Chief of Party, 4Children

This position is contingent upon donor approval.

About CRS & 4Children

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. The Coordinating Comprehensive Care for Children (4Children) project is a five-year, USAID-funded project designed to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) affected by HIV and AIDS and other adversities.

4Children is a consortium of organizations that bring together decades of experience, expertise, and commitment to strengthening the capacity of key actors within a child’s system of care and support in order to improve the lives of children. 4Children is led by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) with partners IntraHealth, Maestral, Pact, Plan International USA, and Westat. African Child Policy Forum (ACPF), Parenting Africa Network (PAN) and the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI) serve as collaborating partners.

The 4Children team is comprised of international and regional leaders in the field of family strengthening, community development, and child welfare and protection workforce and system strengthening. The team also has significant experience and expertise in the areas of monitoring, evaluation and research, capacity building, quality improvement, and linking community-based and clinical services to promote comprehensive care of children.

4Children in the DRC

4Children is in the midst of large scale-up in the DRC, increasing many-fold its coverage, timeframe, and budget. 4Children is working to strengthen the HIV-Sensitive Social Welfare System for Vulnerable Children by building the capacity of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action, and National Solidarity (MINAS) at the national level (MINAS National Capacity Strengthening Intervention) and strengthening the continuum of care for OVC and households’ socio-economic capacity for children and families affected by HIV in selected health zones of Kinshasa (Kinshasa OVC Intervention).

At the national level, building on IntraHealth-led CapacityPlus investments in organizational capacity strengthening, 4Children provides technical assistance to the Secretary General’s Office and the Divisions for Child Protection (DISPE) and Planning (DEP) with an increased focus on child protection and welfare, monitoring and evaluation, and strengthening linkages to pediatric HIV treatment. The main objectives of the MINAS National Capacity Strengthening Intervention are as follows:

· HIV-sensitive child protection and welfare legal and regulatory framework in the DRC has been strengthened

o MINAS' DISPE, DEP and SG office demonstrate technical leadership and coordination of the child protection response, in particular as it relates to HIV and AIDS

o The social welfare workforce effectively identifies and addresses the needs of vulnerable children including children affected by HIV and AIDS

o MINAS, through the DISPE & DEP, implements a functioning Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting (MER) system for the national HIV-sensitive child protection and welfare response

· DISPE, DEP and the SG Office’s leadership and governance with other ministries and NGOs has improved

o MINAS’ DISPE, DEP, and SG office have strengthened internal and external collaboration and coordination mechanisms to effectively lead and coordinate the child protection response

o The SG office, DISPE, and DEP at the MINAS have improved organizational capacity to ensure annual workplanning, budgeting, and internal monitoring and reporting

o MINAS human resource and performance management systems are strengthened

In Kinshasa, 4Children currently supports children affected by HIV and their caregivers through economic strengthening and Positive Parenting interventions, including the development of an enhanced referral system in PEPFAR scale-up health zones. With the project scale-up, the project will add to this support: case management for OVC, temporary consumption support for the most vulnerable OVC households, protection and financial education for children and adolescents, child protection capacity building for local organizations, and systems capacity strengthening to improve the overall continuum of care for OVC in their health and socio-economic needs. The main objectives of the Kinshasa OVC Intervention are as follows:

· Systems to support vulnerable child wellbeing are improved

o Case management system for OVC is improved

o Referral systems for OVC are expanded and improved

o HIV-sensitive child protection system within Kinshasa is improved through capacity of local government and community workers

· Vulnerable Children (including children living with HIV) access services

o Vulnerable children are tested for HIV

o Children living with HIV adhere to treatment

o Vulnerable Children have improved life skills

· Caregivers and communities are better able to care for vulnerable children

o OVC caregivers (including key populations) have reduced economic vulnerability

o OVC caregivers demonstrate improved parenting/caregiving skills

o Community and religious leaders advocate for child protection

· The organizational and technical capacity of local, indigenous partners is increased

o Local partners’ organizational capacity is improved

o Local partner’s child safeguarding and OVC programming capacity is improved

Job Responsibilities

The 4Children DRC Chief of Party (COP), with extensive expertise in OVC programming, HIV and PEPFAR programs, will oversee the overall 4Children project in the DRC, exceeding $15 million in total funds. S/he ensures implementation of the program in line with PEPFAR priorities and in coordination with 4Children technical advisors and partners, both in the DRC and CRS’ headquarters. S/he will ensure the original project and its scale-up contribute strategically and sustainably to ongoing OVC and HIV programming interventions supported by PEPFAR, other donors, and the DRC government. The COP will ensure representation of the project and close ongoing collaboration with PEPFAR implementing partners and other OVC partners in Kinshasa and nationally. S/he is responsible for overall management of the project as well as partnerships, both at national and provincial (Kinshasa) level, with USG, the Child Welfare sector and in particular the Ministry of Social Affairs (MINAS), other sectors and in particular the Health sector, the Ministry of Health/PNLS (National HIV/AIDS Program), the PNLMS (National Multi-Sector Program to Fight HIV/AIDS), Child Protection NGOs, USG Implementing partners, and health zones, social communes, and community-based organizations in Kinshasa. S/he coordinates operational implementation, including adherence to PEPFAR/USAID program requirements, ensuring project resources are managed according to CRS and USG rules and regulations, and process and results are documented in a timely manner. S/he divides daily management and coordination with the Deputy Chief of Party. The COP reports to the CRS/DRC Deputy Country Representative-Programs.

