War Child Holland: program development manager DR Congo

War Child’s DRC Program aims to promote child rights and improve psychosocial development opportunities for vulnerable children in Eastern Congo. The program focuses on increasing marginalized children’s attendance in formal and non-formal schools (literacy courses and vocational training) and community reintegration. A particular attention is paid to the problem of gender based violence and economic exploitation. Target groups are ex child soldiers and other vulnerable children and youth. War Child DRC relies on local organizations for the implementation of its program and runs a program of strengthening of local capacities. We work in synergy with local and international organizations and governmental institutions.

The job

The Program Development Manager (PDM) will be responsible for coordinating the different programs and ensuring program quality. The program is partly implemented by War Child staff and partly implemented by local partners. The PDM builds the capacity of WCH staff and local partners to ensure the program’s sustainability.

The PDM is the technical/content advisor to the Country Director (CD) and Operation Support Manager and oversees the work of the Program teams. S/he is responsible for program quality.

The PDM reports to the Country Director.

Responsibilities

1. Realisation of War Child’s country programme

Realisation of War Child’s country program; Ensures the programme content is in line with WCH approach and policies and with the country strategy, based on assessments, lessons learned and sharing good practice. Also contributes to the country strategy and annual plan; Leads and facilitates process of developing programs, annual plans and project proposals and updating/revision of strategy documents; Coordinates the different programs in terms of content, coherence, planning and implementation; Advices team leaders on program development and program management; Coordinates PM&E cycle and tools development, updates PM&E system to program developments; ensures quality control, coordinates monitoring of program implementation and measuring of program effectiveness; Ensures participation of program staff, local partners and children (target groups) in planning, monitoring and evaluation (PME) cycle; Continuously monitors local needs and developments, by (among others) performing in-depth needs assessments; Coordinates base line studies; Coordinates program reporting and data base; Pro-actively advises the CD on program/project content, direction and implementation; Develops tools and formats for planning, monitoring and evaluation.

2. Capacity building staff & local partners

Oversees the development of training manuals; Identifies staff training needs and organises training of programme staff; Evaluates effectiveness and quality of project activities with the programme staff.

3. Management of staff

Manages programme leaders of the programme teams and two programme development advisors; Coaches teams of program staff; Takes team building initiatives; Conducts performance appraisals of team leaders and discusses career perspectives with programme staff; Assists team leaders in coaching and performance appraisals of their teams; Manages well-being of the programme staff; Defines job profiles for recruitment new program staff and coordinates recruitment process.

4. Maintain network of contacts/representation

Represents War Child in meetings at the local or national level, agreed on with CD Represents WCH-DRC in program meetings at headquarters level and maintains contacts with other PDM’s

Accepts all other tasks (within reason) on request of the CD

Profile

Experience

5 years of experience in a similar position; Experience in curriculum development, ideally in developing country contexts; Experience of facilitation and capacity building specifically relating to team building and team maintenance; Demonstrated ability to work in an insecure environment; Experience in human resource management.

Knowledge and skills

Relevant academic background (Community Development, Psychology, Education, Pedagogy, Social Sciences); Knowledge and skills in Child Rights and Rights Based Programming, understanding of psychosocial approach; Knowledge and analytical understanding of DRCongo and Kivu in particular; Understanding of quantitative and qualitative planning, monitoring and evaluation tools; Knowledge of and experience with participatory assessment and community based programming in an (I)NGO in post conflict context;; Strong advisory skills; Strong written and oral expressions skills; Strong coaching and cross cultural communication skills; Good analytical and problem solving skills; Creative, participatory and innovative approach; takes initiative and is flexible; Understanding of and capacity to address strong gender biases; Willingness to undertake frequent travel within the program and on specific occasions to other WCH program countries or Head Office; Fluency in French and English (verbal and written). Swahili is an asset;

War Child offers a challenging job, within an inspiring and motivated team of people and the backup of a strong and professional organisation in The Netherlands. War Child offers good remuneration and excellent benefits. Please visit our website http://www.warchildholland.org for more information on the organisation and the programme.

How to apply

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to send a CV and a letter of motivation before December 31st 2009 (please mention PDM DRC in the subject line) to recruitment@warchild.nl

(your letter and CV should not exceed 5 pages).