DRR, DP & DR Programme Manager, DR Congo, Bukavu

CORDAID

Cordaid believes in a world without poverty and exclusion. We strive for a just and sustainable society where every person counts. We stand for knowledge and talent sharing between North and South, between farmers and businesses, between activists and policymakers. Where poverty, conflict and exclusion divide societies, we connect people and communities. We stand for professionalism, expertise and solidarity across borders. We make a difference where it is most needed.

Together with more than 800 organizations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America we structurally improve the living conditions of the poorest and most excluded populations - the bottom billion. We do that where natural disasters strike, where conflicts tear up communities and where underdevelopment keep families in extreme poverty. In the Netherlands we are known as Cordaid Memisa, Cordaid Mensen in Nood, Cordaid Kinderstem and Cordaid Microkrediet.

For the Cordaid Country office in Bukavu, DR Congo, Cordaid is looking for aDisaster Risk Reduction, Preparedness & Response Programme Manager

Introduction

Since the 1970s, DR Congo has been one of Cordaid's focus countries. Active relations existed and are still present between Cordaid and the Congolese Catholic Church and its operational offices in health (Bureaux d'Oeuvre Medical), disaster response and risk reduction (Caritas), as well as long term development (Bureaux de Developpement).Throughout these forty years, Cordaid's Congolese partnerships expanded to include many NGO organisations, and lately also Government Institutions (e.g. Ministries of Planning, Health, Social Affairs) as well as international lobby organisations.

Currently there is a Cordaid country office in Kinshasa (since 2000), a field office in Bukavu (since 2005) and 4 separate antennas in Beni, Kindu, Kisangani and Goma (since 2012). In total, 64 field staff are currently working with Cordaid in DRC. The broad focus on health, disaster response and prevention (DRR) and long term development remained throughout. We focus our work on direct poverty alleviation, capacity building and support to civil society organisations, and lobby and advocacy interventions, at both local, national and international level.

In 2011-2012 a disaster risk mapping was done by Cordaid for DR Congo, which concluded DRC is a high risk country for both natural hazards and conflict. Especially eastern Congo (North and South Kivu) are disaster prone. Early 2013 an identification mission was done to assess the relevance and possibilities to work on both Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Disaster Preparedness & Disaster Response (DP/DR). Both seem to be relevant in eastern Congo; for Cordaid there is a niche for working on Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR). Therefore, as from October 2013 Cordaid is developing a programme in DRC on both Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Preparedness & Response activities, so that local partners and communities will be able to prevent disasters and will be prepared for a proper response if needed. A programme manager in the field should support this programme.

Position and responsibility

The Disaster Risk Reduction, Preparedness & Response Programme Manager (PM) is responsible for designing, implementing, managing and coordinating Cordaid's capacity building and programmes for disaster preparedness & response and for community managed disaster risk reduction, in eastern DRC. He/she will assess and elaborate proposals for new funding opportunities and strategic partner-ships. Furthermore, he/she will liaise closely with relevant DP/DR and DRR stakeholders in DRCongo.

The PM reports to the Cordaid DRC Country Director in Kinshasa, via the Cordaid Teamleader in Bukavu, with a copy to Cordaid's Programme Manager of the 'DRR & DR' Business Unit in The Netherlands, The Hague.

General objectives of the posting

• Build the capacity of Cordaid partners (Caritas agencies and other NGO's) in eastern DRC on DP & DR, in order to prepare for and respond to future disasters;
• Build the capacity of Cordaid partners (Caritas agencies and other NGO's) in eastern DRC on CMDRR, in order to prevent or mitigate future disasters;
• Assess backdonor funding possibilities and acquire backdonor funding for CMDRR and/or DP/DR programmes, from different international backdonors and other resources e.g. Caritas (*);
• Identify, develop, support and monitor DP & DR programmes, together with local partners and other key stakeholders, for North Kivu and South Kivu;
• Identify, develop, support and monitor Community Managed DRR programmes together with local partners and other key stakeholders, for North Kivu and South Kivu;
• Networking, representation and lobby & advocacy on CMDRR and DP/DR, in close cooperation with the Cordaid Country Director in DRC and the Programme Manager at Head Office (*);
• Advise the responsible Cordaid Programme Manager 'DRR & DR', based at the Head Office, on further programme development, fundraising, lobby & advocacy and strategic positioning.

(*) Represent Cordaid 'DRR & DR' programme in relevant Caritas, INGO, UN, government and other coordination meetings; identify and establish contacts and collaborate with relevant 'DRR & DR' stakeholders (e.g. the government); explore potential donors for 'DRR & DR' resource mobilisation.

Qualifications

• Academic degree or equivalent qualification in development studies or other related field;
• At least 5 years proven experience with developing, managing and monitoring DR, DP and DRR programmes;
• Experience in working with local NGOs, preferably for communities in conflict-affected areas;
• Strong (financial) project management, analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Experience with assessing needs for and with delivering CMDRR and DP/DR Trainings;
• Experience with working in internationally funded programmes, including coordination, reporting and monitoring according to different donor templates (e.g. ECHO / EC, UN agencies, DFID);
• Culturally sensitive, diplomatic, autonomous and results-oriented (agree on deliverables and ensure progress and results with national staff and actors);
• Good writing skills to formulate project proposals and project reports;
• Excellent French and English language communication skills;
• Knowledge of DR Congo's socio-economic and political environment is an asset.

Specifics of duty station

The Disaster Risk Reduction, Preparedness & Response PM will be based at the Cordaid office in Bukavu (South Kivu). The PM will travel to (partner) organizations in North and South Kivu regularly, for coordination meetings, programme monitoring, and to provide training and advice to local partners.

It is a non-accompanied posting. The safety and security situation in the region remains volatile, but is constantly monitored by Cordaid. Appropriate safety and security policies are in place which need to be adhered to by the PM.

Contract information

The contract period is for 6 months initially, with the possibility and intention to extend; starting as soon as possible. We offer a Cordaid contract with a competitive salary, and a benefit package including R & R, a comprehensive insurance coverage, social security, pension contribution and holiday allowance.

Further information & how to apply

For additional information, please contact Josee van der Beek, Recruiter. Phone: +31 70 3136 300.

Applications including a motivation letter in French, and an extensive CV in French or English, including the contact details of at least three professional references, should be forwarded to Cordaid before 15 July 2014 under reference of the vacancy number.

An e-assessment might be part of the selection procedure.

Please note that we accept applications through our website only: www.cordaid.org(>Working for Cordaid> Vacancy Overview, then select the relevant vacancy, and click on the 'solliciteren/apply' button).