Job Title:                            Emergency Programme Manager- SAFER Rapid Response Programme

Democratic Republic of Congo

Reports to:                        Humanitarian Response Director (HRD)

Terms:                                Fixed Term, Full time/ Unaccompanied, terms based in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Salary:                                GB5

Requirements:                 Frequent travel in the field (in country). This is a 12-month role and we would like you to start in Jan 2025.

About Concern: Established in 1968, Concern is a non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian organisation, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

Concern’s vision, our mission and our work are all defined by one goal – ending extreme poverty, whatever it takes. Concern strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression. Our culture is values driven and we believe that our people are central to all that we do and are key to delivering on our goal of Reaching the Furthest Behind First. We are committed to ensuring a workplace where everybody feels valued and are enabled to succeed in their work and contribute to delivering on our mission.

Concern Worldwide started working in DRC in 1994. Since that time, we have grown into one of the leading humanitarian organizations operating in DRC delivering humanitarian rapid response as well as longer-term WASH, Shelter and NFI, Livelihoods, food security, Cash transfer, Gender and Inclusion, and protection programmes. Concern is a member of the Strategic Assistance for Emergency Response (SAFER) consortium of five international NGOs who implement rapid responses to support displaced households anywhere in DRC. The programme supports households fleeing violence or natural disasters, providing vital assistance while other actors mobilise or households prepare to return.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to our emergency team in delivering the SAFER programme for Concern. Today, 1 in 10 people in humanitarian need live in DRC.

The Emergency Programme Manager – SAFER will report to the Humanitarian Response Director (HRD), and will line manage the emergency Project Managers and their teams (WASH, Cash). He/she will also collaborate with the Area Coordinators and work closely with Programme Coordinators (EAST, CAN), the Programme Development and Quality Coordinators, the Technical Advisers, M&E and CRM teams, Logistics Coordinator, Base Manager, Finance and HR teams. Given the importance of the Emergency programme to Concern, the post holder will liaise regularly with the Programme Director, who sits on the Steering Committee of the overall SAFER programme.

Role Purpose:                  

The Emergency Programme Manager is responsible for the implementation of Concern’s rapid response interventions in DRC. As Emergency Programme Manager, you coordinate with the other four SAFER member organisations and the consortium coordination unit to ensure our interventions are of the highest quality and as timely as possible.

Responsibilities:

Programme Management and quality

• Oversee the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Rapid Response interventions, ensuring timely, high quality activities on budget adhering to Concern and international standards
• Ensure mainstreaming of a gender-sensitive and protection-oriented approach into all programme activities, in particular while working around culturally sensitive and difficult topics (gender-based violence, transactional sex, sexually transmitted diseases) with groups of women, men, girls and boys
• Ensure that programme strategy is regularly reviewed according to the humanitarian situation in the region and communicated internally and with the consortium.
• Lead and participate in emergency assessments and proactively identify alerts in coordination with other actors such as OCHA
• Proactively identify challenges and solutions, as well as areas how the response can be improved and potential pilots can be developed
• Ensure that crosscutting themes including accountability, equality, gender and protection are mainstreamed in the programme as well as adhering to the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).
• Ensure community participation, sensitisation and collaboration in programme activities.
• Manage and monitor the Complaints Response Mechanism and ensure analysis and application of learning from complaint information
• Implement strong programme monitoring mechanisms using existing tools with the support of the M&E manager
• Document key learnings on the project

Donor Compliance

• Ensure that donor proposals, budgets and reports are of high quality, up to date and delivered in a timely manner in accordance with Concern policies/procedures and donor requirements
• Ensure that donor strategy, donor guidelines, formats and processes are understood and adhered to within programme implementation and procurement

Representation

• Represent Concern within the consortium and be in regular contact with the consortium lead
• Ensure networking and coordination with local Government authorities, other NGOs, and UN at field and provincial level

