Country Director DRC Full Time NEW

Norwegian Church Aid

Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) is one of the largest aid organisations in the Nordic region. Together with our international network and partner organisations in the ACT Alliance, we reach millions of people each year and work to eradicate injustice through advocacy, long-term development, and emergency response.

NCA has maintained strong partnerships in the DRC since 1973 and has had a continuous in-country presence for the last 28 years. Through a rights-based approach, we engage both rights-holders and duty-bearers to promote positive gender relations and ensure access to safe water and hygiene facilities. Together with our local partners, we link relief and development programming to provide timely, culturally sensitive support—especially to women and girls.

About the role

As our new Country Director in DRC, you will provide strategic, operational, and representational leadership for NCA’s program in one of our most complex and high-risk contexts. You will lead a team of approximately 44 dedicated staff and work closely with national partners, donors, and regional stakeholders.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring a highly experienced, resilient, and values-driven leader with strong crisis-management capabilities. You must be able to balance strategic oversight with operational attention, manage sensitive dilemmas, and foster a positive and accountable team culture. Your ability to build trust, navigate high-pressure situations, and maintain strong relationships will be central to your success.

Fundraising and donor engagement remain crucial, and we are looking for a Country Director with a proven track record in mobilising resources, securing new funding opportunities, and maintaining long-term partnerships.

NCA places great importance on receiving and following up complaints from beneficiaries and others. This work often requires patience, sound judgement, and the ability to manage complex processes with integrity.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for NCA’s country program, ensuring alignment with contextual developments and organisational priorities.
• Oversee operational management of NCA’s office in Bukavu, including personnel leadership, financial stewardship, and compliance.
• Promote a positive, cohesive, and culturally sensitive work environment, with a strong focus on staff wellbeing, development, and accountability.
• Ensure high-quality program implementation through clear planning, monitoring, and performance management.
• Lead emergency preparedness and response, including crisis management, security oversight, and continuous risk assessment.
• Lead and strengthen donor engagement to support NCA’s funding priorities and long-term strategy in DRC.
• Drive fundraising efforts through proactive networking, proposal development, and identification of new opportunities.
• Maintain strong relationships with government actors, local partners, ACT Alliance members, and other key stakeholders.
• Ensure robust safeguarding, complaints-handling, and incident-follow-up procedures.
• Represent NCA externally and advocate for the interests of vulnerable populations, especially women and girls.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience, including at least 4+ years in senior roles within international relief and development.
• Proven track record in leading large, complex, or transitional programs and managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Extensive experience with crisis management/emergency response (5–7 years).
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor relationship management, and securing major grants.
• Experience in long-term development programming, emergency assistance, and advocacy.
• Solid understanding of development policy; knowledge of Norwegian development priorities is an asset.
• Relevant higher education.
• Fluency in French (required) and excellent command of English (oral and written).

Personal qualities

• A mature, confident, and empathetic leader with outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong ability to build trust, manage conflict, and foster teamwork in challenging environments.
• Strategic thinker with sound judgement and high integrity.
• Thrives in complex and evolving contexts; able to remain calm, clear, and decisive under pressure.
• Skilled at motivating, developing, and empowering teams and partners.
• Culturally sensitive, diplomatic, and resilient.
• Loyal to NCA’s Christian values and able to sign and adhere to the Code of Conduct.

What we offer

This is a 2-year expatriate position based in Bukavu. It is a non-family duty station, and NCA provides a housing allowance, comprehensive insurance, and an R&R plan.

We encourage all qualified persons to apply for a job with us, regardless of gender, age, disability or cultural background. Through our recruitment portal, you can register and submit your CV, write an application / cover letter and attach relevant certificates. Only applicants using this electronic portal will be considered for the position.

Before you apply:
We kindly ask you to carefully read the ACT Code of Conduct for the prevention of misconduct, including corruption, fraud, exploitation and abuse, including sexual; and to ensure child safeguarding and the Protection from Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse and Child Safeguarding policy before you submit your application. If you are the selected candidate for this position you will be asked to complete and sign our Code of Conduct and Protection from Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse, and Child Safeguarding Policy.

In accordance with core humanitarian principles, NCA implements a range of safeguards to prevent or reduce the possibility of humanitarian aid falling into the wrong hands. This includes those individuals and groups who are subject to sanctions by the United Nations Security Council. As part of this process, NCA will screen the details of the successful candidates for this post against the sanctions lists maintained by the UN and by some of NCAs governmental donors.

Tagged as: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Norwegian Church Aid