JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:Country Director,DRC

REPORTS TO:Head of Country Coordination, Africa CPs Group

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

ActionAid is an international non-governmental organization registered in The Netherlands and headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. ActionAid International works in over 47 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Americas. Of these country programmes, affiliates or associates, 22 are in Africa and are led by Africans. We have been doing development work on the continent since 1972. ActionAid works with the poor and excluded in Africa, promoting values and commitment in civil society, institutions and governments with the aim of achieving structural changes in order to eradicate injustices and poverty in the world.

We work in partnership with local NGOs and by supporting a number of other projects and policy influencing initiatives. ActionAid is among the leading NGOs promoting poverty focused strategies and programmes.

AAIDRC was approved last year by the International Board & General Assembly of the ActionAid federation to attain the full status of a Country Programme (CP). The international Strategy of the ActionAid Federation for 2012 – 2017 has been approved for implementation by the General Assembly of the Federation. In the same vein, the CP is also currently finalizing its first country strategy paper that will drive its agenda and mission over the next few years. Therefore weare looking for a committed and inspirational Country Directorto shape, lead and manage the vision of the Federation in DRC.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The person is expected to manage, lead and shape a vision for ActionAid International DRC (AAIDRC) by aligning the two strategies, implement the aligned country strategy to provide quality program management, policy and advocacy work as well as lead on other organizational systems to drive the needed change agenda both at national and international levels relating to DRC.

This is expected to be done in line with the established policies, principles and operating practice of the ActionAid federation, as well as good management practice and the political, social, cultural & economic environment.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Organisational and Corporate Development

  • Implement and further develop AAI's vision, mission, philosophy and principles in line with

agreed corporate strategies and organisational priorities.

  • Actively contribute to ActionAid’s development as an international and regional organisation.
  • Maintain regular communication with the Line manager and across other staff of the ActionAid Federation as appropriate.
  • Provide inputs to corporate activities as and when required, including participation on task forces, training courses and conferences.

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Programme Implementation

  • Lead and direct the work of AAI in accordance with sound management practice and

ActionAid’s development policies and accountability systems.

  • Ensure AAI has a well balanced, well documented and cost effective programme.
  • Develop AAI's capacity to document, disseminate and learn from development work and

ensure all reporting is of the highest standard.

  • Manage and encourage co-operative relationships established with various specialist

institutions and ensure that these joint initiatives conform to programme objectives.

  • Ensure all programme activities are sensitive to and responsive to changes in the political, social, and economic environments.

Financial Management & Control

  • Ensure that the control of expenditure and the disbursement of resources is in accordance with established procedures and maintain the financial and legal integrity of the organisation.
  • Provide progress and financial reports as required by the government and ActionAid’s

accountability procedures and as required by other organisations.

Human Resource Development & Management

  • Maintain effective and appropriate staff recruitment, induction, appraisal, remuneration and

development practice at all levels to ensure the optimum utilisation and development of AAI's

human resources.

  • Appoint, develop and manage senior management staff. Ensure a high calibre of staff is

recruited while promoting affirmative action within the organisation in favour of women.

  • Encourage a corporate perspective amongst staff and actively promote staff exchange,

secondment and development schemes, where these contribute to the meeting of AAI's

programme objectives and priorities.

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Relationship with the Government of DRC

  • Ensure that AAI operates within the terms and conditions of all legal agreements with the Government of DRC.
  • Establish, develop and maintain excellent working relationships with the Government; in particular with relevant national, provincial and district level officials.
  • Provide support to all senior managers in their dealings with officials.

Local Fundraising & Liaison with Funders/Donors

  • Ensure a regular flow of information is available to the funding departments and to donors and

official funders as required by the various funding mechanisms.

  • Establish and develop working relationships with key donors and actively develop local

funding sources appropriate to AAI's resource needs.

Policy, Research & Advocacy Work

  • Encourage the development of appropriate research with a view to improving the quality of field

work and influencing changes in policy to improve the quality of life for the poor.

  • Maintain sound relations with policy, research and advocacy specialists at regional and

international levels.

Media Engagements

  • Develop and manage a sound relationship with all sections of the media and ensure that any

published material accurately reflects the views of the organisation.

  • Establish an appropriate public image for AAI that is in keeping with AAI’s values and culture.

Emergency Preparedness

  • Develop and maintain appropriate contingency plans for all kinds of emergencies. Such plans to be presented for approval of the supervisor for inclusion in corporate emergency response mechanisms.

Other Requirements

Carry out other assignments as requested by the supervisor either in-country or other countries.

Internal Relationships: Line Manager, Other CDs, senior management team, & other relevant internal stakeholders.

External Relationships: Donors, government agencies, partners & other stakeholders.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Attributes/Skills / Essential / Desirable
Education/
Qualifications /
  • Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or arts/humanities
  • At least a Masters degree in a related field
/
  • Membership of relevant professional institution

Experience /
  • At least 15 years minimum working experience in the social development field
  • About 10 years proven track record in leading and managing institutions and development programs as well as either being part of social movements or an active member of civil society
  • At least 5 years experience in a senior management position in the development sector particularly in designing, setting up and coordinating monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment systems and processes as well as pro-poor strategies
  • In-depth understanding of programming issues and policy work at state, national and international levels
  • Sound and up to date knowledge of development concepts, methodologies and techniques including demonstrated expertise in at least one specialist development field
  • Understanding of gender issues in development and demonstrable commitment to promoting gender equity within the organisation and in programme work
/
  • Proven initiative, flexibility and enthusiasm in managing complex activities in a changing environment.

Skill Abilities /
  • Excellent management & leadership skills
  • Excellent skills in facilitation and capacity building for inter-linkages between staff, donors, partners & stakeholders
  • Excellent conceptual, analytical, documentation and presentation skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including report writing
  • Excellent planning and prioritization skills
  • Excellent financial management skills
  • Ability to think strategically
  • Strong analytical/problem solving skills
  • Multi-tasking skills
  • Negotiation skills
  • Proficiency in English language and a familiarity with the particular country environment as it affects development strategies
/
  • Excellent skills in programme information management
  • Demonstrable versatility in use of IT (MS Word, Excel, Access, Power-point, e-mail, DTP packages)

Personal Qualities /
  • Demonstrable commitment to supportive team working
  • Creative and takes initiative
  • Able to work effectively in a diverse team environment
  • Ability to work collaboratively with diverse coalition, alliances as well as independently
  • Multitasking with ability to handle heavy work load and various projects in a highly challenging environment
  • Willing to work additional hours at crucial times
/
  • Self motivated person able to work without supervision
  • Effectively promote AA’s mission, values, and objectives

Signed by:______

Country Director, DRC

Signed by: ______

Head of Country Coordination, Africa CPs Group

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