Deputy Team Leader

IRC began its work in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1996 in response to the humanitarian crisis in the east of the country. Since then, the organization has become one of the largest agencies delivering humanitarian and post-conflict development projects in the country. With an approximate budget of $30 million and over 400 employees, IRC supports Congolese communities and institutions in 4 provinces in the fields of governance, health, gender-based violence, education and emergency response.

Position Overview:

IRC is looking for a Deputy Team Leader who will provide leadership and oversee technical and operational implementation, under the supervision of the Team Leader. S/He will be responsible for ensuring that the proposed project is implemented in accordance with the cooperation agreement, the FCDO rules, and internationally recognized quality criteria. When necessary, the Deputy Team Leader will represent the project to all stakeholders, and consortium members, including local partners, government representatives, and donors. S/He will ensure that the project responds adequately to the needs of the people and communities targeted in the most effective way possible. The successful candidate will also be responsible for coordinating and aligning project activities with other initiatives in the target areas. The deputy team leader will also receive support from the Governance Technical Unit to ensure that the project is designed and implemented effectively and in line with the context.

The position remains dependent on acceptance of the proposal submitted to FCDO.

Main Responsibilities :

• Provides technical and operational leadership, and supports the definition and implementation of activities in accordance with the cooperation agreement in order to achieve the greatest possible coverage and impact.

• Support the development and revision, with the support of consortium members and key project staff, of the project strategy, work plan and annual performance plan.

• Support the management of the overall project and closely monitor implementation to ensure that all activities are delivered according to plan, and in the event of delays or problems actions to remedy them are identified and implemented,

• Work with all consortium members, staff, and partners to identify key needs for technical and organizational assistance and ensure appropriate planning and implementation of this assistance.

• Supervise the provincial project teams, including technical and operational staff, and evaluate their performance.

Technical knowledge required for the project:

• Have the necessary proven experience in stabilization and DDR issues to ensure high-quality implementation of the project in supporting the DRC government’s efforts and the international community’s stabilization and peacebuilding efforts.

• In particular, demonstrate particular experience of peace-building issues, especially aspects in: socio-economic reintegration of ex-combatants, young people and women in post-conflict areas, local mechanisms for resolving land disputes, conflict, context and gender analysis, the process of democratic dialogue at local level and the accountability of security and justice structures;

• Demonstrate specific experience and mastery of appropriate peace-building and governance approaches and methodologies.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience :

• Postgraduate degree in conflict management, political science, sociology, international development, business administration, law or a similar discipline.

• A minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in the management and implementation of peace-building and governance projects, especially those carried out in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.

• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, and experience in consortium and staff management.

• Demonstrated skills in working with government institutions (especially DDR-related programs), local communities, civil society organizations, government officials, donors and other stakeholders.

• Demonstrated experience or mastery of national peacebuilding and transitional justice policies.

• Proven experience in building the capacity of state and community structures and staff, including local civil society organizations.

• Solid experience in peacebuilding programming or other participatory development approaches.

• Solid knowledge of contextual and conflict analysis methods.

• Good diplomatic and negotiation skills.

• Previous experience of managing a program funded by the FCDO.

• Experience of implementing gender-sensitive programming.

• Strong computer skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Access, Outlook).

• Strong verbal and written skills in French, knowledge of English would be an asset.