Chief of Party

This is an exciting opportunity to join Alert’s largest country programme – the Democratic Republic of Congo team – as the Chief of Party (COP) of the Dutch funded Improving security, social cohesion and human rights in conflict mineral rich regions of Eastern DRC project. The project is coming to an end in December 2023 but there is a high likelihood that there will be a follow up phase.

This senior manager reports to the DRC Director of Programmes (DOP). The COP will be responsible for the oversight of a team of a consortia including 4 other partners (two international and two national partners). They will be responsible for overseeing a team of 28 and will directly line manage 4 people.

The main goal of the project is to strengthen regional stability in the Great Lakes with the following two specific objectives:

• Reduced levels of violent conflict and improved security in targeted red 3T and gold mines of South Kivu and Ituri
• Improved regional security and stability through cleaner chains, more effective governance of mineral chains at all levels

The COP is responsible for the overall implementation of the project; is the primary project representative manages and monitors the budget, the workplan and the progress of the project towards its intended results. He/she is the strategic lead of the project and oversees reporting and coordination across the consortium.

He/she will be required to travel regularly to project locations, specifically Bunia, where they will supervise the sub-team ; frequent travel to regional centres (Kinshasa, Kigali, Bujumbura) and some international travel (specifically in Europe) will also be required for national and regional level advocacy.

Essential qualifications include: extensive experience of implementing large and complex projects in consortia and with several international and local partners; 10 years of professional experience in programme management (strategy, planning, reflection, implementation, monitoring, evaluation); specifically strategic decision making of complex programmes on issues involving extensive political engagement in the DRC or in a similar context. DRC or in a similar context. Substantial NGO project management experience, including responsibility for contract management

To succeed in this job you will have a talent for working effectively in complex, politically charged, unstable environments, and across different cultures. You will be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of actors working on conflict management, social cohesion and development programmes.

Furthermore, we are looking for someone well organized, results and detail-oriented with a proven experience in peacebuilding/ conflict transformation and familiarity with gender- and conflict-sensitive approaches. In addition, experience of developing donor reports and nurturing constructive relationships with international and local partners (governmental and non-governmental) is essential as well as an excellent working knowledge (spoken and written) of both French and English.

Role duties and responsibilities:

1. Strategic Engagement

• Closely monitor political, security, economic and social dynamics likely to have an impact on programming, and share them with the DOP, Country Director (CD) and the advocacy team.
• Ensures relationship building with consortium partners, ensuring their commitment and delivery of mutually agreed activities..
• Contributes to the development, definition, and ongoing evolution of project strategy

2. Donor Relations (EKN) AND Representation

• Is the contact person for the EKN on behalf of the consortium and manages communication between the consortium and the donor,
• Controls/influences messages and communications related to the project in coordination with the DOP, the CD and Alert’s London HQ communications team.
• Ensures the political engagement and advocacy with key actors involved in mining activities in Eastern DRC, national, regional, and international level in collaboration with the advocacy team.
• Represents Alert’s interests, promoting the project among key stakeholders/beneficiaries, professional groups, and other relevant people.

4. Innovative Management

• Provides strategic guidance, leadership, and overarching management to consortium team to ensure effective coordination and convergence.
• Ensures that the project is executed in compliance with contract provisions.
• Oversees all reporting obligations on project activities and outputs are completed and submitted on schedule and to the standards required.
• Oversees project annual planning and budgeting processes with support from the DCOP.
• Oversees, in coordination with the DCOP, and Project Finance Manager, the close monthly monitoring of budget burn rates and support the timely development and submission of budget revisions when necessary.
• Ensures integration of community approaches, conflict sensitivity, and gender sensitivity, inclusion, and capacity building into all activities as appropriate including project beneficiaries’ identification.
• Exercises strategic decision making and direction based on M&E data, advising changes in program direction and focus as needed.
• Oversees the effective close out of the project and communication of results.

4. Personnel/ Resource Management

• Evaluates performance and carries out regular check-ins in line with Alert’s People HR system.
• Motivates staff to perform effectively toward project objectives, through communication, team-building incentives, and responsiveness.

5. Contribute to wider organizational goals within Alert

• Participates actively in the management processes of the DRC team, including team meetings, sharing of information, context analyses, and strategy development.
• Participates and contributes to other Africa Program activities and events in the Great Lakes and beyond, including regional meetings. Promotes cross-learning and helps create linkages between different country programs.
• Stays up to date with and participates in wider organizational discussions and processes e.g. by attendance in Senior Management Team meetings, strategic thinking sessions, the development and pursuit of thematic programming, etc.
• Contributes to advocacy, communications and networking activities, as and when necessary.

Please note that these are just some of the requirements of this role. For the full job description, please click here.