Swedish Red Cross Country Representative, DRC i Stockholm

Background

The Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement is present in 192 countries around the world. This enables the movement to be present before, under, and after emergencies and conflicts. The international department at the Swedish Red Cross (SRC), is supporting partner National Societies around the world in carrying out the unique humanitarian mandate of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

SRC has for decades been engaged in DRC, through International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) or International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) managed and coordinated programmes, with key focus on conflict and disaster affected population, however also engaging in organizational development and women health and protection programmes. SRC has a bilateral partnership since 2015 with the Democratic Republic of Congo Red Cross (DRC RC). Since 2016, SRC is supporting DRC RC in implementing an urban disaster risk reduction project implemented in Kinshasa. DRC RC strategic plan 2019-2023 emphasizes risk reduction as a priority area to address humanitarian needs and deliver effective emergency response, as well as building the resilience of the community. Further, SRC has been engaged in a 3-year ICRC integrated project in the Kivus to build first aid capacity to save lives of wounded and injured in the conflict affected areas. SRC has also been engaged in supporting IFRC coordinated and managed emergency interventions for displaced population, as well as joint IFRC/ICRC operation to address the ongoing Ebola Fever Epidemic in DRC.

Job summary

The Country Representative will be based in Kinshasa, but the role will require field trips to other part of the country, especially the provinces where SRC is implementing bilateral or multilateral programmes with Red Cross/ Red Crescent movement partners. The Country Representative will provide leadership in developing and implementing the SRC long-term strategy and vision for DRC. The Country Representative will support the DRC RC in implementing the strategic plan and support the National Society (i.e. DRC RC) in organizational development.  The Country Representative will maintain and further develop relationship with Red Cross/Red Crescent partners, donors and other stakeholders to further develop the SRC portfolio, and secure resources and capacity for the SRC engagement in the country. The Country Representative is not expected to implement project activities, but would rather guide, coach and train DRC RC staff to ensure sustainability and ownership, and support recruitment processes of staff and delegates for project implementation, as well as securing technical expertise for quality control of projects where needed. The Country representative will be responsible for reporting internally (SRC) and externally (partners, back donors, media, public) on SRC engagement in DRC, and be ready to representant SRC in different fora.

Key duties and responsibilities

Key objectives within the overall purpose of the post will be:

1. Ensure programmes contribute to achieving the SRC International Strategy: Take the lead in further developing SRC’s long-term vision and strategy for DRC. Maintain and develop SRC’s portfolio for DRC. In the processes described above, ensure inclusion of the DRC RC team and SRC HQ (desk, advisors, unit lead). Lead on the implementation of the SRC and West- and Central Africa (WCA) strategy and ensure alignment with the DRC RC Strategy 2019-2022. Lead on monitoring progress of the SRC engagement in DRC in accordance to the WCA performance indicators, annual review of Country Plans, and SRC Strategy and Policies. 
2. Programme and financial management: Lead on programme management and partnership developing with the DRC RC, IFRC, ICRC, and other National Societies in DRC. This includes partner and donor relationship management, budget/financial management, risk management, programme implementation according to Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Ensure that there is a link between SRC and other RC/RC movement resources within the technical areas. Work together with SRC Programme Manager in Kinshasa, desk officer/project delegates to coordinate, manage, monitor, quality control and report (narratively, financially, audits) on the projects/programmes that SRC engaged in. Through donor applications, work to secure financial resources to the SRC engagement in DRC. Be overall responsible for the quality of SRC support as well as quality of reporting of the projects/programmes that SRC is engaged in, and other internal SRC reporting requirements, and planning and application processes.
3. Internal and external relations: act as SRC's focal person for relationships in DRC. Support the DRC RC in strengthening their domestic resource mobilization. Maintain and foster in country relations with donors. Maintain relations with Swedish Embassy and pro-actively inform the Embassy about SRC supported projects. Engage and actively participate in relevant networks, coalitions, alliances, meetings, forums or any other event related to the activities implemented in DRC. Represent the SRC in coordination meetings with other Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement partners. Take the lead in identifying funding and or partnership opportunities in DRC that are in line with strategies and priorities of DRC RC and SRC.
4. Partnerships with the RC/RC Movement in DRC and across the sub-region: the focus of the role will be on developing and growing the relationship with the DRC RC, other RC/RC Movement partners as well as expanding relationships within the central Africa sub-region for south-south network.
5. Disaster management: day to day monitoring of the security and humanitarian context and take in-country lead role for SRC for any RC/RC crises response in DRC, with support and in collaboration with Disaster Management team in Stockholm. The in-country SRC lead role will involve for example coordinating with other parts of the RC/RC Movement, particularly the RC/RC Movement lead agencies (ICRC or/and IFRC) on country level and potentially regional levels, DRC RC other relevant actors, feeding information and advice to the SRC task forces and communicating the situation on behalf of SRC as requested/needed.
6. People management: Security responsibility for SRC bilateral delegates based in country and SRC staff/ organized visits. Supervising and operational management of bilateral project/programme delegate/s. Coaching of local administrative and finance staff members, as well as drivers seconded by DRC RC to the SRC supported projects/programmes. Involved in aspects of recruitment of SRC staff/delegates to be based in DRC either bilateral or for secondments.

Qualifications:

• Master degree in Social Science, International Development, Business Management, Disaster Management or other relevant field
• At least 5 years’ experience in the development and/or humanitarian field
• Experience in capacity building and development of non-governmental organizations, preferably of Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies.
• Experience of working in complex and volatile context, including politically complex and insecure environments.
• Experience in working at managerial level in an international organisation.
• Experience in programme management, including programme identification, formulation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, preferably within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement Experience of training and coaching staff and/or volunteers
• Experience in the field of protection, gender and inclusion is an asset
• Experience in the field of community engagement and accountability is an asset
• Excellent narrative and financial reporting and proposal writing skills.
• Working experience in Africa is preferred, as is knowledge on the political, economic and socio-cultural climate of Central Africa, specifically Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Experience from working in contexts with moderate or high security risks, including relevant security training.
• Proficient knowledge of written and spoken French and English
• Driving license (for manual transmission vehicles)
• Coordination and representation skills
• Knowledge in disaster/crises management, but also early recovery, programming

Personal competencies:

• Good interpersonal skills and team oriented.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Constructive, flexible and solution oriented.
• Ability to positively interact with all levels of society.
• Awareness and understanding of cultural and gender differences, and able to work constructively in cultural diverse environments.
• Must be able to handle high workloads and stressful circumstances.
• Must be able to live and work under demanding physical and stressful conditions in remote locations.

Other requirements

• Medical clearance for the assignment is required. You will be asked to undergo a pre-employment medical examination before being contracted.
• Ability to travel in the field during periods is required for the position.
• As a Swedish Red Cross employee we expect you to share the Red Cross/Red Crescent humanitarian values. The RC/RC values diversity and actively works against all forms of discrimination.
• If you are appointed to a role within Swedish Red Cross you will be subject to the organization’s Code of Conduct, a copy of which you can find on our website. It is of utmost priority that you understand, respect and comply with the code of conduct.

How to apply:

• Please submit your CV and motivation letter in English using our online application tool through the following link: 
• For further information regarding the position please contact Gisela Holmen Yngrot via email atholmen@redcross.se
• Please note that a written test and several interviews is part of the selection process.

Dates and information:

Place of assignment: Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (with field travel)
Contract: Contract by Swedish Red Cross
Position Type: Unaccompanied
Type of posting: International delegate (in line with the principle of neutrality, The Swedish Red Cross does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals)
Time frame: One year (with possibility of extension)
Desired starting date: Sept 2019 (pending funding)