Assistant Country Director Programmes - DRC

Contract Grade: C

Contract Length: 24 months

Date Needed By: ASAP

New Post or Replacement: Replacement

Accompanied / Unaccompanied: Accompanied

Exact Job Location: Kinshasa

Reports To: Country Director

Responsible For: Area Manager, Katanga, and Area Manager Kivu

Liaises With: Assistant Country Director – Systems, Country Financial Controller, WASH Consortium Director

Job Purpose:

As a member of Concern Senior Management Team in DRC, the ACD-Programmes will:

• Lead quality and control in programmes through improving programming methodologies, techniques and through mentoring of managers on programme tools and approaches and methodologies.
• Lead the implementation of the Concern Programme Cycle Management and Evaluation tools in Concern DRC’s programme activities.
• Build a network of key technical and peer agencies which allows for shared learning, identifying potential consortium actions, programme development and the establishment of effective advocacy platforms.
• Support fundraising through leading with the development of high quality proposals
• As a key member of the Concern DRC Senior Management team, actively participate in the management and development of all aspects of the Concern DRC’s operations.
• Ensure in-country learning and information sharing across the DRC areas of operation by creating and maintaining good communication linkages between and within programmes and areas.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Programme Design, Implementation and Development

• Ensure that Concern develops and maintains its capacity to respond to emergencies
• Identify areas of research required to inform programming and promote innovation, influence and impact.
• Ensure that programming meets high standards in design, monitoring and evaluation through Concern Worldwide’s PCMS System in line with accountability commitments.
• Ensure that opportunities for working through partners are fully explored and work with programme and finance teams to ensure CLOFAT and CLOSAT are carried out, ensure capacity building plans for partners are developed and implemented where necessary and partners are integrated into PCMS.
• Improve Concern DRC capacity at capturing programme impacts through improved base line and M&E information, approaches and analysis.
• Support the programme managers in programme design, providing technical guidance at all stages of the PCMS; from assessment, PCN development and proposal development support.
• In conjunction with the Country Director and other programme staff, ensure proper documentation and record keeping related to all programme areas
• Ensure that cross cutting issues – HIV&AIDS, equality, DRR and Protection - are mainstreamed into all programme activities;
• Ensure that the HAP Standard is rolled out across DRC– ensuring compliance to the standards by supporting and advising managers and staff in their application. Ensure the roll out of the accountability implementation plan and updating the accountability framework where necessary.
• In conjunction with the field based staff, ensure continued effective roll out and implementation of the new Complaints Handling Mechanism across all Concern DRC locations
• Work with the Country Director and the Desk Officer to develop and maintain a funding strategy to ensure future funding streams are known and developed to the greatest extent possible.

Staff Development and Organisational Learning

• Ensure that all programme staff have regularly set and reviewed personal performance objectives that are relevant to programme direction and needs
• Proactively seek, receive, synthesise and disseminate programme relevant material to all programme managers, advisors and senior systems staff.
• Support and mentor programme staff in management and or technical (programme) subjects
• Build clear processes in each programme to ensure organisational learning is prioritised and systematically used in PCM, external exchange and advocacy.
• Ensure that Concern’s Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4) and Code of Conduct are fully integrated and implemented in all aspects of work.
• Abide by the principles established in the P4 and Code of Conduct, including adherence to the duty to report.

Country Strategy and Networking

• With the CD, lead the finalisation and application of the Country Strategic Plan
• Develop national level networks relevant to increasing Concern’s learning and profile which increases potential for funding opportunities; such as new funding sources or approaches to funding such as consortium work and joint advocacy efforts.
• Together with the CD, ensure active and visible participation in national level coordination including relevant clusters, donor/implementing partner groups and the Humanitarian Action Group (HAG)
• Work with Country Director to develop international communication pieces to promote learning and influence.
• Participate in DRC WASH Consortium networking events and workshops where required.

Donor Compliance and Reporting

• Ensure effective donor compliance through training on donor guidelines, effectively managing the donor reporting schedule and monitoring the quality of donor narrative and financial reporting.
• Guide teams in preparing Concern’s Annual Programme Reports, and consolidate inputs into the country level report.

Finance and Budgeting

• Review programme budgets and ensure they are realistic, in line with donor regulations and match donor project budgets.
• Review management accounts and provide feedback to budget holders.
• Assist the Country Financial Controller in the preparation of donor allocation and donor reports.
• Assist the Country Financial Controller in the preparation of the Financial Reporting Pack.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL

Education, Qualifications & Experience Required:

• Third level qualification in Development Studies,      Education, Nutrition, Public Health or other related discipline.
• At least three years overseas experience in similar      or related senior management positions
• Experience of programme development, management and      participatory planning methodologies.
• Fluent English – written and spoken.
• Written and spoken French
• Experience of staff development
• Knowledge and experience of Disaster Risk Reduction      Strategies and emergency preparedness
• Knowledge of mainstreaming HIV&AIDS and      Equality (Especially Gender)
• Strong training and mentoring skills
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and      written
• Ability to work with culturally diverse groups of      people.
• Ability to organize and plan effectively.
• Experience of networking and representation at      coordination fora
• Excellent organisational and planning skills.
• Ability to work under pressure often to strict      deadlines.
• Experience of working in insecure zones
• Empathy with organisational goals.

DESIRABLE

Education, Qualifications & Experience Required:

• Work experience in Africa, particularly in DRC
• Experience working in health (WASH), livelihoods      and emergency sectors

Special Skills, Aptitude or Personality Requirements:

• International driving license
• Skills in survey design and statistical analysis

Any Other Special Requirements:

All applications should be submitted through our website at https://jobs.concern.net by closing date.

CV’s should be no more than 4 pages in length.

All candidates who are short-listed for a first round interview will be notified via email after the application deadline

Concern Worldwide is an Irish-based non-governmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.