The Head of Mission is directly responsible for strategic planning, finance, human resources, program design and implementation, program support operations, administration, safety and security, monitoring and evaluation, expansion/development and NGO representation required for the successful delivery of PLAY operations in the country. The Head of Mission plays a leading role through a high level of strategic leadership and effective advocacy. He/she is ultimately responsible for all aspects of the country projects and ensures that the organizational structure is adapted to the operational context.
The position is part of an office opening within the framework of a 2-year project, 100% funded by Expertise France and taking place in Kinshasa. The position involves the direct management of 2 employees (1 international, 1 local) and indirect management of 2 additional local employees. The institutional and legal anchoring of PLAY in the DRC as well as the visibility of the association in the ecosystem will be a major challenge of the position.
The Head of Mission works under the responsibility of the Director of Operations of the NGO, based in Paris, the headquarters of the organization.
The missions of the CDM are as follows:
1. Strategy and mission development
1.1 Program development
• Analyze the context and development needs in the DRC, and propose new programs and partnerships, consistent with the national and global strategy.
Identify calls for proposals, seek funding opportunities, and lead the mission’s responses to these opportunities.
• Identify relevant potential local and/or international partners (private sector, national and international NGOs, think tanks, academics, etc.) and ensure that each partnership is based on the results of a complementarity and added value survey, such that it contributes to achieving PLAY’s global, regional and national strategy.
1.2 Public representation and management of institutional and strategic partnerships
• Ensure the external representation and strategic positioning of PLAY with local and international interlocutors (institutional players in Sport and Education, Donors, NGOs, etc.);
• Contribute to the creation of a positive image and the overall credibility of the organization with regard to
internal and external stakeholders.
• Define the partnership elements with educational and sports institutions (Ministries of National Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, NOCs, etc.) and monitor the signing of conventional documents;
• Participate in sectoral and institutional meetings on the themes of education, sport, protection, etc.
• Contribute to the overall visibility of the associative network in connection with sport and development, through the organization of meetings, seminars, and the sharing of resources
• Support the teams in the organization and animation of steering committees with institutional partners and donors.
• Ensure relations with the media.
2. Operations
2.1 Finance
• Ensure that administrative, accounting and financial procedures are respected and in line with PLAY’s procedures manual and donor requirements.
• Monitor and validate monthly accounting, treasury, and budget planning.
• Identify financial risks and propose prevention and mitigation measures; while implementing them in close collaboration with PLAY’s Finance function.
2.2 Administration
• Supervise the compliance of contracts, taxation, and other authorizations necessary for human resources employed by the NGO or on ad hoc missions
• Launch and monitor the authorization processes to operate in the country and ensure the legality of PLAY’s operations in the country.
2.3 Programs and impact
• Supervise the implementation of the project and its activities, in accordance with commitments to
donors.
• Ensure the inclusion of PLAY’s technical expertise in the implementation of activities, by facilitating technical coordination between the Pedagogical Coordinators of the country office and the Technical Referents at headquarters
Support the capitalization and integration of monitoring and evaluation measures into the country’s strategies, frameworks, policies and plans.
2.4 Partnership Management
• Supervise and monitor the work of local implementing partners, ensuring that
technical quality, deadlines, and standards are taken into account and respected during the implementation of the project while ensuring harmonious collaboration;
• Ensure compliance with partners’ commitments to partnership agreements and donor and lender requirements.
3. Human Resources Management
• Supervise the mission team, their evaluation and capacity building.
• Ensure the recruitment of 3 new staff in local law in accordance with the law in the DRC.
• Facilitate internal coordination and communication within the country team offices and with other PLAY offices internationally and at headquarters.
• Participate in global associative life.
4. Security and Safety • Carry out constant monitoring of risks and security levels and document local security
information (social and political context, external actors, economy, etc.), and communicate it to the headquarters operations management. • Develop and update annually a national security plan as well as security guidelines for employees. • Ensure that all staff members receive a security briefing and ensure that country security guidelines are respected by all staff
Experiences / Training
Education
• Master II in International Relations, Project Management, Political Science, or equivalent.
Experiences
• At least 5 years of experience in the International Cooperation, Humanitarian and/or
Development sector.
• Previous experience as Country Director or in a position of equivalent responsibility in an
NGO/cooperation
• Proven experience in fundraising, drafting projects in response to
donor opportunities in accordance with their requirements. Knowledge of public and international donors
such as AFD or the EU is an asset.
• Experience in financial management is an asset
• Experience in partnership management is an asset
• Proven experience in managing national and international teams
• Knowledge of the DRC is an asset
Required skills
• Excellent communication, diplomacy and negotiation skills with institutions and donors
• Excellent writing skills
• Good financial and administrative management skills
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Interest in developing new projects, identifying new opportunities and contributing to the development of PLAY’s mission in the region
• Leadership, taste for multicultural teamwork
• Interest in development issues, including child protection and education, sport as an educational tool.
• Stress and priority management
• Adaptability, flexibility
• Fluency in French is required. Fluency in English is an asset. Fluency in local languages (eg. Lingala) is also an asset.
Salary
– Contract + duration: 12-month fixed-term contract (renewable)
– Salary: according to PLAY’s salary scale
– Benefits: per diem, return flight, health insurance and repatriation.
– Location: Kinshasa, DRC
– Start date: January 2025
How to apply
Send a CV and a cover letter addressed to operation@play-international.org
Specify “CDM RDC” (in the subject line of the email).
Closing date for applications: November 11, 2024 – applications will be analyzed as they come in. PLAY reserves the right to close the offer before the closing date. Candidates are therefore invited to submit their application before the closing date
