Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Head of Programme for Congo
Danish Refugee Council is a leading protection agency pursuing our mandate to protect and promote durable solutions to displacement-affected populations based on humanitarian principles. In East Africa and the Great Lakes, DRC has operational presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda.
In the DR Congo, DRC has been involved in humanitarian aid since 2009. Initially working in Province Orientale, DRC gradually extended its reach to North Kivu and Ituri provinces. The sectors of intervention for DRC in the country are provision of Emergency Response, Protection (including GBV and child protection), Economic Recovery, Shelter and WASH. DRC is currently responding to the Ebola outbreak as this is unfolding in Ituri province where DRC has a longstanding presence.
About the job
Provide strategic direction, leadership and oversight of DRC’s country programme, ensuring coherent strategy, high programme quality, effective departmental management and sustainable funding. Lead country-level programme development and support accountable implementation through Area Managers and Project Managers. As a member of the Senior Management Team, the HoP oversees a multi-sector portfolio spanning emergency response, early recovery and resilience in eastern DR Congo, including consortia led by DRC, and works closely with the Head of Support Services and the Head of Safety to balance programme excellence, cost efficiency and safety.
Main Responsibilities
Programme Strategy & Development
- Lead and periodically review the Country Programme Plan, Theory of Change and sector/geographic priorities; translate strategy into clear departmental workplans.
- Coordinate an integrated, multi-sector approach across Protection, Economic Recovery, WASH, Education and other sectors; ensure the centrality of protection, safe programming, access and adherence to humanitarian principles; uphold technical standards and safeguarding.
- Promote cash and market-based programming (including multi-purpose and emergency cash) and link emergency response with early recovery and durable solutions.
- Drive innovative programme design with the SMT, in line with DRC global and regional strategies.
Programme Coordination
- Lead the Programme Department; clarify reporting lines, roles, delegation, staffing and cost structure with the Head of Support Services.
- In collaboration with the Area Manager, maintain consolidated priorities, deliverables and follow-up
- Provide strategic oversight to PDQM; ensure Grants and MEAL have clear strategies, workplans, quality controls, donor reporting and learning systems.
- Oversee portfolio quality and delivery; work with Area Managers on operational feasibility, project start-up/closure and timely escalation of implementation risks.
- Lead the Country Office Business Development Plan, donor mapping, opportunity pipeline, strategic partnerships and funding proposals, including ECHO HIP processes.
- Coordinate programme approaches across Protection, Economic Recovery, WASH, Education and other sectors; uphold technical standards and safeguarding.
- Maintain programme risks and mitigation actions in the Country Office Risk Register; analyze options and take timely decisions within delegated authority.
- Provide concise, decision-oriented updates to SMT and coordinate priorities with Area Offices, Finance, HR, Supply Chain, Safety, Regional Hub and HQ.
- Ensure effective and transparent planning and use of financial resources (budget follow-up, burn rates) in compliance with DRC and donor rules; keep programme staff updated on donor regulations.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL)
- Provide strategic oversight to PDQM; ensure Grants and MEAL have clear strategies, workplans, quality controls, donor reporting and learning systems.
- Ensure monitoring systems produce quality evidence that is used for programme adjustment and accountability to affect populations; document and share lessons learned and good practices internally and externally.
Fundraising, Proposal Development & Reporting
- Lead the Country Office Business Development Plan, donor mapping, opportunity pipeline, strategic partnerships and funding proposals, including ECHO HIP processes.
- Oversee timely, quality concept notes, proposals, budgets and donor reports with Grants, Finance and field teams, in line with DRC and donor requirements.
Donor Liaison, Partnerships & Representation
- Represent DRC with donors, consortia, coordination bodies, authorities and local partners; advance localization and coherent programme positioning; ensure effective governance of DRC-led consortia.
- Deputize for the Country Director when delegated.
Advocacy & Communication
- With the CD and the Advocacy & Communications function, develop evidence-based advocacy messages grounded in programme data, promoting the protection and rights of displaced and conflict-affected populations.
- Support the development and review of external communication materials (case studies, success stories, donor visibility).
People management
- Providing leadership and direction to a team, ensuring clarity of roles, expectations, and performance standards to achieve agreed goals and objectives.
- Exercising team budget oversight and decision-making authority where assigned.
- Leading or contributing to recruitment processes for staff within their team
- Conducting and/or signing off on performance appraisals and ensuring regular, constructive feedback to support continuous improvement.
- Supporting the professional development of team members through coaching, capacity building, and development planning.
- Addressing poor performance and disciplinary issues, including handling Code of Conduct cases referred to management, in line with DRC policies and procedures.
Technical supervision – Field Offices
- Providing technical direction, guidance, and where mandated, instructions to ensure compliance with DRC policies, standards, and strategies.
- Supporting managers and technical staff through regular communication, capacity building, and promotion of best practices.
- Support managers with assessing the technical skills and performance of most senior technical staff in the Country/Field offices.
- Escalating and, where authorized, addressing issues of non-compliance or poor performance in line with the technical supervision mandate.
- Participating in the recruitment of most senior technical staff in Country/Field offices.
About you
To be successful in this role we expect you to At least 7 years in humanitarian/development programming, including at least 4 years managing staff and senior country-level programme responsibilities. Moreover, we also expect the following:
Required
- Proven strategic planning, Theory of Change, multi-sector programme management, institutional fundraising, proposal and budget development experience.
- Master’s degree in international development, Humanitarian Affairs, Political Science, Economics, Social Sciences or related discipline.
- Strong management, delegation, prioritisation, decision-making, PCM, grants/MEAL oversight, donor compliance, partnership and communication skills; experience in complex contexts.
- Sound knowledge of displacement issues and related international standards; knowledge of the DR Congo / Great Lakes context is a strong asset.
- Proven experience of external representation with donors, authorities and clusters, and of managing programmes within consortia.
- Experience of leading change processes (scale-up/scale-down) and of working in insecure, rapidly changing environments.
- English – full professional proficiency.
- French – professional proficiency highly desirablefull professional proficiency required
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:
- Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
- Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
- Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
- Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
- Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
We offer
Contract length: 1 Year
Band: Management E
Work location: Bunia
Designation of Duty Station: Non-Accompanied
Start date: 2nd January 2027
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of , please refer to our website for more details.
Application process
All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.
Closing date for applications: 22nd November 2026
For more information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit our website drc.ngo.
