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Position Title: Director of Development Programs
Location: Goma
Country: Democratic Republic of Congo
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a global organization that believes in the possibility of a better world. Established in August 2007, Mercy Corps has been actively working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with a dedicated staff of around 400 employees. The organization operates in Eastern DRC, focusing on supporting vulnerable communities through crises while fostering programs that build resilience and promote long-term change. Mercy Corps DRC has a national office in Goma and field offices in North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, and Kasai, along with a small support base in Kinshasa. The organization implements a diverse range of programs, including humanitarian responses and longer-term development initiatives, with a significant annual programming budget of 50 million USD. Mercy Corps DRC is recognized as a leader in humanitarian and development programming in Eastern Congo, influencing stakeholders to implement impactful solutions at the community level.

Job Overview:
The Director of Development Programs (DOP-D) is a key leadership position responsible for overseeing the development and stabilization program portfolio in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This role involves ensuring the implementation of innovative and adaptive programs that align with the country strategy and the organization's goals. The DOP-D will work closely with the Country Director and the Director of Humanitarian Programs to coordinate program quality and Technical Support across various departments. The position requires frequent travel to field offices and entails representing Mercy Corps DRC to donors, stakeholders, and government authorities. The DOP-D will lead complex program implementation across multiple field offices in a challenging and unpredictable environment, developing a strategic vision for the development programming portfolio in response to the evolving context.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Director of Development Programs will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Communicating a clear vision of program goals and strategies to teams and stakeholders, translating this vision into actionable work plans.
• Leading the implementation of the development/stabilization program strategy, prioritizing actions and resources to achieve objectives.
• Collaborating with the Crisis Analysis Team to incorporate socio-political and security Context Analysis into planning for both humanitarian and resilience programming.
• Ensuring that learning and research findings are integrated into program adaptation and quality.
• Identifying new initiatives and program opportunities in Coordination with the Country Director and relevant personnel.
• Providing leadership to development/stabilization program teams throughout the program development process.
• Ensuring effective cross-program coordination and communication, aligning programming with Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• Supporting Program Directors in overseeing the performance of partners and ensuring quality program implementation.
• Supervising the Program Performance and Quality team and Crisis Analysis Team, ensuring responsiveness to program needs. 1
• Supporting the establishment of systems and tools for effective program performance and quality monitoring.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Director of Development Programs position should possess a range of qualifications, including:

• Proven leadership experience in development and stabilization programming, preferably in complex and insecure environments.
• Strong understanding of humanitarian principles and development practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in Design" id="link" class="link">Program Design, implementation, and evaluation, with a focus on quality and accountability.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external partners.
• Strong analytical skills, with the capacity to incorporate context analysis into program planning and implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Educational Background:
A relevant educational background is essential for this position, typically including a Master's degree in international development, public Administration, social sciences, or a related field. Candidates with equivalent experience in lieu of formal education may also be considered, provided they demonstrate a strong understanding of development programming and leadership.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have significant experience in development programming, with a minimum of 7-10 years in leadership roles within international organizations. Experience working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or similar contexts is highly desirable, as is familiarity with the challenges and opportunities present in the region.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization. Proficiency in French is also highly desirable, given the operational context in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Knowledge of local languages may be considered an asset, enhancing communication with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and may require frequent travel to field offices across the country. The role is full-time and involves a seniority level that requires strategic oversight and leadership. Compensation and benefits will be commensurate with experience and aligned with Mercy Corps' policies. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, welcoming candidates from various backgrounds and experiences.