Area Coordinator (Congolese Nationals Only)

Job Title:                                          Area Coordinator

Department:                                    Programming

Division:                                           Programme implementation

Duty Station:                                    Kalehe

Line Manager:                                  Head of Mission

Line Management Responsibility: N/A 

Position Type:                                  Full-time

 

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is a dynamic, international non-governmental organisation. We work with people affected by violent conflicts to enhance their security and dignity through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP). We work to reduce violence, protect civilians in countries affected by violent conflict and its aftermath, and help transform the world’s response to conflict situations.

 

Overview:

 

NP is in the process of setting up its national programme in the DRC to support the strengthening of the safety and security of conflict-affected communities in South and North Kivu. Through the Unarmed Civil Protection (NCP), NP supports local communities to prevent violence and promote positive peace. NP programming will focus on building the capacity of local communities to engage in nonviolent self-protection methods such as protective accompaniment/presence, community-led safety and security initiatives such as conflict de-escalation techniques, and early warning/response mechanisms. The funding obtained spans several years and offers an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of sustainable emergency preparedness.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with experience in overseeing operational functions, particularly in a start-up context. You are excited to be part of a new national program and to play a leading role in all aspects of the operational start-up and infrastructure development of NP operations in a challenging and rapidly changing environment.

 

Job Summary:

 

The Area Coordinator is a key member of the Country Management Team and will have overall responsibility for the Kalehe office. She/he will have a proven capacity to juggle multiple and diverse responsibilities that range from leading rapid response protection programming, to guiding longer term violence reduction work, to representing NP to a variety of stakeholders, to coaching a diverse team in challenging circumstances while ensuring logistics and administration is taken care of. She/he will possess a strong understanding of unarmed civilian protection (UCP) principles and can effectively translate programmatic strategies into actionable area level interventions. He/she will provide management support and oversight to both operational and programs teams and is responsible for ensuring teams work together in a harmonised, efficient and coherent manner. He/she is responsible for leading by example in terms of culture and values expected of NP and its teams. With support from operational managers in the Bukavu office, he/she will be responsible for overseeing the operational functions of the field office, including security, logistics, procurement, fleet management and information technology, and will contribute to the development and management of the operational budget of NP DRC. The incumbent will work collaboratively with program staff to provide/support strategic and on-the-ground safety and security advice and analysis. An integrated approach to providing safety and security advice allows NP to implement programming in the safest way possible. The incumbent will contribute to the development and maintenance of sound operational policies and procedures, standard operating procedures, and contingency plans. This position interacts with all other functions.

 

Key Responsibilities:

 

Membership of Country Program Senior Management Team

• As part of SMT, contribute to overall strategic direction and decision making of the NP DRC country program
• Take responsibility for ensuring that countrywide decision.
• Play an integral role in the definition and implementation of security policies applicable to the country team.
• Play an active role in Advocacy and Representation with donors and other external stakeholders as appropriate.
• In collaboration with the Kalehe team, ensure that area level input and feedback is provided during project design and development processes and ensure that risk mitigation measures are considered throughout.
  
  

Programme Implementation 

• Supports Team Leader to ensure technical guidance and quality control is provided to Kalehe team, ensuring that program activities are implemented in line with NP's UCP methodology, global best practices, and the specific thematic focuses (e.g., protection in displacement, child protection, gender-based violence protection, inter-communal violence reduction). 
• Contributes to new and innovative programming ideas drawn from lessons learned with communities and shares them with the SMT for further discussion and agreement. 
• Ensures timely and effective program start-up or expansion activities within their area of operation. 

 

Representation and Communication 

• Represents NP in relevant coordination, advocacy, donor and governmental meetings/fora as needed, taking a lead on all of these within the Kalehe area of operations.
• In collaboration with the program team, contribute programmatic input to relevant advocacy efforts.
• Enhance NP's profile among relevant local stakeholders, including civil society and other NGOs. 

 

Monitoring and Reporting 

• In collaboration with the Reporting and Learning Officer, this role supports the preparation of quality and timely internal and external reports as well as support the RLO on day-to-day planning, data collection, analysis, documentation/reporting. 

