Chief of Party à Bunia – Search For Common Ground

• Ensure the effective use, updating and analyses of key program management tools (work-, spending, procurement, Monitoring and Evaluation and recruitment plans) to guide decision making including by ensuring  close collaboration and consultation with all  relevant departments of the organization
• Ensure that the project is implemented on schedule, according to the work plan, and with high technical quality
• Determine and develop strategic and programmatic approaches, taking into account the contextual dynamics in the areas of action and transmit programmatic orientations to the teams and partners, in collaboration with the technical staff and the Country Director
• Collaborate closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation, Learning and Research department in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the quality and impact of activities, ensuring that lessons and analysis are integrated into decision-making and strategic direction
• Organize weekly/monthly project progress review with relevant staff, allowing updates of the BVA, expenditure plan and activity plan based on a joint analysis of progress taking into account internal and external factors and M&E data, to ensure that budget projections and activity planning are realistic
• Ensure that the implementation of activities is consistent with Search’s vision, including contributing to the implementation of the Common Ground Approach
• Coordinate the necessary support and guidance as required within the project with the various departments involved.

Budget tracking and compliance

• Ensure daily budget monitoring and compliance with budget planning, and coordinate with the different departments of Search, as well as with partners to introduce any necessary corrections
• Ensure that the funds allocated to the project are used in accordance with the forecasts and that their accounting allocation is in line with the budget
• Ensure the follow-up and review of all purchase requisitions (status of need) before validation or submission to the hierarchy for approval
• Ensure that all expenditures are made in compliance with and in accordance with Search and the donor’s administrative, financial and operational procedures, including approval of expenditures and documentation
• Ensure that funds are made available to the project and its partners in a timely manner and in accordance with internal procedures. 

Partnership management

• Develop/update partner strategy in support of projects
• Initiate an in-depth analysis of partner skills and capacity building needs, as the basis of the work plan for the Search team and partners
• Lead the contractualization and management of partners according to Search procedures
• Ensure regular assessment and planning meetings with partners
• Accompany and follow up directly with partners in the implementation of activities and reporting
• Ensure the development of a conflict-sensitive communication strategy with project partners
• Ensure compliance with Search’s values, rules and procedures, in relation to the management of partnerships and relationships in the field

External Coordination

• Ensure the presentation of the project to stakeholders in all provinces of intervention
• Accompany the project team to ensure close collaboration with the political-administrative and security authorities of the area for the definition, adaptation and implementation of the activities planned by the project
• Participate in and proactively contribute to existing coordination mechanisms (clusters, working groups, etc.) on natural resource management, conflict transformation, and wildlife conservation, to ensure complementarity of approaches and activities carried out by the project
• Ensure the technical liaison of the project with the donor

Reporting

• Anticipate donor reporting needs by coordinating and collecting inputs from field teams in a timely manner and ensure the quality, compilation, finalization and validation of internal and external reports of all types (including financial and narrative) in conjunction with national and regional leadership as required
• Accompany and coach the teams to ensure the quality expected in the reports
• Ensure the quality of the inputs received from the team, and as needed, provide technical support to the teams in order to ensure the expected quality with the support of colleagues from the technical coordination or the region

Staff and office management and compliance

• Participate in the recruitment of personnel assigned to the project
• Supervise and support the performance development of the people under his/her supervision (setting and reviewing performance objectives, coaching, training and evaluation) in order to optimize project results
• Create an atmosphere and work space for the whole team leading to the expression of ideas, the willingness to learn and to engage in self-critical and constructive reflections, with the objective of achieving the best results for the benefit of our beneficiaries
• Ensure that staff members adhere to Search’s standards and codes of conduct.
• Ensure staff understand and apply the various policies and procedures of Search (Security, Finance, Administration, IT, Logistics)
• Supervise monthly financial reports according to Search procedures
• Control spending and operational costs in line with available budget, through regular monitoring of operational budget in consultation with the Finance Director and office finance
• Participate in the Senior Management Team meetings, and contribute actively to management decision-making and roll out
• Apply any SMT decisions within the Ituri programmes
• Ensure close monitoring of the political and security environment and adapting the security plan accordingly.  

Qualifications

• Experience implementing conflict resolution, mitigation, management, and reconciliation programming utilizing people-to-people peacebuilding approaches.
• At least 10 years of experience in relevant management, supervisory, and technical experience with progressive responsibility working with activities that are of similar scope and scale to this activity.
• A Master’s degree in political science, international relations, international development, public/business administration, conflict studies, other social sciences, natural resources management, or fields closely related to the work required. A Master’s degree may be substituted by a Bachelor’s degree and at least 15 years of experience in strategic planning and implementation of related activities in similar conflict-affected areas.
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex, politically charged, unstable environments, work across different cultures, and manage diverse teams to deliver impact within agreed timelines.
• Proven experience in managing complex projects across dispersed areas in consultation with local implementation partners. 
• Excellent capacity for adaptive project management as well as a strong ability to coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to arrive at consistent, timely, and fair decisions that could mitigate risks and maximize project results. 
• Solid knowledge of financial and operational procedures
• Strong communications and interpersonal skills
• Initiative and problem-solving spirit, attentive to priorities, time management, deadlines and achieving results by coordinating his work with the different technical departments of Search.
• Flexibility and ability to travel at least 50% between Epulu, Bunia, Goma, and Kinshasa.
• Fluent in  French, English, and Swahili.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.