Kinshasa

VillageReach DRC Asbl

Titre: Deputy Country Director

Application deadline: November 19, 2021

ABOUT VILLAGEREACH

VillageReach transforms health care delivery to reach everyone, so that each person has the health care needed to thrive.  We develop solutions that improve equity and access to primary health care.  This includes making sure products are available when and where they are needed and primary health care services are delivered to the most under-reached.  Radical collaboration with governments, the private sector and other partners strengthen our ability to scale and sustain these solutions. Our work increases access to quality health care for more than 46 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. VillageReach in incorporated in Washington State and has offices in Seattle (USA), Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, and Mozambique.

DESCRIPTION

Summary

Based in Kinshasa, the Deputy Country Director (DCD), will support the Country Director (CD) in programmatic and administrative aspects of the organization in DRC. The position reports to the DRC Country Director. The Deputy Country Director is responsible for the overall programmatic aspects of the organization in DRC. This entails supervision of some of the units directly under the CD, support to overall strategic program development and coordination among programs and teams, external networking and contacts with donors, technical partners and government authorities. The Deputy CD is the acting CD in the absence of the CD. The successful candidate will be a person motivated by the VillageReach mission, a highly dynamic and innovative environment, and the understanding that their contribution is critical to the success of VillageReach.

Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

Programmatic

• Oversee VillageReach’s programmatic portfolio:

* Ensure high quality implementation of all VillageReach programs in DRC, namely the Next Generation Supply Chain, Drones for Health, Supply Chain Integrators, Digital Solutions, COVID-19 impact mitigation (COVID-19 vaccine delivery including High Volume Vaccination Sites and PPE Distribution).;
* Provide the overall strategic guidance and vision for the program and ensure design and execution are aligned with the organization’s global strategy;
* Monitor program implementation and refine program strategies and plans accordingly;
* Supervise and build capacity of program-related staff;

• Contribute both strategically and tactically to analysis of new program opportunities.
• Support program managers on donor reports and programmatic presentations, with a focus on increasing internal capacity across the organization.
• Assist with additional programmatic activities and provide technical support to the Program Managers as requested by the Country Director.
• Stay informed on local and international initiatives that support VillageReach objectives.
• Assist Country Director, as needed, in maintaining strong relationships with donors and develop new business opportunities for the DRC programs.

Administrative

• Act as the liaison between the programmatic staff and the finance team to ensure that the technical teams have the operational and financial support necessary to conduct program activities.
• Manage and create professional development plans for direct reports.
• Work with the Finance and Administrative Manager to develop budgets for program development.

Team Management

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews;
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives;
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Business Development

• Assist Country Director, as needed, in maintaining strong relationships with donors and in developing new business opportunities for the DRC programs.
• Support with proposal writing for ongoing programs and for identified new program opportunities

Competencies:

The following competencies reflect what is expected of all VillageReach employees; including examples of how one might demonstrate each of these competencies in one’s role.

• Personal Motivation and Drive: Is self-directed in one’s approach to work, but asks for help when needed; holds oneself accountable; undertakes self-development activities; seeks to build and master new skills; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities within the organization
• Collaboration & Effective Communication: Establishes and maintains effective relations with coworkers, partners & stakeholders and external parties; works collaboratively with others to accomplish organizational and team goals and objectives; works actively to resolve conflicts; expresses ideas and thoughts effectively; selects and uses appropriate communication methods and maintains meaningful communication with virtual coworkers and other parties to keep them informed
• Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: Takes personal responsibility for and supports others across the organization in creating and sustaining a diverse work environment where individuals are welcomed, valued, respected and supported; personally committed to attaining cultural competency including self-awareness of one’s own attitudes about culture and cross-cultural interactions; exhibits the willingness and ability to engage openly and respectfully around issues of race, colonialism, identity and culture; upholds equity in access to sharing of information, ideas, and opportunities throughout VillageReach
• Commitment to Excellence: Produces a high output of work, both in terms of quality and quantity; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; monitors work to ensure quality; has a personal commitment to the mission of VillageReach
• Solution Orientation & Innovation: Focuses on results and desired outcomes and how to best achieve them; gets the job done; sees opportunities for creative problem-solving while staying within the parameters of good practice; sees old problems in new ways and has novel approaches to solving those problems; contributes original and/or resourceful ideas to their area of responsibility; is able to consider and articulate risks and consequences of proposed innovations and factor these into decision-making

REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications & Characteristics

The ideal candidate will have the following professional qualifications and personal characteristics:

• Experience managing finance and operations. Work experience building and managing budgets. Experience supervising finance, human resource, and operational staff is preferred. Experience managing finances and implementing financial policies and procedures, human resource management, and operational planning.
• Writing and analytical skills. Experience writing donor reports and proposals, analyzing data and information, and clearly communicating complicated topics to a variety of audiences.
• Management skills. Management experience and skills working in collaborative international office environment that enables learning and growing while also adhering to policies and procedures. Capable of encouraging and empowering staff to work independently, yet with sufficient controls.
• Significant global health experience. Experience working and living in in low-income countries.  Experience in global health and/or development program management or implementation.  Experience with adolescent health and development, sexual and reproductive health and/or maternal health.  Digital health, clinical, or health system background preferred. Experience working internationally in low-income countries with a variety of stakeholders, including experience working with Ministries of Health. Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa required.
• Communication and interpersonal skills. Strong communication and cross-cultural management skills.
• Personal qualities. Energy, intelligence, diplomacy, attention to detail, organizational skills, sound practical judgment and the ability to work independently without supervision.
• Commitment to the mission. Passion for the mission of VillageReach, including strong commitment to global health, and a belief in the role of private sector solutions to augment public health systems.

Further Requirements

• Excellent written and verbal communication in English and French;
• Ability to establish and sustain professional relationships with key stakeholders and VillageReach staff in local and overseas offices;
• Established cultural competency in partnering with racial, cultural and linguistically diverse groups.
• Demonstrated understanding of challenges with working in rural, underserved and low-income context; experience living in and/or working in a low-income country a plus
• Experience developing and monitoring budgets required;
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation programs;
• Strong oral and presentation-level communication skills;
• Ability to work collaboratively and collegially in a small team and geographically dispersed team;
• Ability to prioritize and perform multiple tasks, problem-solve, and work under pressure; and
• Ability to travel at least 30% of the time within DRC and will require frequent engagement of local officials.

Education Requirements

• An MPH, MPA, MA (in a relevant field) or equivalent degree preferred and at least ten (10) years of direct program experience with increasing responsibilities is required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position directly supervises up to 2 employees directly and more than 30 indirectly. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. 

Environment and Physical Demands

VillageReach has no private offices, employees work in a shared, open environment with task and conference rooms accessible to employees for privacy and meetings. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Due to the time zone differences between our Seattle office and our Country Offices and location of other global staff, US based staff are expected to be available for early morning meetings starting at 6am. In addition, our global HQ and Country office staff are expected to be available for late afternoon/evening meetings up to 6pm.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

This is an immediate hire and therefore resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis until filled. To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter to our online portal: https://www.villagereach.org/join-us/

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION:

VillageReach is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to workforce diversity. We believe that diverse, equitably weighted perspectives foster an organizational capacity to create novel solutions that improve health in the most underserved and hard-to-reach areas. To align our values, innovations and impact, VillageReach is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse global workforce.

Compensation:

VillageReach has an established compensation structure that is based on the relevant market and internally transparent. We hire people into the established range based on one’s experience and education and considering internal equity. We do not inquire about salary history.

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2900 Eastlake Ave. E., Suite 230 Seattle, WA 98102 USA
TEL:  1.206.512.1530 & 1.866.203.3175  FAX:  1.206.860.6972
www.villagereach.org  //  info@villagereach.org