 

Operations - Logistics and Purchasing:

• Oversees the quality, timeliness and accuracy of procurement processing and documentation in accordance with the Field Operations Manual and other relevant documents.
• Support the CRD PS system to maintain audit-ready procurement files.
• In coordination with the Logistics Officer, oversee effective fleet management, including the implementation of systems to track maintenance schedules, fuel consumption and vehicle scheduling, in accordance with the Field Operations Manual.
• In coordination with the Logistics Officer, oversee asset tracking is implemented with accurate recording of NP and donor assets, including exceptional items that require movement recording and tracking.
• Oversee management and maintenance of the office and the guest house.

 

Operations - Administration, Human Resources and IT:

• Support the development of NP DRC's operational budget.
• Support the establishment of the office's IT infrastructure, including internet and software, assess needs and recommend software and IT solutions.

 

Risk reduction and management:

• Facilitate an ongoing culture across the team of security awareness, ownership, and commitment to procedures and other team members, and conduct ongoing training as a key strategy to improve safety conditions.
• In close collaboration with the programme team, maintain close contact with all relevant stakeholders in order to develop a network and build relationships with key actors – NGOs, INGOs, UN agencies and government agencies, security forces and other armed actors.
• Ensure Kalehe team is lead through and undertaking detailed context and risk analysis on a regular basis, sharing key elements with wider team members for security management, program design and operational management purposes.
• Contribute to and ensure compliance with SOPs, contingency plans and risk assessment documents, ensuring that they are up-to-date and comply with the required standards.
• Recommend new protocols or adjustments to procedures to improve the effectiveness of risk mitigation and support the drafting of these protocols, as appropriate.
• Participate in security assessments at new program locations or potentially high-risk travel itineraries, to make recommendations regarding Go-No-Go movements and risk mitigation measures required if movements are authorized.
• Advise on emergency plans for serious incidents, including issues such as hibernation, medical evacuation, relocation, and vehicle accidents, among others, and works with staff to prepare for these eventualities.

Team Development:

• In direct collaboration with the management team and other line managers, monitor the well-being of staff and co-lead the implementation of solutions and improvements.
• Support HR in defining training needs, such as personal safety, safety management, backup, health and safety, and trauma care/first aid, in addition to specific training for drivers, security guards, and other related roles.

 

Qualifications:

 

• Diploma or equivalent knowledge in logistics, administration, safety and security, international armed conflict, peace studies or international relations.
• 7 years of experience within an INGO in a field coordination position, operations management with security management or consulting experience.
• Previous experience working in a complex and dynamic operating environment.
• Good skills in Microsoft Office applications. Physical computer skills are an asset.

 

Key Challenges:

 

Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships, negotiate and resolve contentious issues and conflicts of interest while managing and balancing the diverse and varied priorities of stakeholders in a geographically dispersed region.

 

Skills and Competencies:

 

• Strong communication skills, both written and oral. Fluency in French required, English being an added asset
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and independently.
• Leadership skills with a proven ability to analyse needs, develop a plan and implement it to completion.
• Strong analytical skills in security analysis and conflict sensitivity.
• Ability to manage information with discretion.
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills
• Ability to work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision.
• Ability to represent NP externally.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals, motivate and lead a team, and work in a multicultural environment.
• Proven ability to build relationships with the full range of actors, including government, chiefs, military, police, and non-state actors.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

 

• Knowledge of humanitarian and development issues and concepts
• Have previously worked in South Kivu/Kalehe and understand the context.

 

Working Conditions:

 

This field position involves difficult living conditions, limited access to amenities, and potentially unstable security situations.

 

Application Process:

 

• Candidates meeting the above requirements are requested to submit a CV (max. 2 pages) and cover letter (max. 1 page), through our website detailing their experience and how they qualify for the Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 22nd July 2025.
• Candidates may be selected before the closing date; apply early
• This position is for Congolese Nationals only.
• As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a technical assignment before participating in an interview.

 

SPECIAL NOTICE

 

Nonviolent Peaceforce is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability.

 

Nonviolent Peaceforce acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of employees, contractors, volunteers, interns, communities we work with, and other stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities and government guidance and complies with best practices in the Humanitarian and Development sector.
NP expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We prioritise ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

 

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

 

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. NP also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

 

NO FEE

 

We never ask for payment as part of our selection process, and we always contact candidates via our corporate accounts and platforms. If you are approached for payment, this is likely to be fraudulent. Please check whether the role you are interested in is posted here on our website.