Humanitarian Director

ROLE PURPOSE

As key staff of the DRC Country Office, provide leadership and strategic direction to all aspects of Save the Children humanitarian and emergency response in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The role holder will focus on advocacy, representation, policy, proposal and budget development, donor reporting, the development and implementation of DRC’s Humanitarian CAT-1 Strategy, and the development and implementation of the annual Save the Children Response Plan for the DRC. S/He will collaborate with the Country Director, Program Operations Director, the Field Managers, technical Advisors and other functions in the Country Office to ensure that resources are allocated to make sure that a timely and efficient response is delivered. 

The role holder will also ensure immediate and appropriate response to children’s needs during humanitarian crises as well as cross sector collaboration among technical units. They will ensure funding proposals are produced and donor reporting requirements are adhered to, and are of the highest standard and that Save the Children’s commitment to improving quality and accountability in humanitarian work is upheld, and complies with all relevant policies and procedures with respect to child protection, health and safety.

In addition, in coordination with the Country Director, they will represent Save the Children at donor meetings and where emergency programming is concerned, ensuring an appropriate role on the accountability and activity matrix for each humanitarian programme.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Director of Programme Operations

Dimensions: Save the children is looking for an experienced Humanitarian Director to lead our humanitarian program implemented across the Country Office through various thematic. The Humanitarian Director will be responsible for the delivery and overall success of the humanitarian strategy in the Country as well as the emergency preparedness plan including its various initiatives. 

As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Humanitarian Director shares in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Country Office. The Humanitarian Director in his/her capacity plays a key role for implementation of all humanitarian programming in country, including providing senior leadership and oversight of all field teams, emergency preparedness and response (including DRR). He/She lead the implementation of emergencies responses in the course of the 3- 6 first months depending of the contexts and operations requirements. 

Staff directly reporting to this post: 2 Humanitarian Managers, 1 ACCM Coordinator, 1 Head Of MEAL, 1 Hum Support Coordinator, 1 Heath Cluster Co-Lead, 1 Education Cluster Co-Lead.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: 

Leadership and management of humanitarian programmes 

• Assume overall management oversight of planning and implementation of the SC humanitarian response and program budget in DRC 
• Expand the programming portfolio through capacity building of field staff, development of partnerships and networks, as well as development of new funding opportunities
• As overall budget holder of humanitarian grants, monitor the implementation of grant budgets, keeping all stakeholders informed and ensuring any corrective actions are taken
• Ensure that existing finance guidelines and related administrative procedures are adhered to and that grant finances are kept in an exemplary state
• Coordinate regular management and technical support visits to implementation sites to ensure that programming meets/exceeds international and Save the Children standards and corresponds to work plans and budgets
• Ensure compliance with all relevant policies and procedures of Save the Children, e.g. child rights and safeguarding, donors and the government
• Work closely with other thematic areas to harmonize humanitarian interventions
• Work in closely with the Logistics, Security, Program Operations Director and Managers to ensure efficient delivery and support of humanitarian programmes and staff safety and security in high risk areas where humanitarian response programing is operational 

Humanitarian preparedness and response 

• Ensure rapid response to the needs of children and their families in times of crisis
• Lead the development of the country programme’s Humanitarian Preparedness and Response Strategy and Contingency Plans and liaise closely with the Save the Children Humanitarian Team
• Make clear recommendations based on the DRC Response Strategy re: proposed programme content, staffing, management and administration arrangements and budget with clear indications of funding and technical support resources
• To ensure a short-term funding strategy is in place to resource the delivery of the humanitarian response strategy
• Ensure Save the Children programmes are included or referenced in the UN CAP and Flash appeals
• Continually monitor the situation of the affected population and ensure revisions to humanitarian response strategy where necessary
• Develop, ensure training and activate country Emergency Response Team as necessary
• Ensure rapid humanitarian multi-sectoral integrated assessments are undertaken as necessary to continue to inform the implementation of the humanitarian response strategy
• Support the Security Focal Point to ensure that optimal safety and security management procedures and practices are in place for the humanitarian response programme and continually monitor the safety and security situation, adapting staff safety and security procedures accordingly
• To lead on the content and staffing of the humanitarian response; define and request support needed from the country office, regional office and SCI Humanitarian Team
• Ensure that SMT and Regional Humanitarian Lead are well informed on issues related to humanitarian response and humanitarian risk management pertaining to all areas of operations and that all humanitarian programming in DRC is well integrated with the regional and global humanitarian response system of Save the Children.

