Country Director_Congo

Danish Refugee Council / Dansk Flygtningehjælp; Republic (PA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An international humanitarian NGO is seeking a highly qualified Country Director in Goma, DR Congo. The successful candidate will lead all operations, ensure safety, and advocate for funding and support. Ideal candidates have seven years of management experience in humanitarian contexts, a Master’s degree, and leadership skills. Proficiency in French and English is required, and applicants must be able to work in demanding conditions. This is a 24-month renewable contract with Danish Refugee Council, following their terms of employment.

Qualifications

• Minimum seven years' management experience in emergency/development contexts.
• Experience in managing staff in insecure/stressful locations.
• Experience with conflict-related displacement issues.
• Experience with networking, advocacy and coordination.
• Experience in managing budgets and multiple donor contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of DRC’s work in the country.
• Develop and update the programme strategy.
• Ensure safety and accountability within operations.
• Lead fundraising, proposal development and budgeting in line with country strategy.
• Ensure financial management, compliance and accountability across operations.
• Drive risk management and programme quality across all functions.

Skills

Management experience

Networking and advocacy

Budget management

People management

Full professional proficiency in French and English

Education

Master’s degree in relevant field

Job description

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual to join our dynamic team as a Country Director.

About The Job

DRC is a leading protection agency pursuing its mandate to protect and promote durable solutions for 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 has gradually extended its reach to North Kivu and Ituri provinces. The sectors of intervention for DRC in the country include emergency response, protection (including GBV and child protection), economic recovery, shelter and WASH. The country office is based in Goma, reporting to the Executive Director, EAGL Hub, and the Senior Team.

Overall purpose of the role

The Country Director plays a strong leadership role in DRC’s comprehensive and solutions-based approach to displacement through strategic leadership, innovation and effective advocacy. The role is ultimately accountable in the country for all aspects of DRC’s work, leading the consolidation and development of programmes, developing solid impact measurement mechanisms, strengthening accountability initiatives and ensuring that financial management and organisational setup are adapted to the operational context. The Country Director sets direction, leads, maintains team morale, safety and welfare, and manages resources.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership

• Foster an inclusive and collaborative leadership culture that promotes decision-making, advocacy, and active participation across key coordination mechanisms.

Representation

• Represent the programme to authorities, donors, partners and in various coordination fora.
• Strengthen DRC’s position nationally and with the EAGL Hub.
• Ensure that DRC maintains excellent and productive relations with all key stakeholders, especially beneficiaries, local authorities, the humanitarian community and donors.

Direct managerial oversight and support

• Ensure that senior management team members have clear and realistic performance‑based management goals.
• Overall management of the operation and direct manager for senior staff members.
• Ensure that the senior management team is effective, mutually supporting and sufficiently involved in decision making.

Fundraising and Advocacy

• Ensure the country operation has an actionable and living fundraising strategy that leverages DRC’s strengths to play a meaningful role in DR Congo, grounded in the funding environment.
• With the Head of Programme, lead the team in writing concept notes, project proposals and budgets in line with the approved country strategy.
• Lead on advocacy for all DRC key messages.

Safety

• Accountable for ensuring that the programme is delivered in a safe and secure manner.
• Provide overall accountability for security, including developing and ensuring adherence to security procedures, monitoring the security situation, analysing and providing recommendations.

Support Services

• With the Head of Support Services, provide overall budget monitoring, financial management and expense control, including compliance with DRC and donor requirements.
• Enhance financial accountability and performance, ensuring accurate forecasting, cost‑efficiency and effective resource allocation to maximise programme impact.
• Manage the resources allocated effectively and transparently, respecting all legal requirements in the country.
• Provide leadership support to staff and promote best practices in human‑resources management.
• Ensure coaching and counselling advice to staff when necessary and lead initiatives to develop staff capacity.

Risk Management

• Overall responsible for risk management, establishing a resilient operational environment by embedding proactive risk‑management strategies across all functions.

Programme development

• With the Head of Programme, lead the development and update of the programme strategy within DRC’s overall global strategic frameworks.
• Secure diversified and sustainable funding streams to ensure financial stability and growth, enabling the expansion and continuity of mission‑critical programs.
• With the Head of Programme, ensure high‑quality, compliant and impactful programme delivery, meeting contractual obligations and promoting safe operational environments.

Accountability and Quality

• Ensure that DRC standard regulations and operational procedures (Code of Conduct, DRC Management handbooks, CHS standards, etc.) are followed.
• Continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives in the field and strengthen efforts to document the impact of activities and our presence.

About You

To be successful in this role, we expect you to be an excellent communicator and team player who can work under minimal supervision. You are driven, proactive and passionate about making a difference in humanitarian settings.

Required qualifications

• Minimum seven years’ management experience in emergency/development contexts as country director or senior manager of a humanitarian or development organisation.
• Master’s degree in political science, international development, economics or another relevant field.
• Experience representing a large and leading organisation to donors, external partners and authorities.
• Experience with networking, advocacy and coordination.
• Experience in managing staff in insecure/stressful locations.
• Experience with conflict‑related displacement issues and working with IDPs.
• Experience managing budgets and multiple donor contracts.
• Experience in managing donor contacts, fundraising and networking.
• Experience working in East Africa and/or Horn of Africa.
• Full professional proficiency in French and English.
• Experience and proven leadership skills and competence in people management.

Core Competencies

• Striving for excellence: focus on achieving results while maintaining efficient processes.
• Collaborating: engage with relevant stakeholders and encourage constructive feedback.
• Taking the lead: take ownership of tasks and be open to innovation.
• Communicating: be clear, concise and respectful in communication.
• Demonstrating integrity: uphold and promote the highest ethical standards and DRC's Code of Conduct.

We offer

Contract length: 24 months (renewable based on performance and funding).

Employment band: D‑Management.

Work location: Goma, DR Congo.

Start date: Preferably 1 July 2026.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment regardless of personal characteristics or attributes.