Human Resources

• Identify project staff needs, ensuring that job descriptions are developed, properly qualified staff are recruited, inducted and trained as per the needs of the programme and organisation
• Manage the Rapid Response Team with particular emphasis on capacity building of staff through mentoring, training, and ensuring all staff have up to date job descriptions and Performance Development Reviews (PDR) as per policy
• Ensure that all staff are provided with the necessary support and advice to carry out their duties particularly as they relate to emergency preparedness and response

Communications/Reporting

• Ensure that situation reports, i.e. security, personnel, programme activities, etc. are produced to a high standard and in a timely manner
• Maximise visibility & facilitate external the consortium lead’s or donor’s visits to the field, and any additional visits (UN, head office, consultants etc.) as delegated by the Area Coordinator

Finance, Admin and Logistics

• Monitor and manage programme expenditure and budgets, ensuring resources are optimally utilized and spending is in line with Concern financial procedures and donor requirements
• Coordinate the day-to-day management of logistics, administration and human resource needs for programme implementation in line with organizational policy and best practice
• Prepare and update the procurement plan for this project
• Provide programme input to longer-term planning within logs, admin and HR functions.
• Revise and adapt the budget as required for project amendments and donor requests

Security and Representation

• In collaboration with the Security Focal Group and Area Coordinator, undertake analysis of security incidents and trends in the zone of intervention and surrounding areas, ensuring that line management is regularly briefed on the security situation and advise as necessary in relation to adaptation of work plans and movement plans as necessary
• Participate in the revision of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other security related duties when necessary
• Share information on specific emergency activities with other actors (other NGOs, UN agencies)

Other

• Upholding and promoting Concern’s values, demonstrating leadership on workplace equality, diversity and inclusion, and role modelling a positive safeguarding ethos
• Participate in country-level strategic planning initiatives and other duties as determined by line management.
• Adhere fully to the commitments and rules of Concern’s Programme Participant Protection Policy and Code of Conduct (P4 and CofC), including the respect of confidentiality
• Take active measures to address equality issues, particularly relating to gender, in programme as well as operational (e.g. HR) activities
• Undertake any other relevant and reasonable work as requested by line manager
• Actively participate in the gender mainstreaming strategy within the programme and operations

Role Holder Requirements:

Essential:

• A relevant degree in a related field (Humanitarian Aid, international development, etc.) is essential, together with some theoretical knowledge of the principles and practices of organisational management, emergency preparedness and response
• At least 4 years’ experience in programme management, in an emergency context
• At least 6 years’ experience working in emergency contexts on similar or relevant programmes
• Security Management Skills and Experience
• Strong French language ability
• Good organisation, planning and management skills

Desirable:

• Knowledge of HF/VHF radio systems
• Kiswahili or English would be an advantage
• Proposal and report writing skills, both in English and French.
• Knowledge/experience of protection issues
• Knowledge of cash and market-based approaches
• Experience managing WASH interventions
• Experience managing rapid response programmes
• Team management experience

Competencies:                

Candidates are expected to demonstrate abilities in the following priority competency areas: Managing Yourself; Planning and decision-making; Creativity and innovation; Communication and working with others; Delivering results.

We encourage all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, ethnicity or origin, disability, political beliefs, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status to apply to become a part of the organisation. Concern is against all forms of discrimination and unequal power relations and is committed to promoting equality. 

If this role sounds right for you, please apply with your CV and cover letter. We will respond to every applicant. Please be aware we may offer positions before the closing date.

If you have any concerns about our recruitment process and need particular assistance - for example if you have a disability e.g. a hearing impairment - please let us know and we will do our best to respond to your needs.  

Important information:

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct with three Associated Policies: The Programme Participant Protection Policy, the Child Safeguarding Policy, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy accessible here. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisations, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in their work, in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Consequently, working or volunteering with Concern may be subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.

During this job application, you will provide Concern with your personal data. Concern takes its responsibilities towards this personal data very seriously and is committed to complying with all relevant data protection legislation.