Program Coordinator, DRC At HEKS/EPER

HEKS’s work is driven by the vision of a just world, in which peace reigns and the dignity of all human beings and natural livelihoods are respected. The organization pursues this objective within the reference framework of the 2030 Agenda through four priority themes: “climate justice”, “right to land and food”, “asylum and migration”, “inclusion”. HEKS also provides humanitarian aid to victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. It aims for a transition at the social, economic and political levels. The HEKS contributes to improving the living conditions of people in Switzerland and abroad and asserts their rights. To this end, it raises awareness and mobilizes society, the political and economic spheres as well as the Churches.

In the DRC, where it has been active for a long time through development programs, EPER also opened a humanitarian aid mission in February 2019. It has since concentrated its humanitarian interventions in difficult-to-access areas of several northern territories. Kivu (Rutshuru, Masisi, Walikale and Lubero) and South Kivu, where it is permanently present and directly carries out, with its own teams, Rapid Response activities (in particular through the distribution of unconditional cash), Humanitarian Monitoring (monitoring of population movements), Water/Hygiene/Sanitation, Rehabilitation/Opening of humanitarian access via Cash for Work, and Agricultural Recovery. The humanitarian aid mission’s projects are currently funded (directly or via a consortium with MEDAIR or Dan Church Aid) by ECHO, BHA, SDC, OCHA and from own funds.

The Program Coordinator actively contributes to supporting the Head of Humanitarian Delegation in the management and monitoring of so-called “humanitarian” projects (or in crisis context) in the DRC, to ensuring the quality and accountability of interventions, to analyzing the evolution of the context , to prepare exploratory missions and to participate, where appropriate, in the representation of HEKS/EPER in humanitarian bodies. It contributes to the process of capitalizing and improving HEKS/EPER methods and techniques for humanitarian interventions.

For our project in the DRC, we are looking for a:

Program Coordinator, DRC

Your main responsibilities:

Program implementation and development

• In collaboration with the Head of Mission, ensure coordination and effective implementation of mission programs, monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance and accountability
• Every month, participate in the consolidation of the BFU (expenditure forecast) with finance, field coordinators and project managers
• Support project teams in the development, implementation and monitoring of relevant strategies, community mobilization and capacity building
• As part of the country coordination team, actively participate in the development of the strategy and objectives of the HEKS/EPER program in the DRC
• Support the evaluation of partnership opportunities (institutional partners, local NGOs, etc.), ensuring they can meet HEKS/EPER strategic and compliance requirements

Subsidies monitoring

• Supervise the implementation of evaluations and participate and/or consolidate the drafting of related reports
• Ensure adequate monitoring of grants and humanitarian project activities in collaboration with the Grant & MEAL manager
• Anticipate difficulties related to the conduct of activities and facilitate the resolution of problems related to emergency projects
• Actively contribute to new strategic developments and regular strategic reviews

Coordination and representation

• Maintain and develop good working relationships as well as good visibility of the association with other humanitarian actors (UN agencies, NGOs), civil authorities
• In close coordination with the Head of Mission, represent HEKS/EPER to government authorities, NGOs, United Nations agencies and other external actors
• Make regular field visits to check the progress of projects. Participation in field visits by donors and partners

Team management

• Supervise the Grant & MEAL Manager, the WASH Coordinator as well as the Field Coordinators based on the operational bases in North and South Kivu
• Maintain and promote close functional links with Project Managers by supporting them in the management of their programs, capacity building and team organization
• Participate in the recruitment and evaluation of relevant staff
• In coordination with program teams and human resources, assess staff capacity building needs and propose subsequent training plans

Reporting and communications

• Responsible for regular reports on the activities of humanitarian programs implemented in the DRC
• Ensure that the monthly report (SITREP) with the progress and challenges of humanitarian projects is prepared each time
• Ensure the drafting of donor reports (narrative, financial, interim and final reports) ensuring that they are written in accordance with donor requirements

Your strengths and skills:

• University training / HES or 5 years of experience in different positions within programs as well as in coordination
• 3-5 years minimum of relevant experience in a humanitarian NGO
• Experience in emergency situations and tense security contexts
• Good knowledge of Pack Office (Word and Excel in particular)
• Excellent writing skills
• Excellent knowledge of the following sectors of intervention: WASH, SAME, emergency distributions (cash and AME), economic recovery and market systems, protection
• Mastery of the Project Management Cycle
• Proven team management skills
• Perfect command of French and excellent English skills (bilingual)
• Organized, proactive, autonomous
• Ability to work in unsafe/stressful environments and emergency situations, ensuring a high standard of work and quality programming.
• Ability to analyze (judgment, practical sense) and synthesize.
• Excellent listening and negotiation skills as well as team management

We offer you :

• An interesting and stimulating position in a dynamic international environment
• A competitive salary package
• Workplace: in our projects in Goma with regular field visits
• Insurance package
• Accommodation provided by EPER
• A 6-month renewable contract
• Date of entry into office: as soon as possible, or after agreement