A. Representation and Advocacy:

In collaboration with the Country Representative and Deputy Country Representative/Programs of DRC and the 4Children DRC Consortium, act as primary program contact to the donor and other local and international stakeholders responsible for addressing all program matters.
In collaboration with the Country Representative, Deputy Country Representative/Programs and 4Children DRC Consortium, strengthen linkages with existing and potential partner agencies.
In collaboration with the Deputy Country Representative/Programs, ensure that the program communication strategies, including compliance with 4Children and the donor’s branding and marketing requirements as well as CRS marketing and communication procedures are followed.

B. Partnership:

Engage 4Children consortium partners, as appropriate, during key stages in the project cycle for their insights on the appropriateness of program approaches and interventions and to support program quality.
Foster positive collaboration between 4Children, CRS DRC and USAID/CDC DRC.
Forge and manage complex partnerships with government, USG IPs, civil society, learning institutions, UN agencies, and the donor community in the DRC and externally as need arises.
Oversee the identification of capacity strengthening needs and provision of high quality technical assistance to partners and select entities of MINAS related to social service system strengthening and continuum of care for children affected by HIV and their families.

C. Program Quality:

With key program staff, the COP ensures project objectives and results are fully accomplished and meet expected technical quality standards.
Ensure that the project execution is in line with the program vision and all the program plans are effectively implemented and in line with CRS agency and country program strategies.
Ensure key changes in program direction and focus are done in consultation with the CRS/DRC country team, 4Children consortium members, DRC government, and USAID.
In collaboration with the 4Children DRC consortium, identify needs for technical assistance in a timely manner and contribute to the development of scopes of work (SoW) as well as supervision of technical support.
Lead the planning of project activities and set appropriate performance targets ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices, reporting time lines and donor guidelines are respected.

D. Human Resource Management:

Lead, manage and supervise a team of CRS and partner (IntraHealth[1]) staff to meet program objectives; including direct supervision of the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) and the Finance and Compliance Officer.
Coach staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork. Conduct periodic reviews of staff performance in keeping with CRS’ performance management system and provide input for IntraHealth’s[2] performance management system.
Participate in the recruitment of other program staff and the selection and coordination of consultants.

Key Working Relationships: Internal: Deputy Country Representative/Programs, Country Representative, DCOP, 4Children HQ staff, Finance and Compliance Manager, Health Coordinator, MEAL Coordinator, and other CRS country program staff/managers as needed.

External: USAID, 4Children Consortium, National and Local (Kinshasa) government and line ministries (MINAS Secretariat General/ DISPE / DEP, PNLS, PNMLS, DUAS, EBZS), local and international NGOs, USG Implementing partners; donors; affected communities.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff): These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

Serves with Integrity
Models Stewardship
Cultivates Constructive Relationships
Promotes Learning

Qualifications and Skills:

Minimum Master’s Degree in Development, Health or Social Services, or related field required.
At least 10 years of relevant management, supervisory, and technical experience in OVC programs; child protection and welfare; and/or capacity and system strengthening.
Proven experience coordinating with national and local social welfare and health authorities in developing contexts.
Minimum 8 years managing significant USG-funded or programs of similar complexity required; knowledge of key USG regulations including, but not limited to, USAID 22 CFR and Part 226 Administration of Assistance Awards to U.S. Non-Governmental Organizations, 22 CFR Part 145 Grants and Agreements with Non-Profits, OMB Circulars A-122, Cost principles for non-profit organizations and A-133 Audit of states, local governments, and non-profits preferred.
Experience in Household Economic Strengthening; Case Management and Referral System Strengthening and Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting a plus.
Previous experience in DRC or in the Central African Region preferred.
Proven leadership and inter-personal skills and ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams.
Proven experience in building and maintaining institutional linkages required. Advocacy skills and facilitation skills are a plus.
Flexibility to work both in a team and independently.
Cultural sensitivity, patience and flexibility.
Demonstrated personal accountability and driven to serve others.
Ability to travel nationally and internationally as required, up to 30%.
Excellent English and French oral and written communication skills required.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook required.