Chief of Party – DRC At Concern Worldwide

Job Title: Chief of Party – Sanitation Activity, DRC

Job Location: Eastern DRC, TBD

Job Type: Regular, Full Time

Reports to: Country Director. You will report to the Country Director and will line manage the Deputy Chief of Party and other program staff. You will also work closely with the Programmes Director, Country Finance Controller, Systems Director, Desk and Advisors.

About the role: This is a 60-month, new role with unaccompanied terms based in Eastern DRC (Goma) with a salary of Grade 6 €52,994 – €58,881.

*This position is contingent on upon successful agreement award and USAID approval. We would like you to start in September 2021 (dependent on funding approval).

Concern Worldwide has operated in the DRC in 1994, successfully implementing programs in emergency response, livelihoods, protection, and health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) throughout the country. Concern DRC has eight offices with over 300 staff throughout the country. The head office is in Kinshasa with coordination offices in Goma (North Kivu), and Kalemie (Tanganyika). At the program implementation level, there are offices in Manono, Nyunzu, Kiambi, and Kabalo (Tanganyika) and Kitchanga (North Kivu).

Your purpose:

Concern Worldwide seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated project “Rural and Peri Urban Sanitation (RAPS)” in Eastern DRC. The project aims to improve basic sanitation by establishing a dynamic market system for sanitation in Eastern DRC, simultaneously building supply and demand for sanitation through engaged and strengthened private and public sectors and creating an enabling environment for sanitation marketing in rural and peri-urban areas.

The activity will focus on three high level objectives: 1) increased private sector-led supply of quality sanitation and hygiene services and products, 2) increased household demand for accessible, affordable, and desirable services and products, and 3) strengthening an enabling environment for market-driven sanitation. The project will be further designed in collaboration with the donor, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The program will emphasize conflict-sensitivity and the participation and inclusion of women, youth, and other marginalized groups.

The COP will be responsible for the overall vision and leadership of the program, and is accountable for the successful management of the program and delivering results. The COP will adhere to Concern’s program quality standards and ensure compliance with Concern and donor requirements. They will maintain positive and productive relationships with the donor and local and international partner organizations throughout the co-creation process and project lifecycle. The successful candidate should possess substantial experience managing complex, multi-year USAID or other international donor-funded programs.

The Chief of Party will be responsible to:

• Provide overall management, strategic direction, and technical leadership to the project to achieve expected project results within budget and time-frame
• Serve as principal liaison to USAID and the Government of the DRC, ensuring high levels of coordination and maintaining productive working relations, while engaging and nurturing relationships with all key stakeholders (partner organizations, local government, civil society, etc.) on administrative, financial, and programmatic matters related to the project.
• Liaise with USAID partners and other donors, as well as implementing partners and stakeholders, to ensure coordination of and harmonization with other relevant WASH, governance, economic growth, and health activities in DRC.
• Represent the USAID project in all technical, policy, and programmatic fora at all levels (regional, national, and international)
• Lead project teams (e.g. technical, program, finance, and operational staff) to ensure program tasks, deliverables, and responsibilities are met.
• Provide leadership and oversee staff management including hiring, supervising, and mentoring project staff to achieve project goals and develop national partner leadership capacity.
• Oversee project deliverables and fulfil all donor and Concern Worldwide reporting requirements, including the production of timely and accurate financial and programmatic reports.
• Direct preparation of annual work plans, project activity updates, and other project-related communication and reporting materials
• Using an adaptive management approach, track performance monitoring analysis and apply course correction
• Ensure compliance with USAID rules and regulations as well as Concern policies and practices.
• Ensure regular communication and nurture collaborative relationships with all project partners and Concern head offices

Your skills and experience will include:

Basic Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree (equivalent) or higher in public heath, international development, or another relevant field.
• A minimum of 7 years’ work experience in a program management position; preferably 10 years or more, with progressive responsibilities in a field related to the successful implementation of the program, such as WASH technical expertise, local governance, sanitation marketing, and/or private sector capacity building for improvement of water and sanitation service delivery.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience managing donor funds, preferably for USAID awards. Strong knowledge and experience in budget management.
• A minimum of 5 years’ staff management experience leading multi-disciplinary teams in an environment conducive to learning and development. Experience coaching senior program staff.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities, including technical, management, and evaluation expertise for complex programs in resource-constrained countries.
• Strong communication skills, including both written and oral presentation skills; proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse public and private partners.
• Experience collaborating and coordinating with local and national host government agencies and international agencies, and aligning program activities and results with strategies.
• Deep knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of DRC required, and experience working in conflict-affected or insecure areas, with DRC experience preferred.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and French.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience as a Chief of Party or comparable senior leadership position on similar, international, donor-funded programs in complex countries, preferably with USAID funding.
• Familiarity with USAID’s approaches to WASH, the state of the WASH sector in DRC, and small/medium enterprise development and/or social marketing approaches in support of such development.
• Knowledge of Core Humanitarian Standards, Sphere and HAP Standards and other international humanitarian guidelines and protocols

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 30%. The position will be located in Goma or other city depending on final geographic coverage of the program.