Country Director for DR Congo at People in Need

Contract Duration: 1 year, with the possibility of extension

Country Program: DR Congo

Location: Bukavu, DRC; with regular travel to Goma and Kinshasa

Line Manager: Regional Director

People in Need (PIN) is an international, non-profit organization providing humanitarian and development assistance worldwide. Active in the DRC since 2008, PIN has its headquarters in Bukavu. PIN focuses on addressing humanitarian and development needs, particularly in conflict-affected areas of South Kivu. PIN provides emergency support in nutrition, food security, WASH, agriculture, and cash assistance while promoting climate resilience through sustainable initiatives. Supported by donors such as BHA, ECHO, GAC, and UN OCHA, PIN operates with around 130 local staff, reaching vulnerable communities in remote and hard-to-access areas.

About the role:

The Country Director (CD) is the main representative of People in Need (PIN) in DR Congo (DRC), responsible for the overall strategic direction and operational leadership. The CD ensures that all programmes and operations are implemented in accordance with PIN’s values, policies, and strategy, with a particular emphasis on humanitarian principles and accountability. The CD is responsible for security and risk management, overseeing support functions, and ensuring the effective management and development of human resources (HR). the CD acts as the legal representative of PIN in DRC and plays a key role in coordinating with partners, donors, and local authorities. This position is based in Bukavu, with regular travel to Goma and Kinshasa.

• Provides strategic leadership to fulfil the mission, vision, and strategy of People in Need (PIN), ensuring alignment with the organisation’s core values.
• Leads the implementation of medium- and short-term plans in coordination with headquarters (HQ), ensuring that required resources are in place and used effectively.
• Drives the development of new programmes and interventions, including expansion into new sectors.
• Oversees contingency planning and emergency preparedness and leads new emergency responses when needed.
• Builds strong strategic partnerships and effective relationships with government agencies, local and international non-governmental organizations, and donors to ensure holistic, integrated, high-quality, and sustainable programmes.
• Proactively identifies new funding opportunities and donor prospects to support the country programme’s sustainability and growth.
• Ensures the quality, strategic alignment, and timely submission of proposals and donor reports, in collaboration with programme and grants teams.
• Enhances the visibility and reputation of PIN in the country through strategic representation and communication.
• Leads or contributes to advocacy efforts in coordination forums, sector working groups, and external platforms.
• Promotes knowledge management and learning across the mission, in collaboration with technical and MEAL teams.
• Promotes a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive organisational culture based on transparency, accountability, and professional growth.
• Provides regular guidance, feedback, and performance support to senior staff.
• Leads recruitment for key national positions and participates in the selection of international staff in collaboration with HQ.
• Ensures compliance with all internal policies and procedures across the country programme. Leads and oversees all support functions, ensuring effective, compliant, and coordinated operations across departments.
• Upholds PIN’s Safety and Security Policy, ensuring staff and beneficiary safety while balancing operational risk with programme priorities.
• - Leads crisis management efforts and serves as the Head of the Incident Management Team (IMT) when required.
• Ensures strong internal coordination and communication across departments and functions.
• Upholds PIN’s commitment to integrity, safeguarding, and Do No Harm principles in all aspects of programming and operations. Ensures accountability frameworks are upheld, including adherence to CHS standards, the Code of Conduct, and complaint response mechanisms.

• Working environment in a well-established middle-sized humanitarian organization in a challenging context;
• Salary and benefits: Salary based on PIN´s salary scale and HR policies; expected salary 3100 - 3500 EUR super gross (based on experience)

Additional allowances include:

•  monthly subsistence allowance of 1675 EUR;
• monthly hardship allowance of 400 EUR;

Time Off and Rest:

• 25 days of holiday per year;
• 10 sick days;
• Rest and Recreation policy in place; 10 additional days of R&R leave per year;

Travel Benefits:

• Reimbursement of travel expenses with travel to the country of residence once every 6 months of work;
• Reimbursement of costs of visas and vaccinations; assistance with the visa application procedure;
• Reimbursement of the medical check-up before and after the deployment;
• Travel health insurance covering medical care, incl. the repatriation;

Health and Well-being:

 Free 24/7 medical helpdesk and psychological consultation available online;

• Professional Development: Free access to e-learning sites, global PIN’s Induction Training, access to PIN Learning Hub, and individually tailored capacity-building opportunities; incl. HEAT training

If you are interested in this position, send us your CV and short cover letter via our application form.