Country Coordinator

KEY INFORMATION 
Job Title: Country Coordinator – Democratic Republic of Congo  
Sector: International Trade 
Duration/Level of Effort (Long/Short-term): Long-Term  
Position Location: In-Person (Kinshasa and Lubumbashi) 
 
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT 
 
The “Facilitating Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Trade” (FIRST) project aims to improve economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa that is inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and empowers women, youth, PWD and/or other vulnerable and marginalized groups by implementing a series of interrelated interventions which support the Ministries of Trade and Commerce, trade-related institutions and MSMEs (particularly women Small Scale Cross Border Traders (SSCBTs) and MSMEs led by women and marginalized groups) in the DRC, Mozambique, and Zambia. FIRST will work with the Ministries of Trade and Commerce and trade-related institutions to ensure an inclusive approach to the development and implementation of trade and investment policies. In parallel, FIRST will improve access to the socioeconomic benefits of environmentally sustainable and inclusive trade and investment by improving the enabling environments at border crossings and strengthening the ability of MSMEs and SSCBTs to adapt and leverage new national/regional trade and investment opportunities. Finally, by improving the knowledge and skills of research institutions to gather, analyze and utilize gender-sensitive and environmentally sustainable trade-related data and evidence, the Project will provide a source of data and evidence to assist policymakers with the development of inclusive trade and investment agreements, while also providing the information needed by women-led MSMEs and SSCBTs to conduct cross-border trade along the Beira Corridor.  
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION 
The FIRST project requires the services of a Country Coordinator in the Democratic Republic of Congo based in Kinsasha and/or Lubumbashi, DRC to provide technical assistance, analytical and monitoring services to support the design, implementation, and reporting on FIRST project activities in the DRC.  
 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES  
Working under the direction of the FIRST Project Director (PD) and Team Leader (TL), the expected services of the Country Coordinator will include, but not limited to:    
 
Program Planning and Implementation  

• Contribute to the development of annual workplans and budgets based on the needs of stakeholders in the DRC, and in particular support the planning of activities focused on engagement with the Ministry of Trade and Industry in DRC along with Business Associations;  
• Lead and conduct partner workshops and technical assessments on key trade priorities of the Government of the DRC, and prepare corresponding reports;  
• Coordinate and support capacity building for project stakeholders in the DRC to help support the implementation of FIRST program activities; 
• Oversee the planning, implementation and reporting of key activities in the DRC, including supporting the necessary data collection required for the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan;  
• Work with the FIRST Program Manager (PM) and Team Leader (TL) on the identification of relevant results which can be utilised in the development of knowledge products, including, but not limited to, lessons learned, best practices etc.; and 
• Provide inputs into the development of key donor reports, including Global Affairs Canada’s annual and semi-annual reports as well as any other relevant project reporting.  

Stakeholder Relations 

• Lead the development and management of partnerships with government stakeholders, including but not limited to the Ministry of External Trade, Ministry of Gender, Family and Children, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs among others, and women led MSMEs in the DRC, including providing continuous coordination and information sharing;  
• Act as the key liaison between the FIRST program and key project stakeholders in the DRC, including relevant government ministries, departments and agencies as well as women-led MSMEs;  
• Undertake regular assessment of stakeholder’s priorities and relay this information to the FIRST Team Leader (TL) to ensure these needs are captured in program workplans; 
• Lead ongoing outreach and communication on the FIRST program in DRC, including awareness campaigns and knowledge sharing and lessons learned sessions; and 
• Identify and engage with any relevant stakeholders in the DRC, as needed, to support the implementation of project activities.   

Program Coordination 

• Support logistics for FIRST program travel to and/or within DRC, including coordinating the booking of relevant meetings, arranging accommodations and transportation etc.;  
• Support the Finance and Operations Manager with tracking expenditures in DRC combined with providing financial information (receipts, invoices etc.) required for financial reporting to Global Affairs Canada (GAC);  
• Collaborate and provide support to the FIRST Research and Knowledge Management Lead on the collection and synthesis of data related to program activities in the DRC to fulfill monitoring and evaluation requirements to Global Affairs Canada (GAC); and 
• Attend regular program meetings, including providing regular updates on project activities in the DRC.  

JOB REQUIREMENTS  
Education 

• A Graduate Degree (Master’s Degree required or equivalent would be an asset) in economics, trade, business, international relations or another relevant field.  

Minimum Experience  

• Minimum of 12 years experience, as senior specialist or in a senior program management position in trade and trade facilitation programming, economic development and women’s economic empowerment in Southern Africa (experience in DRC, Zambia, and Mozambique considered an asset); 
• Understanding of trade facilitation and the development of trade corridors and the AfCFTA; and  
• Proven experience with leading donor planning, reporting and communication.  

Essential Skills  

• Demonstrate ability (through previous similar assignments) to analyse, compile and synthesize information in a coherent and succinct format;  
• Ability to lead the formulation and implementation of workplans and supporting the monitoring and evaluation of these workplans; 
• Strong interpersonal, cross cultural and communication skills;  
• Commitment to teamwork and ability to build constructive and effective relationships; and  
• Client orientated.  

Language Proficiency 

• Professional fluency in English and French (writing, reading, and speaking) required.   

 
APPLICATION PROCESS 
Interested individual consultants must include the following documents when submitting the applications by 6th May 2024. Please note  

1. CV indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references. 
2. Brief statement as to why the individual / consulting company/firm considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment. 

Qualified women, people with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, are strongly encouraged to apply. 
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted. 
 
 
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