Head of Programme, DR Congo Goma At Norwegian Refugee Council

Background/Context

The Head of Programme role is a Country Management Group position that oversees strategy, programme design and resource mobilisation, technical support to programme implementation, and NRC’s support to humanitarian coordination. Additionally, the Head of Programmes oversees the Grants Management function, in close coordination and collaboration with the Head of Implementation. The role is key to ensuring NRC’s programmes are safe for all concerned, of high quality, and are well resourced.

The DRC Country office will work in at least four provinces in the east of DRC: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, and Tanganyika. Programming includes rapid response assistance – usually cash; shelter; WASH; livelihoods and food security; education; information, counselling and legal assistance (ICLA); and humanitarian mediation and protection. NRC’s portfolio for 2021 will total USD 29 million. NRC also co-leads the Protection Cluster with UNHCR, provides technical and coordination support to the shelter cluster, and leads the Housing, Land and Property sub-cluster.

1. Role and responsibilities

The following is a brief description of the role

• Collaborates closely with the Head of Implementation (HoI) on all phases of the project cycle, leading on strategy, programme design, and proposal development, and supporting the HOI and Area Managers on quality during implementation, learning, and evaluation.
• Leads the CC / programmatic input to the country strategy and contingency planning, and facilitates the development of CC strategies for a coherent, impactful country programme
• Maintains a watching brief on important contextual and humanitarian issues in DRC; responsible to ensure the assessment of needs and strategic response to the same.
• Drives resource mobilisation to ensure program ambitions are well resourced
• Primary relationship holder for donor relations throughout project cycle; works closely with HoI on donor relations during implementation
• Oversees programme design and proposal development, and ensures NRCs values are manifest in our programming; ensures that principles of inclusion, do no harm, safeguarding, protection and conflict sensitivity are mainstreamed in all our work.
• Ensures appropriate input from technical, operational and financial staff on proposal design, to ensure impactful programming
• May directly lead the development of complex / high value bids, in consortium with others
• Ensures the adequate provision of technical expertise to support programme design, proposal development and implementation;
• Collaborates with HoI to drive quality assurance on all programmes, and capture learning for use in future programmes
• Oversees cluster coordination staff, with support from the CD, ensuring no conflict of interest, and enabling NRC to have a positive impact across the sectors where it is active in coordination fora
• Supports all phases of Grants Management through the oversight of Grants team
• Supports timely project launches which enable the implementing team by working closely with the HoI and his/her team in the lead up and following project signature
• Deputizes for CD on occasion

Critical interfaces

By interfaces, NRC means processes and projects that are interlinked with other departments/units or persons. Relevant interfaces for this position are:

• Proposal development: Grants Manager, Head of Implementation, Area Managers, Finance Manager / Head of Support, HSS Manager, Regional Programme Adviser, Donor account managers in head office
• Programme development: Core Competencies sections in head offices, Head of Implementation, Regional Programme Adviser
• Programme Quality: Head of Implementation, MEL Manager, Accountability Coordinator, PSEA Specialist
• Portfolio and Budget Planning: Head of Implementation, Head of Support, Finance Manager, Area Managers
• Grant management: Head of Implementation, Area Managers, Head of Support, Grant Manager, Regional programme support, Regional Programme Adviser
• Protection and advocacy: Protection Cluster Coordinator, Area Managers, CD

2. Competencies

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior management position in a humanitarian / recovery context
• Expertise in NRC’s core competencies a major advantage
• Documented results in programme design and fundraising, including with NRC’s key donors
• Documented results representing at a senior level and advocating for organisational priorities
• Fluency in English & French, both written and verbal
• Knowledge of the context in eastern DR Congo and the region will be an added advantage

Find link more details in the jobdescription

What We Offer

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to join our work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility: At NRC we think outside the box. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative

• 24 months fixed term contract
• Management Grade 11 in NRC’s grade structure
• An opportunity to match your career to a compelling cause
• A chance to meet and work with people who are the best in their fields

Internal candidates are encouraged to apply but we are also open to external applicants who can show a commitment to NRC and being part of a challenging, but important mission to make a difference.

To apply as an internal candidate, click on the suitcase icon “I am an employee” on the top right of the page to be redirected to NRC’s internal career site

**Apply by completing all the system required fields of your experience in your application