Humanitarian leadership role in Democratic Republic of Congo with INTERSOS

INTERSOS is recruiting a Mission Head to lead its operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo for a 12-month term. The contract type is Co.co.co. Application deadline: July 29, 2026.

INTERSOS is a non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian organization dedicated to assisting victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Grounded in principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equal rights, diversity respect, peaceful coexistence, and support for vulnerable social groups, the organization upholds these values in every intervention.

Job details

Position title: Mission Head

Reference code: SR-38-10259

Country: Democratic Republic of Congo

Primary duty station: Goma, with frequent travel to South Kivu, Ituri, and Kinshasa

Start date: September 1, 2026

Contract duration: 12 months

Reports to: Regional Director

Functional supervision: Senior Management Team (SMT)

Deployment type: Without family

Humanitarian context in DRC

The humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains dire, marked by overlapping crises, particularly in the eastern provinces. Endemic violence and armed conflicts have triggered repeated mass displacements, compounded by chronic health vulnerabilities and recurring epidemics such as Ebola. The civilian population bears the brunt of this insecurity, facing frequent human rights violations, breaches of international humanitarian law, targeted attacks, and a high prevalence of gender-based violence.

INTERSOS has been active in the DRC since 2010, implementing programs in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu. These initiatives focus on protection, health, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and food security, in collaboration with UN agencies and funded by organizations such as ECHO, AICS, and SV.

Position objectives

The Mission Head will serve as INTERSOS’ representative in the country, acting on behalf of the organization’s Director General. This role involves leading the humanitarian response, including strategy development, resource planning, program management, and implementation.

Key responsibilities

Strategy and program development

• Monitor and analyze the political and humanitarian landscape across the country and neighboring regions through established contacts and field assessments to identify potential intervention areas.
• Design, propose, and develop new intervention strategies aligned with INTERSOS’ values and principles.
• Explore and present funding opportunities that leverage impact-driven initiatives and engage institutional and private donors in fundraising efforts.
• Align with donor priorities and ensure strict adherence to INTERSOS and donor procedures.
• Maintain a comprehensive overview of project and program development and implementation, conducting periodic field visits to assess progress, quality, outcomes, and adherence to technical and ethical standards.
• Submit project proposals and emergency interventions for central office approval and lead additional program development based on review findings.
• Lead the detailed country strategy planning process, prioritizing actions and resources to achieve program objectives.

Representation and advocacy

• Represent INTERSOS and manage relationships with authorities to ensure seamless and timely implementation of interventions while safeguarding the organization’s impartiality and independence.
• Ensure proper governmental recognition of the organization in compliance with local regulations.
• Foster productive communication with donors, ensuring assessed needs are clearly communicated to influence donor priorities.
• Represent INTERSOS in relevant forums and coordination platforms.

Team management

• Ensure the effectiveness of the senior management team, fostering mutual support and active participation in key decision-making processes.
• Collaborate with the Human Resources Coordinator to guide and oversee the performance evaluation process for both international and national staff.
• Uphold organizational values, the Code of Ethics, the Management and Control Model, and INTERSOS’ internal procedures.
• Promote high ethical standards, teamwork, and a productive work environment.
• Empower staff to achieve organizational goals as a cohesive and high-functioning team.

Finance, logistics, and procurement

• Collaborate with the Finance Coordinator to oversee the mission’s overall financial management, ensuring viability and accountability for allocated funds.
• Ensure transparent and efficient management of allocated resources.
• Work with the Logistics and Procurement Coordinator to establish and maintain effective services and procurement processes.

Safety and security

• Hold ultimate responsibility for safety, including developing and validating the country security plan, ensuring compliance with procedures, and monitoring contextual developments to formulate and implement recommendations.
• Maintain regular communication with the regional office and security advisor on safety-related matters.
• Make final decisions on all security-related matters in the country.

Accountability and quality control

• Collaborate with the SMT to produce and submit monthly activity reports for the mission.
• Continuously evaluate and analyze the impact of the country’s programs and operations, including periodic field visits in coordination with the Program Coordinator and MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning).
• Ensure full compliance with INTERSOS’ safeguarding policies by all staff.
• Supervise the effectiveness of a complaints feedback mechanism in collaboration with the MEAL department.
• Oversee program quality and impact in alignment with strategic objectives and related indicators.
• Monitor program reporting to ensure compliance with INTERSOS policies, donor regulations, and national requirements.

Required qualifications and skills

• University degree in project management, international affairs, development studies, international political economy, or a related field.
• Eight years of leadership experience in humanitarian contexts.
• Proven experience with NGOs in developing countries.
• Experience managing major grants and international donors.
• Track record of working in insecure environments with responsibility for security planning, monitoring, and management.
• Proficiency in essential computer tools (Word, Excel, and Internet).
• Fluency in French and English is mandatory.

• Strategic vision and strong organizational and planning skills.
• Leadership, team management, and collaboration abilities.
• Behavioral flexibility and adaptability.
• Networking, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
• Diplomatic, interpersonal, and communication competencies.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to INTERSOS’ principles and values.

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 + €1,000 allowance
• Annual leave: 2.5 days per month
• Comprehensive medical insurance for staff
• Transport and visa: Round-trip airfare. For missions lasting 9+ months, an additional round-trip ticket to the home country is provided.
• Onboarding training: One week of online training prior to deployment

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to apply through the organization’s recruitment portal. The application process consists of three quick steps: register (providing your name, email, password, and nationality), log in, and submit your application with a PDF version of your CV. The platform allows candidates to track their application history with INTERSOS.

Applicants must also provide the names, positions, and contact details of at least three references, including two hierarchical supervisors and one HR contact. Family members are not eligible as references.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the first interview.