Deputy Chief of Party Operations - DR Congo

Deputy Chief of Party OperationsOrganization: Mercy Corps, Democratic Republic of the CongoPosition type: Full timeLocation: Tshikapa (Province of Kasaï), with frequent travel to field locations.Risk Level: ☐ Level 3 ☐Level 2 ☐Level 1(Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children.Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data)About Mercy CorpsMercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutionsinto action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.Now, and for the future.The ProgramMercy Corps has been operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since August 2007, with a staff of around 400 people working to support vulnerable communities through crises, while fostering programs that build resilience and promote long-term change. Mercy Corps’ national office is in Goma with field offices in North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Kasaï and a small support base in Kinshasa. Mercy Corps DRC’s key programming areas include a combination of longer-term development and immediate humanitarian response programs in order to 1) Improve water service delivery and ensure equitable access to water, sanitation and hygiene services in urban and rural areas; 2) Improve food security and nutrition; 3) Promote diversified livelihoods, economic recovery and development; 4) Support peacebuilding and local governance.The PositionMercy Corps is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party for Operations (DCOP-Ops) to support the strategic implementation of the Graduating to sustainable Agriculture, Income, Nutrition and food Security Activity (GAINS), a Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) in Kasai Province funded by the U.S. Department of State (US/DOS) The position holder will help ensure the program meets its overall objectives, targets and deliverables while fostering processes, systems and inter-departmental collaboration. We are seeking a proactive individual with a strong sense of initiative and a results-oriented mindset that puts evidence into action. Complementing the Chief of Party’s responsibility for overall support functions management, donor relations, and operational technical oversight, the DCOP-Ops will provide strategic leadership for the GAINS Operations teams, including Administration, Logistics, Procurement and Security. S/he will play a key role within the program, responsible for building strong and compliant operations, administrative, logistics, procurement and security systems within the project to enable smooth, efficient, and effective project implementation. S/he will be responsible for the operational management of the GAINS program and will need to work collaboratively with Country support function leads, the program team, and partners to ensure effective compliance with Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures as well as donor regulations. S/he will provide timely reports and assistance to the CoP and the program team to ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively.Essential ResponsibilitiesSTRATEGY, VISION AND LEARNING* Provide operational and programmatic oversight for the activity, supporting the implementation of annual work plans in line with budgets and programmatic targets. * Develop and implement operational strategies that enhance program delivery, ensuring all systems and processes are compliant with USAID and Mercy Corps regulations while meeting the dynamic needs of the program. * Drive innovation in operational systems, fostering collaboration between departments to address complex challenges and improve overall efficiency. * Act as a facilitator between departments to foster brainstorming and identify solutions to challenges, capturing and sharing lessons learned across teams to strengthen program delivery, with a specific focus on support services. * Foster an enabling environment for collaborative, inclusive, and mutually accountable partnerships with consortium partners and other stakeholders. * Represent GAINS and Mercy Corps interests with government stakeholders, consortium partners, and external organizations to strengthen relationships, enhance collaboration, and ensure alignment with program objectives.OPERATIONAL SUPPORT* Lead the development and maintenance of program-wide risk management tools, including risk registers and issues logs, ensuring proactive identification, assessment, and mitigation of potential challenges. * Guide the preparation and execution of risk assessments, facilitating collaboration with country support heads of departments to ensure risks are effectively managed. * Provide comprehensive support to the Program team, DCOP – Technical and COP on procurement, logistics, administrative, ICT, and field office management matters. * Ensure the seamless operation of regional offices in Kalonda Ouest and Ndjoko-Mpunda, providing strategic oversight to ensure alignment with GAINS' overall operational and programmatic goals. * Oversee the development of tools and systems that enable program teams to track commitments, manage contracts, and ensure timely and accurate invoicing. * Collaborate with the DRC HR Department to ensure the timely recruitment and onboarding of program support staff, leveraging the best possible channels for talent sourcing.TEAM MANAGEMENT* Lead the implementation of a robust team management and capacity-building strategy to enhance staff capabilities and promote a culture of learning. * Provide regular and timely feedback to team members on performance and priorities through informal feedback sessions, one-on-ones, and formal performance reviews. * Assist team members by providing the tools, resources, and information needed to improve performance and achieve program objectives. * Promote accountability and a collaborative work environment, ensuring clear communication of expectations across teams. * Coordinate and facilitate cross-team learning initiatives, emphasizing operational efficiency and collaboration. * Build team resilience and cohesion by fostering open communication and prioritizing staff well-being and professional development.CONTRACT, SUB-GRANT MANAGEMENT, AND COMPLIANCE* Provide leadership and direction on all sub-granting and contracting functions needed for the project’s