Country Director At International NGO Safety Organisation

Organisation Background

Founded in 2011, the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) is an international NGO that supports humanitarian aid workers by establishing safety coordination platforms in insecure contexts. INSO provides registered NGOs with a range of free services, including real-time incident tracking, analytical reports, safety-related data and mapping, crisis management support, staff orientations and training.

INSO services help NGOs with their day-to-day risk management responsibilities and improve their overall situational awareness to support evidence-based humanitarian access decisions.

INSO provides daily support to more than 1200 NGOs operating in 21 of the world’s most insecure countries and has earned a strong reputation for its performance, principles and professionalism.

INSO is registered in the Netherlands with its headquarters based in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice.

INSO Democratic Republic of Congo

INSO DRC provides services in four Eastern DRC provinces (North Kivu, South Kivu, Tanganyika and Ituri) and Mai Ndombe to more than 180 humanitarian organisations with the aim to enhance the delivery of aid and preserve the safety of humanitarian staff. INSO operates from regional offices in Goma, Bukavu, Kalemie and Bunia.

INSO is now looking for an experienced humanitarian professional to serve as our Country Director in Democratic Republic of Congo. The position is based in Goma with periodic travel to field offices and partner locations. The position reports to the Regional Director for East Africa and liaises frequently with other HQ staff (Finance Controller, Senior Information Manager, Global Training Manager, etc.).

Job Summary

As the Country Director, you lead the overall country program strategy and provide coordination and representation among the NGO partners as well as supervise and manage staff. The role requires advanced understanding of humanitarian operations as well as strong analytical skills. You will come from a humanitarian background, possess solid management skills and will be a natural and confident communicator, consensus-builder and networker. You will combine keen intellect and analytical skills with pragmatism, patience and a good sense of humour and will enjoy the challenge of translating strategic concepts into workable practices in difficult environments. You should be fluent in French and English and comfortable in writing analytical reports in both languages.

The DRC program is well established. The main challenge will be the continuity and quality of services while ensuring long-term development of the project in DRC. This position is an exciting and rewarding role with a high level of external representation and direct involvement in analytical and coordination services on humanitarian safety and access.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Management

• Represent INSO to all stakeholders.
• Lead program management; including annual funding strategy, budget management, grant management and contractual compliance.

Service Delivery

• Provide quality control and direct contributions to the delivery of INSO services.
• Lead crisis management support to individual NGO partners or the NGO community at large during critical incidents.

External Representation

• Effectively represent and protect INSO’s principles and actively promote INSO as an integral member of the humanitarian community.
• Represent INSO towards senior humanitarian leadership utilising INSO’s expert understanding of the context.
• Promote more informed and effective decision making on issues affecting humanitarian access and safety.
• Engage with third parties, including local government, the UN, diplomatic missions and military forces.

Mandatory Requirements

• Previous experience as NGO Country Director or equivalent management experience in conflict/post-conflict contexts (at least 3-5 years).
• Experience with management of multi-donor projects. Knowledge of donor policies and procedures (DG ECHO, SDC, USAID-BHA, BHA, GMFA). This includes PCM, budget management and monitoring, donor liaison and reporting.
• Proven analytical skills; extensive writing and editing skills.
• French and English fluency (written and spoken). Ability to provide analytical reports and briefings in both languages.
• Ability to handle competing deadlines and balance daily management priorities.
• Master’s Degree-level of education or equivalent work experience in a relevant field
• Solid understanding of principles and practices in broad humanitarian action, NGO safety and risk management, humanitarian access, and civil-military coordination.
• Excellent networking, diplomatic, and representative communication skills.

Preferred Characteristics

• Experience working in DR Congo and demonstrable understanding of the humanitarian context.
• Direct experience and involvement in crisis management.
• Experience in staff capacity development and training.
• Experience in a high-profile inter-agency role.
• Detailed understanding of INSO mandate & services.
• Previous INSO experience (as a team member, a member of INSO’s country advisory board or as a beneficiary)

Key Personal Competencies

• A good listener
• An effective communicator and creative thinker
• Excellent analyst
• Team player
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• A people manager
• Flexibility to cover crisis situation during and outside working hours

INSO’s Safeguarding Policy

INSO is fully committed to safe recruitment, selection and vetting of all potential new staff, trustees and volunteers and we will ensure rigorous compliance with our Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policy throughout the recruitment process.

Terms & Conditions

12-month contract, €6,500 per month salary, 4 calendar days annual leave per month and 7 days of R&R every 2 months with a €1,250 allowance per R&R cycle, private accommodation, global medical coverage (excluding USA) and USD $200,000 AD&D coverage.