Country Director

Job Description

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a prominent international organization working in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression.

With headquarters in Kinshasa and field offices in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Tanganyika, the IRC is one of the largest humanitarian actors in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The IRC aims to save lives, to strengthen Congolese institutions and to reinforce social cohesion through carefully designed and professionally-implemented programs. The IRC has been working in the DRC since 1996 and currently operates in five core programming areas – primary health care, community-driven reconstruction and local governance, women’s empowerment and the prevention and mitigation of gender-based violence, education, and emergency preparedness and response. These programs reflect IRC’s guiding principles of capacity-building; participation; partnership; protection and promotion of human rights; and holistic programming

Scope of Work

Reporting to the Regional Vice President, the Country Director will provide the strategic vision and leadership for the country program. The Country Director 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. The Country Director will work closely with, and receive support from regional and headquarters program technical units; measurement unit; safety and security unit; 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 lead country program staff in developing and implementing the Strategic Action Plan and in pursuing the outcomes and objectives identified in IRC’s global strategy.

The Country Director directly supervises six positions in a country program of approximately 200 staff.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Management

• Working closely with the Regional Vice President, and the regional team, implement and adapt as necessary the Strategy Action Plan for IRC DRC.

• 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 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 constantly evolving environment.

Program Quality & Development

• Working closely with the Deputy Program Director (DDP) and Regional Program Support 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 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 partners and relevant policy and coordinating bodies.

Fundraising and Budget Management

• Working closely with the SMT, regional, country and HQ Finance teams ensure submission of appropriate, timely high quality proposals and lead required donor negotiations.

• Supervise and identify appropriate sources for match fund requirements and coverage of funding gaps.

• Working closely with the Deputy Director of Finance, 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 Deputy Director of Finance, maintain effective and coordinated budget monitoring processes for grant funds and discretionary funds.

Security & Operations Management

• Working closely with the Deputy Director of Operation and in coordination with the Regional Safety and Security Advisor 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.

• Ensure safety of staff through the implementation of IRC’s Pandemic Management Plan.

• Working with country senior management team ensure the development, implementation and monitoring of financial and operational policy and procedures to ensure alignment with IRC and donor policies across the program.

Human Resource Management, Staff Development & Retention

• Working closely with the 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.

• Provide leadership support for the successful implementation of and adherence to the Organization Global and National HR Operating Policies and Procedures.

• Model the “IRC Way” – Global Standards for Professional Conduct, through demonstrable realization of values: Integrity; Accountability; Service and Equality

• Champion the IRC’s approach to Gender Equality, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion and Safeguarding, ensuring that all staff and clients are protected and respected.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in relevant field or equivalent experience;

• A strategic and people focused leader with the ability to adapt to evolving contexts and prioritize;

• At least ten (10) years of international work experience at senior leadership levels, covering both humanitarian and development programming;

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

• Proven success in leading projects;

• Extensive budget and fiscal oversight experience;

• Ability to work and live in sophisticated environment.

• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

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

• Fluency in English and French.

Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

• Demonstrated successful leadership and people management experience with a multi-disciplinary, teams with multifaceted strengths in cross-cultural settings, including active mentoring and coaching and active championing of inclusion at all levels.

• Strong leadership abilities and interpersonal skills, ability to deploy strong communications optimally, both internally and externally; enjoy developing networks to build partnerships and diversify program resources.

• Ability to represent program context, constraints, and successes to media, government, and other senior audiences.

About you

You are a passionate and inspiring leader who will lead IRC in DRC to be a partner of choice, contributing to lasting improvements in the well-being of people affected by crises, particularly children, youth, and women.

You believe in local leadership and local ownership and are committed to supporting local communities and partners to develop their solutions to development and humanitarian challenges.

You are a feminist leader who believes in and fights for GEDI (Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) and decolonising aid.

You are able work in and adapt to a highly volatile environment to high-quality programmes while ensuring duty of care and safeguarding to IRC staff, clients, partners and associates.

You think outside the box and always challenge the status quo by constantly asking, "why not".

Working Environment

Ability to work and live in a complex environment. This post is unaccompanied and includes vacation leave, home leave, R&R, Health coverage, pension, housing, water, electricity, internet connectivity, and other generous benefits.

Diversity, Inclusion and Gender Equality: IRC acknowledges and honors the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status or disability any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

IRC particularly welcomes applications from Congolese nationals, diaspora, or those with lived experience from the region. IRC is also committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

CVs to be submitted in English.

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Qualifications