DRC: Country Manager

Jun 27, 2021 | Natural Resource Governance Institute
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The Natural Resource Governance Institute is an independent nonprofit organisation dedicated to improving countries' governance over their natural resources to promote sustainable and inclusive development.

Background: 

In Africa, NRGI engages at the regional level in a more strategic and systematic manner, selectively choosing where the organization can add value, reinforce country objectives, and have impact.  Priority countries for NRGI engagement in the region are:  Republic of Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda, Senegal. And NRGI engages with relevant regional institutions promoting natural resource governance for sustainable development.

Job Purpose: 

The Democratic Republic Of Congo Manager builds an impactful and influential NRGI presence in the country to promote and improve transparency, accountability, and benefit to the public in specify relevant extractives, e.g. minerals, oil, gas / petroleum resources. The DRC Manager lead country staff in determining and implementing the reform and programming agenda. This includes determining the portfolio of programs and staff assignments needed to deliver the full body of programmatic and development work.  S/he builds synergies with agents of change across government, parliament, civil society, the media, and private sector. They apply expertise in governance and extractives to provide policy advice, capacity development, and direct technical assistance to key stakeholders while also contributing significantly to research and analysis.

The DRC Manager effectively lead across NRGI and external partners to bring the right expertise and influence. Their active presence in-country enables them to strategically monitor developments on the ground, detect ways to increase impact by tailoring programmatic work, and seize opportunities for engagement. The DRC Manager will coordinate and oversee the implementation of ongoing and new activities related to the implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), mining and petroleum legal reforms and the promotion of transparency and accountability in areas including contracts, state-owned companies and others, responding to a changing environment and seizing opportunities as they arise.

Major Responsibilities:

  • Provide thought leadership to the team and stakeholder community, focusing on achieving positive impact in line with NRGI’s mission. Develop research and analysis to position NRGI as a leader on good governance of natural resources with deep country expertise.
  • Develop country strategy, plans and programs with innovative ideas that reach target groups and influence systemic change based on country dynamics.
  • Facilitate the implementation and periodic adjustment of the country strategy, optimizing NRGI global work and leveraging specific country context to maximize impact.  
  • Shape country norms and deliver gains in transforming practices in natural resource governance through effective influencing, advocacy, and communication strategies. 
  • Build strong donor relations that deliver mutual value and generate sustainable funding.
  • Lead the Country Program staff in a manner that empowers them to add value to NRGI and ensures high standards of performance and collaboration.

The responsibilities of this role are subject to modifications as required by the needs of the organization.

Job Requirements:

Experience & Technical Skills Required

  • Minimum 7-8 years directly relevant work experience in governance and development in country or similar geography, with an emphasis in strong execution, outreach, and advocacy with prominent leaders.
  • Deep understanding of effective and accountable management in the extractives sector; including the barriers in the complex DRC ecosystem that result in countries failing to achieve sustainable development. 
  • Demonstrable experience in a leadership/management role, building and developing teams and guiding people to success; collaborating and communicating effectively at all levels.
  • Experience setting strategy in partnership with senior management; ability to think conceptually and strategically with a 3-5 year horizon.
  • Possess the gravitas, credibility and ability to initiate and develop strategic relationships and influence key stakeholders at a country level.
  • Experience working in a complex or pioneering environment, including managing and creating opportunities for systemic change.   
  • Experience in fundraising, media communications (including social media) beneficial
  • Experience managing and allocating resources efficiently; ability to manage project million-dollar portfolio.
  • Excellent French language skills, both written and spoken; and fully proficient in English.

Education & Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in relevant field (political science, development studies, public affairs, economics, law or international affairs, etc.) preferred, or bachelors with equivalent level of experience.

Application deadline: 

Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis up to and including Friday 2 July 2021. Please note that we will only consider those applicants who submit a CV and detailed covering letter.

Working Environment:  

Standard office environment with up to 30% travel in the country and about 5% in the region.