Chief of Party
Search for Common Ground, Congo

Search is implementing a 36-month peacebuilding project, entitled Tuishi Kwa Umoja (Let’s Live United) Activity, funded by the Human Rights Support Mechanism (HRSM) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project, launched in April 2021, aims to rebuild community cohesion and address awareness and commitment of different stakeholders towards conflict resolution and prevention of human rights violations, targeting specifically the Banyamulenge and Bantu farming communities in Minembwe and Itombwe Health Zones (Fizi territory, South Kivu)
To lead this effort Search seeks an experienced and dynamic Chief of Party with strong coordination, communication, peacebuilding, analytical, and project and budget management skills to oversee the Minembwe suboffice and to guide the effective and high quality implementation of the project's programmatic vision. The Chief of Party will have experience in managing projects in complex security and operational contexts. S/he will moreover have solid technical knowledge in the areas of peacebuilding, conflict transformation, protection, including GBV and mining sector governance. Experience in advocacy and the area of livelihoods is a plus. S/he moreover should have proven experience in managing USAID grants.
Based in Bukavu, with frequent travel to Uvira, Minembwe and project intervention sites (Moyen and Haut Plateaux), the Chief of Party will assume overall management responsibility for all aspects of project implementation, as well as operations of the Minembwe sub-base. The Chief of Party reports to the Head of Office, and works closely with the Program Director, Finance Director, the Operations Director and their technical teams, the Regional Team, other project leads operating in the same area, as well as external partners and stakeholders, to ensure the effective implementation of project activities.Project management quality assurance

• In close collaboration and consultation with all relevant departments of the organization, ensure the effective use, updating and joint analyses and monthly review of key program management tools (BVA, activity, spending, procurement recruitment and Monitoring and Evaluation plans and reports) to guide decision making and ensure realistic budget projections and activity planning ,
• Ensure necessary programmatic flexibility in response to contextual dynamics, by using lessons learned, empirical evidence, data and research findings to inform decision making and, in close collaboration with Search’s technical team, identify and develop context appropriate programmatic and advocacy approaches to achieve greatest impact, as well as suggest alternative means of achieving the project objectives when appropriate.
• Collaborate closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation, Learning and Research department in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the quality and impact of activities, to ensure that lessons and analyses are integrated into decision-making and determinings the project’s strategic direction;
• Ensure that the implementation of activities is consistent with Search's vision and contribute 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 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. In case adaptations are required in response to changes in the security context, proactively engage all internal stakeholders to determine needs for budget realignment.
• 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.

External Coordination and Strategic Partnerships

• 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.) conflict transformation, livelihoods, protection to ensure complementarity of approaches and activities carried out by the project.
• Ensure the technical liaison of the project with the donor.
• Provide timely context analysis and implementation updates to USAID.
• Develop appropriate advocacy strategies in order to address key obstacles to sustainable progress towards restoring community cohesion and sustainably building peace in the target zone.

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 and ensure new staff member induction on the field.
• Supervise and support the performance development of the people under his/her supervision (updating their job descriptions, setting and reviewing performance objectives, coaching, training and evaluation, planning and monitoring their leaves) 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 SFCG 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;
• Ensure close monitoring of the political and security environment and adapting the security plan accordingly.

Skills and qualifications required

• Experience implementing conflict resolution, mitigation, management, and reconciliation programming utilizing people-to-people peacebuilding approaches.
• Solid understanding of the linkages between conflict, protection and livelihoods
• At least 8 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 university 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. 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 Minembwe, Uvira, Bukavu, and Kinshasa.
• Fluent in French and English. Swahili language skills will be an asset.

Applications should include a curriculum vitae and a cover letter and 3 references with their telephone numbers.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. However, applications will be treated without any discrimination. Only those applicants who are short-listed will be contacted for further steps in the process.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
TOLÉRANCE ZÉRO CONTRE LA FRAUDE ET L'INCONDUITE SEXUELLESearch promeut LA TOLÉRANCE ZÉRO contre la fraude et le harcèlement sexuel. Toute personne qui serait victime ou témoin d’une telle pratique de la part d’un membre du personnel ou collaborateur durant ce processus de sélection des candidatures doit en informer la direction de Search http://www.sfcg.ethicspoint.com/
As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
-Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please. Please see our websitewww.sfcg.orgfor full details of our work.
All Search Employees must adhere to thevalues: Collaboration- Audacity - Tenacity - Empathy - Results. In accordance with thesevalues, Search enforces compliance with the Code of Conduct and related policies on Anti Workplace Harassment, Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Conflict of Interest and Anti-fraud. Search is committed to safeguarding the interests, rights, and well-being of children, youth and vulnerable adults with whom it is in contact and to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for children, youth, and vulnerable adults.
Search for Common Ground does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.
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