Location: Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Reports To: WCSDRC Deputy Country Director of Programs
Expected travel: Frequent domestic travel within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including Ituri, South Kivu, Tanganyika and the cities of Bukavu, Kalemie and Kinshasa as needed
Start date: As soon as possible, subject to USAID approval
Duration: Full time position

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) DRC’s country program seeks an experienced Chief of Party (COP) for the USAID’s Let’s Protect Our Rights and Our Environment (Tulinde Haki na Mazingira Zetu) Activity . This four-year project is anchored around three protected areas that will contribute to USAID’s Journey to Self-Reliance and social resilience objectives. This innovative project engages with Indigenous Peoples (IPs), building civil society capacity to facilitate self-determination, reducing marginalization, and increasing access to social services and markets. It is managed by a consortium under WCS leadership that includes International Alert (IA), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Welthungerhilfe (WHH), and a wide range of international and 20 national partners. The COP, based out of WCS’s Goma office, is responsible for technical leadership, coordination, and the overall management and operations of the program. The COP will supervise high-quality project implementation, with a focus on achieving the project goals and USAID/DRC development objectives in close alignment with site based teams, consortium partners, and local project partners.
Key Responsibilities:
Leading on clear coordination within the team, building a “one-Tulinde” project identity, and ensuring strong and fluid communication (including through coordination and governance mechanisms)

• Responsible for overall leadership, management and oversight of the project; member of the Tulinde Senior Management Team and project governance bodies; oversees, guides, and supports the two Key Personnel positions embedded within WCS and works closely with and functionally supervises the WCS Tulinde grant manager and the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) who is embedded in International Alert.
• Champion Indigenous People’s rights and the Tulinde program to government, private sector, and development sector stakeholders.
• Ensure high-quality, results-oriented technical programming, through hands-on guidance and support, grounded in the project’s strategic objectives and approved annual workplans.
• Serve as the primary liaison with USAID on management and technical matters.
• Ensure compliance with all donors, WCS, and project-specific policies.
• Ensure that the project meets stated goals, outcomes, benchmarks, and meets contractual deliverables and reporting requirements to high standards.

Leading on strategic communication and building/maintaining strong strategic partnerships essential for achieving results

• Lead coordination among key stakeholders, including partners, government stakeholders, civil society, international donors, and other USAID projects.
• Manage and coordinate the implementation of activities across project partners in close collaboration and coordination with the DCOP (International Alert position), ensuring successful integration of activities.
• Liaise closely with WCS DRC’s management and finance team, and the WCS regional team to ensure that all project activities are on track, compliant with USG rules and regulations, as well as consistent with WCS’s policies, procedures and best practices.
• Manage project planning (i.e., development of work plans and project budget), monitoring and reporting (i.e., review and approve periodic budgets and technical and financial reports) in accordance with deadlines and the highest standards.
• Oversee project budget and work in close coordination with the WCS Finance/Grants Directors and WCS Deputy Country Director, Operations to meet expected results, ensuring cost-effective use of donor and project resources.

Adaptive, inclusive, results-orientated and conflict and gender sensitive leadership and management of the project

• Ensure a responsive and innovative approach to engaging and developing the capacity of government and civil society actors.
• Provide strategic management and oversight of the project’s sub-award portfolio.
• Work closely with WCS site based program managers to develop and manage the Tulinde program team, ensuring that adequate and appropriate recruitment and capacity building plans are established to ensure project delivery
• Manage a team and oversee evidence-based adjustments in programming to achieve greater impact.
• Oversee project staff in helping partners establish reporting and tracking systems to provide key information in an efficient and timely manner.
• Ensure that the project meets programmatic and financial targets and makes accurate projections.
• Represent the project at conferences, working groups, and meetings to support USAID and WCS’s thought leadership in local governance, capacity development, and civil society strengthening.

Qualification Requirements :

• At least a Master’s Degree from an accredited university in social sciences, law, development studies or a relevant field, or a combination of applicable experience and education.
• At least ten years of experience in the successful implementation of international development activities, with preference given to democracy and governance activities.
• At least eight years of progressively responsible management experience, including administering USAID funded programs.
• Demonstrated understanding of Indigenous Communities in DRC or elsewhere.
• Experience developing capacity for civil society and local organizations in DRC or elsewhere.
• Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to perform and collaborate in complex and politically sensitive project environments.
• Experience working on and leading teams for USAID cooperative agreements, including knowledge of USAID rules, regulations and policies.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully building and effectively managing a diverse team of employees and partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments, navigate sensitive issues, and develop and maintain relationships with different stakeholders, including civil society and local organizations, government institutions, private sector entities, and US Government agencies.
• Experience with a Rights-Based Approach to conservation/development and an understanding of obligations under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and consensus building.
• Fluency in English (oral, writing, and reading) and working ability in French.
• Ability to travel within DRC and occasionally internationally.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing highly adaptive programs, as well as applying conflict-sensitive approaches.
• Deep knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of DRC.
• DRC nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Interest in wildlife conservation and environmental issues.

How to apply

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, skills and experience, should apply through this link before September 8, 2023.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value.