Democratic Republic of the Congo (the): Programme Development Manager D.R. Congo

War Child Holland is an international NGO aiming at providing psychosocial relief to children in (former) war and/or conflict zones. War Child invests in the peaceful future of children affected by war. War Child’s goal is the empowerment of children in war-affected areas, through psychosocial programmes in which creative and sports activities are used to reinforce the psychological and social development and the welfare of the children and to create public awareness of the problems of children in (former) war zones.

Currently we are looking for a:

PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT MANAGER D.R. CONGO

Organization: War Child Holland
Job Location: Bukavu, D.R. Congo
Starting date: as soon as possible
Contract: 1 year (extension is possible)

The Democratic Republic of Congo is not a family posting; an expatriate is not allowed to bring a partner and/or children to DRC.

War Child programme in D.R. Congo
War Child Holland started to work in D.R. Congo (DRC) in 2003. The programme aims at improving the psychosocial wellbeing of children and youth who have been affected by the conflict in the DRC. War Child works in Bukavu, Walungu, Mwenga and Goma. The country office is based in Bukavu. The programme focuses on protection and promotion of the rights of children (e.g. birth registration, improving living conditions in prison) and to ensure healthy psychosocial development of children and youth. WCH makes use of creative, sports, drama and dance activities and uses a community based approach.

War Child Programme Area (WPA) DRC supports options for collaboration and exchange with War Child offices in Uganda and Burundi. War Child is committed to add value to the development of a sustainable programme which suits the local needs and works closely with Congolese local organizations and relevant government institutions.

The challenge
The Programme Development Manager (PDM) will be responsible for coordinating the different programmes and ensuring programme quality. The programme is partly implemented by War Child staff and partly implemented by local partners. The PDM builds the capacity of WCH staff and local partners to ensure the programme’s sustainability.

The PDM is the technical/content advisor to the Country Director (CD) and Operation Support Manager and oversees the work of the Programme teams.

The PDM is part of the Country Management Team and reports to the Country Director.

Responsibilities

Realisation of War Child’s country programme

• Realization of War Child’s country programme;
• Ensures the programme content is in line with WCH approach and policies and with the country strategy, based on assessments, lessons learned and sharing good practice. Also contributes to the country strategy and annual plan;
• Leads and facilitates process of developing programme’s, annual plans and project proposals and updating/revision of strategy documents;
• Coordinates the different programme’s in terms of content, coherence, planning and implementation;
• Advices programme team on programme development and programme management;
• Coordinates Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E) cycle and tools development, updates PM&E system to programme developments; ensures quality control, coordinates monitoring of programme implementation and measuring of programme effectiveness;
• Ensures participation of programme staff, local partners and children (target groups) in planning, monitoring and evaluation (PM&E) cycle;
• Develops tools and formats for planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Continuously monitors local needs and developments, by (among others) performing in-depth needs assessments;
• Coordinates base line studies;
• Coordinates programme reporting and data base;
• Pro-actively advises the CD on programme/project content, direction and implementation;

Capacity building staff & local partners

• Oversees the development of training manuals;
• Identifies staff training needs and organize training for programme staff;
• Evaluates effectiveness and quality of project activities with the programme staff.

Management of staff

• Manages the programme team including two Programme Development Advisors;
• Coaches teams of programme staff;
• Takes team building initiatives;
• Conducts performance appraisals and discusses career perspectives with programme staff;
• Assists project coordinators in coaching and performance appraisals of their teams;
• Manages well-being of the programme staff;
• Defines job profiles for recruitment of new programme staff and coordinates recruitment process.

Maintain network of contacts/representation

• Represents War Child in meetings at the local or national level, agreed on with CD
• Represents WCH-DRC in programme meetings at headquarters level and maintains contacts with other PDM’s

Accepts all other tasks (within reason) on request of the CD.

Profile

Experience

• 5 years of experience in a similar position;
• Experience in curriculum development, ideally in developing country contexts;
• Experience of facilitation and capacity building specifically related to team building and team maintenance;
• Demonstrated ability to work in an insecure environment;
• Experience in human resource management.

Knowledge and skills

• Relevant academic background (Community Development, Psychology, Education, Pedagogy, Social Sciences);
• Knowledge and skills in Child Rights and Rights Based Programming, understanding of psychosocial approach;
• Knowledge and analytical understanding of DR Congo and the Kivu context in particular;
• Understanding of quantitative and qualitative planning, monitoring and evaluation tools;
• Knowledge of and experience with participatory assessment and community based programming in an (I)NGO in post conflict context;
• Strong advisory and interpersonal skills;
• Strong written and oral expressions skills;
• Strong coaching and cross cultural communication skills;
• Good analytical and problem solving skills;
• Creative, participatory and innovative approach, takes initiative and is flexible;
• Understanding of and capacity to address strong gender biases;
• Willingness to undertake frequent travel within the programme area and on specific occasions to other WCH programme countries or Head Office;
• Fluency in French and English (verbal and written). Swahili is an asset.

War Child offers a challenging job, within an inspiring and motivated team of people and the backup of a strong and professional organisation in The Netherlands. War Child offers good remuneration and excellent benefits. Please visit our website www.warchildholland.org for more information on the organisation and the programme.

How to apply

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to send a CV and a letter of motivation before December 25th 2011 (please mention PDM DRC in the subject line) to [email protected] (your letter and CV should not exceed 5 pages).

The safety of children is essential to War Child. War Child does not tolerate or accept any form of abuse. This subject is addressed in our recruitment and selection procedures.