Job Title: Head of Programme

Department: Programming

Division: Programme Management

Duty Station: Bukavu

Line Manager: Head of Mission

Line Management Responsibility: Programme Development Coordinator, MEAL Officers, Team Leaders

Position Type: Full-time

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is a dynamic, international non-governmental organization. We work with people affected by violent conflicts to enhance their security and dignity through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP). We work to reduce violence, protect civilians in countries affected by violent conflict and its aftermath, and help transform the world’s response to conflict situations.

Overview:

NP is in the process of setting up its country program in DRC to support the strengthening of safety and security of conflict-affected communities in South Kivu and North Kivu. Working through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP), NP centers local communities in preventing violence and promoting positive peace. The NP programming will focus on building capacities within local communities to engage in nonviolent self-protection methods such as protective accompaniment/presence, community-led safety and security initiatives such as conflict de-escalation techniques and early warning/response mechanisms. Secured funding spans several years and offers an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of sustainable, civilian protection.

JOB SUMMARY

The Head of Programme (HoP) joins the Head of Mission (HoM) and Head of Operations (HoO) to provide co-leadership for all existing and emerging programmes in Democratic Republic of the Congo. The HoP ensures the country programme is coherent, well-planned, and aligned with the NP’s global mandate. Together with the HoM and the HoO, the HoP will continually monitor and assess the DRC programmes to ensure their effectiveness and adherence to agreed programme deliverables, budgets and general commitments. In this context, s/he will provide operational, strategic planning and budget-related support and guidance to the programme staff to implement civilian protection and violence-prevention programming for those affected by violent conflict in South Sudan.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program implementation and Management:

• Oversee the Program Team responsible for direct program implementation
• Provide technical direction to the NP team and ensure high technical quality program implementation
• Coordinate and line manage Program Development Coordinator, Team Leaders and others who lead NP project implementation (activities, budget and project documentation) in line with proposals, strategies and donor requirements
• Provide regular progress reports to HoM and the Senior Management Team, highlighting operational successes and challenges
• Ensure that projects target beneficiaries most in need of protection, explore and assess new and better ways to assist
• Develop and manage project budget, in cooperation with HoM, Senior Management Team and other team members
• Together with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer, ensure that the program teams are collecting and analyzing information to inform programming
• Oversee any technical program support staff, support the development of technical tools for program teams and participate actively in relevant technical working groups in country
• Act as the budget holder for program budgets, in coordination with HoO and ensure that donor budgets are followed and modified as needed. Engage in the budget monitoring process and ensure that forecasting is done promptly and accurately.

Grants Management and Donor Engagement:

• Act, along with the Head of Mission, as a key communications focal point for donor engagement. Maintain donor relationships and ensure that all communication is professional and timely
• Oversee the Grants/Program Development team and ensure all grants management processes are timely. Ensure the involvement of program staff in grants management processes as needed
• Oversee grant reporting and other donor submissions, including situation updates, context analysis, etc.
• Ensure all donor compliance requirements are being met and coach members of the programs team to ensure they are aware of and complying with donor rules

Program Development and strategic direction:

• Contribute to the development of country strategies, initiate and participate in the development of relevant NP projects
• Lead on strategic program development, producing new ideas and concepts for Unarmed Civilian Protection work in DRC
• Engage with donors on new programming, tracking trends in the donor environment and seeking out opportunities for NP in DRC
• Lead proposal development processes for new programs and required revisions, ensuring the production of high-quality concept notes and proposals
• Engage in NP global program discussion and activities and contribute to the global development of Unarmed Civilian Protection programming
• Act as a member of the Senior Management Team, support the strategic vision of the NP DRC program

Leadership and Management:

• Nurture a positive supervisory culture in NP DRC and support the development and roll-out of policies and procedures as needed
• Coach program staff on management skills and provide oversight on HR and management issues that arise in the field teams
• Provide regular support and supervision to the line-managed staff, including guidance in formulating individual work plans on a weekly and monthly basis
• In coordination with the HoM and HR, facilitate line-managed program staff’s performance evaluation based on agreed project work plans and deliverables, and/or job description
• Identify staffing needs within the program team, ensure proper budgeting for needed staff and In coordination with HoM, lead recruitment hiring and training processes for new program staff
• Ensure capacity building of project staff and transfer critical skills
• Support the development of the capacity and responsibilities of NP national staff in DRC

Representation and Communication

• Represent Nonviolent Peaceforce in relevant coordination, advocacy, and governmental meetings/fora as needed
• Enhance NP’s profile among relevant stakeholders, including with donors, government actors, civil society and other NGOs
• Support programmatic input into relevant advocacy efforts, whether in-country or at a global level

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Knowledge and Experience,

• University degree desired (but not required), preferably at Masters level or equivalent in social sciences, international development or related area of studies
• Minimum five (5) years experience in a senior humanitarian position, with line management and project management responsibilities
• Previous experience from working as a manager in a complex emergency context
• Previous experience working with Unarmed Civilian Protection or similar field
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
• Demonstrated experience in engagement and building relationships with armed groups, military and with local and national government officials and NGOs
• Demonstrated ability to analyse conflict, security and political contexts
• Proven experience in successful donor fundraising and grant management, including proposal development for institutional donors
• Understanding of conflict and peace-building concepts and international human rights and humanitarian law
• A strong understanding of the political and security context in DRC
• Strong communication, coordination and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile

Key Challenges:

• Building and sustaining collaborative partnerships, negotiating, and resolving contentious issues and conflicts of interest while managing and balancing varied, diverse stakeholder priorities across a geographically dispersed region.
• Balancing country program start up with project implementation timelines
• Ensuring community voices are well represented in relevant forums

Skills and Competencies:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and French essential
• Good analytical and communication skills
• A positive problem-solving approach
• Enthusiasm to learn and apply new skills
• Good interpersonal and cross-cultural communication and team-working skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and difficult conditions
• Knowledge of context in DRC and the region as asset
• Experience with start-up or expansion of new programmes
• Advanced computer skills, especially in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with UCP programming an asset
• Experience in working in DRC an advantage

Working Conditions:

• This field position will include challenging living conditions, limited access to amenities, and potentially unstable security situations.
• Abnormal work hours may be required at times
• You must be prepared to live in basic or non-traditional accommodation, which may include shared housing, camps, or field-based settings
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to strict security protocols and maintain high level of integrity