Urgent: Humanitarian Mission Leader Opportunity in the Democratic Republic of Congo

INTERSOS is actively seeking a highly motivated Mission Leader to spearhead its humanitarian operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This is a 12-month contract under a fixed-term collaboration agreement, with a proposed start date of September 1, 2026.

INTERSOS is a globally recognized non-profit humanitarian organization dedicated to aiding victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Our work is rooted in core values of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality, and respect for diversity. We prioritize support for the most vulnerable populations in crisis zones, ensuring their rights and opportunities are upheld.

Position Details

Job Title: Mission Leader (Code: SR-38-10259)

Location: Goma, with frequent travel to South Kivu, Ituri, and Kinshasa

Contract Duration: 12 months

Start Date: September 1, 2026

Reporting To: Regional Director

Functional Supervision: SMT Team

Deployment Terms: Without family accompaniment

Context: A Humanitarian Landscape in Crisis

The humanitarian situation in the DRC remains deeply concerning, marked by overlapping crises, particularly in the eastern provinces. Endemic violence and armed conflicts have led to massive and repeated displacements, compounded by chronic health vulnerabilities, including recurrent Ebola outbreaks. Civilians bear the brunt of this instability, facing regular human rights violations, breaches of international humanitarian law, and a high prevalence of gender-based violence.

Since establishing operations in the DRC in 2010, INTERSOS has been delivering critical support in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu. Our programs focus on protection, healthcare, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and food security, in collaboration with UN agencies and funded by major donors such as ECHO, AICS, and SV.

Key Responsibilities of the Mission Leader

Strategic Leadership and Program Development

Monitor and analyze the political and humanitarian landscape across the DRC and neighboring countries to identify new intervention opportunities.
Design and implement a forward-thinking strategy aligned with INTERSOS’s mission and values, ensuring alignment with donor priorities.
Explore and secure funding opportunities, fostering partnerships with institutional and private donors to maximize community impact.
Oversee the development and execution of projects, conducting periodic field visits to assess progress, quality, and adherence to technical and ethical standards.
Submit project proposals and emergency interventions to central administration for approval, ensuring rapid and effective responses to evolving crises.
Lead the country strategy planning process, prioritizing actions and resources to achieve program objectives.

Representation and Advocacy

Act as the primary representative of INTERSOS in the DRC, managing relationships with national authorities to ensure seamless and timely implementation of interventions.
Ensure proper government recognition of the organization, adhering to local legal requirements.
Maintain productive communication with donors, ensuring their priorities align with assessed needs on the ground.
Represent INTERSOS in relevant forums and coordination platforms.

Team Management and Organizational Culture

Ensure the senior management team operates effectively, fostering collaboration and inclusive decision-making.
Work with the HR coordinator to guide and evaluate the performance of both international and national staff.
Uphold INTERSOS’s organizational values, ethical code, and management frameworks, promoting a productive and ethical work environment.
Empower staff to achieve organizational goals, cultivating a cohesive and high-performing team.

Financial, Logistical, and Security Oversight

Collaborate with the finance coordinator to oversee the mission’s financial management, ensuring transparency and viability.
Ensure efficient and transparent allocation of allocated resources.
Partner with the logistics and supply coordinator to establish robust procurement processes.
Take ultimate responsibility for security, including developing and validating the country security plan, monitoring contextual changes, and providing strategic recommendations.
Engage regularly with regional offices and security advisors to address safety concerns.

Accountability and Quality Assurance

Collaborate with the SMT to produce and present monthly activity reports.
Continuously evaluate the impact of programs and operations through periodic field visits, in partnership with the program coordinator and MEAL team.
Ensure strict adherence to INTERSOS’s safeguarding policies by all staff.
Supervise the effectiveness of complaint feedback mechanisms in collaboration with the MEAL department.
Monitor program quality and impact against established strategic objectives and indicators.
Oversee program reporting, ensuring compliance with INTERSOS policies, donor regulations, and national requirements.

Required Profile

We are looking for a candidate with the following qualifications and experience:

A university degree in project management, international affairs, development studies, international political economy, or a related field.
Eight years of leadership experience in humanitarian contexts, preferably with NGOs in developing countries.
Proven track record in managing major grants and working with international donors.
Experience in insecure environments with responsibility for security planning, monitoring, and management.
Fluency in French and English is mandatory.
Proficiency in essential computer tools, including Word, Excel, and internet-based platforms.

The ideal candidate will also demonstrate:

Strategic vision and strong organizational and planning skills.
Exceptional leadership, team management, and collaborative abilities.
Behavioral flexibility and adaptability in dynamic environments.
Strong networking, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
Diplomatic, interpersonal, and communication competencies.
Ability to take initiative and work independently with minimal supervision.
Analytical and problem-solving skills with a practical approach.
Commitment to INTERSOS’s principles and humanitarian ethics.

Compensation and Benefits

This role offers a competitive compensation package, including:

Monthly Gross Salary: €4,505 to €5,182 (depending on experience and qualifications).
Housing: Shared guesthouse accommodation.
Rest and Recovery: Seven days of psycho-physical recovery every 12 weeks, plus a €1,000 allowance.
Annual Leave: 2.5 days per month of service.
Comprehensive Medical Insurance: Coverage for the mission leader and eligible dependents.
Transport and Visa Support: Round-trip airfare and, for missions lasting nine months or more, an additional ticket to and from the country of residence.
Onboarding Training: One week of online pre-deployment training.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications via the INTERSOS careers portal. The application process consists of three simple steps:

Register by providing your name, email, password, and nationality.
Log in to your account.
Apply and upload your PDF resume.

Applicants can track their application status through the portal. Ensure you include the names, positions, and contact details of at least three references—two former supervisors and one HR contact. Family members are not eligible as references.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the first interview.

The deadline for applications is July 29, 2026.