DEPUTY COUNTRY DIRECTOR, PROGRAMME

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

Are you a Programme Manager or Senior Manager wanting to make a positive social impact on the world?

Do you want to be involved in a transformation project that will make Oxfam one of the most digitally and data advanced organisations in the world?

Do you want to join a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty?

If the answer is yes, then would like to hear from you

The Role

We are looking for a Deputy Country Director Programmes to provide overall leadership for delivery, management and scale up of the humanitarian response and development programmes in DRC, ensuring programmes’ alignment with the country strategy, effectiveness and efficiency, accountability, compliance of organization and donors’ policies and procedures, ensuring programme quality and growth, and that programmes remain safe, relevant, and impactful. Deputizes the CD and plays key role in keeping the organization informed about the progress of the response and spearhead the calling for resources to support the response.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (Technical, Leadership, People and Resource management)

Technical:

1. Lead Programme strategy

• Lead the technical team who, in collaboration with the Provincial Coordinators and field staff, will design Oxfam programmes and strategies in DRC, according to the Oxfam Country Strategy.
• Lead Oxfam innovation on programmes design and implementation in DRC.
• Ensure all development programmes in DRC target to improve women rights.
• Ensure there is a strong influencing component in all Oxfam programmes, mainly through the capacity of partners to do so.
• Ensure coherence of development programmes and projects of Oxfam in DRC across the difference provinces.
• Work closely with the Humanitarian Manager to ensure strategic coherence and effective coordination between development programmes and humanitarian responses in DRC, looking for efficiency and shared staff or logistics whenever possible.
• Approve development proposals and reports to be sent to donors.
• Jointly with Finance department elaborate and approve development programmes budgets before submission.

2. Secure sustainable programme funding

• Ensure Oxfam proposals to donors are of high quality, aligned to the Oxfam Country Strategy and to the programmes designed by the Programmes team.
• Establish close links with key donors and Oxfam Head offices interested on investing in DRC.
• In collaboration with Provincial Coordinators and the Funding Manager, ensure timely reporting to donors as a way of accountability and trust building.

3. Facilitate and support programme implementation, including effective coordination of multi province projects:

• Provide technical support to teams and partners implementing programmes.
• In case of large multi provincial programmes, coordinate its implementation.
• Represent Oxfam on technical forums in DRC as appropriate, including clusters, working groups, donors, etc

4. Strength programme quality, evaluation, learning and accountability

• Ensure all programmes are properly monitored and evaluated.
• Ensure learnings from evaluations are taken into account and measure put in place to improve quality of programmes.

5. Advocacy and campaigns

• Ensure documentation from emerging lessons from technical interventions.
• Ensure Oxfam in DRC actively engages with Oxfam International relevant campaigns, achieving tangible results in DRC and contributing to the overall campaign at international level.
• Ensuring coherence and alignment between Oxfam’s campaigns and our programmes in DRC, as appropriate.

Leadership and Management:

1. Management responsibilities

• Manage technical advisers, campaigns managers and MEAL Adviser. The role will also entail the management of large, multi-province Project Managers.
• Actively participate at the Country Leadership Team.
• Act as OICD when needed.

2. Strategic Leadership, Operational Planning & Vision

• Assist the CD in driving OCS and measuring the progress against change goals and / or milestones, reassess and adjust the priorities in line with the evolving context.
• Drives the implementation, monitoring, and review of country operational plan (COP), and country annual budget.
• Leads the process of developing humanitarian strategy in line with OCS and emergency response plan based on sound analysis of the context, HRP and cluster plans / strategies.
• Guides the technical leads in developing and implementing strategy in different technical areas: EFSVL, WASH, Partnership, MEAL, Gender, and Protection.
• Provides support to the CD, and guidance and direction to the senior programme managers / colleagues for the development and implementation of a high-quality programme, consistent with the context, Oxfam’s standards, values and code of conduct, donor requirements and global priorities, ensuring that Oxfam programme remains relevant, safe and impactful.
• Guides the HPCs and technical leads on country strategy, operational plan, programme vision, and offers overall direction on programmes.
• Ensures that programme colleagues contribute to developing an overall programme strategy, and that programmes are designed and implemented in integrated manner and holistically.
• Guides senior programme colleagues to link programmes to other functions such as advocacy, protection, gender, safety, and security.
• Contributes to the global strategic change with a focus on humanitarian response, preparedness and protection and participates in regional planning and analysis.

3. Programme and Awards Management

• Ensures that Oxfam programmes are managed in a way that achieves programme or project goals, are in line with Oxfam policies and procedures, and demonstrates sound resource management.
• Regularly reviews and ensures that the most efficient CO programme management structure is established and functional to ensure effective & efficient delivery to achieve programme objectives.
• Ensures that qualified staff and appropriate policies, procedures and systems are in place to properly manage Oxfam’s programmes.
• Provides vision and direction, defines expectation, and offers leadership and supports.
• Leads programme coordination meeting: review progresses, challenges-learning, and accelerate.
• Holds awards opening meeting to explain project goal, objectives, donor policies, procedures and guidelines, develop location specific plans, targets and budget, logistics plans, and MEAL plans.
• Guides and supports the HPCs and holds PMs accountable in having regular awards monitoring / review meeting both in field office and in Sana’a to review the programme progress, spending, challenges, and mitigation measures and acceleration plan.
• Ensures monitoring of budget and expenses in compliance of org and donor policies and procedures.
• In collaboration with the BSM, holds BVA meetings by locations and awards to monitor and control spending, in compliance with donor and Oxfam policies and procedures.
• Ensures that senior programme managers visit field programmes and support programme colleagues on program delivery and awards monitoring.
• Holds senior programme managers accountable for timely submission of different reports: narrative, financial and HR reports, and clarifying queries on programmes and expenses.
• Visits fields programmes and reviews COP and activity reports to ensure that programmes are implemented in a professional manner in line with the project proposal.
• Works closely with programme support functions, safety & security, HR, compliance, and advocacy to ensure proper coordination and mobilize support for the programme delivery teams.
• Ensures strong commodity management, and accountability where applicable.

