Director of Programme Operations, DRC

The Director of Programme Operations in the DRC Country Office is a senior leadership role responsible for the overall direction and coordination of programming, including oversight of field offices, emergency preparedness and response, and logistics. The role involves managing program implementation, logistics, emergency response, staff development, and compliance to ensure high-quality programming aligned with Save the Children's strategic goals.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to leadership of the DRC Country Office as a member of the Senior Management Team
• Support development of organisational culture reflecting Save the Children’s values and promoting accountability and high performance
• Help design and implement a coherent organizational structure consistent with agency practices and program needs
• Establish and maintain active relationships with host government authorities, donors, partner agencies, and NGOs
• Ensure prompt and scaled support during emergencies in coordination with the Regional Office
• Ensure accountability of budget holders for their projects on PRIME management
• Coordinate program implementation and oversee field delivery of high-quality programming aligned with country strategy objectives
• Participate in program proposal processes and ensure programs progress according to grant agreements, timelines, and budgets
• Oversee program and operations budgets and support budget holders in managing projects and grants
• Ensure programs are responsive to communities and children, following Save the Children principles and compliance procedures
• Supervise Country Logistics Manager, Humanitarian Manager, IT Manager, and Field Managers for timely reporting and budget management
• Ensure CO logistics capacity and systems meet SCI standards and programming requirements
• Manage CO Logistics department activities including fleet, assets, transport, supply chain, and base setup
• Ensure cost-effective procurement of goods and services and proper record keeping and asset management
• Support humanitarian projects alignment with PRIME requirements and budget/staffing management
• Strengthen CO readiness for emergency response and implement emergency preparedness actions
• Mount timely emergency responses in cooperation with surge teams and ensure staff adherence to emergency procedures
• Engage in inter-agency emergency preparedness and response coordination mechanisms
• Manage staffing within Program Implementation and ensure staff readiness for emergencies
• Lead performance management, coaching, mentoring, and professional development of Program Implementation staff
• Oversee mainstreaming of CSP assessment and activities in contingency plans and humanitarian strategy
• Ensure implementation of Child Safeguarding policies and reporting of allegations
• Support Safety & Security Management and lead Incident Management Meetings
• Contribute to risk management, internal control, compliance, and quality standard self-assessment processes

Requirements

• Recommended a minimum of 10 years’ management experience in a corporate or an NGO environment, including significant field operations experience running both emergency and development programs
• Robust experience of NGO emergency program cycle management, and with experience of working within a complex and matrix organisation structure
• Substantial experience in logistics, including procurement, supply chain, fleet management & inventory
• Significant knowledge of international humanitarian systems, institutions and donors, and of procedures, accountability frameworks and best practices in emergency management
• Substantial experience and knowledge of effective financial and budgetary control and securing and managing grants from major institutional donors
• Solid project management skills related to organisational development projects and international, cross-functional teams with a proven history of delivering results
• Ability to analyse information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically
• An in-depth understanding of national and international development issues in particular in relation to children
• Previous experience of managing and developing a team and the ability to lead, motivate and develop others
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
• Fluency in written and spoken French and English
• Ability and willingness to change work practices and hours, and work with incoming teams in the event of major emergencies
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles including rights-based approaches
• Knowledge of the Central African and Great Lakes region (desirable)
• Master’s degree in development or other social sciences or equivalent experience

Skills

• NGO Emergency Program Management
• Field Operations Support
• Logistics Management
• Procurement
• Supply Chain Management
• Fleet Management Operations
• Inventory Management
• UN Humanitarian System Knowledge
• Donor Relations
• Grant Management
• Financial Control
• Budget Control
• Project Management
• Organisational Development
• Strategic Planning
• Team Leadership
• Staff Development
• Emergency Preparedness
• Cross-Functional Team Management
• Rights-Based Approaches

Languages

French, English