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Chief of Party / Project Director International Rescue Committee Kinshasa

Chief of Party / Project Director,

Accès aux Soins de Santé Primaires
International Rescue Committee
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Deadline for applications: Monday, May 28th, 2012

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.
In DRC, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the largest providers of relief and development assistance. With an annual budget of approximately US$ 75 million, $320 million overall grant portfolio and more than 1,000 staff in six provinces, the IRC supports Congolese communities and institutions in seven conflict-affected provinces in the areas of health, governance and community development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, and emergency response.
SCOPE OF WORK
The UK Department for International Development (DFID) has released a tender for a consortium lead to strengthen basic health service provision in the DRC in at least 30 health zones in up to four provinces improving access to primary and secondary care for at least 3.5 million people over the period 2013 – 2018.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The IRC seeks a Chief of Party / Project Director to provide leadership to this health program based out of Kinshasa, DRC. The Project Director will ensure that the project is implemented in accordance with the DFID contract and the Ministry of Public Health’s strategy for health sector development. The Chief of Party / Project Director will work closely with IRC DRC’s Regional Director to review progress toward results and represent the consortium to the Oversight Committee of the MoPH and DFID. The Chief of Party / Project Director will liaise with sub-contractors and implementing partners as directed by the Regional Director to ensure that the project is implemented to address the needs of the beneficiary population in the most cost-effective manner.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership and policy
· Ensure consistent and appropriate quality implementation across the project;
· Ensure that the project promotes strengthening of local health systems including through Non Governmental Organizations, civil society and faith based networks;
· Establish good rapport and communication with local and national level health authorities to ensure that the project is well supported;
· Forge and maintain solid cooperation with partner organizations and government officials;
· Manage external relations by representing the project in public and ensuring the distribution of information about project achievements and lesson learned.
Human Resources
· Supervise five thematic directors for: Implementation; Program Quality; Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RM&E); Finance; and Operations;
· Manage the human resources in country and link to available resources like the IRC HQ technical units to ensure the highest possible program quality in country;
· Ensure that a system is in place for regular assessment of performance assessment and capacity gaps and promote formal and in-service training.
Management
· Prepare in coordination with key project staff & sub-contractors strategic work-plans with clear objectives and achievement benchmarks, long-term and short-term priorities, implementation plans, financial projections and tools for monitoring and evaluation;
· Provide financial and technical management to ensure the best use of resources by preparing sound budgets, monitoring project expenses, and ensuring timely submission of financial reports to the donor;
· Ensure that the project is implemented in accordance with the contract, donor regulations, and internationally recognized quality standards;
· Manage project properties according to IRC and DFID regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS
· Masters degree in Public Health, Public Administration, MBA or other relevant degree;
· At least ten years of experience managing large-scale projects in a conflict or post-conflict environment, field experience in DRC is preferred;
· Proven leadership, strategic planning and decision-making capabilities while under pressure in an unstable environment;
· Demonstrated experience managing large, geographically dispersed teams and working in tandem with local and international partners;
· Demonstrated experience leading and managing inter-institutional coordinating functions within a multi-cultural operating environment;
· Strong inter-personal communication skills; emotionally intelligent – empathetic, self-aware, self-managed, and possessing experienced social skills; comfortable participating in and contributing to team activities;
· Effective and persuasive writing and public speaking skills in English and French;
· Knowledge of regulatory, contractual, legal and financial compliance requirements associated with DFID funding;
· Computer Literate in MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook).
Specific Security Situation/Housing:
The position is based in Kinshasa, it is accompanied. Safe and modest housing as appropriate and reasonable as the context allows will be provided.
Estimated start date: September 1, 2012.

This position is contingent upon funding.
Congolese nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.