CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: Carter Center
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Closing date: 28 Feb 2015

The Carter Center (TCC) is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering; it seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.

Summary

The Field Office Director oversees the implementation of The Carter Center’s Democratic Election Standards and Human Rights House programs based in Kinshasa, and the Mining Governance program based in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Represents the Carter Center in the DRC and maintains collaborative relationships with donors, government officials, and representatives of international organizations. Supervises personnel and manages financial, administrative and logistical operations of field office. Works with headquarters and field staff, consultants and external experts to achieve project goals. Performs related responsibilities as required. This position is based in Kinshasa, DRC.

Qualifications

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both French and English are required. Master’s degree (or equivalent) in social sciences, international human rights law, or other development-related field preferred. Seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience, including five years experience managing field office operations. Advanced financial and human resource management skills are required. Applicant should possess strong analysis, problem solving, prioritization, and risk-management skills. Strong interpersonal skills, cross-cultural understanding and the ability to lead and motivate a diverse team are crucial. Proven fundraising success and experience working with donors, government officials and international organizations are essential. Significant experience with programs related to human rights, natural resource governance, elections and election observation, and/or civil society strengthening is desired. Applicant should be well-organized and able to work under pressure and tight deadlines when necessary. Facility with computers and excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must. Experience working in the Great Lakes region is a plus.

Key Responsibilities

1. Representation:Represents all Carter Center programs in the DRC. Maintains productive, strategic relationships with project partners and other key actors in the DRC, including government officials, international organizations, diplomatic missions, donors, civil society leaders, and other critical institutions and groups.
2. Field Office Operational Management:Oversees logistical and administrative processes. Ensures that all field offices operate in compliance with Congolese laws and regulations. Organizes operational policies and procedures and office systems. Reviews and approves procurement requests.
3. Human Resources Management: Manages the recruitment of national staff members and assists the Associate Directors with recruitment of expatriate staff and consultants. Ensures that staff comply with all Carter Center contractual agreements and maintains staff policies and procedures in accordance with DRC law. Designs performance management plans and engages in periodic performance reviews. Provides support to and collaborates with project staff and consultants. Maintains active awareness of staff needs and engages in staff development efforts. Promotes a cooperative work environment.
4. Financial Management: Maintains fiduciary responsibility for all field office project funds, with the assistance of an office manager, in accordance with budget limitations and donor contract regulations. Supervises field office financial reporting to ensure appropriate management of field office operational funds in accordance with the Center’s procedures. Manages the Center’s bank account.
5. Strategic Program Leadership: Provides analysis and ad vice to the Carter Center on important programmatic, operational, and substantive issues. Assesses potential risks that might harm the Center’s programs in the DRC and develops risk management plans in consultation with the Associate Directors. Implements responses to security threats.
6. Program Design and Implementation: Provides leadership in the design and implementation of the DRC programs, in accordance with the Carter Center’s strategic plan. Takes the lead in developing new (internal and external) project proposals. Directs and supervises field office staff and expert consultants to implement all aspects of the programs, working in concert with the Center’s senior staff. Ensures effective and timely delivery of activity plans.
7. Communication and Reporting: Ensures effective and timely coordination and communication between relevant headquarters and field office staff, as well as between programmatic and administrative teams. In collaboration with relevant field office staff, provides input to or drafts sections of donor and other reports as requested by Atlanta staff. Drafts Carter Center press releases, periodic public statements, and other relevant reports as needed, in consultation with and with the pre-approval of Atlanta-based Associate Directors. Submits written and oral reports to Atlanta staff on a weekly basis.

How to apply:

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, writing samples in French and English, and salary information to: tccjobsindrc@gmail.com. Please note “**DRC Field Office Director**” in the subject line. No phone inquiries, please.Due to the large volume of applicants, only those candidates selected for additional consideration will be notified by the Center. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.