Democratic Republic of the Congo: Country Director DRC

Trócaire is one of Ireland’s top INGO’s, having over 40 years’ of experience in international Development. Trócaire works through partners and is a member of worldwide networks such as Caritas and CIDSE. This is an exciting time in the history of the organisation as we embark on our new strategic plan 2016-2020.

The CD will provide overall management& strategy to the country programme ensuring that systems & processes are in place to deliver an effective programme and that programme strategies are in place and aligned to the global plan. The position is located in Bunia Eastern DRC, with Entebbe, Uganda as a base. R&R to Entebbe will be agreed as part of the contract discussions. The role will also involve travel to Kinshasa and Ireland.

Trócaire recently relocated all of the programme work in DRC to Ituri Province. This involved scaling down work in other provinces and consolidating in Ituri. This was done based on a desire for greater impact and focus in Eastern DRC.

The move resulted in the establishment of a large office in Bunia where most programme and support staff have relocated to and the scaling down of the Kinshasa office which now has 1 technical adviser/donor liaison officer and administrative support staff.

For the candidate with the required experience and passion for the role, Trócaire offers a competitive package of salary and benefits.

Reporting to Head of Region, this is a fixed term contract type for 2 years and is based in Bunia, Eastern DRC. The incumbent will manage a team of professionals

Safeguarding[1]** Children Policy:**

The successful applicant will be expected to sign up to and adhere to Trócaire’s Safeguarding Policy.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

1.Strategic Leadership

· Provide vision and direction for the country programme in terms of programming and structure in Bunia and Kinshasa

· Support Trócaire to finalise the transition to Bunia ensuring that staffing, governance & security capacities are adequate to enable Trócaire to deliver effectively

· Review Country Strategic Plan (CSP) annually against key country and organisational level objectives, indicators and targets

· Input into organisational strategy through strategic planning and monitoring processes including quarterly and annual reviews of the Implementation Plan of the Strategic Framework.

2.Programme Development and Management

· Support the Programme Manager to ensure that high quality programmes in line with Trócaire’s country and strategic objectives, strategies and policies are developed in country.

· Ensure that effective results-based monitoring and evaluation systems are implemented in line with Trócaire policies, systems and guidelines.

· Provide leadership and foster collaboration with other actors (NGOs, INGOs, networks, host government etc.) in order increase networking & opportunities for collaboration

3.Humanitarian Programme Management

· Lead on assessing security & financial risks of Humanitarian programming in context of Bunia

· Work with the Programme Manager (PM) to develop a humanitarian strategy at country level including preparedness and contingency plans.

· Ensure Country Partner Portfolio has the capacity/systems to deliver high quality Humanitarian Programmes

· Lead on in-country networking and representation with government, UN, donors, NGOs, INGOs networks and the Catholic Church / Caritas.

4.Human Resource Management

· Ensure that Trócaire attracts and retains high calibre national and international staff by providing: a sense of clear purpose to all staff, development opportunities and competitive packages, in line with Trócaire policy and in coordination with HR.

· Line manage the Programme Manager, Finance staff and the Institutional Funding Officer in Kinshasa.

· Ensure effective implementation of HR policies and procedures at country level, in line with Trócaire’s HR Policies, Procedures and Guidelines in coordination with HR and with all local labour laws.

5.Financial and Admin Management

· Take responsibility for overall financial management in the country and ensure that there is optimal use of financial resources, managed in a transparent and accountable manner in line with Trócaire’s systems and procedures;

· Ensure that budgets are prepared, reviewed and monitored regularly, and that resources are strategically allocated as appropriate on the basis of need or programme quality;

· Ensure effective financial management systems, processes and controls are in place and are fully compliant with Trócaire’s operating standards and the relevant legal requirements in-country;

· Take responsibility for ensuring all staff are familiar with and comply with institutional processes and systems, e.g. Management of Information Systems, use of IT systems etc.

