CLOSED: Assistant country director - programmes, Kinshasa

Reports to: Country Director
Direct reports: Area Manager, Katanga

Job Purpose:

As a member of Concern Senior Management Team in DRC, the ACD-Programmes will:
- Lead quality and control in programmes through improving programming methodologies, techniques and through mentoring of managers on programme tools and approaches and methodologies.
- Lead the implementation of the Concern Programme Cycle Management and Evaluation tools in Concern DRC’s programme activities.
- Build a network of key technical and peer agencies which allows for shared learning, identifying potential consortium actions, programme development and the establishment of effective advocacy platforms.
- Support fundraising through leading with the development of high quality proposals
- As a key member of the Concern DRC Senior Management team, actively participate in the management and development of all aspects of the Concern DRC’s operations.
- Ensure in-country learning and information sharing across the DRC areas of operation by creating and maintaining good communication linkages between and within programmes and areas.

Main duties & Responsibilities:

Programme Design, Implementation and Development
- Ensure that Concern develops and maintains its capacity to respond to emergencies
- Identify areas of research required to inform programming and promote learning, influence and impact.
- Ensure that programming meets high standards in design, monitoring and evaluation through Concern Worldwides PCMS System.
- Improve Concern DRC capacity at capturing programme impacts through improved base line and M&E information, approaches and analysis.
- Support the programme managers in programme design, providing technical guidance at all stages of the PCMS; from assessment, PCN development and proposal development support.
- In conjunction with the CD and other programme staff, ensure proper documentation and recording keeping related to all programme areas
- Ensure that cross cutting issues – HIV&AIDS, equality, DRR and Protection - are mainstreamed into all programme activities;
- Ensure that the HAP Standard is rolled out across DRC– ensuring compliance to the standard by supporting and advising managers and staff in its application, applying the HAP baseline recommendations, QMS, and ensuring Concern DRC’s commitment to quality and accountability.
- Provide specific support to managers in implementing the DRC quality management system
- In conjunction with the ACD Systems, and field based staff, ensure effective roll out and implementation of the new Complaints Handling Mechanism across all Concern DRC locations
- Work with managers, the CA and CD, to ensure budgetary and financial compliance.
- Work with the Country Director and the Desk Officer to develop and maintain a funding strategy to ensure future funding streams are known and developed to the greatest extent possible.
- Maintain good donor relations through the representation of Concern at National (an sometimes provincial level) and through the production of high quality and timely donor proposals and reports, and work with the PSO in ensuring an up to date reporting schedule

Staff Development and Organisational Learning
- Ensure that all programme staff have regularly set and reviewed personal performance objectives that are relevant to programme direction and needs
- Proactively seek, receive, synthesise and disseminate programme relevant material to all programme managers, advisors and senior systems staff.
- Support and mentor programme staff in management and or technical (programme) subjects
- Build clear processes in each programme to ensure organisational learning is prioritised and systematically used in PCM, external exchange and advocacy.
- Ensure that Concern’s Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4) and Code of Conduct are fully integrated and implemented in all aspects of work.
- Abide by the principles established in the P4 and Code of Conduct, including adherence to the duty to report.

Country Strategy and Networking
- With the CD, lead the finalisation and application of the Country Strategic Plan
- Develop national level networks relevant to increasing Concern’s learning and profile which increases potential for funding opportunities; such as new funding sources or approached to funding such as consortium work and joint advocacy efforts.
- Together with the CD, ensure active and visible participation in national level coordination including relevant clusters, donor/implementing partner groups and the Humanitarian Action Group (HAG)
- Lead programme staff in reviewing strategies of working with partners, and provide recommendations to strengthen approaches and improve Concern partnerships in terms of current and potential partners.
- Support programme managers and finance staff in undertaking appraisal of potential partners’ technical competencies and the use of CLOFAT and CLOSAT assessments and provide support and direction on how capacity development strategies should be developed
- Work with CD and PSO to develop international communication pieces to promote learning and influence.

Reporting
- Support senior Programme staff including Area Managers through report planning and provision of feedback.
- Guide teams in preparing Concern’s Annual Programme Report, and consolidate inputs into the country level report.

Work Targets Set For This Post - 0-12 Months:

1. Review and consolidation of CHM undertaken
2. Training conducted for programme staff on PCME system
3. Baseline and impact studies undertaken for at least two programmes
4. Country Strategic Plan finalised and being implemented (in collaboration with CD)

Person specification:

Essential:
- Third level qualification in Development Studies, Education, Nutrition, Public Health or other related discipline.
- At least three years overseas experience in similar or related senior management positions
- Experience of programme development, management and participatory planning methodologies.
- Fluent English – written and spoken.
- Written and spoken French and a demonstrated commitment to improving level if not fluent
- Experience of staff development
- Knowledge and experience of Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies and emergency preparedness
- Knowledge of mainstreaming HIV&AIDS and Equality (Especially Gender)
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Strong training and mentoring skills
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
- Ability to work with culturally diverse groups of people.
- Ability to organize and plan effectively.
- Good networking skills.
- Excellent organisational and planning skills.
- Ability to work under pressure often to strict deadlines.
- Empathy with organisational goals.

Desirable:
- Work experience in West Africa, particularly in DRC
- Experience working in health livelihoods and emergency sectors
- International driving license
- Skills in survey design and statistical analysis

The reference for this post is JO/DRC/ADP.

All candidates who are short-listed for a first round interview will be notified via email after the application deadline.