Area Manager DRC

We support people in overcoming emergencies and we strive to guarantee that everyone can have a decent and dignified life as well as opportunities and a better future. We work in more than 20 countries around the world, including in Italy, with more than 166 emergency, humanitarian aid and development projects. Our activities mainly involve women, girls and young people, actors of change in every community for a fairer and more inclusive world.

We operate in several natural and man-made crisis in various regions of the world. The emergency response is composed by multi-sectorial interventions comprising of WASH, EiE, CVA, Food Security, Protection, and others. We operate also in protracted crisis with provision of humanitarian aid through a prevention, emergency relief and rehabilitation approach. In the last 4 years we have strengthened the regions and the countries where we have been working, we have created new programs, developed new quality and compliance systems and now we need new people who want to join us to build the world we want in the coming years. We believe in a world where everyone has equal opportunities and rights and we work everyday to make it happens. Join us.

Position: Area Manager DRC

Location: Goma, Democratic Republic of Congowith frequent missions in North and South Kivu

Reporting Relationship: Head of Regional Unit South and East Africa

Starting date: ASAP

Application deadline: 15/06/2026

Family duty station: NO

R&R: NO

Contract Type: Expatriate (International)

Working Context

North and South Kivu present an exceptionally volatile operating environment, marked by active conflict, massive population displacement, recurrent epidemics, and severe food insecurity. The concentration of humanitarian needs is matched by a strong presence of institutional donors, UN agencies, and international NGOs based primarily in Goma and Bukavu.

This context requires continuous in person engagement for coordination, needs analysis, security management, and programme supervision, which cannot be effectively covered through remote or purely strategic oversight.

The current phase of WeWorld’s engagement in DRC, following needs and security assessments and AICS grant obtained in 2025, calls for a transition from exploratory investment to structured operational positioning. This step requires a dedicated senior profile on the ground to translate strategic intent into concrete, fundable and well managed programmes.

Purpose of the Role

The Area Manager, based in Goma with frequent field mission between North and South Kivu, would provide hands on leadership on:

•Day to day programme implementation and quality control

•Direct supervision of project teams and field coordination

•Active fundraising and proposal development on site

•Donor follow up, field visits, and operational negotiations

•Continuous context and security analysis feeding strategic decision making

The role includes the coordination and supervision of local staff (project coordinator, finance admin staff and health promoters) recruited in the framework of the AICS funded project Iniziativa di emergenza a favore delle popolazioni in movimento e delle comunità ospitanti del Nord Kivu e del Sud Kivu AID 012982/01/0, and providing guidance to the project team to ensure the achievement of agreed objectives in line with timelines, quality standards and budget requirements.

The position also entails representing WeWorld in country and supporting the organization in strengthening and expanding WeWorld’s action in DRC.

Main functions and duties

Area management and Coordination

•Coordinate the workflow and provide quality control across ongoing AICS project implemented in DRC eastern region

•Ensure smooth functioning of field bases including operations, logistics, administration, and HR

•Supervise local staff, ensuring alignment with work plans and donor requirements

•Organise regular interdepartmental coordination meetings (programme, logistics, administration), in coordination with the regional unit

•Ensure proper physical and digital archiving of technical and administrative documentation at base level

•Support the elaboration of co-financing plans and new project pipelines

Project(s) Support

•Develop and implement project activity plans and financial plans, including milestones and indicators, to be submitted for approval to the Head of Regional Unit/Country Representative and, where applicable, to the project lead or consortium of the AICS funded project.

•Coordinate the preparation of procurement documentation (BoQs, technical specifications), participate in supplier selection processes, and ensure proper contract management and implementation of WeWorld and donor procurement procedures

•Contribute to the definition and regular update of project strategies, in collaboration with project staff, the Head of Regional Unit/Country Representative and, where relevant, consortium leads

•Develop and apply WeWorld standard MEAL tools in line with the overall project framework, ensuring data collection and analysis to measure results and impact

•Supervise the quality and transparency of data and reporting

•Ensure regular updates to the Head of Regional Unit/Country Representative and consortium leaders, promptly flagging any deviations from the approved plan

•Design and implement a mentorship plan for project staff, including scheduled mentoring sessions and progressive delegation of operational responsibilities

•Coordinate and conduct Project Monitoring Reviews (PMR), integrating qualitative and quantitative data on project progress

•Ensure timely reporting, prepare monthly budget monitoring reports in coordination with the Finance Department of WeWorld Regional Unit

•Ensure financial follow up of project implementation and monitoring expenditures in line with project plans

•Maintain regular and constructive relations with project partners and consortium leaders, partner NGOs, donors, and local and international stakeholders

•Strengthen communication and coordination with local authorities

•Ensure project visibility and representation with key institutional and community stakeholders

•Maintain collaborative and transparent relationships with partners and consortium leaders, contributing to the prevention and mitigation of operational challenges

•Support the Head of Regional Unit/Country Representative in maintaining strong relations with key donors relevant to WeWorld, including AICS, the EU, Italian Development Cooperation, UN agencies and bilateral donors

