Job Description

International Rescue Committee is a major actor in humanitarian aid and post-conflict development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). IRC began working in the DRC in 1996 to respond to the humanitarian needs of people affected by armed conflict in the east of the country. Currently, IRC works in the areas of health, including the Ebola response, good governance and reconstruction, emergencies response and the protection and empowerment of women and children.

SCOPE OF WORK:

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Programs, the Senior Program Coordinator (SPC) is responsible for overseeing and enabling the effective and high quality implementation of the project portfolio in the DRC. The SPC will ensure delivery of high quality, innovative programs with a particular focus on ensuring timely and effective program delivery, coordination and technical coherence and support. S/he will ensure overall program implementation and support to program teams through all stages of the Project Cycle Management (PCM) process. The SPC will provide guidance to Heads of Projects and collaborate with various departments, to ensure the timely and effective planning, implementation and follow up of program activities, budgets, procurement and staffing needs, but equally the effective use of M&E tools to inform decision making and quality programming, reporting and program development. S/he will have managerial supervision of heads of projects overseeing multi-provincial projects.

Program quality and development

• Ensure the identification and training of heads of project and departmental focal points for each project to ensure the effective and systematic use and implementation of all tools and steps of the PCM.

• In consultation and collaboration with the various head of projects (who have budget management over their projects) ensure that the financial management of the project is adequately monitored and managed. This includes the monthly review of project budgets to ensure the correct reporting and coding of expenditures , as well as analyse and updating of spending plans;

• Support, facilitate and coordinate the collaboration between heads or projects/budget holders and the logistics/supply chain department in the elaboration of procurement plans, as well as the effective anticipation and follow-up on purchases, and updating or of procurement plans to enable effective program delivery;

• Support heads of project in the effective and inclusive review of program implementations plans, and the identification of corrective actions to ensure smooth delivery of the project outputs. This includes facilitating dialogue and exchange of information between program department and operations department (security, logistics, finance, human resources) as to identify obstacles, solutions as well as ensure coherent planning between program and support departments;

• Ensure the development, updating and dissemination of key reporting, guidance and information tools related to project cycle management (i.e. project dashboards, updates on actions plans, updates on reporting plans, BVA etc.)

• Work with the MEAL coordinator to build and foster a culture of learning and auto critical reflection in order to inform program implementation and design.

• Analyse project spending trends, based on a careful review of BVAs and budgets, to inform the type of support needed for each project and introduce supportive or corrective measures accordingly;

• In collaboration with Grants Team, make sure that reporting (both narrative and financial) is in line with donors’ requirements, quality is consistently ensured and reports are coherent, verified and documented;

• Support DDP and grants team in development of proposals, concept notes, and reports.

Program Implementation

• Support the Grants Coordinator in ensuring effective grant start-up, review and close-out meetings are planned and conducted in a timely manner with full participation of all relevant stakeholders from programs and support teams, and that actions are taken as a result.

• Provide necessary guidance and technical support to Heads of Projects to enable the timely and high-quality implementation of projects, and promote regular reviews - both internal and external - and other learning events.

• Conduct regular spot checks and field visits to all project sites in order to work with and support heads of project and their teams in the effective implementation of PCM tools

• Work with the MEAL department and the Head of Projects to ensure the effective implementation, documentation and management of client feedback mechanism, the use of indicators allowing for the effective monitoring of the effectiveness of implementation, as well as the capitalisation of learning through the different projects to inform decision making. Ensure that donor reports produced by the programs team effectively demonstrate the impact of IRC’s interventions.

HR and Staff Management

• Create an enabling environment, supportive of staff development and mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

• Contribute to team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options, and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

• Ensure ongoing capacity building of program and support staff on PCM by providing necessary technical guidance and training

• Ensure adequate on-boarding process for new hires;

• Ensure adequate application of safeguarding system, dissemination and communication of code of conduct procedures and promote a culture of respect, transparency and accountability in line with the principles of integrity promoted by IRC.

• Heads of projects of multi-provincial projects may be placed under the SPC, in which case the SPC will hold the additional responsibility to adequately manager, mentor and support the staff in its development and performance.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Position reports to: Deputy Director of Programs (DDP)

Position directly supervises: Heads of Projects and other (TBD)

Other internal contacts: M&E, Grants, Finance, HR, Supply Chain, Access and Security, Field Coordinators and sector Managers.

Qualifications

Master’s degree required (management-related or general operations preferred);

• Demonstrated and solid experience in program cycle management, project design and use of project design tools. Knowledge of Project Cycle Management tools is a non-negotiable requirement

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in leading and managing humanitarian operations / projects in conflict affected communities and complex emergencies, preferably in Africa;

• Solid working knowledge of French and English

• Experience managing programs in relevant technical area(s) that may include livelihoods, economic recovery and development, rapid response programming, , health, protection (child protection, women’s protection and empowerment), Governance

• Demonstrated ability to manage and coordinate field staff, including remote field offices;

• Strong people and negotiation skills, as well as security management

• Strong analytical, technical and strategic skills and program development capacities

• Experience in logistics and HR/Admin

• Excellent cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills

• Excellent staff capacity building and training skills

• Strong problem-solving, analytical and decision-making skills;

• Strong computer skills;

• Willingness to travel in country at least 50% of your time

• Commitment to women’s rights and IRC’s vision, mission and values, including sensitivity to cultural settings

• Flexibility, ability to work independently and meet deadlines

Language Skills:

Fluency in French and at least working proficiency in English required. Knowledge of Swahili is an asset.

Specific Security Situation/Housing

The SPC will be based in Goma with regular travel. Goma is a large city with many INGOs and international actors. It is moderately secure, but remains unpredictable and security can change quickly in North Kivu. The position is unaccompanied, and the staff will be provided with shared housing accommodation.

Professional Standards

The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.