Chief of Party

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organization that has been active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since 200

• NRC operates in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri, focusing on addressing the fundamental needs of people affected by displacement. The organization works in various sectors including Education, Shelter, Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA), and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). NRC also has an emergency response mechanism that allows for rapid intervention to meet the multi-sectoral needs of displaced individuals. The organization is committed to providing high-quality aid and defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, fostering professional growth and innovative teams, and maintaining a supportive culture with open dialogue with management. NRC emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workforce, and is dedicated to safeguarding and protecting the rights of vulnerable populations.

Job Overview:
The Chief of Party position is crucial for managing the Fil-Est project in the DRC, which is a three-year initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by NRC in collaboration with three Congolese NGOs. The project aims to strengthen local action in response to ongoing humanitarian crises in Eastern DRC. Through the Local Initiatives Fund for the East (FIL-Est), the project supports the implementation of approximately 90 multi-sectoral microprojects led by Congolese civil society organizations (CSOs), while sustainably enhancing the organizational and technical capacities of local structures. The Chief of Party will need to demonstrate a strong understanding of the local context, organizational development, and localization issues. This role requires solid leadership, coordination, and capacity-building skills to support consortium partners and local actors throughout the project cycle. The Chief of Party will also play a key role in promoting learning, capitalization, and continuous improvement, ensuring external visibility of the project, maintaining regular dialogue with donors and stakeholders, and actively contributing to the strategic adaptation and future development of the FIL-Est mechanism.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Chief of Party will be responsible for defining, establishing, and evolving the management mechanisms, systems, and processes for the FIL-Est project, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and compliance. Key responsibilities include supervising the entire management cycle of microprojects funded through third-party grants, which involves project calls, participatory selection, contracting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. The Chief of Party will coordinate the development of standard tools related to the fund, such as MEAL tools, selection criteria, financial management procedures, and community accountability systems. They will ensure the effective implementation of capacity-building activities for beneficiary CSOs, including diagnostics, individualized support, and coaching. Monitoring the overall performance of microprojects, ensuring the quality of results achieved, and feeding into mechanisms for capitalization, learning, and continuous improvement are also critical duties. Additionally, the Chief of Party will manage specific risks related to decentralized grant management, such as conflicts of interest, misappropriation, and management errors, through a rigorous control, audit, and prevention system.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have a minimum of 7 years of experience in a humanitarian program management or recovery leadership role, ideally in complex or fragile contexts. Proven experience in strategic design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation is essential. Candidates should have demonstrated knowledge of resilience, sustainability, and localized development approaches. Experience managing multi-donor grants, particularly with the European Union (DEVCO/INTPA), FCDO/DFID, USAID, ECHO, or other major institutional donors is required. A good understanding of compliance, logistics, procurement, finance, and human resources requirements in multi-actor projects is necessary. Experience managing programs implemented through partner networks or consortiums, including national NGOs, is also important. Strong experience in monitoring and evaluating complex programs, including high-level external evaluations, is expected. Candidates should have experience in institutional representation with government authorities, donors, and humanitarian coordination platforms. Excellent writing, analytical, and synthesis skills are required.

Educational Background:
A relevant educational background is essential for this position, typically including a master's degree in a field related to international development, humanitarian assistance, social sciences, or a related discipline. Candidates should have a strong theoretical foundation and practical knowledge that supports their ability to manage complex humanitarian projects effectively.

Experience:
The position requires extensive experience, specifically a minimum of 7 years in program management within humanitarian or recovery contexts. Candidates should have a proven track record of strategic program design and implementation, as well as experience in managing multi-donor grants and working in complex environments. Experience in capacity building and working with local partners is highly valued.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and French, both spoken and written, is mandatory for this position. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both languages to engage with diverse stakeholders and ensure successful project implementation. Additional language skills relevant to the local context may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract for 12 months, classified at NRC salary scale Grade 1

• The role is based in Goma, DRC. This position offers an opportunity to align your career with a critical cause and work alongside some of the best professionals in the field. Candidates are encouraged to apply through the official NRC application process, ensuring that all required fields regarding experience, professional background, and education are completed. Applications must be submitted in either French or English, accompanied by the latest CV. Only candidates meeting the minimum experience and qualification standards will be considered, and spontaneous applications unrelated to this specific job offer will not be accepted. Only selected candidates will be contacted for further steps in the recruitment process.