•Contribute to the creation and strengthening of strategic partnerships with other NGOs and relevant stakeholders

•Support the implementation of needs assessments and the development of new project proposals for institutional and private donors, in line with WeWorld’ strategy

•Promote a proactive approach to staff capacity development and, when requested, provide technical or training support to WeWorld personnel

•Ensure full compliance with WeWorld policies and mandatory standards, including PSEAH, Code of Conduct, Child Safeguarding, data protection, and all operational procedures outlined in WeWorld’s transparency and accountability framework

•Represent WeWorld at institutional level in DRC Eastern region and ensure high-level engagement with regional authorities and strategic stakeholders

•Actively participate in sectorial coordination meetings, clusters and INGO forums, or supervise participation by delegated staff

•Ensure consistency between project implementation and WeWorld’s global strategy

HR Management

•Assure the recruitment and training process of the project staff under his/her responsibility in line with the implementation plan and with the support of WeWorld Regional Team

•Assure the direct management of the local staff under his/her responsibility and a proper information flow between the project team

•Provide technical advice (especially on infrastructures and WASH intervention), coordination and supervision to the project staff under his/her responsibility and lead and motivate them, ensuring clarity over project plans and priorities and encouraging effective teamwork

•Establish performance objectives per each staff under his/her responsibility and ensure that performance reviews are conducted

•Promoting clear and effective internal communication between team members

Monitoring and Supervision

•Setting up and monitoring periodic (monthly) internal reporting to be filled in by project staff

•Drawing up of narrative and financial reports, interim and final (in collaboration with WeWorld Regional Unit) to be sent to the consortium’s lead in compliance with agreed procedures and time schedule

•Prepare activity/project reports and analysis of the data collected on a regular basis or upon request

•Support to technical, financial and any other report upon request

•Provide regular reports/updates for the Head of Regional Unit/Country Representative on all activities carried out

•Supervise and harmonize monitoring systems across all projects implemented in the Area

Security Responsibilities

•Contribute to the implementation of the security plan in the DRC eastern region

•Ensure that all staff comply with WeWorld’s security procedures and SOPs

•Provide updates to the Head of Regional Unit/Country Representative regarding contextual risks and mitigation measures

The duties and responsibilities set forth above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to perform additional duties requested by the Head of Regional Unit/Country Representative.

Provide a proper handover before the end of the assignment.

Essential Requirements

Qualifications and Knowledge

•Master’s degree in social sciences, International Cooperation, Development Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Human Rights or similar sectors

•Solid knowledge of project cycle management and donor-funded project implementation

•Knowledge of main donors’ policies and procedures (AICS, UE, UN, etc.)

•Knowledge of English and French, both written and verbal

•Good computer skills, in particular MS Office package

Professional experience

•Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in managing or coordinating development or humanitarian projects

•Proven experience in managing multi-component projects at community and local authority level

•Experience in coordinating field teams and supervising project staff

•Demonstrated experience in liaising with local authorities, community structures, partners, NGOs and donors

•Experience in budget management, financial monitoring and reporting in coordination with finance staff

•Experience in integrated infrastructure and resilience interventions

•Experience in base management and supervision of senior project staff is considered an asset

Skills and Abilities

•Strong interpersonal relationships and demonstrated ability to leverage business networks and partnerships for continued growth

•Good communication and leadership skills

•Capacity to manage decentralized teams and remote operational bases

•Ability to perform under stress conditions

•Ability to think strategically and conceptually and to translate these into concrete results

•Ability to identify, initiate and maintain good relationships with partner organizations, donors and national authorities including building professional relationships with senior decision-makers and influencers/leaders

•Proven organizational skills and ability to manage effectively multiple tasks while fostering quality, team spirit and positive working relationships with colleagues

•Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve programs and organizational goals; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings

•Strong team spirit, together with the ability to work independently and in problems prevention/resolution

•Creativity and willingness to adjust to changes and new requirements

•Integrity in line with the Humanitarian Principles and ethical standards

•Strong commitment to WeWorld Mission

•Demonstrates integrity with regards to WeWorld values and ethical standards

•Displays cultural, gender, religion, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

•Treats all people fairly without favoritism

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

•Experience in WASH sectoral components such as safe water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion

•Familiarity with remote contexts

•Knowledge of MEAL tools

Knowledge of Italian would be considered an asset

WHAT WE OFFER

Type of contract: a first 6 (six) months collaboration contract subject to verification of the achievement of specific objectives (these objectives will be agreed together with the Line Manager upon arrival on assignment); a second collaboration contract of 6 (six) months renewable, following the positive evaluation of the first six months of contract and the availability of budget

Economic conditions: to be defined according to WeWorld Expatriates Compensation Policy: Base Salary (seniority/role held) + Contributions (role complex, housing and hardship based on place of work)

Other conditions: Tax Treatment: equal tax treatment between Italian and foreign residents is guaranteed

Annual leave: 2,5 days/month (working days)

Flight ticket: one return flight every 12 months of contract

Health insurance: covered

Family duty Station: NO

R&R: NO