The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is in the process of establishing a new programme in Eastern DR Congo, more specifically a protection and livelihood programme operating out of Bunia, Ituri and with a field presence in Dungu, Haut-Uele, Province Orientale.
The overall objective of the new programme in Eastern DR Congo is to promote and support durable solutions to conflict affected populations in Province Orientale on the basis of humanitarian principles and fundamental rights.
In order to meet this objective within the current political, social and economic context the programme will work towards: 1) Strengthen the support and protection of conflict affected communities, and in particular IDPs, returnees, and specific vulnerable groups 2) Secure that the targeted populations have access to basis necessity such as NFIs and shelter 3) Promote communal cohesion and social recovery of conflict affected communities 4) Support and develop livelihood capacities in conflict affected communities and 5) Facilitate and support basic community infrastructure construction and rehabilitation (education and WATSAN in particular).
DRC is looking for a person, who has the ability to work both within a scenario of acute crisis, displacement and stabilization – e.g. promote durable solutions to conflict-affected populations. As the DRC programme in DR Congo is a new programme, much focus will however initially be given towards establishing a strong operational presence and ensuring that programme activities are being efficiently and professionally designed.
OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES
Internal relations
As the programme is in its initial stage, recruitment of both international and national staff will be done over the next months. The initial start-up team will consist of 2 internationals (the Programme Manager/Country Representative and a Programme Coordinator/Project Manager) and a number of national staff.
The operation as currently foreseen – but pending further funding - is expected to constitute of 5-6 international staff and a large number of national staff.
External relations
The Programme Manager/Country Representative will be required to develop and maintain extensive contacts with local and national authorities in DR Congo – and frequent contacts with representatives of UNHCR, UNOCHA, UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, INGOs, and other donors and partners in the area/country.
Programming
- Represent DRC in the area of operation
- Oversee and conduct strategic planning and development of DRC’s DR Congo Programme
- Together with the Programme Coordinator in HQ, and other relevant staff, to identify opportunities for new projects and pursue possible donors.
- Together with relevant staff, develop and formulate project proposals, concept papers and budgets using the DRC Programme Manual.
- Responsible for ensuring that annual/project action plans are prepared for all projects in accordance with annual planning cycle.
- Responsible for supervision, monitoring and evaluation of the program, ensuring that activities/projects are designed and implemented in accordance with agreed strategies, principles, implementation plans, and donor requirements.
- Ensure collaboration between Bunia and Dungu as well as future areas of operation in DR Congo.
- Coordination with all actors involved in the designed and implementation of the programme, including local partners and authorities as well as other humanitarian actors in the area.
- Develop and maintain close and good collaboration with major donors, partners and authorities of the programme, especially UNICEF, UNHCR, WFP and UNOCHA.
- Ensure that the DRC projects are designed and implemented in accordance with DRC standard regulations and operational procedures (e.g. Code of Conduct, DRC Operational Handbook, and DRC Programme Manual). Ensure that at all times contact with beneficiaries, target groups and representatives of authorities is conducted in a sensitive and respectful manner.
Administration and Personnel Management
- Overall responsible for setting up and managing the offices in Bunia and Dungu, including the overall financial budgeting and expenditures, staff management, administrative issues, security, logistics and other aspects pertaining to running of DRC offices and adhering to DRC rules and guidelines
- Responsible for the organizational development of the DRC DR Congo operation, including staff recruitment and staff supervision
- Assess staff development needs and provide/recommend training and coaching to increase technical and managerial skills as it becomes necessary.
Monitoring and Reporting
- Accounting for the overall activities of DRC in DR Congo
- Ensure that timely narrative and financial reports are provided to the donors and to the DRC HQ on time.
- Overall responsible for outgoing public reports and other reports prepared by DRC in close coordination with HQ Programme Coordinator.
- Plan and oversee regular reviews of DRC DR Congo performance.
Security
- Ensure appropriate information regarding security in the area.
- Responsible for security planning, including development and regular updating of security and evacuation plans and measures, and implementation of security and contingency plan.
- Ensure that security incidents are reported to DRC HQ.
PERSONAL COMPETENCIES
- You have a high level of service-mindedness towards donors, beneficiaries, authorities, partners, staff and DRC HQ
- You have perseverance, integrity and the courage of your own convictions. You know yourself well, and trust in your ability to make the right decisions. However, this is balanced by inter-personal skills that include maturity, open-mindedness and readiness to respect and incorporate the views of your colleagues in your decision-making.
- You are operational, but at the same time programmatically analytical.
- You have a dialogue-oriented approach towards staff and partners.
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES
- Proven senior management experience from positions in INGOs or UN, including being the manager of expatriates as well as locals
- Solid knowledge of the UN system and working experience with its major agencies
- Strong implementation skills
- Experience with and proven ability to be operational in a flat organisational hierarchy
- A record of being structured and stringent with all reporting requirements
- Proven experience as being a good fundraiser and net-worker
- The ability to resource and manage the finance / admin adequately
- Fluency in French, written and oral
- Fluency in English, oral. High command of written English.
CONDITIONS
Duty station: Bunia, Eastern DR Congo with frequent travels to Dungu (field office), Goma and Kinshasa
Contract: Non-family duty station. The contract period will be for an initial period of 6 months, at which time DRC will take stock of its progress in DR Congo. An extension is possible, but will depend on an evaluation, a performance review and available funding.
Salary and conditions are in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council “Terms for Employment for Expatriates” (available at www.drc.dk under Vacancies). The position will be placed at salary level A3.
Commencement: September 2009.
DRC
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty five countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.
The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRC’s work.
