Democratic Republic of Congo: Chief of Party
Location: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Description
Anticipated start date: November 1, 2013
Term:
Through December 2015
Deadline to apply: September 22,
2013
GENERAL FUNCTION
Internews Network is seeking a Chief of Party to lead an
ongoing USAID funded Media Sector Development Program in the Democratic
Republic of Congo currently running through December 2015.
The objective of the program is to improve the capacity of Congolese media
outlets to provide reliable, objective news and information that contribute to
stronger civic participation. The CoP will be a strong inspirational
leader, a patient and flexible senior manager, with experience managing large
USAID grants, especially in remote, conflict-ridden environments. The CoP
provides strategic guidance and leadership for Internews’ program, ensures
proper oversight of Internews personnel, financial management and
administration; and coordinates with other media stakeholders to ensure that
Internews leverages other resources, avoids duplication and compliments other
media development initiatives in the DRC. The position will be based in Kinshasa,
DRC for the duration of the project, with field travel as required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the
following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Provide leadership, management, representational and operational oversight for Internews Network’s program.
- Oversee financial and management strengthening activities for media outlets, particularly community radio stations.
- Oversee provision of in depth technical support through formal and in-house trainings to radio journalists, enabling them to report effectively on various issues of interest to the Congolese public including anti-corruption, gender, human rights, environmental issues, health, economics, etc.
- Oversee on-going mentoring to journalism trainees at their media outlets as well as the Internews provincial media resource center in Bukavu.
- Oversee activities to strengthen Congolese media legal frameworks and enabling environment for media, including suggested revisions to media laws and strengthening of media associations.
- Provide strategic, operational and representational assistance to ensure that activities are meeting their goals and targets, recommending program adjustments when necessary to keep the project on track.
- Cultivate and strengthen relationships with local partner organizations and ensure that implementation is responsive to the needs of partners and beneficiaries.
- Track and report project progress and activities monthly against work plans.
- Oversee program monitoring and evaluation to ensure effective implementation and to measure the impact of activities.
- Ensure the project is in compliance with all grant and cooperative agreement rules, requirements and regulations as well as with Internews internal policies and procedures.
- Serve as the primary budget authority over the project, responsible for ensuring all costs charged to the project are allowable, reasonable and correctly allocated.
- Accept fiduciary responsibility for all funds advanced for the purpose of the project.
- Supervise expat staff, consultants, and up to 30 local staff. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.
- Carry out management responsibilities including interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
- Prepare and assemble materials for all reports, including work plans, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and final reports, in compliance with donor guidelines. Work with Regional Manager to provide comprehensive draft reports, in English, including all proper M&E data, narrative reports, success stories, quotes and photos.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Fluent (at a professional level) in French and English.
- Significant professional experience in radio journalism, particularly community radio.
- Experience with financial and management capacity building of media outlets.
- Experience strengthening legal frameworks for media and media associations.
- Experience building professional capacity of journalists and media managers.
- Previous senior-level management experience, including significant staff, financial and administrative oversight of U.S. government funded media development projects in the region.
- Prior experience in Africa, preferably in DRC.
- Ability to work in physically demanding and emotionally challenging environments.
- Willing and able to travel extensively.
- Undergraduate degree and relevance; graduate degree and relevance to field work.
- Experience working in cross-cultural environments.
- Strong interpersonal, writing and communication skills.Ability to read and interpret financial reports and budgets.
