Country Director, DR Congo

About the Context

The Democratic Republic of the Congo remains one of the world’s largest and most complex humanitarian crises. Protracted conflict, insecurity, recurrent disease outbreaks, and economic fragility continue to drive acute humanitarian needs and large-scale displacement, particularly in the eastern provinces. In 2026, nearly 15 millions of people remain in need of humanitarian assistance, protection and access to essential services. NRC has been present in DRC since 2001 and is a key humanitarian actor in the east of the country, supporting displacement-affected communities through multi-sectoral programming, including Education, WASH, Shelter and Settlements, Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance, Protection from Violence. In 2025, NRC’s teams assisted nearly 460,000 people directly through a multi-sectoral response across the displacement cycle. The operating environment is highly volatile and requires strong, principled and adaptive leadership. The Country Director will lead a large and high-risk country operation at a time when conflict dynamics, access constraints, funding pressures and the Ebola outbreak are adding further complexity to the response.

What we are looking for

The Purpose of the Country Director position is the overall leadership and responsibility for the country operation. As Country Director, you would provide strategic direction and management across NRC's country operations: driving effective programme delivery, strong external representation (including active engagement in inter-agency coordination), and alignment with organizational priorities. You'd also lead resource mobilization and advocacy efforts, while building high-performing teams to deliver accountable, high-impact humanitarian response.

What you will do

• Analyse the political and humanitarian context and adapt the NRC programme ensuring relevance to the evolving context in DR Congo
• Prioritize continuous improvement and innovation to ensure the highest quality of humanitarian and protection programming with a focus on timely delivery
• Motivate and coach staff to create effective teams, with particular attention to ensuring an efficient and empowered Country Management Group
• Promote accountability, the highest standard of ethics, including safeguarding, and adherence to the Humanitarian Principles
• Responsible for all NRC advocacy efforts in the country and ensure that contributions are made to NRC regional and global advocacy efforts
• Develop and enforce policies to promote and maintain diverse staff at all levels
• Provide vision, promote ideas, gain agreement and act as a role model
• Serve as a proactive member of the Regional Management Group, promote collaboration with other COs and the Regional office and contribute to the development of the Central and West Africa Region as a whole
• Actively engage with other COs, engaged in the congolese refugee response to ensure holistic advocacy and programming
• Ensure that all staff retention and rotation is discussed with Regional Director

1.Professional Competencies

• Minimum 5 years’ experience from working as a Senior Manager/Country Director in humanitarian/recovery context
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
• Documented/proven results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Fluency and English, both written and verbal
• Valid driver’s license

Context related skills, knowledge and experience

• Knowledge of the context in DR Congo
• Experience from advocacy work
• Experience with change management processes

2.Behavioural competencies

• Handling insecure environment
• Planning and delivering results
• Working with people
• Analysing
• Communication with impact and respect
• Coping with change

Leadership profile

• Build meaningful relations
• Act with integrity
• Empower people
• Deliver results

What we offer

• Duty station: DR Congo, Goma
• Contract: 24 months with possibility of extension
• Salary&Benefits: Grade 12 on NRC’s salary scale
• NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability
• We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative. The full Job Description can be found on our website