The Olof Palmes International Center (the Palme Center) is the Swedish labour movement’s umbrella organisation for international cooperation and works in the spirit of Olof Palme for democracy, human rights and peace. Together with our 26 member organisations we cooperate with organisations throughout the world. Based on this mandate we work with the international labour movement to achieve progressive development for democracy, equality, and sustainability. The Palme Center has its headquarters is in Stockholm and has country offices around the world, including Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
THE PROGRAMME
The Palme Center started to work in the DRC during 2021 with the support of the Swedish Embassy in Kinshasa. The programme is designed to bolster sustainable civil society organisations and trade unions that engage in broad alliances, contributing to the advancement of good governance, labour rights, citizens engagement, and women’s equal political participation.
A central feature of the programme is direct support to Congolese civil society organisations to implement their projects. The programme also has a solid focus on supporting partner organisations with capacity building and organisational development by supporting the development of internal structures and advancement of partners’ strategic directions. The capacity budling support to partner organisations are planned and implemented in cooperation with two-member organisation to Palme Center, ABF and LO.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Palme Center is recruiting a Programme Manager for our programme in the DRC. The position is full-time, and the person will be stationed at our office in Kinshasa.
The Programme Manager will assume responsibility for the country programme and our nine partner organisations’ projects. The Progamme Manager plays a vital role in implementing, monitoring and follow-up of the programme, building relationships with partner organisations and key stakeholders and providing strategic and contextual support. The role also includes practical and administrative tasks in relation to the country office, such as organising seminars, trainings and arranging visits from Palme Center colleagues and Swedish member organisations.
The Programme Manager will be part of Team Africa and Latin America but will work, on a daily basis, in the DRC team, which consists of another Programme Manager in Stockholm and a Project Controller in Kinshasa. The team also includes a part time Kinshasa-based consultant who assists with legal/admin/logistics issues and provides translation services for the Palme Center when needed. The Programme Manager reports to Head of Team Africa and Latin America in Stockholm.
The Programme Manager is expected to travel to participate in staff days in Sweden.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop, implement, monitor and follow-up the DRC programme aimed at supporting and strengthening trade unions, citizens movements and civil society organisations.
- Monitor programme progress, evaluate outcomes/behavioural changes, and adjust strategies as needed to ensure effectiveness and sustainability.
- Manage, monitor and follow-up partner organisations projects in accordance with the Palme Center’s systems. This relates to applications, reporting, implementation, finance, results and dialogues with the organisations.
- Plan and implement capacity building activities based on partner organisations needs and capacities.
- Provide guidance and support to partner organisations in project planning, monitoring, follow-up, reporting, and organisational development.
- Facilitate knowledge sharing and networking opportunities among partner organisations to enhance collaboration and impact.
- Manage the DRC office: Guide the Palme Center to comply with all legislation and obligations as a registered international non-governmental organisation in the DRC.
- Manage, and follow up agreements and contracts with local service providers and consultants and that contracts are up to date.
- Supervise and liaise with legal/admin consultant to ensure that Palme Center’s agreements and documents are up to date with the relevant line ministries in the DRC.
- Foster partnerships with donors, government agencies, and other stakeholders to secure funding and resources for program initiatives and enhance collaboration.
- Represent the organisation at conferences, workshops, and other events to promote our mission and share best practices in civil society development.
- Provide support during visits from the head office or representatives of the Palme Center’s member organisations to the DRC. This includes coordination, visa documents, administration, logistics, and planning of activities.
- Stay informed and updated on the socio-political context in the DRC.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Academic degree in relevant field or equivalent work experience.
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in the non-profit sector and managing operations in international development cooperations.
- Demonstrated experience in supporting civil society organisations and organisational development.
- Knowledge of methods for monitoring and evaluation of development cooperation.
- Several years’ experience in project management, including ability to plan strategically, mange budget and oversee multiple initiatives simultaneously.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate with different civils society organisations and other stakeholders at local, national and international levels.
- Excellent knowledge in English and French, both written and orally.
- Strong understanding of political situation and contextual challenges and opportunities facing civil society organisations in the DRC.
- Solid knowledge of human rights, gender equality and labour/trade union rights.
- Ability and openness to work in multinational environment.
- Share the values and mission the Palme Center and the labour movement.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Hybrid work model: Employees have the option to work from our office or remotely.
- International applicants: We welcome applications from individuals of different nationalities. Please note that the Palme Center will not cover costs related to visa and residence permits.
- Start date: The posting date is August 1st or as soon as possible thereafter.
How to apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume/CV and brief cover letter in English outlining their qualifications, relevant experience, and motivation for applying for this position.
Applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible; no applications will be accepted after the 31 of May 2024.
The application documents will be handled on an ongoing basis, and recruitment may therefore be completed before the application deadline.
Please send your application to jobb@palmecenter.se.
Questions regarding the position are answered by Sara Abaas, Head of Team Africa and Latin America, sara.abaas@palmecenter.se.