Civil Society Technical Lead – Empowering Civil Society & Justice Reform

The Carter Center is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering; it seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.

The Carter Center is seeking a highly qualified individual to serve as the Civil Society Technical Lead for an anticipated DRC-based USAID Promoting Rule of Law Activity (PROLA) that will strengthen institutional independence of the judiciary and individual justice actors to advance efforts to fight corruption and promote equal and equitable access to justice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) thereby improving public perception and trust in the Judiciary.

This position will be based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, and ***is contingent upon project award to the Carter Center*.**

Anticipated Start date: May 2022

Location: Kinshasa, DRC (with frequent internal travel within the country)

Length of assignment: Five years contingent upon satisfactory performance.

Open To: All interested candidates, with a strong preference for DRC citizens.

I. Background

The Center’s overarching goal in the DRC is to promote accountability, transparency, and respect for human rights through strengthening the capacities of both civil society actors and government institutions. Since 2006, The Carter Center has been consistently active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo working to promote democratic governance and protect human rights.

In response to the USAID “Promoting Rule of Law Activity” (PROLA), the Carter Center will seek to advance efforts to fight corruption and promote equal and equitable access to justice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to ultimately improve public perception and trust in the Judiciary. Specific programming initiatives that will be supported by this position include a focus on civil society organizations to advance the independence, increased transparency, and adequate resourcing of the justice sector.

II. Position Summary

The Civil Society Lead will be responsible for the overall implementation, coordination, and management of programming aspects of the empowering civil society component of the USAID Promoting Role of Law Activity. (S)he will be responsible for directing the efforts of the Monitoring and Evaluation Team as well as supervise program personnel that supports the objective; works with Carter Center headquarters and country staff, consultants and external experts to achieve program goals to ensures program coordination and integration.

In coordination with the Chief of Party and TCC Senior Country Representative, this position represents the Rule of Law program in the DRC and maintains collaborative relationships with donors, government officials, and representatives of international and local non-governmental organizations. Performs related responsibilities as required.

I. Key Responsibilities

§ Program Design and Implementation: Provide senior-level technical and administrative management for the project, ensure timely implementation of project activities, and effective financial and personnel management in collaboration with the Chief of Party. Carter Center Senior Country Representative and the Carter Center’s Director of Rule of Law Program. Work with technical managers to develop and manage activities, activity budgets, and operations. Ensures effective and timely delivery of activity plans and their implementation. Monitors quantitative and qualitative data related to project implementation as well as provide quality control across project deliverable

• Strategic Program Leadership: Assesses the national justice sector context, capacities of local human rights actors, and national and international human rights priorities on a continuous basis. Provides analysis and advice to the Carter Center and project team on important programmatic, operational, and substantive issues. Work with the Chief of Party (COP) to ensure that program approaches are technically sound and grounded in innovative approaches to development challenges.

§ Human Resources Management: Directs and supervises project staff and expert consultants to implement all aspects of the program. Provides support to and collaborates with project staff and consultants. Maintains an active awareness of staff needs and engages in staff development efforts. Promotes a cooperative work environment. Assists the Director with the recruitment of local staff members and expatriate staff and consultants, as needed.

• Communication and Reporting: Ensures effective and timely coordination and communication between all relevant actors, including Carter Center Headquarters, Carter Center offices in the DRC, local civil society partners etc. Provides input to or drafts sections of donor and other reports as requested by management. Drafts periodic reports and statements, and other relevant reports as needed. Submits written and oral reports, as directed.

• Representation: Represents the Rule of Law program in the DRC in coordination with the Senior Country Representative. Maintains productive, strategic relationships with project partners and other key actors in the DRC, including government officials, international organizations, diplomatic missions, donors, civil society leaders, and other critical institutions and groups.

• Financial Management: Ensures contract compliance. Manages expenditures and forecasts, assists with financial reporting, reviews, and provides input on budgets, as requested.

§ Sub-Grant Management: Ensures development of meaningful sub-grants that are targeted to support the development of sub-grantee capacities in agreed-upon areas. Supports technical staff and local civil society partners in negotiating and implementing sub-grants. Ensures timely activity implementation and accurate financial reporting for all sub-grantees. Maintains sub-grant files in compliance with the Center’s policies and procedures.

II. Working Relationships

Reports to the Chief of Party, Senior Country Representative in Kinshasa, and the Rule of Law Director in Atlanta.

III. Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in law, criminal justice, public administration, international development, human rights or related area; Juris Doctorate or equivalent preferred development-related field.
• Ten to twelve years of progressively responsible experience supervising donor-funded rule of law or related projects. Significant experience implementing field office activities related to access to justice, judicial reform, accountability, civil society engagement, and capacity strengthening.
• Applicant should possess strong analytical, problem-solving, and prioritization skills. Strong interpersonal skills, cross-cultural understanding, and the ability to lead and motivate a diverse team are crucial. Sensitivity to culture, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age differences
• Knowledge in development project design, implementation, management, and evaluation. Prior training experience is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated capability and experience working with a broad range of government and judicial institutions, justice sector stakeholders, and civil society partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both French and English.
• Proven experience working with donors, government officials, international organizations, and local civil society organizations is essential.
• Applicant should be well-organized and able to work under pressure and tight deadlines when necessary.