Democratic Republic of the Congo: Programme Manager

Overview:

War Child UK (WCUK) works with children who, as a result of conflict, live with a combination of poverty, exclusion and insecurity. These children might include displaced children, street children, child headed households, children associated with armed groups, survivors of SGBV under the age of 18 and children who have been put in prison. Our mission is to support and strengthen the protective environment around all the children we serve. We look forward to a world in which the lives of children are no longer torn apart by war. This is a vision that can only be realised through the collective actions of children themselves, communities and their leaders, other NGOs, governments and key decision makers.

The Programme Manager coordinates projects funded by multiple donors in Kinshasa*.*The projects include legal and judiciary assistance to SGBV survivors, reintegration of girl street children, management of an EU grant for children in conflict with the law (which includes a child protection toll free help line), a child rights programme (also funded by the EU), to build capacity and provide support to community child protection networks and local service providers in child protection.

This role is a senior position and will provide critical support to the Country Director (CD) in new programme development and extending WCUK’s work in other areas of the country. The Programme Manager will be line managed by the DRC Country Director (CD), based in Kinshasa. The CD will provide direction on all issues related to programming, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation support.

Responsibilities in administration/finance/security/communication are added, as the Program Management is the only senior position in Goma. (See 2.7)

A) Job Specification: Task and responsibilites:

Responsible to: Country Director, based in Kinshasa.

Line Management Responsibility: Kinshasa EU Project Coordinator, Goma EU project coordinator, Goma ABA/FSR Project Coordinator

A.1. Project Coordination

· Participate to the definition of the country programme strategy, and to the related operational plans.

· Assist the Country Director in the definition if a comprehensive organisational partnership strategy

· Ensure that each project has a specific advocacy and exit strategy from project design onwards, and that these are implemented throughout each project.

· Ensure the overall oversight of all War Child UK’s programme activities in the DRC

· Ensure that each activity involving the participation of children is preceeded by a complete risk analysis included in the related terms of references or attached to them.

· Lead the selection of relevant new local partners by identifying qualitative selection criterias, due diligence processes and establishing selection committees the include both programme and support staff.

· Validate project work plans prepared, updated and implemented on a monthly basis by Project Coordinators with input from partner and members of team.

· Follow-up on and validate regular reports on project implementations, follow-up of indicators, budgets and expenditures prepared by Project Coordinators. Assist project teams in defining corrective measures where necessary.

· Work with CD to oversee management of grants including the timely implementation of planned activities and appropriate expenditure of funds.

· Ensure the timeliness and quality of donor narrative and financial reports, as per donor reporting guidelines and War Child’s reporting standards.

· Identify funding gaps for programme acvities and assist CD in planning resource analysis to ensure that funds are found to address those gaps in annual planning.

· Take a planning and leading role on programme related advocacy initiatives.

· Mobilise support of government, NGO, and community stakeholders.

· In collaboration with Project Coordinators, facilitate visits to the project site by donor representatives and auditors.

· Assist CD in identifying and approaching in-country donors for matched funding for projects.

A.2. HR management

· Supervise project coordinators based in the Kinshasa and Goma offices in compliance with the local staff policy

· Ensure overseeing responsibilities for all Programme staff of the War Child UK DRC mission, including compliance with the local staff policy.

· Participate to the recruitment of competent and professional candidates fulfilling the specific requirements to each programme position following a competitive selection process, in compliance with War Child UK’s HR manual.

· Ensure that every Programme staff have up to date job descriptions, performance objectives and performance review processes. Directly supervise the performance objective setting and review of project coordinators.

· Ensure that each Programme staff has read and accepted War Child UK’s Child Protection policy, and that this policy is strictly applied by all throughout project implementation.

A.3. Capacity Building and Training

· Assist Project Coordinators in Identifying needs and designing capacity building plans for partners in key areas including financial management, donor compliance, child protection, monitoring and evaluation; this in compliance with the mission’s partnership strategy.

· Deliver training and where appropriate enlist external expertise.

· Comply fully and ensure partner compliance with War Child’s Child Protection Policy.

A.4. Monitoring and Evaluation

· In collaboration with M&E Officers, ensure that each project has an up to date, qualitative and effective MEAL plan in accordance with project logframes and indicators.

· Ensure that the database with beneficiary numbers is maintained by project staff and MEAL Officers.

· Facilitate internal and external evaluations of the project, using these as opportunities to elicit and document achievements, challenges, learning and opportunities.

· Collaborate with the M&E officers to set up improved accountability and learning systems at the DRC mission level in accordance with our 2016-2018 country strategy’s internal objective.

A.5. Compliance

· Ensure compliance with donor Rules and Regulations in all areas including financial management, records keeping, procurement

· Comply fully with WCUKs finance, security and child protection policies and procedures, managed by the Country Director.

· Ensure that receipts and supporting documents are provided to the Kinshasa based Finance and Operations Manager and Finance Officer in line with donor requirements.

· Liaise with the Country Director and London based Programme Development and Grants Coordinator to resolve any budgeting issues.

· Ensure partner compliance with all of the above.

A.6. Programme Development

· Provide Country Director with technical assistance in writing new project initiatives and proposals

· Collaborate with Finance and Operations Manager on finances and budget tracking

· Participate in field assessments and donor liaison as appropriate

A.7. Administration/Finances/Security/Communication

· Ensure that project implementations comply with War Child UK’s global finances manual

· Responsible for ensuring that projects are implemented by War Child and partner staff in full compliance with WCUK’s security policy and procedures. Security is non-negotiable and overrides programme considerations

· Report and record incidents for the Country Director

· Represent on request of Country Director, the organisation to key donors, government officials, diplomats, multilateral organisations, journalists, visiting dignitaries and in external network meetings.

B) Person specification – Essential Criteria:

War Child’s office is a lively and fast-paced environment made up of a team of extremely dedicated staff & volunteers. We’re looking for someone who can fit in well and bring their personality, creativity and professionalism to our communications and the wider charity.

Work Experience and Knowledge:

· Significant experience in a programme/project management for an international NGO.

· Extensive knowledge of conflict-affected emergency, post-emergency or developing countries, specifically in Africa.

· Knowledge of child protection, Juvenile Justice, Education and Child right’s based programming.

· Knowledge and experience of programme and project management in complex multi-stakeholder programmes.

· Knowledge and experience of monitoring and evaluation.

· Proven leadership and management skills. Strong track record of developing and inspiring teams to achieve outstanding results.

· Sound knowledge and understanding of financial management.

Key Competencies:

· Strong decision maker, proactive, willing and able to take the initiative.

· Able to effectively manage a diverse team and demonstrate a strong desire to achieve agreed personal and organisational objectives.

· Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to plan ahead and manage priorities calmly to ensure continued progress and meet deadlines.

· Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.

· Commitment to War Child’s aims, values and mission.

Education:

· Relevant Masters level academic degree or studies (for example: international development, conflict or social studies).

Language:

· Fluency in English AND French (essential).

C) Contract Terms

Working hours:

Full time (37.5 hours per week)

Contract type:

Fixed term (12 months with possible extension)

Probation:

6 months

Travel:

Regular travel within DRC; occasional visits to the region and UK.

Salary:

37,800 GBP per annum (Basic salary)

45 USD (daily living allowance) when in country of post

Leave:

30 days per year (pro rata).

Pension:

Matching contribution to your private pension up to 5% of gross salary.

Benefits:

The War Child benefits package for this role includes private accommodation, R&R allowance, annual travel allowance, private and emergency medical insurance and coverage.

Application process

· Download and complete War Child Application Form from www.warchild.org.uk. All completed applications must reach recruitment@warchild.org.uk by 30September 2016. Please note that if we receive a high level of interest for these positions, we may close the application process before the advertised deadline.

· Due to limited resources War Child HR will contact only the shortlisted candidates.

· Any offer made post the interview stage will be conditional on receipt of 3 satisfactory written references, (from your most recent employer, any other previous employer and a character reference). War Child reserves the right to call the referees, in case clarification is required post the receipt of complete reference forms.

· The successful applicant will be expected to undergo relevant police check, a medical check, be compliant and sign up to War Child’s Child Safeguarding Policy prior to a final offer being made.

· Start date: ASAP