Country Director At European Management Solutions

DRS is looking, on behalf of our client, an international NGO, for a skilled Country Director for the Country office in Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa. The Country Director will report directly to the COO of NGO and maintains functional lines with the CFO and CEO. The Country Director is the line manager for all senior management staff of the DRC office.

Job Title: Country Director

Start day: ASAP

Type of contract: The contract period is for 12 months starting as soon as possible, with the intention to extend for a longer period. We offer a contract with a competitive salary and a benefit package which includes R&R, a comprehensive insurance cover, social security and pension contribution, a holiday allowance, 13th month and hardship allowance.

Position & responsibility

General objective and responsibility of the job

• Is responsible for realization of Country Office targets;
• End responsible for the management of all NGO Country offices in DRC
• The management of NGO programme in DRC;
• Networking, representation and acquisition.

Specific objectives

Country Plan:

• Monitors the progress and interdependencies of different projects, taking into account the developments in the country/regions, and proposes improvements in the chosen strategy.
• Cooperation benefits:
• Creates partnerships between governmental institutions, donors, partner organisations and (inter)national non-governmental organisations, taking into account the agreed programme results.

Funds:

• Interacts with (potential) local/institutional donors, convincingly augmenting the added value of NGO as to acquire funds and ensure the future funding for the programme(s) in the designated country/region.
• Business/Action plan:
• Translates the agreed Country Plan into a Work Plan for the Country Office, with specific results in designated project areas while securing the connection with the our client’s

Programme Management:

• Keeps track of developments within the projects, manages the activities within the team and makes the necessary adjustments, taking into account the business/action plan, governmental policies, donor policies and the allocation of resources and preventing mission creep.
• Risk Management:
• Assesses security, political, administrative and financial risks in projects and realises the security of the NGO team, consultants and visitors, according to the NGO Safety First Manual.

Financial Management:

• Ensures effective and efficient management of financial resources within the Country Office in such a way that costs stay within set personnel and organisation budgets. Directs employees on set income targets and takes corrective actions if revenues lag behind in the planning.
• Personnel Management:
• Leads personnel in accordance with the management style and social policy of our client, focused on productivity, employee development and satisfaction. Ensures efficient use of resources and controls quality of work.

Qualifications

• Academic degree in international law, agriculture, health, economy, business/public administration, social sciences or other subject related to international cooperation.
• Excellent management skills including human resource and financial management, communication and intercultural cooperation skills.
• At least 5 years (recent) experience in a similar position (Country Director, Country Representative, Chief of Party) for an INGO
• At least 5 years experience with managing and monitoring development and/or humanitarian programmes, preferably also with EC, WB or Global Fund funded programs.
• Experience in reporting requirements of institutional donors and working with local NGOs.
• Experience in security management and implementing security policies in insecure areas.
• A human-centred approach to management and ability to promote and structure teamwork.
• A networker.
• Good oral and written communication skills in French language and proficient in English.
• Diplomatic and goal driven.
• Analytical and problem-solving mind.
• Flexible and capable of working in a stressful and fragile context.