Description of the organization
Founded in 2006, One Acre Fund provides more than 1.5 million smallholder farmers with the agricultural services they need to make their farms more productive and resilient. Our team of more than 8,000 people comes from diverse backgrounds and professions. Operating in ten African countries, we make farmers more prosperous by providing them with easy access to quality agricultural inputs, tree seedlings, and agricultural training to improve their harvests. On average, the farmers we support earn 40% more profit from their land when they enroll in our programs.
An estimated 1.1 million hectares of forest are lost each year in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This deforestation, which has significant consequences for the region, is mainly attributed to smallholder agriculture. One Acre Fund works to address the root causes of deforestation, linked to poverty and low agricultural yields, by giving smallholders the tools and knowledge they need to move their farming activities off forest lands while helping them achieve better harvests. We train farmers in agroforestry, support the establishment and development of a network of agricultural entrepreneurs, and work along the seed value chain to ensure smallholders have access to improved inputs.
Job Description
The Senior Government Relations and Security Specialist oversees the organization’s relationships with our external partners, primarily government, as well as seeks to continually reduce perceived and actual program risks.
You will identify government policy needs and develop networks with government, private sector, non-state actors and other like-minded development actors to advance and advocate for One Acre Fund’s interests and goals. You will be the in-country focal point for the organization’s Health, Safety and Security portfolio. Your role will provide strategic and executive advice to both internal and external stakeholders. You will report directly to the DRC Country Representative.
Responsibilities
- Strategic planning and reporting support
- Develop and implement communication plans in conjunction with the government and strengthen interdepartmental coordination
- Keep our government and other partners informed about the program by preparing and developing quarterly reports
- Conduct targeted research to help guide strategic thinking on new projects or initiatives.
- Management and development of partnerships
- Maintain and strengthen One Acre Fund’s relationships with key national and provincial agricultural and environmental sector stakeholders such as relevant ministries, regulators, research institutions, donor programs, partner organizations and local media.
- Represent the organization in meetings with the various ministries of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Compliance Monitoring and Regulation
- Ensure that One Acre Fund maintains full regulatory compliance with national, regional and local laws and regulations.
- Work with our legal advisors to interpret and explain regional and local laws and regulations applicable to One Acre Fund programs.
- Risk management
- Implement projects to reduce country program risks against any real or perceived risks.
- Health, Safety and Security
- Regularly analyze traditional media and social media to understand current themes and discourses on either political or security issues, or during security crises
- Focal point for all coordination of security measures with the global security teams and the country manager, as well as with our global security agency
- Develop protocols and guidelines to ensure compliance with security lines by teams in the DRC
- Coordinate the implementation of security training adapted to the needs of the teams
- Work with the Global Security Team to manage any security crisis that may affect teams in the DRC, with the support of our Global Security Agency. Create reports and provide evidence on crisis situations.
Career growth and development
One Acre Fund invests in the development of management and leadership skills. Your manager and a global support team will dedicate a lot of time to your professional development. We provide ongoing, concrete feedback through mentoring and regular career reviews in the form of management advice. We also hold regular one-on-one meetings, where we listen and discuss career goals, and work collaboratively to create truly exciting roles. Due to our rapid growth, we constantly have new senior roles opening up and plenty of opportunities in different functions.
Requirements
These are the general qualifications we look for in any position within the organization. Candidates who meet the majority of the following criteria are encouraged to apply.
- Experience required: 2-3 years of professional experience in the field of partnership management or political analysis
- Languages: Excellent command of French and English
- Education: First-level university degree in public policy, international development, economics or related field.
- Very good knowledge of the national political environment and provincial dynamics
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Experience in project management and organizational skills, particularly in unstructured environments.
Date of entry into office
As soon as possible. This is a fixed-term contract for one year.
Contract duration
It is a fixed-term contract of one year.
Workplace
Kinshasa, DRC
Benefits
Medical coverage, paid annual leave
Eligibility
This role is only open to citizens or permanent residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Application deadline
December 22, 2024
One Acre Fund never asks candidates to pay for tests at any stage of the interview process. Official emails from One Acre Fund will always come from an address containing @ oneacrefund.org . Please report any suspicious communications here (globalhotline@oneacrefund.org), but do not send your application materials to this email address .
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and anti-racism are deeply connected to our organization’s mission and purpose. One Acre Fund strives to build a culture where all employees feel valued, represented, and connected—so our team can thrive as professionals, and achieve exceptional impact for the farmers we serve.
We are committed to promoting equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender, gender identity or expression. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.
How to apply
Please apply through the link below:
