Democratic Republic of the Congo: National Coordinator

National Coordinator

Location: Goma, North Kivu, DR Congo

Application Deadline: 25^th November 2016

Starting Date: 1^st January 2017

Duration of Initial Contract: 12 months. This position is, however, open to candidates who will be able to commit more than two years

Reporting Line: The National Coordinator reports to the Regional Director and to the Chief Operations Officer.

Background

RET International (www.theret.org) headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and with offices in Africa, Latin America and Asia, was founded in December 2000 by Mrs. Sadako Ogata, then United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. RET was established in response to a crying, but barely addressed need, for greater access to post primary education for refugees, returnees and internally displaced youth. RET is an independent, impartial, non-partisan organisation, with no religious or political affiliation, purposefully set up to be independent from UNHCR. Although financially independent from UN agencies, RET has strategic alliances with UN agencies.

In DR Congo, RET has been operating since 2011, first in Uvira (South Kivu), and then, since January 2015 in Goma (North Kivu), where we implement an holistic programme of Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR) of adolescents who have been recruited or forcibly conscripted into militia groups operating on the Congolese soil.

RET is planning to substantially increase its operation, starting as of January 2017 and is therefore looking for a National Coordinator responsible of all RET’s operations in DR Congo.

Summary of Position

The National Coordinator (NC) is RET’s Head of Country in DR Congo, as well as the only RET’s expatriate. S/he will oversee RET’s programmes and will closely supervise the Programme Manager, who will be in charge of the effective implementation of the activities in the field. The National Coordinator will also supervise the activities of the other departments (logistics, Reporting, and Finance), so as to ensure a smooth implementation of the programmes in accordance with RET’s policies, the donors’ expectations and the local and international legislations. The National Coordinator will also play a strategic role for RET International’s external relations, liaising with donors and other stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• To implement RET’s strategy and programme in a timely, effective and efficient manner;

• To monitor programme progress and quality, and ensure adherence to organisational and internationally recognised standards of implementation (particularly the INEE Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies, Chronic Crises and Early Reconstruction);

• To produce quality donor narrative and financial reports in coordination with the Regional Director, Technical Adviser & Reporting Manager, Regional Finance Officer and Chief Development Officer;

• Ensure the coherence and effective co-ordination of the programme in close co-ordination with UNICEF and other DDR partners;

• To represent RET to national government, including UEPNDDR, other ministries/departments involved with DDR issues, the local administration, and to the UN agencies to ensure positive relations;

• To coordinate, harmonise and link the work of the implementing partners when applicable;

• To ensure the monitoring and evaluation of the programme including the identification of needs and gaps, in co-ordination with the Nairobi-based Regional Director and Geneva- based Chief Development Officer;

• To write project proposals (narrative and financial) to address the identified needs;

• To be responsible for recruitment, performance management and staff’s development. This will include ensuring that all staff members have performance objectives and are managed according to performance;

• To coordinate activities of the Administration and Finance staff and of all the field staff to ensure implementation and administration programme activities are harmonised;

• To build a strong staff team;

• To ensure strict adherence to effective and transparent use of financial resources in line with internal RET and donor policies and procedures;

• To monitor budget expenditures and disbursements, and also review the financial data before submission to HQ in Geneva as well as provide quarterly projected expenditures;

• To gather and disseminate security information and implement appropriate security responses to crisis, in collaboration with established UN Security systems;

• To prepare the monthly SitRep and ensure the effective flow of information between operations in Chad and the RET Regional and headquarters’ offices in Geneva;

• To enhance the visibility of the organisation.

Requirements & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s Degree preferred) in social science, sociology, political science or any other related field, preferably with specialization in conflict studies.

Experience:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of program management experience, including project finances;

• Experience working with local level actors, public institutions and civil society organizations;

• Experience working with youth; training experience an advantage;

• Proven knowledge and experience in peace building, conflict analysis and management. Specific experience with designing and delivery of DDR programmes;

• Familiarity with civil society development mechanisms, and the Eastern Congo context in particular.

Skills:

• Proven ability to negotiate multiple relationships with various partners;

• Dynamic leader with creative problem solving skills, particularly in challenging situations;

• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills

• Spoken and written fluency in French and English;

• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability;

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Excel;

• Strong organizational skills and attention to-detail;

• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, handle multiple tasks simultaneously and proves a high level of flexibility;

• Ability to work in multicultural environments and spend time in different and diverse locations all over the country;

Period: 12 months (Renewable depending on performance and financial availability)

Salary: competitive with an attractive benefits package

How to Apply

Only online applications will be considered. Please send a cover letter, a curriculum vita, salary requirements and availability by the 25th of November with the subject heading “National Coordinator – DRC” to recruit-che@theret.org. Please include the name and contact of at least two references.

Only the short listed candidates will be contacted.