Join INTERSOS as Mission Leader in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

INTERSOS is seeking a highly motivated Mission Leader to join its team in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This is a 12-month opportunity offered on a co.co.co. contract basis, with a projected start date of September 1, 2026. Applications close on July 29, 2026.

As a non-profit humanitarian organization, INTERSOS is dedicated to aiding victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Our work is rooted in core values including solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality, and respect for diversity. We prioritize supporting the most vulnerable populations, particularly in regions plagued by conflict and instability.

Position Overview: Mission Leader

Job Title: Mission Leader
Position Code: SR-38-10259
Location: Goma, with frequent travel to South Kivu, Ituri, and Kinshasa
Reporting To: Regional Director
Supervisory Role: Oversees the Senior Management Team (SMT)
Contract Type: 12 months (single status, no family accompaniment)

Humanitarian Context in the DRC

The humanitarian landscape in the DRC remains deeply challenging, marked by overlapping crises that have intensified in recent years. Eastern provinces, including Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, face endemic violence and protracted armed conflicts. These conditions have triggered repeated mass displacements of civilians, compounded by chronic health vulnerabilities such as recurrent Ebola outbreaks. Civilians endure severe hardship, including frequent human rights violations, targeted attacks, and widespread gender-based violence. Since 2010, INTERSOS has been actively engaged in these regions, delivering critical programs in protection, health, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and food security in partnership with UN agencies and donors like ECHO, AICS, and SV.

Role & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Monitor and analyze political and humanitarian developments across the DRC and neighboring countries to identify new intervention opportunities.
• Design, refine, and implement INTERSOS’ operational strategy in alignment with the organization’s values and principles.
• Explore and secure funding opportunities, including institutional and private donor initiatives, to strengthen community impact.
• Align program priorities with donor strategies and ensure strict adherence to INTERSOS’ and donor policies and procedures.
• Oversee project and program development and implementation, conducting periodic field visits to assess progress, quality, and compliance with internal and external standards.
• Submit project proposals and emergency interventions for central approval and lead the design of additional programs based on emerging needs.
• Lead the country-level strategic planning process, prioritizing actions and resources to achieve program objectives.

Representation & Advocacy

• Act as the primary representative of INTERSOS in the DRC, engaging with national authorities to facilitate timely and harmonious program implementation while upholding impartiality and independence.
• Ensure proper legal recognition of the organization in the host country, following all required formalities.
• Maintain productive communication with donors to align assessed needs with their priorities and secure support for humanitarian efforts.
• Represent INTERSOS in relevant forums and coordination platforms at national and regional levels.

Team & Personnel Management

• Ensure the Senior Management Team operates effectively, collaboratively, and inclusively in key decision-making processes.
• Work with the Human Resources Coordinator to guide and evaluate the performance of both international and national staff.
• Uphold INTERSOS’ organizational values, ethical code, and management control frameworks, fostering a high-performance, ethical work environment.
• Empower staff to achieve organizational goals, promoting teamwork and a culture of accountability.

Financial Oversight & Operational Efficiency

• Collaborate with the Finance Coordinator to manage the mission’s overall financial health, ensuring transparency and accountability in fund utilization.
• Ensure efficient and transparent allocation of allocated resources.
• Partner with the Logistics and Procurement Coordinator to establish and maintain effective supply chain and procurement processes.

Safety & Security Leadership

• Take ultimate responsibility for safety and security, including developing, validating, and enforcing the country security plan in compliance with established procedures.
• Regularly engage with regional offices and security advisors to monitor context evolution and formulate actionable security recommendations.
• Make final decisions on all security-related matters within the country.

Accountability & Quality Assurance

• Work with the SMT to produce and present monthly activity reports for the mission.
• Continuously evaluate and analyze the impact of programs and operations through periodic field visits, in collaboration with the Program Coordinator and MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) team.
• Ensure full compliance with INTERSOS’ safeguarding policies across all staff actions.
• Supervise the effectiveness of complaint feedback mechanisms in collaboration with the MEAL department.
• Monitor program quality and impact against strategic objectives and key indicators.
• Oversee program reporting to ensure compliance with INTERSOS policies, donor regulations, and national requirements.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 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 with NGOs in developing countries.
• Proven experience managing major grants and working with international donors.
• Experience operating in high-risk environments with responsibility for security planning, monitoring, and management.
• Fluency in both French and English is mandatory.
• Strong proficiency in essential computer applications, including Word, Excel, and Internet tools.

• Key Competencies: Strategic vision, organizational and planning skills, team leadership, flexibility, networking, negotiation, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, diplomatic, and communication skills.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to INTERSOS’ core principles and humanitarian ethics.

Contract Terms & Benefits

• Salary Range: €4,505 – €5,182 gross per month
• Accommodation: Shared guesthouse facilities
• Rest & Recovery (R&R): Seven days of psycho-physical recovery every 12 weeks, plus a €1,000 allowance
• Annual Leave: 2.5 days per month
• Comprehensive Medical Insurance: Coverage provided for all staff
• Travel & Visa Support: Round-trip airfare included. For assignments of 9+ months, an additional round-trip ticket to the home country is provided.
• Induction Training: One week of online pre-deployment training

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications by the deadline. The application process consists of three quick steps:

• Register on the platform with your name, email, password, and nationality.
• Log in to your account.
• Submit your application along with a PDF version of your CV.

Applicants can track their application status through the platform. Be sure to include the names, positions, and contact details of at least three references—two hierarchical supervisors and one HR contact. Family members are not eligible as references.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the first interview.