Cordaid is an internationally operating value-based emergency relief and development organisation, working in and on fragility. Its headquarters are based in The Hague, in the Netherlands, and it operates in around 30 countries in Africa, Middle East, Latin America and Asia.
We believe in a world where people can break through barriers of poverty and exclusion, influence decisions that affect them, and participate in equitable and resilient societies. We operate in fragile settings, where citizens have no access to even basic services and live without food security. This can be because of poverty, armed conflicts, or power imbalances. We address these causes of fragility by empowering people economically and fostering inclusive economic growth. We support local communities to improve healthcare and education, increase food security, and assure security and justice.
We have emerged from the Christian social traditions. The values of human dignity, justice, compassion, and care for our common home constantly guide us in our work. Cordaid is a founding member of Caritas Internationalis and a member of ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together).
For the Cordaid Country office in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)**,** Cordaid is looking for a Deputy Chief of Party for the ESPER (Ensemble pour la Sécurité et la Paix à l’Est de la RDC) programme.
Introduction
Cordaid has been operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for 40 years, successfully implementing programs in Health, Education, Lobby and advocacy, emergency, community resilience and security and justice. Cordaid DRC employs over 220 national and 13 international staff operating out from Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Bunia, Gemena and Kananga. Cordaid has also 19 sub-offices around the country.
The main objective of the ESPER programme is to contribute to stabilisation and social cohesion in eastern Congo through improved governance of the security and justice sectors. In close collaboration with relevant public authorities and security institutions, this is operationalized through improved security governance processes, quality security service delivery through Results-Based Financing, community engagement on security governance, and political engagement on procedures and processes that promote stabilisation. The ESPER programme is implemented by VNGI-International (lead) and Cordaid and targets 7 territories and two urban contexts in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. The programme runs from September 2020 through august 2024 and is financed by the Netherlands Embassy.
Position and responsibility
Along with the Chief of Party (COP), the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) will lead the implementation, management and monitoring and evaluation of the project, adhering to Cordaid program quality standards. The DCOP ESPER will directly manage the Cordaid’s programmatic staff involved in the project (12 persons) and will ensure compliance with Cordaid and donors’ requirements. Four financial staff are also attached to the programme.
The position is based in Goma, North Kivu, but will require frequent travel to Eastern DRC offices based on the priorities and competing needs of the project. The DCOP reports to the Cordaid DRC Programme Director and Country Director.
Objectives of the posting
Project Management (ESPER)
- Support the COP in providing strategic and technical leadership and direction, defining and implementing activities to achieve the greatest impact toward project goals and objectives; serve as Acting COP in COP’s absence.
- Assist and support the COP in the day-to-day project management of ESPER within time, scope and budget.
- Coordinate sound programme cycle management, including frequent budget analysis and financial monitoring, ensuring that Cordaid ESPER activities are carried out as planned or are adjusted/adapted as needed. Act on, resolve and minimize the impact of deviations and ensure effective synergies with VNGI programme components.
- In liaison with the CoP supervise the implementation of an M&E strategy, tools and approaches aimed at the effective collection and analysis of robust qualitative and quantitative data.
- In liaison with Cordaid’s Programme Director and MEAL coordinator, support the development of programme learning, including the dissemination of publications, lessons learned, and the integration of innovations and best practices.
- Ensure the quality of deliverables and reports, while respecting deadlines and adhering to Cordaid quality principles and systems, donor guidelines and relevant reporting standards.
- As a direct line manager, provide management, guidance, monitoring and technical oversight of the ESPER Cordaid staff based in Goma, Bukavu, Uvira and Bunia.
- Stimulate progress, team spirit and make necessary adjustments to ensure success.
- Represent Cordaid within the consortium on operational level.
Cordaid strategy support and acquisition/bid
- Contribute to the development and implementation of an effective Cordaid Country strategy.
- Contribute to the development of the Country reports and publications.
- Contribute to the coordination of Security and Justice Cordaid’s programs in Eastern DRC.
- Contribute to better efficiency and learning of the RBF approach in the Security & Justice sector as well as linking with Cordaid’s Global Office.
- Identify and establish contacts with or organizations and explore representation for potential areas for collaboration.
- Support bid teams and bid projects of calls for proposals and tenders when necessary.
Financial management
- Control the program budget, ensuring expenditures are in line with the yearly approved budget.
- Regularly report to project lead and donor on budget realization and act pro-actively to comply with the portfolio budget.
- Support to staff and partners
- Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.
- Identify the need for support of partner organizations and provide them, when possible, with personalized support.
- Monitor the achievements of the project with partners through regular field visits, review field reports, and formulate conclusions, discussion points and recommendations for all stakeholders.
Personnel management
- Lead and coach the multidisciplinary, intercultural and inter-gender project team on a day-to-day basis in accordance with the management style and social policy of Cordaid, focused on productivity, employee development and satisfaction.
- Ensure efficient use of resources and control quality of work.
Qualifications (expatriate or senior national manager)
- Master's Degree in relevant sector (International relations, Governance, Administration, Law, Development, Economics).
- Minimum of 10 years’ experience (project management, MEL, governance, stabilization).
- Demonstrated ability to write high quality reports (both in French and English).
- MEL skills and experience, especially in data analysis.
- Staff management experience and abilities.
- Extensive knowledge of program, grant and staff management, cooperation with local partners, and reporting standards.
- Experience in Eastern DRC and knowledge of the DRC’s context of Ituri, North and South Kivu provinces.
- At least 6 years of experience in managing complex professional programs/projects/offices of international organizations or companies.
- Good experience and knowledge of stabilization and local governance.
- Social skills to agree on deliverables, to ensure progress with staff and to support local partners.
- Behavioural values and skills: trust, accountability, problem solving, cooperation, teambuilding, negotiation, conflict management, collaboration, flexibility, creativity.
- Writing and oral skills in French and English to clearly formulate program and project proposals, plans and reports.
- Knowledge of RBF (Result-based Financing) is a plus.
Specifics of station
This is an unaccompanied posting.
Contract information
The contract period is for one year starting as soon as possible, with the intention to extend for a longer period. We offer a competitive, fair and comprehensive salary and benefits package that is justifiable to our donors. A Cordaid contract includes a comprehensive insurance cover, social security and pension contribution, holiday allowance, hardship allowance and cost of living allowance.
How to apply:
Applications including a motivation letter and extensive CV in English, including the contact details of at least three professional references, should be forwarded on attention of Mrs. Charlotte Lepri before 22 December 2021.
An integrity screening will be part of the application procedure.
Please note that we accept applications through our website: https://www.cordaid.org/en/vacancies/international/?cd_job_id=212300