved into one of the largest providers of humanitarian assistance and post-conflict development in the DRC. With an annual budget of approximately US$60 million and over 600 staff at the time of writing, IRC supports Congolese communities and institutions in conflict affected provinces to achieve outcomes in health, safety, education, power and economic wellbeing. The IRC is currently a lead organization in the Ebola response and other emergency interventions.

Scope of Work

Reporting to the Regional Vice President, the Country Director will provide the strategic vision and leadership for the country program. S/he is responsible for ensuring the design and delivery of quality programs, donor and government relations, fundraising and budget management, security and operations management, and developing a motivated and professional team. S/he will work closely with, and receive support from regional and headquarters program technical units; measurement unit; safety and security unit; regional finance and operations staff.

The IRC Country Director is responsible for overall leadership and supervisory management of IRC personnel, programs, and operations in the country, including stewardship of resources, staff safety and security, program quality and accountability, and performance management. The Country Director is IRC’s principal representative to DRC government officials, donors, international organizations, Congolese civil society, other NGOs and the media. The Country Director will lead country program staff in developing and implementing the DRC Strategic Action Plan and in pursuing the outcomes and objectives identified in IRC’s global strategy.

The Country Director directly supervises seven positions in a country program of approximately 600 staff.

We are open to recruiting for this position in either Kinshasa or Goma (and adapting our organisational structure accordingly). Different benefits are applicable to the two duty stations: to be discussed with candidates during the recruitment process.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Management

• Working closely with the Regional Vice President, and the regional team, implement and adapt as necessary the Strategy Action Plan for IRC DRC.

• Ensure that structures and systems are in compliance with IRC standards, and that they support program delivery and promote management coordination and efficiency throughout the country program

• Participate and assist in driving planning processes for IRC’s current programs across the DRC to ensure IRC’s technical competencies, contextual knowledge and partnerships with national partners, community groups, governments, donors and civil society are leveraged to provide new and innovative programs within the rapidly changing environment.

Program Quality & Development

• Working closely with the Deputy Program Director (DDP) and Regional Program Support Unit, develop program strategies in accordance with IRCs mission and the Outcome and Evidence Framework.

• Ensure the consistent use of well managed assessment, design and proposal development processes.

• Promote a team approach and positive learning environment utilizing headquarters, country program and operations staff and partners to consistently enhance the quality of design and implementation.

Key Partner & Donor Relations

• Working closely with the Awards Management Unit, develop IRC as a partner of choice for major international donors.

• Develop and maintain a high level of understanding of donor priorities, country plans and planned funding initiatives.

• Maintain and expand participation with key donors, host government, local stakeholders and relevant policy and coordinating bodies.

Fundraising and Budget Management

• Working closely with the SMT, regional, country and HQ Finance teams ensure submission of appropriate, timely high quality proposals and lead required donor negotiations.

• Monitor and identify appropriate sources for match fund requirements and coverage of funding gaps.

• Working closely with the Deputy Director of Finance, provide timely and effective oversight of the financial position of the country program including identification and implementation of required changes to match funding levels.

• Working closely with the Deputy Director of Programs and Deputy Director of Finance, maintain effective and coordinated budget monitoring processes for grant funds and discretionary funds.

Security & Operations Management

• Working closely with the Deputy Director of Operation and in coordination with the Regional Safety and Security Advisor ensure that the security management plan for the country program is regularly updated, and ensure consistent monitoring and analysis of the security environment and adherence by all staff to the IRC security protocols and procedures.

• Working with country senior management team ensure the development, implementation and monitoring of financial and operational policy and procedures to ensure compliance with IRC and donor policies across the program.

• Promote coordination and teamwork between program and operations staff to improve quality of proposal submissions and program delivery.

Human Resource Management, Staff Development & Retention

• Working closely with the Senior HR Coordinator, Regional HR Director and the HR Unit at HQ, develop a positive work environment for all staff supported by a professional level human resource management function.

• Support and hold senior management staff accountable for providing staff development opportunities and planning.

• Provide leadership support for the successful implementation of and adherence to the IRC Global and National HR Operating Policies and Procedures.

• Model the “IRC Way” – Global Standards for Professional Conduct, through demonstrable realization of values: Integrity; Accountability; Service and Equality

• Champion the IRC’s approach to Gender Equality and Safeguarding, ensuring that all staff and clients are protected and respected in the IRC programmes.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in relevant field strongly preferred;

• A strategic and people focused leader with the ability to adapt to evolving contexts and manage multiple priorities;

• At least ten years of international work experience at senior leadership levels, covering both humanitarian and post-conflict development programming;

• Previous experience in DRC strongly preferred;

• Extensive program development and fund raising experience, prior experience with European, US and international donors;

• Strong human resource management skills including capacity building and mentoring;

• Experience supervising and managing a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting;

• Demonstrated success in managing projects;

• Extensive budget and fiscal oversight experience;

• A keen understanding of political complexities in the region, as they relate to post conflict recovery;

• Ability to work and live in a complex environment.

• Proficiency in French and English

Diversity, Inclusion and Gender Equality

IRC acknowledges and honors the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability. IRC is also committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits.

Returning National Candidates: IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs and we strongly encourage national or returning national candidates from the countries within this region to apply. If you are a national of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country, the IRC has introduced a generous remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply.