Democratic Republic of the Congo: FARM Project Manager

The Organization

Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes peaceful transformation of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and in Brussels, Belgium, SFCG’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments see and deal with conflict, away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. SFCG seeks to help conflicting parties understand their differences and capitalize on their commonalities.

With more than 700 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects in 35 countries. SFCG’s programs are in Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, and the United States. The DRC country program is Search’s largest in terms of staff and program value.

Programme

SFCG launched operations in the DRC in 2001. Today, the country program has offices in Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kalemie and Bunia with annual budget of around $6 million USD. SFCG works with partners in most provinces, and has numerous smaller satellite offices spread throughout the country. Media is a primary tool utilized by all the programs—radio, video, print, and drama. Each program is adapted to the specific local context and conflict, and all apply tools from SFCG’s toolbox.

SFCG’s Goma field office is currently supporting a host of programs aligned within MONUSCO’s stabilization strategy ISSSS. The approach uses democratic dialogue to promote conflict sensitivity and transformation while strengthening the relationship between the population and decision makers for a more accountable, inclusive and effective method of governance. This thematic focus is executed in close collaboration with numerous partners and with the support of various donors, including DFID, the Dutch foreign Ministry, the German Foreign Ministry, and USAID.

Summary of Position

Pending funding approval, this position will manage a new project, Food Security and Inclusive Access to Resources for Conflict-Sensitive Market Development (FARM). The project has been designed to support the Dutch Government’s overall Strategic Plan for the Great Lakes Region through a Mercy Corps/SFCG consortium proposing to contribute to stability in North Kivu by improving food security through a peace building lens. FARM’s theory of change assumes that building a more efficient, inclusive and resilient market-based environment, with a focus on addressing related community, governance and economic based grievances, will result in improved and resilient livelihoods for at risk populations; and therefore in fewer incentives to engage in conflict and greater community resilience..

The Project Manager will be responsible for overseeing the strategic development of the project, drawing off the results produced during the inception phase. S/he will be responsible for overseeing quality implementation, liaising with the consortium lead, authorities, stakeholders and other actors implementing complementary activities in the intervention zone. S/he will be responsible for a project team of up to 7 staff, and liaising with SFCG programing departments (media, DME, Training, etc) as required. The Project Manager is ultimately responsible for sound financial management, reporting, and producing communication materials around the project successes.

The Project Manager will report to the North Kivu Head of Office, who is based in Goma, and will coordinate closely with the Program Director, the Mercy Corps Project Manager, and Program Coordinators. The Project Manager can expect to spend up to 60% of her/his time in the field (Masisi and Rutshuru).

Responsibilities

• Lead the finalization of the FARM SFCG strategy and work plan through the inception phase, ensuring coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders, including other Dutch funded and ISSSS aligned programming in the zone;

• Oversee the recruitment and management of FARM project staff;

• Liaise with appropriate stakeholders, and especially the consortium lead, community leaders/representatives, government officials, etc. for developing the FARM project

• Ensure sound financial management through accurate planning, forecasting, spending, reviewing and reporting;

• Liaise with relevant in-country and HQ staff as necessary to produce narrative and financial reports for the project;

• Ensure program implementation is aligned with contractual agreements, policies and procedures;

• Produce quarterly program updates, newsletters, success stories, briefs, and other communication material as required;

• Support growth within the organization, including learning between country programs and opportunities for new/complementary funding as required;

• Represent SFCG with donors, partners and other stakeholders as requested by the consortium and/or supervisor;

• Implement special projects as assigned;

• Be engaged in the continuing development of the organization, its mission and its staff, through the sharing of experience and knowledge, particularly contributing to its Institutional Learning initiative.

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position-holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key duties.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, international relations, conflict resolution or other related field

• Written and oral proficiency in English and French

• Five (5) years of work experience, of which three (3) should be in a management position on projects related to conflict resolution, international development, agriculture or related field

• Knowledge/experience in Africa, especially countries in conflict. Knowledge/experience in eastern DRC preferred

• Excellent writing skills

• Excellent financial management skills

• Proven experience in representation with a variety of audiences

• Strong organizational skills

• Ability to work well under pressure with strong attention to details

• Flexibility (including ability to travel on short notice)

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills

• A team spirit and a sense of humor

Salary: Commensurate with experience and education, with excellent benefits

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter, resume, salary requirements (or current salary), projected start date, and where you found this job posting through our Application System. No phone calls please. Start date for this post is pending confirmation of funding, but is expected on or around November 1, 2016. See our web site www.sfcg.org for full details of our work. This position will remain open until filled.