Description :
CORDAID :
Cordaid believes in a world without poverty and exclusion. We strive for just and sustainable societies where every person counts. We stand for knowledge and talent sharing between North and South, between farmers and businesses, between activists and policymakers. Where poverty, conflict and exclusion divide societies, we connect people and communities. We stand for professionalism, expertise and solidarity across borders. We aim at maximizing our social impact and contributing to systemic change. We operate where natural disasters strike, where conflicts tear up communities and where lack of opportunities and service delivery keep families in extreme poverty.
Cordaid is one of the leading CSO’s in the Netherlands, working in fragile contexts on Health, Resilience, Economic Opportunities, Humanitarian Aid and Security & Justice. Apart from our work abroad we also contribute to new forms of job creation and social innovation in The Netherlands.
Cordaid is a member of the international Catholic networks Caritas and CIDSE and we are active in worldwide civil society networks. We work in around 30 countries in Africa, Middle East and Asia.
For the Cordaid Country office in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Cordaid is looking for a Senior Program Manager to manage 2 projects on technical assistance.
Introduction :
Cordaid has long been a pioneer in the implementation of Performance and Result Based Financing (PBF/RBF).
The DRC office is currently implementing Technical Assistance program in the Education sector and will soon implement a likewise program in Health linked to the existing PDSS program, a PBF health program.
PDSS project: The “Projet de Développement du Système de Santé” (PDSS) is led by the
Ministry of Health. This program is implemented in the DPS of Mai-Ndombe, Kwilu, Kwango, South Ubangi, North-Ubangi, Mongala, Equateur, Tshuapa, Haut-Katanga, Lualaba and Maniema.
The main themes used in this program are: population and reproductive health; child health; health system performance; nutrition and food security; communicable diseases.
All the themes developed under this program require a strong community engagement.
With its successful experience in revitalizing community dynamics, Cordaid will provide technical assistance on this approach and on Community PBF in Kinshasa and 2 provinces (Kwilu and Sud Ubangi) supported by the PDSS project which, given the main themes exploited, is largely dependent on good community participation to achieve short- and long-term results. The TA will be provided on different levels (national, provincial and peripheral) in stages and envisions that the PDSS integrates the community revitalization approach.
PBF-PAQUE project : The Democratic Republic of Congo, through the Ministry of Primary, Secondary and Professional Education (MEPSP), has obtained funding, as a donation, from the Global Partnership for Education (SME) in 2017, with as Partner Agent the World Bank, to finance the activities of the Project for the Improvement of the Quality of Education (PAQUE). PAQUE supports implementation by building on the primary education curriculum of the Education and Training Sector Strategy (SSEF). CORDAID has been selected as a Technical Assistance Agency to assist the Ministry of Education in implementing the PBF approach and has obtained a contract in May 2018 in order to improve the access to and quality of schools. More specifically, the project supports the SSEF through the following actions:
- Advancing on the path of primary schooling for all;
- Improve the quality of schools and administrative educational structures;
- Improve knowledge on the PBF approach within the sector and;
- Improve the accountability within the sector and pursue partnerships by sharing responsibilities.
The approach is being applied in 1,350 schools reaching 500.000 schoolchildren to stimulate accurate results by offices that provide administrative and educational support to schools, and by schools in implementing their “Plans of Management” and achieving results with elaborated indicators.
Position and Responsibility :
The Senior Program Manager will be responsible for the overall management and implementation of the technical assistance within the 2 programs. S/he will be responsible for realizing the objectives as formulated in the Technical Proposals and approved budget. S/he will report directly to the Cordaid Program Director in DRC.
Specific Tasks and Objectives :
- Manage the two projects and its resources efficiently and transparently, ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Donor.
- With key program staff and stakeholders, ensure that program’s strategic objectives and results are fully accomplished and meet expected technical quality standards.
- Monitor the progress of the project and the contract with the Donors to ensure that Cordaid delivers the quality outcomes agreed upon, and outputs and services as formulated in the approved project proposal. Provide advice on changes and improvements where needed.
- Ensure the preparation of progress and financial reports and annual plans and budget to be submitted for approval. Participate in internal and external audits.
- Act as direct contact person (and advisor) for the Ministry of Health and Education.
- Represent Cordaid externally, participate in relevant platforms and fora and partner with relevant stakeholders.
- Organize different modalities of technical support to the Ministries including and specifically the different Technical PBF units at different levels (national, provincial and peripheral).
- Integrate project interventions with other Cordaid programs as appropriate.
- Support the operational implementation and monitoring of the national and field support teams of the PDSS and PAQUE projects
- Support the development and use of training tools and modules to revitalize and strengthen community structures in order to implement community PBF with a particular focus on CACs.
- Develop and strengthen the capacity of a pool of facilitators to plan and manage activities to strengthen supported structures through a transfer of knowledge and skills.
- Responsible for monitoring indicators and evaluating all support processes undertaken within the PDSS and the PAQUE program
- Responsible for the overall final reporting of the two projects
- Perform any other tasks (including daily activities of an administrative and/or organizational nature) which are necessary to achieve the results aimed for, as described in the project proposal.
Qualifications :
- Master Degree in Public Health, Education, Health Administration, Health Economics, Social Science, Political Science or a similar degree.
- At least 10 years of relevant working experience, of which at least 5 years in direct technical assistance and capacity building provided to Government & Implementing partners in fragile countries.
- Sound theoretical knowledge of, and experience of at least 3 years in, Performance or Results Based Financing,
- A good knowledge of the DRC Health and/or Education sector.
- Experience as a Program Manager or Coordinator in similar environments and previous experience in complex (multi-actor, donor funded) projects.
- Ability to build, guide and manage a team of core staff and teams in the field. You have previous experience in supervising a team to implement a healthcare and éducation project.
- Strong communication and facilitation skills, including the ability to establish good working relationships, to transfer skills and knowledge, and to provide technical assistance to key actors.
- Fully proficient in the following software applications: Windows, Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint.
- Preparedness to regularly travel to the operational areas.
- A flexible and pragmatic working attitude.
- Fully fluent speaking in French with good professional knowledge of English.
Specifics of station :
This is an accompanied posting based in Kinshasa, with regular travel to the operational areas (30/40%).
Contract information :
The contract period will initially be for one year starting as soon as the contract for the PDSS is signed, with the intention to extend. We offer a competitive, fair and comprehensive salary and benefits package that is justifiable to our donors. A Cordaid contract which includes a comprehensive insurance cover, social security and pension contribution, a holiday allowance, 13th month, hardship allowance and cost of living allowance (if applicable).
Further information & how to apply :
Applications including a motivation letter and extensive CV, including the contact details of at least three professional references, should be forwarded on attention of mr Sylvain Duhau before August 2nd, 2019.
An integrity screening will be part of the application procedure.
Please note that we accept applications through our website only: https://www.cordaid.org/en/vacancies/international/?cd_job_id=137720