success. * Oversee partner compliance processes, including application and selection, due diligence, sub-award management, and close-out procedures, ensuring adherence to USAID and Mercy Corps policies. * Review partner budgets and narratives for completeness, cost eligibility, and compliance with requirements, ensuring all documentation meets quality standards. * Manage sub-award tracking systems, including financial tracking, reports, payments, and required approvals from USAID. * Act as the focal point for USAID approval requests related to costs requiring prior approval, sub-grant approvals, and other compliance-related matters.BUDGET MANAGEMENT* Ensure effective and transparent use of GAINS’ financial resources in compliance with USAID and Mercy Corps policies. * Collaborate with the finance team to prepare pipelines, projections, and financial reports, ensuring accuracy and alignment with programmatic objectives. * Support regular grant management meetings, analyze spending patterns, address variances, and coordinate with finance teams to ensure accurate budget variance analysis (BvA) reporting.SECURITY MANAGEMENT* Promote GAINS’ program acceptance in the Kasai region through active stakeholder engagement and context-specific security analysis. * Ensure the availability and implementation of relevant security management tools, plans, and standard operating procedures to support effective security management. * Collaborate with the DRC Security Management Lead to identify and address training needs, equipping staff with the skills necessary to handle safety challenges. * Support the GAINS security focal point in assessing the security context and providing sound recommendations to the program team. * Contribute to contingency planning, critical incident response, and crisis management to ensure operational continuity and staff safety.ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING* As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.ACCOUNTABILITY TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS* Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES* Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work. * Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members. * Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY* Head of Office Kalonda Ouest * Head of Office Ndjoko-Mpunda * Local Partnerships Manager * Security Officer * HR and Admin Officer * Logistics Manager * Procurement ManagerACCOUNTABILITYReports directly to: GAINS Chief of PartyWorks directly with: Country Finances and Compliance team, HR and Country Security heads and teams, GAINS’ program and M&E teams.Minimum Qualification & Preferred Skills* Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., International Development, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related discipline) required; an advanced degree is strongly preferred. * Experience: * Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in operational and management roles within international development, with at least 3 years of field-based experience in complex or fragile environments. * Demonstrated success managing USAID-funded programs, particularly with operational components such as procurement, logistics, HR, and security. * Extensive experience with grants and compliance management, including a thorough understanding of USAID rules and regulations. * Skills: * Proven ability to develop and lead operational systems and teams in challenging contexts, ensuring alignment with programmatic goals. * Strong financial acumen, including experience with budget preparation, pipeline management, and variance analysis. * Advanced problem-solving and decision-making skills, with a track record of implementing innovative and effective operational solutions. * Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including fluency in French (required) and proficiency in English (preferred). * Proficiency in MS Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, and familiarity with operational management tools. * Attributes: * High emotional intelligence and proven ability to lead diverse teams with cultural sensitivity and professionalism. * Strong organizational and multitasking capabilities, with the ability to prioritize and adapt in dynamic environments. * Commitment to Mercy Corps’ values of equity, inclusion, and accountability, as well as a demonstrated ability to uphold the highest ethical standards in all actions. * Enthusiasm for fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement within the team.Success FactorsThe successful candidate will possess a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members and stakeholders of varied work styles and cultural backgrounds. They will excel in following procedures and meeting deadlines with a flexible and creative approach to planning and problem-solving. The position requires someone with the capacity to multitask, make rapid decisions, and understand the larger picture while maintaining a sharp focus on operational details.The ideal candidate will bring initiative, drive, and a high level of energy to the role, complemented by emotional intelligence and proven mentoring skills. They will thrive in a hands-on, fast-paced environment, showing creativity in designing responsive systems and operational frameworks. Known for their ability to solicit and integrate diverse perspectives, they will build consensus among stakeholders and clearly communicate decisions that align with program goals.A strong commitment to teamwork, accountability, and adaptability will be essential. The successful candidate will demonstrate a passion for continuous improvement, ensuring that operational systems are effective, efficient, and aligned with programmatic objectives. They will prioritize clear and effective communication in all situations, making them a valuable and trusted leader within the GAINS program.Living Conditions / Environmental ConditionsThis position is based in Tshikapa, Kasaï--DRC. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.Ongoing LearningIn support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.Accountability to Participants and StakeholdersMercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.Team Engagement and EffectivenessAchieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing proces…