Country Director DR Congo

About the Position

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is seeking a highly qualified, experienced, and motivated professional to serve as Country Director for its DR Congo Operation.

DRC is a leading protection agency pursuing its mandate to protect and promote durable solutions to displacement-affected populations. In East Africa and the Great Lakes, DRC operates in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. Since 2009, DRC has been present in the Democratic Republic of Congo, steadily expanding its operations from Province Orientale to North Kivu and Ituri provinces. Today, DRC delivers integrated humanitarian programming across Emergency Response, Protection (including GBV and Child Protection), Economic Recovery, Shelter, and WASH, serving some of the country's most vulnerable and crisis-affected populations.

Responsibilities

As Country Director, you will provide strategic leadership to a large and diverse country operation, ensuring that DRC remains responsive to evolving humanitarian needs while maintaining programme quality, operational effectiveness, and strong accountability to affected populations. Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic Leadership

  • Provide visionary and inclusive leadership across DRC DR Congo operations.
  • Lead the implementation and development of DRC’s country strategy in alignment with DRC’s global strategic priorities.
  • Foster a collaborative organizational culture that promotes accountability, innovation, and principled humanitarian action.
  • Ensure effective senior management teamwork and decision-making.

• People Management

  • Lead, coach, and support senior managers and promote staff wellbeing and professional development.
  • Ensure performance management systems are effectively implemented.
  • Promote safeguarding, diversity, inclusion, and adherence to DRC’s Code of Conduct.

• Representation and External Engagement

  • Represent DRC with national authorities, donors, UN agencies, NGOs, clusters, and coordination forums.
  • Strengthen DRC’s positioning and visibility nationally and within the EAGL region.
  • Maintain constructive relationships with key stakeholders, including communities, local authorities, humanitarian actors, and donors.
  • Lead strategic advocacy efforts on displacement-related issues and humanitarian access.

• Programme Oversight and Development

  • Ensure quality, compliant, and impactful programme implementation.
  • In collaboration with the Head of Programme, support programme development, proposal design, fundraising, and donor engagement.
  • Promote evidence-based programming, accountability to affected populations, and impact measurement.
  • Support diversified and sustainable funding strategies.

• Safety and Security

  • Maintain overall accountability for safety and security management.
  • Ensure that operations are conducted in accordance with DRC security policies and procedures.
  • Monitor contextual developments and support informed operational decision-making in volatile environments.

• Operational and Financial Management

  • Oversee financial management, budget monitoring, and compliance with donor and DRC requirements.
  • Ensure efficient resource allocation and accountable operational systems.
  • Strengthen organizational resilience and risk management practices across all functions.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of senior management experience in humanitarian and/or development settings, including experience as Country Director or equivalent senior leadership role.
• Master’s degree in Political Science, International Development, Economics, Humanitarian Affairs, or another relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience leading operations in complex and insecure environments.
• Strong experience representing organizations with donors, authorities, and coordination mechanisms.
• Proven experience in donor engagement, fundraising, and managing multi-donor portfolios.
• Experience managing large and diverse teams in high-stress contexts.
• Experience working on displacement-related issues, including with IDPs and conflict-affected populations.
• Full professional proficiency in English and French.
• Previous experience in East Africa and/or the Horn of Africa is strongly preferred.

We Offer

• Contract length: 12 months (renewable based on performance and funding)
• Employment Band: D-Management
• Work location: Goma, DR Congo
• Start date: Preferably 1 September 2026

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national or international employees.

About the Company

Founded in 1956, DRC Danish Refugee Council is Denmark’s largest, and a leading international NGO. We have continuously been ranked as one of the best NGOs in the world and are one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. In over 30 countries, we protect, advocate and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.

By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of over 6,000 employees. We pride ourselves on our:

• Professionalism, impact & expertise
• Humanitarian approach & the work we do
• Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
• Culture, values & strong leadership
• Fair compensation & continuous development

DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer and we consider all applicants based on individual merit and qualifications, regardless of personal characteristics or attributes. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce, aiming for a 50% balance of men and women in management roles and ensuring that at least 50% of management roles are filled by national staff. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is crucial for achieving our organizational goals and making a positive impact on the communities we serve.

Application Process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 12 July 2026.

For more information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit our website drc.ngo.