Democratic Republic of the Congo: Country Director

Background

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

IRC started working in the DRC in 1996 to respond to the humanitarian crisis in the East of the country. It has since evolved into one of the largest providers of humanitarian assistance and post-conflict development in the DRC. With an annual budget of approximately US$30 million and over 400 staff, IRC supports Congolese communities and institutions in 8 conflict affected provinces in the areas of governance, health, gender-based violence, education, and emergency response.

Scope of Work

Reporting to the Regional Director, the Country Director will provide the strategic vision and leadership for the country program. S/he is responsible for ensuring the design and delivery of quality programs, donor and government relations, fundraising and budget management, security and operations management, and developing a motivated and professional team. S/he will work closely with, and receive support from other regional and headquarters program technical units, safety and security services, regional finance and operations staff.

The IRC Country Director is responsible for overall leadership and supervisory management of IRC personnel, programs, and operations in the country, including stewardship of resources, staff safety and security, program quality and accountability, and performance management. The Country Director is IRC's principal representative to DRC government officials, donors, international organizations, Congolese civil society, other NGOs and the media. The Country Director will lead country program staff in pursuing the outcomes identified in the strategy action plan for 2016-2020.

The Country Director shall receive support from regional and headquarters staff in the areas of program quality, monitoring and evaluation, context analysis, new business development, safety and security management, finance, human resources, operations management, technology for programming, and public affairs. The Country Director directly supervises --- positions in a country program of approximately 400 staff.

The position is fully accompanied.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Management

• Working closely with the Regional Director, and the regional team, implement and adapt as necessary the Strategy Action Plan for IRC DRC 2016-2020.
• Ensure that structures and systems are in compliance with IRC standards, and that they support program delivery and promote management coordination and efficiency throughout the country program
• Participate and assist in driving planning processes for IRC's current programs across the DRC to ensure IRC's technical competencies, contextual knowledge and partnerships with national partners, community groups, governments, donors and civil society are leveraged to provide new and innovative programs within the rapidly changing environment.

Program Quality & Development

• Working closely with the Deputy Program Director (DDP) and Regional Program Unit, develop program strategies in accordance with IRCs mission and the Outcome and Evidence Framework.
• Ensure the consistent use of well managed assessment, design and proposal development processes.
• Promote a team approach and positive learning environment utilizing headquarters, country program and operations staff and partners to consistently enhance the quality of design and implementation.

Key Partner & Donor Relations

• Working closely with the Awards Management Unit, develop IRC as a partner of choice for major local and international donors.
• Develop and maintain a high level of understanding of donor priorities, country plans and planned funding initiatives.
• Maintain and expand participation with key donors, host government, local stakeholders and relevant policy and coordinating bodies.

Fundraising and Budget Management

• Working closely with the DDP, Provincial Deputy Directors, regional, country and HQ Finance teams ensure submission of appropriate, timely high quality proposals and lead required donor negotiations.
• Monitor and identify appropriate sources for match fund requirements and coverage of funding gaps.
• Working closely with the Country Program Financial Controller, provide timely and effective oversight of the financial position of the country program including identification and implementation of required changes to match funding levels.
• Working closely with the Deputy Director of Programs and Financial Controller, maintain effective and coordinated budget monitoring processes for grant funds and discretionary funds.

Security & Operations Management

• Working closely with the Deputy Director of Operation (DDO) and in coordination with the Regional Safety and Security Advisor (RSSA) ensure that the security management plan for the country program is regularly updated, and ensure consistent monitoring and analysis of the security environment and adherence by all staff to the IRC security protocols and procedures.
• Working with country senior management team ensure the development, implementation and monitoring of financial and operational policy and procedures to ensure compliance with IRC and donor policies across the program.
• Promote coordination and teamwork between program and operations staff to improve quality of proposal submissions and program delivery.

Human Resource Management, Staff Development & Retention

• Working closely with the Senior HR Coordinator, Regional HR Director and the HR Unit at HQ, develop a positive work environment for all staff supported by a professional level human resource management function.
• Support and hold senior management staff accountable for providing staff development opportunities and planning.
• Provide leadership support for the successful implementation of and adherence to the IRC Global and National HR Operating Policies and Procedures.

• Lead with commitment, integrity and accountability to the "IRC Way" - Global Standards for Professional Conduct. Requirements:

• Graduate degree in relevant field;

• At least ten years of international work experience covering both emergency and post-conflict development programming; Previous experience in DRC preferred;

• Extensive program development and fund raising experience, prior experience with European, US and international donors;

• Strong human resource management skills including capacity building and mentoring;

• Experience supervising and managing a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting;

• Demonstrated success in managing projects;

• Previous budget and fiscal oversight responsibilities;

• A keen understanding of political complexities in the region, as they relate to post conflict recovery;

• Ability to work and live in a complex environment.

• Professional fluency in spoken and written French and English.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.

Please follow this link to apply: http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=a2F0cmluYW1pbGxlci4wMTUwMC4zODMwQGlyYy5hcGxpdHJhay5jb20