Founded in 1956, The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations – refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and host communities – in more than 40 countries around the world.
In the DR Congo, DRC has been involved in humanitarian aid since 2009. Initially working in Province Orientale, DRC has gradually extended its reach to North Kivu and Ituri provinces. The sectors of intervention for DRC in the country are protection including GBV and child protection, economic recovery, education, shelter and wash. The country office is based in Goma/ Nord Kivu Province.
Overall purpose of the role:
DRC in DR Congo is looking for a dynamic and experienced Head of Program who will provide overall quality and delivery of DRC’s programs across all established areas of operation in DR Congo with a significant contribution expected to the conceptualization, technical support and implementation of development, emergency projects. The HoP will play a vital role as a member of the SMT and will drive the overall country-level vision, mission and objectives, and guide implementation of area- and technical level strategies.
S/he will be active in high level and strategic decision-making, collaborating closely with the Head of Support Services and Country Director, ensuring outputs are in line with the programmes country priorities, DRCs mandate and according to DRC policies and systems. The incumbent will oversee and coordinate programmatic issues related to quality and delivery with a focus on program sector integration and collaboration.
Geographical scope:
The Head of Programme is responsible for the overall programmatic strategy across the entire country operation and for providing technical input to the implementing actors within the different sectors.
The Head of Programme is also responsible for developing policies, processes and standards within respective areas. S/He will enable and oversee the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation activities across the entire country operation. The Head of Programme is finally responsible to over strategic development of the portfolio, ensure consistent fundraising activities and external representation.
Responsibilities:
Program Strategy and Business Developement
- Responsible for the overall programmatic strategy across the entire country operation;
- Ensures strategic coherence and vision of the whole country programme, based on active participation in the drafting of the DRC Strategic Programme Document and as part of the Senior Management Team;
- Provides technical expertise to the entire country operation and ensures technical advice on programme quality, MEAL and programme development for the Country programme;
- Design, contribute and/or lead assessments for emergency or longer-term programming in existing or new project locations;
- Responsible for shaping and driving the Advocacy strategy for the country and feeding into regional initiatives;
- Establish strong and efficient partnerships with organisations, donors and authorities, in line with the country programme strategy and DRC partnership management policy.
Quality and accountability of the Program
- Responsible for developing policies, processes, and standards within respective areas
- Oversee and support continuous improvement of programme quality standards, including application and harmonisation across field bases
- Ensure that DRC values and code of conduct are respected and upheld, including through setting a personal example
- Support the grants team in timely submissions of high-quality donor reports.
Fundraising, Grant proposals writing & reporting processes
- Pursue funding opportunities in all DRC- areas of competence and coordinate the capacities of the Technical Coordinators and SMT to identify and materialize opportunities in alignment with country and regional strategies;
- Trigger and oversee the drafting of concept notes, proposals and donor reports by program managers (including budgets for cost-related activities) in coordination with grants departments in line with DRC HQ/Region and donor requirements;
- Ensure timely and targeted communication and information flow to all relevant internal and external parties in coordination with the Country Director, Regional Office, HQ and other program stakeholders to remain informed about program achievements.
People Management and internal communication
- Manage, coordinate and coach members of the programme team, ensuring their professional development and capacity building as needed;
- Oversee and support capacity building for expatriate and national staff on technical issues and program cycle management, based on assessment of the critical program improvement needs of the country mission;
- Work in close cooperation with programme and support staff in the country mission, and actively seek support, knowledge and coaching as necessary from colleagues in other regions and HQ.
External relations and representation
- Together with Country Director, ensure adequate bilateral representation of DRC with government authorities, donors, UN agencies, humanitarian agencies and other partners in regard to programme and participation in coordination meetings as relevant;
- Liaise with government and partners counterparts to ensure DRC grant sub agreements are signed in a timely manner.
Advocacy and communication
- Work in collaboration with Country Director on developing advocacy and policy key messages across programmatic platforms;
- Support the Country Director in the development and review of communication materials, including brochures, case studies as well as press releases.
About you
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:
- Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
- Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
- Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
- Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
- Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.
Experience and Technical comptencies
- A post-graduate degree in international relations, business administration, management, law/human rights, social sciences or related field;
- Minimum 7 years professional work experience in humanitarian/ development work including in displacement setting;
- Min 4 years of experience in staff management and development in complex environments;
- Demonstrated experience of successfully managing program implementation;
- A good understanding and experience of context in DR Congo is an added advantage;
- Technical expertise and experience in livelihoods, conflict management, WASH, protection, infrastructure programming in post conflict setting is an advantage;
- Proven analytical and strategic planning skills;
- High-level communication and people skills;
- Excellent writing skills and able to negotiate effectively between different stakeholders, and to represent DRC at high level forums;
- Extensive experience in representation and networking, in particular with Government authorities, EU, humanitarian and development actors;
- Demonstrated project, program and human resource management experience, including working with local partners;
- Strong understanding of MEAL, including in complex programmes;
- Full professional proficiency in English and French is required
What we offer
Contract: 1 or 2 Years Contract with the possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance.
Salary: in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment Management Band/ E.
Availability: 15 June 2023.
Duty station: Goma, DR Congo
Reporting Line: Country Director
Providing equal opportunities We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.
DRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff within its programs. As such, we strongly encourage national and diaspora candidates to apply for this position. However, candidates should take into consideration that DRC cannot employ, under an international contract, a national of the country in which he or she will be working (in this case, the Democratic Republic of Congo).
Promoting high standards : DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered.
Please submit your application and CV in English or French no later than 17th April 2023
