Programme Director – Mukwege Foundation At Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation

Our Mission

The Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation supports survivors’ demands for a world where sexual violence as a weapon of war is no longer tolerated, and bears consequences for individual perpetrators and states. We work for a future where survivors receive the holistic care & compensation they need to rebuild their lives. We create opportunities for survivors to speak out and be heard, and where they can organise to create change, influence policies, and demand justice and accountability.

We are working towards a future where sexual violence in conflict is no longer seen as inevitable, but is recognised for what it is: a crime that should have consequences. We want the international community to draw a line against wartime sexual violence and to hold states and individuals accountable.

General characteristics and objective of the position

You are a strategic leader with broad international experience who believes in the Mukwege Foundation’s mission and survivor-centred approach.

As Programme Director you are responsible and accountable for the Mukwege Foundation’s Programme portfolio which includes both the holistic care programmes as well as support to the global and national survivor networks. You will help us realize our growth ambitions and develop and implement our scaling strategy.

The Programme Director is part of the Management Team, working closely with the Head of Operations and the Executive Director.

You manage the programme team at HQ in The Hague and oversee the Mukwege Foundations programme team based in the Central African Republic. You will scope for new projects in other conflict-affected settings, where you will support the set up and subsequently oversee the operations and programmes.

You are responsible for programme quality, partnerships- and grants-development, and management.

As a Programme Director you will contribute to and actively promote a safe working environment in which the team can thrive and be committed, motivated and high performing. You ensure that all those involved in our programmes—staff, survivors and partners—can actively contribute to the development of our programme strategy and implementation.

Specific objectives of the position

1. Leading and managing the ongoing and future programmes of the Mukwege Foundation.

Manages and supports the Programme Team at the main office in the Hague and teams and programmes in conflict-affected countries.
Ensures that our programmes are well aligned with our survivor-centred approach.
Develops the long-term programme strategy of the organisation.
Develops and implements policies to support the Mukwege Foundation’s in-country presence and programmes.
Ensures high quality project and grant management.
Ensures close collaboration and cooperation between all involved in programmes with the other colleagues (Finance, HR, Fundraising, Communications).
Ensures regular evaluations of MF programmes are conducted and lessons learned are shared and implemented.
Ensures the translation of the strategic plan into yearly programme plans and budgets. Monitors the implementation and makes adjustments to these if necessary.

Result: The programme team is fully supported, and the Mukwege Foundation programmes are continually developed, implemented, monitored and adjusted in line with the annual plan and Strategic plan.

2. Support fundraising and maintain financial and overall compliance

Ensures that both internal and external policies are understood, and complied with by the programme team and field teams and standards are met or exceeded.
Leads the development of strategic programme partnerships with relevant INGOs and grant development.
Supports the identification of funding opportunities, writing of project proposals, and drafting of project budgets.
Facilitates and supports donor reporting, both narrative and financial, as well as overall compliance.
Monitors the organisation’s programme expenditure and income and take measures in case of impending shortages and/or surpluses.

Result: Fundraising, as well as financial and overall compliance of the overall organisation, is monitored and ensured.

3. Represent the organisation and support its development

Ensures, together with the Executive Director, a proper representation of the interests and values of the organisation.
Represent the organisation at a variety of internal and external events/occasions, acting as host and spokesperson as appropriate.
Represents the organisation in external programme related networks, and lead in bringing ideas, best practices, etc. from the external environment into the Mukwege Foundation and vice versa.
Strengthens the Mukwege Foundation’s global engagement in the sector, and helps the Mukwege Foundation become a go-to source that others in the sector will actively seek for expertise and guidance on programming for survivors of CRSV.
Pro-actively contributes to the development of the Mukwege Foundation’s strategic vision and continuous development of interventions.
Maintains and expands a network with strategic and/or influential contacts and acquires support for the objectives of the organisation, for example by means of advocacy activities.
Together with the Executive Director, maintains and promotes cooperation with partners and stakeholders relevant to the organisation at the strategic level.

Result: The organisation is represented in such a way that the interests of the organisation are correctly and convincingly represented and strengthened.

4. Day-to-day management of the Programme Team

Ensures the right quantity and competent number of staff within the Programme team to realise formulated objectives.
Provides leadership to programme staff by monitoring the quality and quantity of the execution of work and, where necessary, by supervising, instructing, coaching and motivating employees.
Is responsible for holding performance and assessment interviews with the employees supervised.
Identifies problems, risks and bottlenecks in in the internal environment and work processes. Ensures that problems are solved and unnecessary risks are avoided.
Creates a culture of integrity both within the Mukwege Foundation team and with all external parties.

Result: Employees are managed and supported in such a way that they are motivated and their work is done efficiently and effectively.

Qualifications

Knowledge and skills

Fluent in English and French
Solid and progressive international career with a minimum of 10 years in senior programme management in the development/humanitarian sector
Proven affinity and experience with programming for victims/survivors of CRSV/SGBV (Health, Protection and Mental Health/Psychosocial Support) and a strong commitment to survivor-centred approaches
Multi-country, multi-region experiences in senior leadership roles (minimum of 3 years in-country) in agencies active in humanitarian contexts (regional and/or field office environment)
Demonstrated strategic and creative leadership, management and coordination experience, preferably gained in different organisations and/or a network setting
A high-level capacity and demonstrated experience/skill in setting visions, developing strategy within the programme area, and the ability to implement global, regional and country strategies.
A proven track record of innovation in programming, fundraising, building alliances and consortia with a range of other actors.
Experience within donor relations, or building and maintaining relationships with large donors
Ability to represent and present programmes, internally and externally, using recognisable leadership and communication/advocacy skills
Experience in negotiating with governments, multi-lateral and non-government agencies
Ready to travel regularly, including to the Mukwege Foundation’s programme countries (i.e. CAR, DRC, Uganda, Nigeria, Burundi, Iraq)
Willing and eligible to live and work in the Netherlands.
Knowledge and experience in global advocacy.
Knowledge of organisational, HR, financial and quality policies, including business and administrative principles (policy, planning, budgets, etc.).

Leadership

You are congruent in what you say and do, trustworthy, respectful and honest, and exhibit a high standard of integrity in all interactions
You have well-developed diplomatic skills (empathy, representation, negotiation)
You lead by example and possess proven skills in building and maintaining a culture of trust and fairness
You are flexible and have a proven ability to adapt and respond to the changing environment and to constructively create opportunities for change through active participation
You are a strong communicator

Diversity

The Mukwege Foundation is an international organisation with a diverse, international team and its main office in the Netherlands.

As the Mukwege Foundation, we believe in the value of a diverse (leadership) team. We believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace is essential to our work. We welcome people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences. It will be considered a plus if the candidate can contribute to the diversity in our team.

This role is based in The Hague, but excellent candidates based in other locations will also be seriously considered if the candidate is willing to commit to extensive travel and regular presence in The Hague.

What we offer