Democratic Republic of Congo: Project Manager, Rooted in Trust At Internews Network

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The Rooted in Trust project works to combat COVID-19 rumors and misinformation in 10 countries: Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iraq, Colombia, Brazil, Mali, DRC, Zimbabwe, Sudan and South Sudan. We work to create impact at the local level and inform approaches to rumor management at the global level. The project is supported by a Global Technical Advisory team made up of media, humanitarian, data science and information management experts. In Phase 1 of the project, we collected more than 19 thousand rumors in 14 languages and supported more than 30 local trusted information providers. In this critical phase of the pandemic, we will build on these efforts to listen and respond to information challenges face by vulnerable groups in humanitarian contexts, encouraging open dialogue between citizens and scientists and stronger and more collaborative partnerships between information providers (such as local media) and humanitarian and health sources.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Project Manager – Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will lead a team of data analysts, community engagement experts, journalism mentors and researchers in DRC to implement rumor management activities. Providing strategic oversight to the country team, the Project Manager will support staff to ensure activities are delivered on time and according to budget requirements, liaise and promote the project with senior stakeholders, and actively look for opportunities to expand and improve activities. This position will be closely supported by the Global Technical Advisory team and will liaise closely with Project Managers in other project countries to share resources and experience.

LOGISTICS

Internews has a field office in Goma, DRC. Our ideal candidate is based in Goma, DRC. Remote candidates based elsewhere will also be considered. You must have work authorization in your location that does not require sponsorship from Internews.

Wherever possible, we work to try to find solutions for international hiring that work for both the company and the candidate. This means that some of the particulars around the offer for a role will be dependent on several factors, and that the benefits and salary structure that apply to a position will ultimately be based on the candidate’s location and where the role is hired.

OUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING A CULTURE OF BELONGING

We are an organization of dynamic, mission-driven individuals who are passionate about our core values and about supporting positive change in the world. We pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation and flexibility. We believe that diverse teams are strong teams and work to support an ethic of belonging, dignity and justice for all people. Our current team includes a mix of genders, parents and non-parents, and people of multiple races, nationalities, ages, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are an EEO employer and encourage candidates of all races, genders, ages, orientations, ethnicities and national origins to apply, and welcome those with alternative backgrounds and experiences.

DAY-TO-DAY TASKS will include:

• Provide overall strategic leadership to the country team, including hiring and onboarding team members and ensuring they receive ongoing training, mentoring and support;
• Work closely with the Project Director and Regional Manager to formulate and implement project strategy. Be prepared to pivot operations to respond to emergencies at short notice;
• Actively manage the budget for field operations including the provision of regular budgets projections for field costs;
• Provide regular reporting to Internews, funders, and other stakeholders as required;
• Maintain and develop excellent working relationships and strategic engagement with a wide range of senior figures within the humanitarian relief community, local government, local media, civil society, donor community, and other stakeholders as required;
• Lead on all fundraising efforts on the ground, including liaising directly with donors, in coordination with Internews Headquarters;
• Ensure that field operations comply with all financial, bureaucratic requirements, donor regulations that pertain to staff or consultants who are deployed;
• Other duties as assigned; and
• In all duties, an understanding of and demonstrated commitment to upholding Internews’ Core Values. QUALIFICATIONS WE’RE LOOKING FOR
• Experience managing diverse teams and a talent for creating a welcoming and productive work environment
• Proven knowledge of Eastern DRC humanitarian, social and media context
• Strong interpersonal communication, organizational, teamwork, facilitation and presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, and the ability to liaise authoritatively with figures from the humanitarian community, local media, local government and other relevant actors when required;
• Demonstrated experience in partner and relationship management
• Experience managing budgets, including producing forecasts and reports
• Extensive experience working in relief operations in challenging environments, preferably with a deep understanding of local media and/or community engagement activities
• Experience in field security planning and procedures in hostile environments/conflict zones
• Excellent knowledge of the mandates and modalities of the international humanitarian sector, including the UN cluster system. Experience working in health emergencies a plus
• Interest in, and familiarity with, new media and new digital applications for citizen journalism and information access
• Must be self-reliant, resourceful, a good problem-solver, and flexible
• Strong writing skills and proven ability to produce high-quality work under tight deadlines; and
• Fluency in written and spoken French; professional proficiency in English and additional national and regional languages a strong asset

Note: This position is posted in a High Physical Risk location. Conditions in the field may include, but are not limited to, the following: compound living quarters; limited mobility outside of designated areas; limited in-country medical care or pharmacy; limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables; limited access to high speed internet; dress code requirements; unaccompanied posting; and required advanced safety and security training. If selected for an interview for this position, ensure you discuss specifics of living and working in this unique operating environment and consider them at length during the recruitment process.