Concern Worldwide recruits 01 Deputy Chief of Party (DRC)

Job Title: Deputy Chief of Party – Sanitation Activity, DRC

Job Location: Eastern DRC, TBD

Job Type: Regular, Full Time

Reports to: Chief of Party. You will also line manage program staff. You will also work closely with the Programmes Director, Country Finance Controller, Systems Director, Desk and Advisors.

About the role: This is a 60-month, new role with unaccompanied terms based in Eastern DRC (Goma) with a salary of Grade 4 – €43,268 – €48,076

*This position is contingent on upon successful agreement award and USAID approval. We would like you to start in September 2021 (dependent on funding approval).

Concern Worldwide has operated in the DRC in 1994, successfully implementing programs in emergency response, livelihoods, protection, and health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) throughout the country. Concern DRC has eight offices with over 300 staff throughout the country. The head office is in Kinshasa with coordination offices in Goma (North Kivu), and Kalemie (Tanganyika). At the program implementation level, there are offices in Manono, Nyunzu, Kiambi, and Kabalo (Tanganyika) and Kitchanga (North Kivu).

Your purpose:

Concern Worldwide seeks a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for an anticipated project “Rural and Peri Urban Sanitation (RAPS)” in Eastern DRC. The project aims to improve basic sanitation by establishing a dynamic market system for sanitation in Eastern DRC, simultaneously building supply and demand for sanitation through engaged and strengthened private and public sectors and creating an enabling environment for sanitation marketing in rural and peri-urban areas.

The activity will focus on three high level objectives: 1) increased private sector-led supply of quality sanitation and hygiene services and products, 2) increased household demand for accessible, affordable, and desirable services and products, and 3) strengthening an enabling environment for market-driven sanitation. The project will be further designed in collaboration with the donor, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The program will emphasize conflict-sensitivity and the participation and inclusion of women, youth, and other marginalized groups.

The DCOP will take a leadership role in day-to-day operations and performance management, ensuring the technical and administration implementation of high impact, proven interventions, while ensuring that the project meets stated goals and reporting requirements. The DCOP will assume the responsibilities of the COP in the absence of the COP. They will manage program staff in MEL, finance, and reporting and communications departments to ensure the successful implementation and adaptive management of the program; they will also play a key role in coordination with consortium partners and other stakeholders. The successful candidate should possess substantial experience managing complex, multi-year USAID or other international donor-funded programs.

The Deputy Chief of Party will be responsible to:

Together with the COP and MEL and technical teams, develop, oversee, and review program workplans and performance monitoring plans.

Maintain relationships with key staff of consortium partner organizations in regard to areas of responsibility. Coordinate with key staff and consortium partners in carrying out activities in accordance with the work plan and timelines for deliverables.
Supervise program staff and manage partnerships, fostering a positive and collaborative working environment inclusive of both local and international, public and private staff and stakeholders working towards program objectives.
Manage key functions of the project to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget, ensuring coordination between program and operations leads.
Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Help ensure compliance with donor grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to the donor.
Integrate data analysis, reflection, interpretation and use with ongoing project activities. Share MEL learning and experiences with relevant stakeholders.
Collaborate with the Chief of Party and senior management team in support of maintaining project objectives, while evaluating program effectiveness and determining corrective actions needed to achieve objectives.
Effectively manage talent, and supervise and mentor program teams and staff. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports.
Manage and mitigate risk through monitoring national and local issues that may impact staff and programming, in close coordination with Concern program staff. Ensure all staff understand and adhere to Concern staff safety and security policies and plans.
In coordination with or absence of the COP, represent the program in public and professional circles including donor visits, meetings, conferences, presentations, etc.; support written correspondence to the donor as needed.

Your skills and experience will include:

Basic Qualifications:

A Master’s degree (equivalent) or higher in public heath, international development, or another relevant field.
A minimum of 6 years’ work experience in a program management position; preferably 8 years or more, with progressive responsibilities in a field related to the successful implementation of the program.
A minimum of 4 years’ experience managing large, complex, donor-funded international development programs required, preferably for USAID awards. Strong knowledge and experience in budget management.
Demonstrated ability to manage and strengthen relationship with sub-awardees and other partners and stakeholders (international and local organizations, private sector, government, etc.).
A minimum of 5 years’ staff management experience leading multi-disciplinary teams in an environment conducive to learning and development. Experience coaching senior program staff.
Ability to direct and manage change and inspire teamwork and high performing teams.
Experience in adaptive management, with proven ability to iterate, test, and adjust programming in line with contextual shifts and learning.
Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills.
Strong communication skills, including both written and oral presentation skills.
Deep knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of DRC required, and experience working in conflict-affected or insecure areas, with DRC experience preferred.
Professional level fluency in written and spoken English and French.

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior experience as a DCOP or comparable senior leadership position on USAID projects of similar size, scope, and complexity to this activity is a significant advantage.
Technical background in WASH programming, with an emphasis on sanitation marketing, private sector engagement, financing, local governance, gender and women’s empowerment, and/or social and behavior change communication.
Knowledge of Core Humanitarian Standards, Sphere and HAP Standards and other international humanitarian guidelines and protocols

Travel – Must be willing and able to travel up to 30%. The position will be located in Goma or other city depending on final geographic coverage of the program.

To Apply:

All applications should be submitted through our website at https://jobs.concern.net by closing date. CVs should be no more than 4 pages in length.

Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short-listed on a regular basis and we may offer posts before the closing date.

Concern Worldwide is an Irish-based non-governmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.