6.Audit and Corporate Governance compliance

· Ensure that all host government requirements in relation to registration, taxation, labour law, auditing, fraud etc., are complied with;

· Take responsibility for ensuring that internal and external audits are fulfilled in a timely and efficient manner, in line with Trócaire policy and back donor and host government requirements.

· Ensure follow-up on recommendations arising out of audits of Trócaire’s operations and take appropriate actions where necessary.

· Ensure full compliance with Trócaire’s fraud policy and related back donor or host government requirements;

· Maintain direct links with the Internal Auditor, in coordination with the Country Finance and Admin Manager.

7.Institutional Funding

· Lead the development and ensure implementation and regular review of a country strategy on Institutional Funding.

· Ensure optimal cost recovery, based on sound systems for budgeting, monitoring and compliance reporting.

· Network actively and play a lead role in management level dialogue with donors and other INGOs on accessing and managing institutional funding.

· Manage and support the Institutional funding officer in Kinshasa to ensure Trócaire visibility, representation & donor engagement at a national level.

8.Security Management

· Take full responsibility for the management of security at country level.

· Ensure ongoing engagement with UN and other actors on security issues

· Develop and manage in-country security plans and procedures and ensure that the country team adhere to all Trócaire security policies

1. Representation, Communications and Advocacy:

· Represent Trócaire with the host government, national NGO and INGO networks, the Catholic Church and its agencies, donors and other key strategic stakeholders.

· Increase awareness of Trócaire’s work with Trócaire’s supporters and key stakeholders in Ireland, through the provision of communications material, facilitating internal and external visitors and carrying out media interviews upon request by the Communications Unit in HQ.

· Lead the country team in contributing to the development and implementation of core communications, fundraising, development education and advocacy initiatives at global level.

· Any other duties as assigned by the Head of Region

Person Specification – Essential Requirements

(E) Qualification

· Third level qualification in Development, Humanitarian or related field of study

Post-graduate qualification in a relevant area, or significant experience beyond that outlined below

(E) Experience

· A minimum of five years’ experience in the management of development & humanitarian programmes of substantial scale

· A minimum of three years’ experience in running a country office (admin, finance, HR management, security management etc.)

· A minimum of 2 years experience of working in insecure environments & management of security

· In-depth understanding of programming in a partnership model, based on at least three years’ experience working in a partnership-based NGO

· Sound and up to date knowledge of development concepts, methodologies and techniques, including results based management, rights based approach and participatory methodologies

· Demonstrable experience of promoting gender equity through programming and within an international organisation

· Demonstrable experience of working to attract institutional donor funding and of managing large and complex donor grants

Solid experience of managing teams in a multi-cultural environment and playing a leadership role in ensuring cohesiveness, inclusion and development of staff at all levels

(E) Skills

· Excellent leadership skills

· Ability to motivate staff to align behind a shared vision and objectives

· Demonstrated ability to think strategically and to develop and implement a clear country level strategy in the context of organisational strategy

· Demonstrated ability to operate under pressure and in a volatile environment

· Demonstrated ability to manage security in challenging environments

· Ability to coach and help others develop in their professional lives

· Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills and demonstrated ability in using these with internal stakeholders (Trócaire staff in different locations) and external stakeholders (partners, Church, donors, host government etc.)

· Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and financial systems on a significant scale, in development and humanitarian contexts

· Demonstrated ability to meet corporate governance and accountability requirements of host governments, the organisation and donors

· Highly organised, with excellent planning, prioritisation and problem-solving skills

· Excellent verbal and written communications skills

· Competent in Microsoft packages (Word, Excel)

· Competent (written and spoken) in French

· Fluency (written and spoken) in English

[1] All offers of employment with Trócaire may be subject to Garda Vetting/PSNI clearance.

All new hires are required to complete a Self-Declaration Form and sign up to our Code of Behaviour contained in our Safeguarding Children Policy. For additional information please consult the Human Resources Department in our Head Office.

Interested Applicants can apply via the Trócaire website -

http://www.trocaire.org/about/work-with-trocaire/jobs

Closing date for applications is 13th April 2016