Head of Mission Humanitarian Aid, DRC, 100% At HEKS/EPER

HEKS/EPER, Swiss Church Aid, supports projects designed to combat hunger, poverty and injustice in over 30 countries on four continents. HEKS/EPER also provides worldwide humanitarian assistance for victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts and supports the Church’s diaconal work in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. In Switzerland, HEKS/EPER champions the rights and causes of refugees and socially disadvantaged people. Through its development and social policy work in the fields of climate justice, access to land and food, migration, and integration, HEKS/EPER strives for systemic change – globally and in Switzerland.

In the DRC, where it has long been active through development programmes, HEKS/EPER has opened a humanitarian aid mission since February 2019. It focuses its interventions in the hard-to-reach areas of several territories in North Kivu (Rutshuru, Masisi, Walikale and Lubero) and South Kivu, where the lack of humanitarian assistance is creating great insecurity. HEKS/EPER implements activities in Rapid Response (notably through the distribution of unconditional cash), Humanitarian Watch (monitoring of population movements), Water/Hygiene/Sanitation, Rehabilitation/Opening of humanitarian access via Cash for Work, and Agricultural Recovery.

To lead its programme, HEKS/EPER is looking for a strong candidate (F/M) to fulfil the position of:

Head of Mission Humanitarian Aid, DRC, 100%

Your main responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of a relevant, substantial, and strategic Humanitarian Aid programme in DRC in line with HEKS/EPER strategy and in close coordination with the DRC Development Cooperation Office.
• Lead and supervise the Humanitarian Aid Office team. Ensure compliance to national laws and obligations, and HEKS/EPER guidelines. Foster an environment that motivates innovation and creativity.
• Ensure an excellent understanding and analysis of the national political, social, and human context considering internal and regional dynamics; be responsible for the overall security and safety management of HEKS/EPER’s staff, operations, and assets of the DRC Humanitarian Aid Office, through the regular revision of the country security plan and management.
• Ensure that the Humanitarian Aid Office attains a well-balanced project portfolio in-line with the Country Strategy and HEKS/EPER HIP, including the selection of strategic and operational partners; ensure the development of high-quality project proposals and reports from HEKS/EPER projects and partners.
• Represent HEKS/EPER towards the Humanitarian Aid actors in DRC, develop an extensive network and strong relationships with key national and local authorities and other humanitarian actors, including donors, UN agencies and INGOs representatives (including ACT Alliance partners); ensure the visibility of HEKS/EPER DRC Humanitarian Aid programme via different communication channels according to HEKS/EPER standards and guidelines.
• Assume final responsibility for the Humanitarian Aid office’s finances and projects according to HEKS/EPER’s field financial and administration guidelines; ensure a strong and constructive collaboration with HEKS/EPER’s head office in Switzerland.
• Ensure the growth of the HEKS/EPER Humanitarian Aid projects in the country through a well thought acquisition strategy based on the donor landscape; ensure development of proposals for bilateral and multilateral donors as well as foundations, taking into account HEKS/EPER’s quality standards and procedures; ensure high quality grant management and reporting, in compliance with donors’ requirements.

To be successful you bring:

• Relevant university degree at Master’s level, with at least 7 years’ work experience in a senior management position in an international NGO. Work experience in DRC and profound knowledge of the regional context are considered as an asset.
• Extensive experience in program development and in managing multi-sector programs through partners and by self-implementation; in-depth knowledge of the key issues and trends in humanitarian as in development aid; strong commitment to a Human right based approach and HEKS/EPER’s values.
• Track record of successful acquisition and grant management including working with major institutional donors.
• Highly motivated, initiative, flexible, resilient, solution oriented, and sensitive to cultural values, you bring excellent analytical, conceptual and writing skills, as well as strong management and leadership skills.
• Available for extended local, national and international travels.
• Excellent oral and written French is mandatory.

What you can expect from us:

• An interesting and challenging position in a dynamic international context.
• A competitive salary package.
• Duty station: Goma, DRC.
• An one-year contract renewable.
• Starting date: as soon as possible, or upon agreement.