Monitoring and reporting

• Ensure that programme objectives and activities are agreed upon within the context of Save the Children values, aims and objectives
• Ensure production and timely dissemination of high quality, analytical reports, supply of regular situation reports, and collection, analysis and dissemination of relevant information and data relevant to the response
• Evaluate, monitor and review to ensure strict compliance of programme activities with Save the Children national and global policies and procedures and with relevant donor regulations and agreements, SPHERE guidelines and the NGO code of conduct.

Representation, communication & relationship building

• Represent Save the Children on national forums, workshops and meetings regarding humanitarian issues
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key national partners and coordinate with other INGOs with humanitarian capacity, including government and UN colleagues
• Ensure effective representation of Save the Children’s humanitarian response to local authorities, donors, working groups, clusters, task forces, and other members of the humanitarian community
• Ensure establishment and maintenance of strong working relationships with local communities, community based organisations and other local authorities as appropriate.

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development – Humanitarian

• Manage a multidisciplinary team of programme and technical staff. Performance manage all direct line reports including development and coaching of staff.
• Team building and development of team capacity, with particular focus on developing skills, knowledge and capacity relevant to attaining the SCI DR Congo Country Humanitarian objectives and vision.
• Ensure that all staff understand and are able to perform their role in an humanitarian response
• Manage the Humanitarian team; define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly
• Develop and train the country Emergency Response Team in coordination with the Regional Humanitarian Lead and the SCI Humanitarian Team
• Ensure the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff
• Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into team building process.  Establish result-based system and follow up
• Manage the performance of all staff in the Humanitarian work area through: 
  • Effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations;
  • Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities;
  • Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance;
  • Documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/ work plans

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required, Master’s degree preferred
• Recommended minimum of 8 years’ experience in humanitarian programme management, preparedness and response in several fragile or complex contexts – the DRC or East Africa working experience is an advantage;
• Significant experience of managing logistics, security and operations
• Understanding of international humanitarian aid systems and agencies
• Experience of working in insecure environments
• Ample knowledge of humanitarian response and transitional program concepts, policies, frameworks, strategies and components, as well as development concepts and frameworks
• Extensive on the ground experience in multi-sectoral humanitarian response, including food aid programs 
• Experience in logistics management
• Solid budgeting skills and knowledge of key donor regulations
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Commitment to Save the Children's practices and procedures and ways of working with children
• Willingness to work and travel in often difficult and insecure environments
• Fluency in French and English, both verbal and written
• Competency in local language is preferred but not required
• Commitment to Save the Children values

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

1. Delivering Results

Takes personal responsibility and holds others accountable for delivering our ambitious goals for children, continually improving their own performance or that of the team/ organisation.

Level required: Leading Edge

2. Problem Solving & Decision Making

Takes effective, considered and timely decisions by gathering and evaluating relevant information from within or outside the organisation.

Level required: Leading Edge

3. Applying Technical & Professional Expertise

Applies the required technical and professional expertise to the highest standards; promotes and shares best practice within and outside the organisation.

Level required: Accomplished

4. Working Effectively with Others

Works collaboratively to achieve shared goals and thrives on diversity of people and perspectives; knows when to lead, when to follow, and how to ensure effective cross-boundary working.

Level required: Accomplished

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities 

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Safeguarding our Staff

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy.

Health and Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.