Search DRC

The current DRC portfolio stands at $20 million in total, with $10.8 million remaining revenue through to 2021. There are approximately 120 staff working in 8 provinces, with 3 sub-offices, 1 representational office in Kinshasa, and 5 project offices. Out of 17 projects in active implementation, 11 are consortium-led. DRC is the largest Search program in terms of revenue, portfolio, staffing, and geographical reach. The DRC program has grown rapidly over the past 5 years. The nature of the work has also shifted from predominantly sole implementation to largely consortium-based work. The program growth has been organic, without a clear overall vision for how it should be equipped to meet the new demands of a more complex, larger program. Search is seeking to engage a Change Management Team to assist the Country Director, Senior Management and staff to reach a common understanding of current challenges, identify practical solutions and ensure sustained adoption of new ways of working, collaborating, and managing to ensure a more efficient, effective working environment.

Change Management objectives

• Improve efficiency and professional standards of support departments
• Improve cooperation and synergy across departments
• Ensure that organizational structure facilitates programmatic impact
• Improve clarity and complementarity in roles and responsibilities at all levels
• Ensure robust and functional systems are in place to prevent and detect financial mismanagement
• Improve the functioning of decision-making mechanisms

Position Summary

The Change Management Team Leader (TL) will manage a team of specialists (HR manager, Operations specialist, and internal controller) over a two-three month period in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). S/he will provide strategic direction and oversight of the analysis and effective resolution of key operational, structural and management challenges of the Search program in the DRC. Under the leadership of the DRC Country Director, the TL will design and implement the Change Management Team objectives and strategy to achieve the change management objectives outlined above. Specifically, the TL will ensure excellent communication, consultation and participation of key stakeholders in the process, lead an efficient process and build buy-in within the country team for the proposed changes.

The Team Leader will lead consultation processes at all levels in order to assess current management structure and functions, develop appropriate comprehensive capacity building and staff engagement response, and identify capacity needs at middle and senior management levels. The TL will also be responsible for elaborating and overseeing the work plan for the Change Management mission in close consultation with the Country Director.

Consultancy Objectives

1. Lead a comprehensive and consultative analysis of DRC program to identify the major structural, cultural, financial and operational barriers to quality and timely program implementation
2. Develop an appropriate and feasible response strategy, methodology and work plan
3. Oversee implementation of the response plan by the Change Management Team
4. Develop institutionalization plan to ensure new approaches and systems are sustained

Consultancy Responsibilities

• Coordinate and lead the change management team
• Lead initial change management assessment in close collaboration with the CD
• Develop an appropriate change management strategy, methodology and work plan
• Identify, analyze and prepare risk mitigation tactics
• Identify and manage anticipated resistance among key stakeholders
• Support and engage senior leadership in-country to champion the change process
• Support organizational review and definition of roles and responsibilities
• Ensure the creation and maintenance of feedback mechanisms in the change management setting
• Ensure that capacity building plans and performance management systems are in place to develop the requisite competencies in staff to ensure improved sustainability and efficiency
• Conducts routine visits to all offices to monitor the quality of implementation, track progress and resolve challenges
• Provide timely and expert advice to the Country Director and in-country program teams on implementation of various components of the change management strategy.
• Attend team meetings, relate observations, and give feedback and suggestions
• Communicate situational information in a timely manner to all appropriate team members during the change management operation

Consultancy Deliverables

• Assessment report identifying key problematics in each of the core areas (HR, Finance, Operations, management structure)
• Change management methodology and work plan with key milestones and deliverables
• Communications and engagement plan
• Sustainability plan outlining key initiatives to ensure progressive and continued uptake of new systems, structures, approaches and culture by all DRC staff
• End report of the change management mission with recommendations

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s Degree in business management, administration, non-profit management or related field
• At least 7 years’ experience and demonstrable success in leading NGO change management processes in complex environments
• Knowledge of project or program management tools and processes
• Senior management experience of multi-national, multi-sector teams at a Country Director level
• Experience living or working in the DRC or other complex operating environments an advantage

Knowledge & Personal Attributes

• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Fluency in written and spoken French and working proficiency in English required
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in change management and the ability to develop effective strategies to achieve change objectives
• Highly developed conflict management and problem-solving skills
• Acute business acumen and understanding of NGO challenges in complex operating environments
• Ability to work independently, and manage competing priorities
• Able to work effectively at all levels in an organization
• Ability to articulate, communicate and create acceptance of change processes
• Commitment to the aims and principles of Search. In particular, a good understanding of the peacebuilding principles that our organization espouses.

Timeframe

The consultant will be expected to spend approximately 10-12 weeks in DRC starting in January 2020.