Area Manager, Katanga

Contract Grade:                                                B

Contract Length:                              24 months

New Post or Replacement:         Replacement

Accompanied / Unaccompanied: Accompanied

Exact Job Location:                          Lubumbashi, Katanga province, Democratic Republic of Congo

Reports To:                                         Assistant Country Director Programmes

Responsible For:                             Direct line manager of five: Logs and Admin Coordinator and Area finance manager (both based in Lubumbashi) and two programme managers (WASH and FIM) and the Base Manager (all based in Manono).

Job Purpose:

The Area Manager will oversee the management and development of the Katanga programmes, ensuring that the programmes are implemented according to agreed plans are that they sufficiently supported and resourced.

As a member of the country management team the area manager will provide quality leadership and ensure the effective and professional management of Concern DRC’s programmes in Katanga, consistent with Concern’s strategic aims and within the national context.  The Area Manager, based in Lubumbashi, Katanga, will be the main point of contact for all Concern’s relationships in Katanga and will be responsible for coordinating with other actors including funders, other NGOs and government.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Programme

• To contribute to the planning of the Concern programmes including the inputting into the Country Strategic Plan, Annual Plans (financial and human resources) and Budget Revisions in consultation and collaboration with the senior management team.
• To prepare and monitor Project Proposals, Project Budgets and Project Evaluations, in consultation and collaboration with the Country Management Team.
• To be responsible for the management oversight of programmes which are directly managed by project managers in Katanga, optimising the use of logistical, financial and human resources potential, in line with the Concern standards and policies.
• In conjunction with relevant programme/ project managers, facilitate inter-department collaboration, and regular meetings
• With the support of the Assistant Country Director for Programmes (based in Kinshasa), manage and develop programmes and evaluate their progress against agreed programme objectives.
• Ensure programme quality through the adherence of Concern and other standards and policies, including the Humanitarian AP standard, ensuring they are understood by staff, beneficiaries and partners in Katanga, and take the lead in implementing DRC initiatives in the programme area.
• With the support of the ACD-Programmes, oversee the process of improving documented downward accountability in Katanga, contributing to the country wide strategy of improved accountability.
• Work with the programme staff in the field to ensure informed consent, community collaboration and participation in all stages of the programmes
• With the support of SMT and all Katanga staff, ensure that a complaints response mechanism continues to grow  and is functioning in Katanga
• Provide technical support and advice to programme staff, specifically relating to community development and PRA.

• Work with and support the PMs and the M&E Manager to develop and implement a PM&E system to measure the results and impact of Concern interventions

• Provide support and guidance to programme teams in the process of research, planning and proposal writings and support finance and programme management teams to prepare budgets
• In conjunction with all budget holders, track and monitor programme expenditure and ensure effective budget management in line with Concern and donor financial procedures
• Through regular field trips, monitor programmes regularly and support programme managers to evaluate their progress against agreed programme objectives.
• Ensure that programme progress is well documented and communicated to SMT through the finalisation and compilation of bi-monthly sitreps prepared by the programme teams.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders in Katanga (i.e. sectoral clusters, local NGOs INGOs, government departments etc) on programme related issues ensuring that Concern’s activities and areas of implementation are known by the relevant parties.
• Work with the programme team and potential funders to identify areas of development of expansion of the programme activities within central Katanga.

Admin, Finance, Logs and HR Systems

• Directly manage the Logistics and Admin Coordinator in order to ensure logs, admin and security issues are undertaken in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Ensure that finance, HR and general team members apply Concern policy and best practice in terms of financial and human resource procedures;
• Oversee the day to day financial management of the Lubumbashi office in conjunction with the logs and admin coordinator, finance staff and in line with Concern policy and procedures
• In conjunction with the Administration and Logistics Coordinator and the programme staff, identify human resource requirements, and manage and oversee the process of recruiting and developing national staff in line with organizational policy and best practice;
• Develop, implement and evaluate training plan for international staff;
• In collaboration with HR staff, ensure that reviews are effectively undertaken, supporting other managers with the formulation of training plans as necessary.
• Oversee mainstreaming initiatives related to HIV&AIDS, Equality and with the support of senior management, ensure that team members are conversant with and adapt these principles within their work.
• Ensure core Concern policies including the Programme Participant Protection Policy and Code of Conduct are upheld by all members of the team, ensuring all staff and partners are well informed and trained on the various policies and report actual or suspected cases of breaches to the SMT for action

• Ensure that line managed staff are adequately supported and receive regular performance development reviews in line with Concern policy and procedures

Security and Representation

• Be the Security Focal Point for the Katanga Province
• Liaise with Country Director, Assistant Country Director- Systems in Goma and the Logs/Admin Coordinator based in Lubumbashi on security related matters.
• Ensure the implementation of the security strategy and processes are in line with organisational policy;
• Represent Concern with local authorities and/or other members of the humanitarian community;
• Other areas as indicated by line manager or the Country Director

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education, Qualifications and Experience Required:

Essential

• Third level qualification in agronomy, agricultural economics, development studies or a related filed. 
• Minimum of three years overseas experience, preferably in Africa, working for an international NGO in a managerial capacity.
• Prior experience managing programmes in a post conflict environment
• A conceptual and practical understanding of the livelihoods security framework
• Experience in managing a multicultural programme
• Experience in research
• Experience in managing a diverse team composed of Nat’l and Int’l staff in an a complex working environment
• Experience in personnel and budget management
• Specific area of expertise should be ability to plan, implement new programmes, write proposals and reports as well as coaching and mentoring.
• Very good working knowledge of English and fluent French or vice versa
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent proposal and report writing and budgeting skills, with close attention to detail
• Able to use initiative and work with limited supervision, organized, motivated and reliable.
• Computer literacy essential: Word and Excel
• Very patient and with a positive attitude.
• A very good interpersonal skills

Desirable

• A Master’s degree in the above mentioned areas with at least three years of experience in humanitarian work.
• Experience of broader livelihood and capacity building programmes
• Experience of planning and implementing emergency response programmes
• Training experience
• Knowledge or experience of HAP a distinct advantage
• Knowledge or experience of complaints response/handling mechanisms.
• Sense of humour and flexible
• Experience with PRA techniques
• Experience of working with a team of culturally diverse staff
• Experience of livelihood security programming
• Kiswahili an added advantage

All applications should be submitted through our website at https://jobs.concern.net by closing date.

CVs should be no more than 4 pages in length.

All candidates who are short-listed for a first round interview will be notified via email after the application deadline

Concern Worldwide is an Irish-based non-governmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

Concern has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Programme Participant Protection Policy which 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 organization, and the standards of behaviour expected of them.  In this context staff have a responsibility to the organization to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Programme Participant Protection Policy and the Concern Staff Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment.   By signing the Programme Participant Protection Policy and the Concern Staff Code of Conduct candidates acknowledge that they have understood the contents of both the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and the Programme Participant Protection Policy and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these two documents.

Concern receives a substantial amount of funding from external donors each year.  Increasingly donors are introducing requirements whereby future funding is conditional on Concern ensuring that the names of any new employee or volunteer do not appear on terrorism lists generated by the European Union (List of person, groups and entities to which Regulation (EC No. 2580/2001 applies), the US Government (Office of Foreign Assets Control list of specially designated Nationals and Blocked Persons) and the United Nations (Consolidated List).  Any offer of employment (either paid or voluntary) with Concern Worldwide will not be made pending a clearance check being conducted on the applicant.  For additional information please consult our web site or contact the Human Resource Division in our Head Office.

Concern Worldwide is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.