4. People Management

• Oversees the recruitment, training, orientation, and induction of senior programme staff.
• Offers proper supervision and management for all direct reports and leads the establishment and functioning of a strong, effective, and coordinated team.
• Promotes a positive culture and focus in the country programmes, ensuring recognition of staff successes, and that space and incentives are available for staff development.
• Develops and maintains a healthy environment for the team, coordinating timely discussions on strategic programming issues and guaranteeing that the staff members reflect the institutional character in their relationships with partner organizations and allies.
• Ensures excellent people management and development of staff managed, in accordance with Oxfam’s performance management cycle and policies: developing job description, setting performance objectives, regular feedback, mid-year review and annual performance review.
• Ensures that the performance management system includes identification of staff development needs, career development, talent management, and succession planning for direct reports.
• Offers regular, constructive, and honest feedback and coaching to address performance issues.
• Monitors the team dynamics, specifically to find any conflict and undertake appropriate actions.
• Works with HR and safeguarding colleagues to safeguard staff, partners, and beneficiaries.

5. External Relations and Representations

• In collaboration with the BSM, coordinates and negotiates contract or project sub-agreements with the local authorities and line ministries.
• Represents Oxfam in appropriate forums: cluster meetings, CD meetings, meeting with authorities, UN organisations, NGOs and donor agencies as delegated by CD.
• Maintains professional relationships with donors, INGOs, local NGOs, CSOs, line ministries and authorities, communities, and other stakeholders.
• Regularly communicates with regional platform (RP), OGB/EA, Node, GHT, Oi and affiliates.
• Raises issues or concerns at higher level to mobilize support and influence, and / or speaks to the media, when delegated, in the event of IHL violations or as required.
• Supports and works effectively in coalitions, networks, and social movements.

6. As a Member of the Country Management Team (CMT)

• Deputises for the Country Director and provides leadership to the CO.
• Holds regular CMT meeting with clear roles, accountability and timeline.
• Promotes a culture of inclusiveness, empowerment, and accountability in driving OCS, delivering results and offering quality programmes for the affected population.
• Establishes, maintains, and improves active and regular professional relationship with the authorities, local partners, and other stakeholders, including donors and INGOs.
• Ensures that all programme support functions work properly, are supported, and complied with rules and regulations, risk management.
• Maintains regular collaboration with the RP, EA, HQ, OI, and affiliates.

7. Other responsibility

• Performs other duties, as assigned.

What we are looking for:

The Deputy Country Director, Programme (DCD-P) offers, strategic direction, guidance and oversight for programme design and effective and efficient delivery of country programmes, and quality, impact measurement and reflective learning.

We offer

This role will give you an opportunity to make a real contribution to the future direction of Oxfam. The role is critical to ensuring we have all the mechanisms in place to support a high quality, accountable and inclusive process.

At Oxfam, we see that a positive and supportive place to work is key, so you will join a group of passionate people who are aiming to put our values and philosophy into all we do.

We believe flexible working is key to building the Oxfam of the future, so we’re open to talking through the type of flexible arrangements which might work for you. This is advertised as a full-time role, but we would also be open to job share arrangements as well. You can discuss this at your interview, or we can arrange for you to speak to us in advance by contacting us on the details below.

This role will give you an opportunity to make a difference in Oxfam in DRC Team, to act as key contributor to Oxfam work, and to work with a group of passionate people who are aiming to put our values and philosophy into all we do.

This position offers fair pay and competitive benefits package

Flexfam

We believe flexible working is key to building the Oxfam of the future, so we’re open to talking through the type of flexible arrangements which might work for you.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

How to apply

This position is an opportunity for an exceptional professional and highly motivated with a strong commitment to Oxfam’s values and beliefs. If you think you are the candidate we are looking for, please download full description and submit your application online at : www.oxfam.org.uk/jobs using reference number INT8861

About us

Oxfam is a global community who believe poverty isn’t inevitable. It’s an injustice that can be overcome. We are shop volunteers, women’s right activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts, campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won’t stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.

Oxfam GB is a member of international confederation of 21 organizations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries.

A thriving diverse Oxfam:

It’s people power that brings about change. To play our part as a global organization working to overcome poverty and inequality, we need equality, diversity and inclusion across our community of staff, partners and volunteers. Together, we’re committed to becoming a more diverse workforce, better able to tackle the global challenges that face our world today.

To do that:

• We need to dismantle the unequal power structures that exist everywhere, this including Oxfam and the wider development and charity sectors.
• We need an inclusive Oxfam where everyone can bring who they are to our work and feels celebrated for the differences they bring.
• We want and need everyone, and that means we need you.

In response to Covid-19 if you are offered a role where you are required to travel between countries please ensure you have been briefed by the Hiring Manager about any changes to working or precautions you should take as part of your role.

Additional Information

Location: Goma, DRC

Hours: 45

Salary: TBA

Job Type: Fixed Term (24 months)

Closing Date: 11th September 2022

How to apply

This position is an opportunity for an exceptional professional and highly motivated with a strong commitment to Oxfam’s values and beliefs. If you think you are the candidate we are looking for, please download full description and submit your application online at : www.oxfam.org.uk/jobs using reference number INT8861