Header

Empowerment and Accountability Program Lead International Rescue Committee Kinshasa

Empowerment and Accountability Program Lead

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 Democratic Republic of the Congo 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
IRC is seeking a dynamic and experienced team of health and governance professionals to provide technical support to health programs implemented across four provinces and to be based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, with travel to field sites. One of the key program components aims to strengthen empowerment and accountability at different levels, ensuring that citizens have a greater voice and that both service providers and the government are more accountable for delivering quality basic health services, particularly for vulnerable populations.The IRC is requesting applications from candidates with significant experience in this area and will have demonstrated experience in providing technical advice to large scale health, education or development programs in a similar post-conflict environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical Support and Coordination:
· Develop a strategy for the implementation of the Empowerment & Accountability component;
· Responsible for overseeing the overall quality of programming and ensuring that implementation strategies reflect best practice;
· Responsible for ensuring that activities are implemented according to a well-defined set of program protocols and tools which balance the need for timely achievement of objectives with the importance of quality processes, and methodological rigor;
· Provide leadership in the development or adaptation of programming models which allow for greater participation of citizens in decision-making, greater responsiveness to their needs, priorities and demands, and stronger accountability within the health system;
· Identify, document and disseminate best practices in service provision;
· Guide the development of annual work plans for existing programs;
· Identify priorities for support from the Governance & Rights Technical Unit;
· Work in close collaboration with other technical specialists to ensure integrated programming.

Advocacy and Representation:
· Advocate and collaborate with MoPH, local authorities, line ministries and CSOs to incorporate best practices and international standards in health governance;
· Establish and maintain collaborative relationship between IRC, MoPH and other partners;
· Provide expert contribution to the development or adaptation of national policies, guidelines and standards that promote quality service provision in DRC that is accessible, responsive and accountable to citizens, and allows their voices to be heard.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Research:
· Oversee development or adaptation of supervision and data collection tools for health governance;
· Ensure that lessons learned from this & other programs / organizations are considered for relevance to ongoing program activities, and propose adjustments as needed. In particular, support the process of analyzing the outcomes of the empowerment and accountability component of the program and adapting it as appropriate.

Management:
· Contribute to the development of field staff through training, mentoring, and assisting with professional advancement;
· Ensure that the Empowerment & Accountability component is implemented according to defined work plans in order to achieve project deliverables. Through strong planning and monitoring, identify potential obstacles to programmatic success in a timely fashion, and implement corrective actions as needed;
· Provide overall oversight to the component budget, and liaise with key internal stakeholders to ensure spending is planned, executed and managed as appropriate. As needed, lead the process of developing budget realignments. Monitor and advise on the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on the project budget;
· Manage contractual and programmatic aspects of relations with program partners. Ensure community partnerships are managed in accordance with IRC and DFID compliance requirements;
· Introduce quality assurance initiatives to address efficiency, effectiveness, or compliance concerns.

QUALIFICATIONS
· Master’s degree in public health, international development, law or social science;
· At least five years’ experience in design and implementation of governance programs in developing countries;
· Demonstrable technical expertise and working knowledge of health governance, preferably in a conflict or post-conflict environment, preferably Africa;
· Proven track record of successfully providing technical assistance to and monitoring and evaluation for large-scale governance programs;
· Technical expertise in curriculum development, training needs assessment and training facilitation, as well as monitoring and evaluation of trainees;
· Proficiency in both French and English;
· Availability to travel in the country for up to one third of his/her time;
· Good writing, communication and organizational skills;
· Knowledge of common software (MS Office);
· Previous work experience in DRC.

Estimated start date: September 1, 2012.

This position is contingent upon funding.

Please apply online:
www.ircjobs.org or

http://tbe.taleo.net/NA2/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1&rid=8146 .

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.