Deputy Chief of Party, Education

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Background:

The IRC helps conflict- and crisis-affected people to survive and rebuild their lives. The IRC has been working with communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 1996 and is is one of the largest providers of relief and development assistance in the country with a projected annual budget of over US$ 70 million and over 900 staff in 2014. IRC implements programs in the sectors of health, education and youth development, governance and community-driven reconstruction, women’s protection and empowerment, and emergency response through a network field offices and a range of institutional and community partnerships. IRC is present through its direct programs and through partners in a total of nine out of eleven provinces in the DRC.

Job Overview/Summary:

The IRC is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for the anticipated USAID Equitable Access to Education and Learning Project, which will focus on improving access, quality, and governance of education in Katanga, Equator, Kasai Occidental, and North and South Kivu. The DCOP makes operational decisions and manages the various technical components of the program, including subcontracts. He/she shall ensure that program components are results-oriented, ensure high quality deliverables, and relevant and timely reporting. The DCOP shall participate and engage in technical meetings and maintain positive relationships with GDRC officials, partners, and implementing partners.

Major Responsibilities:

• Serve as the most senior representative of the IRC in the EAELP consortium.
• Provide leadership and guidance for high quality program implementation across all EAELP field sites.
• Develop clear, results-oriented performance indicators for all field sites and monitor progress closely.
• Provide supervision.
• Provide operational management advice and assistance for an efficient and effective management structures in provincial offices.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with DRC and provincial government institutions, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders.

Job Requirements:

• At least 10 years’ professional experience in international development.
  • At least eight years’ overseas experience with operational issues related to a mix of education and development work, policy development, decentralization, education and conflict, and community engagement.
  • At least seven years’ experience in program management, with a strong management and technical background in international education
  • Demonstrated success in managing sub-contracts/sub-grants with international consortiums including local NGOs, communities, and parent-teacher associations.
  • Experience in the African region, West/Central Africa and DRC or other fragile and conflict affected country is preferred.
• A minimum of a Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in education, public/business administration, international relations, other social sciences, or a similar relevant field.
• Experience in the area of quality control and timeliness of deliverables, work plans, quarterly reports and other USAID reporting deliverables.
• Experience in managing large USAID contracts, supervising finance and contract staff in ensuring USAID contract compliance.
• Strong interpersonal skills and talent for productively interacting with a wide range of organizations (government, private sector, NGOs, and research institutions).
• Fluent in spoken and written English and French.

Working Environment: The position is based in Lubumbashi. Lubumbashi is the provincial capital of Katanga province and has a population of approximately 1.5 million people. The city is usually quiet and relatively safe. The position is accompanied, and the Provincial Director will be housed within individual housing. Significant travel (50 percent or more) to Kinshasa and other provincial offices of the project is expected.