Democratic Republic of the Congo: Program Manager & Director of the Lubumbashi Office

The Carter Center is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering; it seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.

Over the past nine years, The Carter Center has worked to improve transparency and accountability in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) extractive sector in partnership with international institutions and leading local civil society organizations. The Extractive Industries Governance (EIG) program is focused on both primary actor work and on building local actors’ capacity to advocate for improved governance to ensure that natural resources provide greater benefits to the Congolese people.

The Carter Center is seeking a highly qualified and motivated individual to join the Center’s Extractive Industries Governance (EIG) Program in DRC as Program Manager and Director of the Lubumbashi Field Office. This is an unaccompanied position based in Lubumbashi, DRC. This position is scheduled as a two-year assignment.

Key Responsibilities

Representation: In close coordination with the Field Office Director (FOD) in Kinshasa, serve as the primary representative for the Carter Center’s Extractive Industries Governance Program in the DRC. Maintain productive, strategic relationships with donors, local and international civil society actors, government officials, and other relevant stakeholders. Represent the Center at identified national and international conferences and fora on extractive industries governance.

Human Resources Management: Direct and supervise Lubumbashi office and Extractive Industries Governance Program staff, including expatriates, local staff members, interns, and volunteers. In close coordination with the FOD, manage the recruitment and onboarding of local staff members. Actively engage in the recruitment of expatriate staff in close collaboration with the FOD and Atlanta staff. Maintain an active awareness of staff needs and staffing challenges, provide guidance on the substance of and approaches in their work, and engage in professional development efforts. Promote a cooperative work environment.

Office Operational Management: Oversee daily operations of the Lubumbashi office in accordance with the Center’s procedures, including financial management and reporting, procurement, recruitment, and other administrative and logistical tasks. Work with FOD to assure that policies and procedures are, as appropriate, consistent across TCC offices in DRC.

Project Cycle Management: Provide leadership in the visioning, design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Extractive Industries Governance projects in collaboration with DRC-based program staff, the FOD, and Atlanta staff. Assist in the development of new project and funding proposals. Oversee effective and timely implementation of program activities, including managing expenditures and forecasts, monitoring work plans, and ensuring the development and management of sub-grants with civil society partners. Contribute to donor reports and ensure proper design, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.

Program Implementation: Lead the program substantively and pro-actively, contributing to longer-range direction, improved day-to-day performance, and progress toward the implementation of key recommendations to improve law, policy, and practice in the extractive sectors in DRC. Collaborate with Extractive Industries Governance Program colleagues and support them to ensure that projects are managed effectively and efficiently without sacrificing the internal capacity-building and professional development activities key to the program’s sustainability. Provide substantive guidance and direct assistance to program staff in relation to their work as primary actors in extractive industries governance as needed, notably in research, analysis, and advocacy. Mentor staff in their efforts to build the capacity of local partners to do extractive industries governance research, analysis, and advocacy.

Communication and Reporting: Provide regular updates and oral briefings to the FOD and Atlanta staff on project activities and results, extractive industry trends and developments, and other key programmatic or operational issues. Ensure timely and effective coordination and communication between the DRC offices, civil society partners, Atlanta staff, and external stakeholders. Takes supervision from the FOD on operational, security, and representational issues, and programmatic guidance from both the FOD and Atlanta.

Qualifications

• Five to seven years of progressively responsible experience, including management of field-based activities related to extractive industries governance and capacity building.
• Post-graduate degree in international affairs, economics, public policy, or related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in French and English.
• Strong analysis, problem solving, and risk management skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to work under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills, cross-cultural understanding and the ability to lead and motivate diverse and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience working with a variety of stakeholders, including civil society, government, intergovernmental organizations and international donors.
• Preference will be given to candidates with significant experience with programs related to extractive industries governance and civil society strengthening. Strong knowledge of the DRC is highly preferred; experience working in the Great Lakes is a plus.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To apply, please send a cover letter, CV, list of three references, and salary requirements to TCCjobsinDRC@gmail.com. When applying, please include “Lubumbashi Program Manager” and the website where you found this posting in the subject line. Only those candidates selected for an interview or additional consideration will be notified by the Center. No phone calls please.