INTERSOS is actively seeking a highly motivated Mission Leader to join its emergency response team in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This is a 12-month contract opportunity, offering a chance to lead life-changing humanitarian initiatives in one of Africa’s most complex crisis zones.
About INTERSOS: As a globally recognized non-profit humanitarian organization, INTERSOS is driven by the core values of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality, and respect for diversity. Since its establishment, the organization has been at the forefront of providing critical aid to populations devastated by natural disasters and armed conflicts. In the DRC, INTERSOS has been operational since 2010, implementing vital programs in health, protection, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and food security across Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces.
Key details of the role
Position: Mission Leader (Code: SR-38-10259)
Location: Goma, with frequent travel to South Kivu, Ituri, and Kinshasa
Start date: September 1, 2026
Contract duration: 12 months (Co.co.co. contract)
Reporting to: Regional Director
Functional supervision: Senior Management Team (SMT)
Assignment type: Without family
Project context and challenges
The humanitarian landscape in the DRC remains deeply troubling, marked by overlapping crises that have intensified in recent years. The eastern provinces, including Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, are particularly affected by endemic violence, armed conflicts, and recurring displacements of civilian populations. The situation is further compounded by chronic health vulnerabilities, including frequent outbreaks of diseases such as Ebola. Civilians endure severe hardships, with widespread human rights violations, targeted attacks, and a high prevalence of gender-based violence. INTERSOS’s response in the region focuses on providing essential protection, healthcare, clean water, and food security support through partnerships with UN agencies and funding from major donors like ECHO, AICS, and SV.
Core responsibilities
Strategic leadership and planning
- Monitor and analyze the political and humanitarian dynamics across the DRC and neighboring countries, identifying new intervention opportunities through field assessments and stakeholder consultations.
- Design, develop, and implement INTERSOS’s country strategy, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission, values, and operational principles.
- Explore and secure funding opportunities by engaging with institutional and private donors, ensuring programs deliver maximum impact for affected communities.
- Oversee the alignment of INTERSOS’s interventions with donor priorities and policies, ensuring strict adherence to funding requirements and organizational procedures.
- Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of projects, conducting periodic field visits to assess progress, quality, and compliance with technical and ethical standards.
- Propose emergency interventions and additional programs, submitting them for approval by headquarters, and directing their development based on thorough assessments.
- Orchestrate the annual country strategy planning process, prioritizing actions and resources to achieve program objectives effectively.
Representation, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement
- Act as the primary representative of INTERSOS in the DRC, fostering strong relationships with national authorities to facilitate seamless and timely program implementation while preserving the organization’s independence and impartiality.
- Ensure compliance with local regulations by managing the government recognition process for INTERSOS in the country.
- Maintain productive communication with donors, ensuring their priorities are informed by assessed needs on the ground.
- Represent INTERSOS in relevant forums, conferences, and coordination platforms to amplify the organization’s voice and impact.
Team leadership and people management
- Ensure the senior management team operates effectively, fostering collaboration and active participation in key decision-making processes.
- Work closely with the HR coordinator to guide and evaluate the performance of both international and national staff members.
- Uphold INTERSOS’s organizational values, ethical code, and management control model, ensuring all personnel adhere to these standards.
- Promote a high-performance, ethical work environment that encourages teamwork, accountability, and productivity.
- Empower staff to achieve organizational goals, fostering a culture of cooperation and collective success.
Financial oversight and operational excellence
- Collaborate with the finance coordinator to oversee the mission’s financial management, ensuring transparency, accountability, and the responsible use of funds.
- Work with the logistics and procurement coordinator to establish and maintain efficient supply chain and operational support systems.
Safety, security, and risk management
- Assume ultimate responsibility for safety and security across the mission, including the development and implementation of a comprehensive country security plan.
- Coordinate regularly with regional offices and security advisors to assess risks, analyze trends, and formulate actionable recommendations.
- Make final decisions on all security-related matters affecting the mission and its personnel.
Accountability and quality assurance
- Lead the production of monthly activity reports in collaboration with the SMT, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
- Continuously evaluate and analyze the impact of programs and operations, conducting field visits to assess outcomes against strategic objectives and performance indicators.
- Ensure strict compliance with INTERSOS’s safeguarding policies across all personnel and activities.
- Supervise the effectiveness of complaint feedback mechanisms in collaboration with the MEAL department.
- Oversee program quality and impact, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and donor requirements.
- Manage program reporting processes, ensuring compliance with INTERSOS policies, donor regulations, and national laws.
Required profile
- A university degree in project management, international affairs, development studies, international political economy, or a related field.
- Minimum eight years of leadership experience in humanitarian contexts, preferably within NGOs operating in developing countries.
- Proven track record of managing major grants and collaborating with international donors.
- Experience working in high-risk environments with responsibility for security planning, monitoring, and management.
- Fluency in both French and English is mandatory; additional languages are a plus.
- Proficiency in essential computer applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and internet tools.
- Strong strategic vision, organizational skills, and ability to prioritize tasks in dynamic environments.
- Demonstrated leadership, team management, and collaboration capabilities.
- Adaptability, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently with initiative.
- Excellent networking, negotiation, diplomatic, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- Commitment to INTERSOS’s core principles of solidarity, justice, and human dignity.
Contract terms and benefits
- Salary range: €4,505 – €5,182 gross per month
- Accommodation: Shared guesthouse
- R&R: 7 days of psycho-physical recovery every 12 weeks, plus a €1,000 allowance
- Annual leave: 2.5 days per month
- Comprehensive medical insurance for staff
- Travel and visa support: Round-trip airfare. For assignments of 9+ months, an additional round-trip ticket to the home country is provided.
- Onboarding training: One week of online pre-deployment training
How to apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit their application following the outlined process. All applications must be submitted through the organization’s dedicated portal. Be prepared to provide your full name, email, password, nationality, and upload your CV in PDF format. The platform allows you to track your application status. Include the names, positions, and contact details of at least three professional references—two former supervisors and one HR contact—excluding family members.
Important: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the first interview.