DR Congo Election Operation Coordinator (short-term)

Employment category: F (non-management)

Reporting to: Country Director

Direct reports: None

Background:

The Democratic Republic of Congo's upcoming elections in December 2023 are fraught with challenges, including armed conflict in the east, distrust in the electoral commission, and political fragmentation. Rising political tensions, irregularities in voter registration, potential abuses by security forces, and violence risk exacerbating community clashes. The humanitarian situation is further strained by ongoing armed conflicts, notably the M23 insurgency in North Kivu, leading to widespread displacement and voter disenfranchisement. Civil society plays a crucial role in advocating for fair elections and the safety of the population amidst these complex challenges. With this expected shock, DRC is seeking to strengthen its capacity for preparedness and response.

Overall purpose of the role:

The DR Congo Election Operations Coordinator (Short-Term) for assists in the monitoring, tracking, development and strengthening of emergency preparedness and response capacity within DRC country office. This includes having operation monitoring over the evolving security/safety situation, the capacity of DRC to cope with potential shocks/crisis, and provide operational support/guidance, and daily trouble shooting to the Senior Management Team. Should a shock/crisis arise within DR Congo, affecting DRC operations, this person is expected to play a critical role in the coordination of Crisis Incident Management team and DRC response.

Responsibilities:

The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Operational Preparedness and Response:

• Support Senior Management Team to ensure all preparedness activities are in place for potential shock/crisis.
• Identify capacity operational gaps that could hinder DRC’s ability to respond to the shock/crisis.
• Provide trouble-shooting in existing operations facing bottlenecks with relation to potential shock/crisis;
• Ensure that DRC mandate, policies and values in programming is upheld, and DRC’s accountability obligations are delegated and carried out in accordance with standard regulations and operational procedures e.g. Code of Conduct, DRC Programme Handbook, DRC Operations Handbook

Country Inter-Departmental Coordination:

• In close coordination with the  Country Safety Coordinator, assist in assessing access possibilities to new areas, or areas with limited/no access, as needed;
• In coordination with Country Safety Coordinator, provide CO Senior Management Teams with updated information on ongoing/emerging humanitarian crises and needs within DR Congo and DRC areas of operation;
• Identification and prioritization (continuous) of geographical areas prone to shocks;
• In close coordination and collaboration with the country Head of Support Services provide support with respect to procurement, supply chain and asset management in emergency operations;

Other

• The DR Congo Election Operations Coordinator (Short-Term), may, on temporary basis, be given overall responsibility for leading a specific DRC humanitarian response within DR Congo. In such a case, the individual will have  organizational, financial and administrative responsibility of that particular DRC response under the monitoring of the Senior Management Team

Experience and technical competencies:

• At least seven years of INGO or other agency emergency response experience in insecure environments, including at least three years of management experience;
• Relevant technical expertise/experience in relevant sectors of humanitarian programming such as WASH, Food Security, CCCM or Protection.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and management and leadership skills;
• Proven commitment to accountable practices and knowledge of quality assurance systems in an emergency response;
• Hands on experience in managing staff in insecure locations and strong human resource management skills in general. Solid experience in staff management in a cross-cultural environment required;
• Good communicator and proven diplomacy with all types of stakeholders;
• Experience of managing budgets and multiple donor contracts, particularly with BHA, OFDA, ECHO, SIDA and UN agencies;
• Fluent and articulate in spoken and written French
• Ability to work independently, but also coordinate effectively as part of a team;
• Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point); and
• Ability and willingness to work and live in diverse, challenging and potentially unstable environments.

Desirable:

• Previous experience the East Africa and Great Lakes region or similar context with conflict/access analysis ability; and
• Strong working knowledge of Somali, French or other languages spoken widely in the region

Education: 

• University degree with advanced training or technical qualification in relevant line of work/sector

Languages: 

• Fluency in written and spoken French
• Strong working knowledge of English, Swahili or other languages spoken widely in the region desirable