Deputy Chief of Party I- Youth Activity, Democratic Republic of Congo 65 views0 applications

This post is contingent on donor funding*

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

Job Summary:

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the most populous, vast and resource rich countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Decades of conflict and other challenges over the past decades have left DRC with an 80 percent poverty rate, an annual per capita income of just over $120, inadequate social and health services, and weak governmental institutions. Given its fragility and weak institutions, the country is susceptible to health crises, including recent outbreaks of Ebola, measles, cholera and COVID-19.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. CRS has operated in the DRC since 1961, successfully implementing programs in nutrition, microfinance and livelihoods, emergency, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health, microfinance, and peacebuilding throughout the country. CRS/DRC currently has around 180 staff operating out of 6 offices in Kinshasa, Goma (North Kivu), Kananga (Kasai Central), Mbuji Mayi (Kasai Oriental), Kalemie (Tanganyika), and Bukavu (South Kivu).

Pending a successful bid, The Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) will provide technical leadership in the implementation of a multi-year youth-focused program in eastern D.R. Congo.

The Deputy Chief of Party will design and implement needs-driven and evidence-based activities that adhere to CRS program quality standards for emergency and development and employing best practices based on CRS’ history of successful youth activities in D.R. Congo, the Central Africa region, and globally. He or she will ensure technical quality throughout the co-creation process and project lifecycle.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Manage key aspects of the development, implementation and consolidation of the youth activity. Serve as a technical point of contact to the donor as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders, when needed.
• Manage key function of the project to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget. Contribute to ensuring coordination between program and operations leads. Contribute to ensuring the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per MEAL policy and procedures.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Contribute to the development of staffing plans and the recruitment process of senior staff.
• Manage and mitigate risk through monitoring national and local issues that may impact staff and programming. Ensure all staff understand and adhere to CRS staff safety and security policies and plans.
• Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Help ensure compliance with donor grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to the donor.
• Maintain relationships with key staff of consortium partner organizations in regard to area of responsibility. Contribute to coordination of the roles and activities of staff from other consortium member organizations in implementation in line with CRS partnership principles.
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and recommend trainings and technical assistance.
• Integrates data analysis, reflection and interpretation and use with ongoing project activities.
• Communicates agency approach to MEAL and key findings, as appropriate, among CP colleagues and partners.
• Cultivates relationships with community members and stakeholders.
• Shares MEAL learning and experiences in broader regional discussions.

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations or relevant field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant management and technical experience in development youth programming.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience managing donor funds with significant experience managing USAID funds. Knowledge and experience in budget management.

Required Languages – English, French

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 30%. The position will be based in Bukavu or Goma, D.R. Congo.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Very good strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Very good relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results oriented.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Recognized technical experience and qualifications to design and deliver youth and livelihood programming.
• Excellent English writing skills.
• Prior experience as a Deputy Chief of Party or comparable senior leadership position.
• Demonstrated experience of successful program management, including management of complex, high-value youth livelihood and empowerment projects.
• Experience engaging partners (international and local organizations, private sector, government, etc.) and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus.
• Presentation and facilitation skills.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.
• Experience working in conflict-affected or insecure areas.

Supervisory Responsibilities: program staff.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Chief of Party, Country Representative, Head of Programming, Deputy Country Representative for Operations, Deputy Head of Programming, MEAL/ICT4D Coordinator, Emergency Coordinator, Business Development Specialist, Gender, Protection, and Beneficiary Feedback Advisor, Finance Manager, Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality, Regional Technical Advisors, HQ based Public Donor Liaison.

External: Donors, partner INGOs and local NGOs, Caritas, and peer agencies.

Qualifications

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

· Integrity

· Continuous Improvement & Innovation

· Builds Relationships

· Develops Talent

· Strategic Mindset

· Accountability & Stewardship

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Note: All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside their home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical examination.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer