Head of Office South Kivu

Requisition Number:	I571
Area of Interest:	Other
Position Type:	Full Time
Location:	DRC/Bukavu
Job Description:	Position Title: Head of Office/PMII Band: D FLSA: Exempt Location: Bukavu, Eastern DR Congo Reports To: Country Representative Length of Assignment: Two-three years Background: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the overseas relief and development arm of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It was founded in 1943 and works in over 100 countries globally. Since 1961, CRS has been supporting more than 30 local partners in the DRC in the implementation of emergency response and development programs in the sectors of health, education, livelihoods, HIV and peace building. CRS/Congo opened a sub-office in Bukavu in October 2005 to more effectively respond to the challenges in Eastern Congo. Programs managed out of the Bukavu Office include programs in the sectors of health, agriculture, peace building/reconciliation and SGBV. Given the continuing negative impact of the ongoing military operations between the FARDC and FDLR, this office is also responsible for ensuring a continuing assessment of the humanitarian situation in South Kivu and developing/supporting the implementation of emergency programs as needed. The Head of Office (HoO) provides programmatic and management quality leadership for all Bukavu managed programs. Through strong communication and collaboration with the national office in Kinshasa, the HoO ensures adherence to CRS standards and systems. The HoO is responsible for strengthening existing and, as appropriate, developing new relationships with key partners, government and other INGOs. This includes assuring strong communication, collaboration and joint planning with Caritas Bukavu, as well as active participation in the UN Cluster Forums. Finally, the HoO serves as the primary security officer for CRS in Bukavu. Job Responsibilities: Program Quality · Ensure a high level of monitoring and support for all project activities (including regular field visits) in coordination with Program Managers (PMs). · Ensure quality program development through timely communication and planning in consultation with the Head of Programming, sectoral coordinators and regional Program Quality (PQ) staff. · Closely monitor events in DRC (humanitarian situation, politics, and security, etc.), in order to identify opportunities for program expansion and potential new partners for CRS work in the region. · Assist PMs and project officers in Bukavu to use appropriate project management tools to plan, review and track progress on project implementation, as well as the utilization of project resources. · Support the regular review of program activities and strategic planning at the sub office level and at the national level. · Ensure strong communication/collaboration between Bukavu based PMs and PQ staff based Kinshasa and other Field Offices with an overall aim of adherence to CRS PQ standards. · Working closely with the Head of Programming and Department Head of Programming, ensure adherence to CARO proposal development and review processes. · Working closely with programming staff throughout the CP, support the research, documentation and sharing of lessons learned/best practices for emergency interventions. Management Quality · Provide oversight for adherence to CRS’ cost allocation system. · Ensure adherence to CRS/Congo’s Approval Matrix which identifies reviewers and level of approval needed for various functions (i.e., proposal approval, partner agreement approval, purchasing, etc..). · Lead regular review of program and operational expenses – ensure timely resolution of budget deviation. Develop and track adherence to an approved sub office operational budget. · Ensure that all CRS policies, rules and regulations, including those relating to administration, human resources, finance and security are followed by Bukavu-based staff · Ensure timely assistance via TDYs from Bukavu or Kinshasa to field based teams within South Kivu to respond to any need to reinforce financial or other CRS or partner admin., human resource management or logistics systems. · Ensure the timely completion, review and submission of all financial reports working closely with PMs, the Bukavu based Grants Compliance Officer and the Grants Compliance Manager based in Kinshasa. · Ensure proper stewardship of all CRS resources, including adherence to agency and CP guidelines for the management of both fixed assets and mobile property · Work closely with relevant administration, procurement and logistics staff in Bukavu and Kinshasa staff to ensure systems are in place that will enable timely purchase, receipt, tracking and distribution of all project materials and supplies. · Ensure adherence to CRS/Congo HR policies and procedures, as well as the agency-wide performance managements system. Security · Serve as Bukavu security officer and represent CRS in coordination forums focused on staff safety and security. · Support the updating and, as appropriate, the modification of existing/development of new security documentation and guidance – working in close coordination with the national level security officer (SOs) and other field offices SOs. · Maintain high awareness of the ever-changing security situation in and around Bukavu, primarily by regular participation in UN/INGO security and coordination meetings and by coordinating closely with security officers of UN and other agencies. · Complete regular security updates and situation reports as needed. · In coordination with other CP, Regional and external technical experts, ensure any necessary security training for all staff and the National Staff Security Focal Point. Coordination and Representation · Ensure CRS’ regular and active participation in UN and INGO security, coordination meetings and UN Cluster meetings. · Collaborate and maintain good relationships with government and non government agencies for effective program implementation and resource use, as well as general information-sharing. · Maintain strong communication links with all CP offices as means of promoting the best use of material and financial resources, as well existing staff experience across the country program. · Ensure systems are in place for the proper documentation of meetings and timely circulation of resulting information/outcomes. · Lead the coordination of visits of CRS, donor, partners, etc. · Support the timely provision of information on program interventions for sharing with existing/perspective donors, Caritas National and relevant HQ departments – to ensure the maximum promotion of CRS and partner activities in the area served by the Bukavu sub office. Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff): These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results. · Serves with Integrity· · Models Stewardship· · Cultivates Constructive Relationships· · Promotes Learning Supervisory Responsibilities: All senior Bukavu based staff, including program managers, finance and admin/logistics officers. Key Relationships: Internal: Country Representative, Head of Programming, Head of Office Goma, Sectoral Coordinators, Management Quality Coordinator, Heads of National level MQ Departments. . External: Caritas Bukavu Director, Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission Director, Church Officials, GODRC representatives, INGOs, OCHA, UN Cluster Leads. Personal/Professional Skills: · Demonstrated strong ability to work effectively within an emergency setting. · Experience with project grants management, including project design, budget preparation, expenditure tracking, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, etc. · Ability to work independently, but also coordinate effectively as part of a team. · Ability to lead a multi-cultural team with a high level of respect for local culture. · Strong analytical and organizational skills. · Experience with capacity strengthening and partnership building. · Capacity to work closely with, understand, and support local Church partners. · Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English. · Strong written and spoken communication skills in French. · Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point). · Knowledge of CRS and Sphere emergency guidelines. · A strong knowledge of Propack I and II is preferred. · Ability and willingness to work and live in diverse, challenging and potentially unstable environment. Qualifications: · Master’s Degree in international relations, international development or related field. · Minimum five years experience working within field of international development. · Minimum four years living and working in a developing country, at least one of which spent in emergency environment. Physical Requirements/Environment: The position is based in the Bukavu office. The position requires approximately 40 percent travel within the DRC, in areas with limited amenities, as well as attendance at internal and external conferences and workshops when requested. Foreign Language Required: Professional proficiency in French. Major Responsibilities of Position: Office Management; Staff Supervision; Program Design and Management; Monitoring/ Evaluation; Mentoring/Training; Report Writing. Disclaimer Clause: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position EOE/M/F/D/V

For fastest consideration, please create an online profile to apply.