Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Closing date: 24 Jul 2016
Norwegian People’s Aid is a humanitarian organisation rooted in the Norwegian Labour Movement. We work with International Development Partnerships, Humanitarian Mine Action, Rescue Service and First Aid, and Asylum and Integration. Norwegian People’s Aid has about 12000 members in Norway and 2400 staff worldwide. We work in 36 countries around the world, and in 2016 we will have an expected turnover of 1000 MNOK.
Background:
Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) has been involved in humanitarian mine action since 1992 and is one of the leading humanitarian demining organisations worldwide. NPA works closely with national authorities and other stakeholders on resolving the challenges faced by the local communities caused by landmines and other explosive remnants of war. In 2016, NPA will have over 25 Mine Action Programmes in the Balkans, Southern Africa, The Horn of Africa, Central Asia, South East Asia, and The Middle East.
NPA seeks an experienced Country Director for our 2011-established and expanding mine action programme in DR Congo. The programme began operatoins in February 2012 and is currently conducting survey and clearance of landmines in south-eastern DR Congo in order to help the country achieve mine-free status in accordance with the Mine Ban Treaty. Based in Kinshasa, NPA Humanitarian Disarmament DR Congo currently deploys 8 Technical Survey Teams throughout Tanganyika, Tchuapa, and Equateur, applying a province-by-province appraoch to survey and release land and thereby help the country become mine-free well before its 2021 deadline.
Responsibilities:
The Country Director has the overall responsibility for all aspects of the programme, operations, personnel, finance and logistics, including deliveries of delegated tasks. Other regional or global responsibilities and tasks may be included subject to instructions from Department for Humanitarian Disarmament in coordination with the Country Director. All responsibilities including overall planning and donor reporting have to be carried out in accordance with the strategic objectives, donor approved plans and corresponding deliverables in close collaboration with the Desk Officer at HO.
General responsibilities:
- Responsible for the design and implementation of the programme, its mode of operation and geographical targeting (including capacity building of national mine action authorities when relevant).
- Developing and maintaining a proper document hierarchy (Impact Assessment, Country Strategy, proposals, reporting and annual plans for internal management, implementation and monitoring).
- Coordinate closely with all relevant stakeholders, local and national authorities.
- Be responsible for the development, monitoring and management of the programme according to strategies, annual plans and budgets in accordance with overall NPA guidelines and NPA Humanitarian Disarmament strategy and policies, with emphasis on relevance, quality, cost efficiency and impact.
- Responsible for resource mobilisation for the NPA Mine Action Programme in DR Congo, including donor strategies and fundraising.
- Motivate for synergy and further cross-utilization of resource between the NPA projects within the region and globally. The Country Director is to develop NPA activities where NPA can have a strong impact on elimination of the problem caused by mines, cluster munitions and other weapons.
- Put in place and maintain calibrated quality management of all aspects of the programme and its activities, including the use of NPAs Operational Management System (NOMS), if and when appropriate.
- Be responsible for management, tasking and supervision of expatriate and locally employed staff.
- Responsible for the security of programme staff and programme assets, including ensuring that evacuation plans and the External Office Crisis Management Plans are updated and relevant for the programme activity.
Required qualifications:
The position requires management education and experience as well as good operational understanding. Good communications and diplomacy skills are required as is a proven track record of constructive stakeholder dialog and fund-raising. Relevant experience would encompass the following:
- Relevant higher education or equivalent qualifications (result-focused mine action NGO or commercial EOD work, overseas relief and development programmes or military qualifications with international deployments).
- Leadership skills with the ability to achieve results through others
- Experience as a successful upper level manager in a complex international organization, with documented good results
- Experience from managing operations (project planning, implementation, follow up and reporting, writing project proposals, budgeting and fundraising).
- Education and/ or experience from logistics, finance and human resources are assets.
- Experience and knowledge from political work in development countries and/or humanitarian aid is an asset.
- Previous working relations or experience of liaison and networking with UN, national authorities, military forces, partner organisations and donors.
- Good knowledge in computer handling and data acquisition.
- Written and verbal proficiency in English.
- French language skills are a definite plus.
Personal competencies:
- Proven ability to develop, manage, motivate and lead a team.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to meet deadlines and work calmly under pressure and limited supervision.
- Ability to work in and adapt to difficult and complex cultures and conditions.
How to apply:
For more information and how to apply please visit NPA's website.