Democratic Republic of the Congo: Head of Mission – DRC

INTERSOS is an independent non-profit humanitarian organization committed to assist the victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, and respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable and unprotected people.

1. Terms of reference

Job title: Head of Mission (HoM)

Location: Goma – North Kivu

Reporting to: Regional Director

Starting date: May 2016

Duration of contract: 1 year

Dependents: No

2. General context of the mission

For years, INTERSOS has studied and evaluated the possibility of intervening in the DRC to provide assistance to a population which is affected by armed conflicts. As a result of several assessments and information gathering the organization decided to enter the North Eastern part of the country. INTERSOS’ first commitment started in the area around Doruma (Haut-Uélé district, in the Province Orientale) at the end of 2010 with a protection project funded by UNHCR.

Within the last four years we have been able to enlarge our commitment in the North Eastern province of the DRC in terms of areas and sectors of intervention. Since February 2013, the organization entered the Southern provincial district of Ituri, and since January 2015 the Western district of Tshopo. Beyond protection (protection monitoring, sexual gender based violence, peaceful co-existence) INTERSOS is key protection partner for the whole province since 2013 in terms of protection monitoring activities – INTERSOS carries out activities in education in emergencies (rehabilitation/construction of schools, capacity building of educational stakeholders, school reintegration of children of armed violence and returned teachers) and since 2014 in food security and livelihood (food distribution through commodity vouchers, agricultural activities through working group approach).

All commitment aims at providing basic assistance to survivors of violence committed by armed identified or non-identified, indigenous or exogenous groups.

INTERSOS is currently expanding its presence also in North and South Kivu.

3. Tasks and responsibilities

The Head of Mission represents the Organization in the country of assignment and is responsible for the planning, management and implementation of the country program on the basis of defined strategies and indications.

The Regional Director reports to the Regional Director to whom he/she submits among other documents the monthly written report.

The HoM manages and coordinates the operations and human resources in the country and is responsible to:

· establish and manage effective relationships with local Institutions, donors, NGOs, international agencies and other stakeholders, promoting the good name and image of INTERSOS;

· ensure the respect for the values, code of ethics and the organization management of INTERSOS;

· in strict collaboration with the Regional Director, contribute to the definition of country priorities on the basis of specific need assessments and the country context analysis;

· monitor the donor’s priorities and intervention strategies in the DRC;

· in collaboration with the Regional Director, coordinate the assessment, promotion and submission of new projects, following the procedures defined and promoting a spirit of participation within INTERSOS national and international staff as well beneficiaries;

· sign contracts and, where necessary, delegate other international staff (when necessary sign a proxy to delegate supervision and control responsibilities);

· establish, guarantee and periodically monitor government’s recognition and accreditation procedures and any other formalities required by the hosting country, ensuring timely renewal;

· provides the Communication sector, regularly or upon request, with news regarding the country, emerging issues and activities developed, working together with the Project Manager and other operators;

· is responsible for security, providing the definition of specific procedures and behaviors, and monitoring the implementation of the defined regulations.

The HoM manages and coordinates the country operations. Specifically:

· defines the mission’s programming and planning of activities and check for their implementation; ensure the constant and timely sharing of information with the Regional Director through the sharing of the project management and monitoring tool (Project Appraisal Tool – PAT);

· in collaboration with the Country administration and finance officer provides the Regional Director with a forecast of expenditure for the year;

· enhances local personnel responsibility, also through ad hoc training sessions, for the purposes of progressive assumption of responsibilities;

· supervises the country administrator in forecasting the monthly expenditure according to the program of activities;

· supervises the country logistician in managing procurement processes of goods, works and services in conformity to the relevant procedures; supervises the country logistician in selecting local suppliers to be included in the “list of reliable suppliers”;

· supervises, monitors and assesses all the phases of implementation of the project by conducting periodic visits to the project sites and ad hoc visits when needed. Keeps the Regional Director updated in case of need;

· defines mission’s economic and financial planning, ensuring economic self-sufficiency and expenditure adherence to budget constraints; carries out monthly checks and assessments of the mission’s economic and financial status;

· is responsible for managing the funds and current bank accounts of the mission;

· approves donors’ interim and final financial reports and ensure their timely and duly submission;

· compiles and submit to the Regional Director monthly written reports on country operations;

· is responsible for the storage of all documentation relating the mission and the projects upon their closure;

· is responsible for the strict observance and adherence to INTERSOS and donors’ procedures.

The HoM manages the human resources ensuring direct supervision and personnel appraisals. Specifically:

· proposes to the Regional Director the recruitment of expatriate personnel;

· determines the contracts with local personnel and supervise the recruitment of key staff;

· briefs expatriate personnel on overall mission activities, specific project activities and security conditions in the country;

· in collaboration with the country administration and finance officer collects all documents pertaining to local labor legislation, to be made available in the mission for consultation;

· determines the communication/information flows and oversee interpersonal relationship dynamics, promoting cohesion and motivation;

· submits to the Regional Director the international personnel performance appraisals for upon conclusion of the contracts; also pointing out noteworthy and professionalized local personnel;

4. Required profile/experience

· At least 5 years of experience as HoM or other coordination and management position in humanitarian/development contexts

· Experience in implementation of activities funded by UN donors or ECHO

· Experience in people management and leadership skills

· Ability to take initiative and work autonomously

· Excellent oral and written communication skills

· Fluent English written and spoken

· Capacity to work in volatile security environment and to adapt to basic living conditions

Qualified applicants should send their updated curriculum vitae, motivation letter and contact details of two professional refereesto:recruitment@intersos.org, specifying in the subject ‘HoM DRC’**

Only applications sent to this email address will be considered. If you do not receive a reply within one month, then please assume that your application has not been shortlisted.