Job Description
DRC Coordinator, Independent Consultant, Democratic Republic of Congo
Free the Slaves - Candidate Search
Independent Consultant Position:
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Coordinator
Description of Work:
Founded in 2000, and headquartered in Washington, DC, Free the Slaves (FTS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending modern slavery and human trafficking worldwide (www.freetheslaves.net). FTS' approach to eradicating slavery is rooted in a strong belief in the power of grassroots social change. We build partnerships with organizations to strengthen local capacity to eradicate slavery and human trafficking, and this informs our international policy advocacy. We provide intensive support to organizations as they test out and scale up community-based anti-slavery strategies. We offer funding and publicity of their work as well as collaboration to implement programs. Currently, FTS partners with local anti-slavery organizations in Ghana, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Haiti, Brazil, India and Nepal.
FTS has been in eastern DRC since 2009, working to expose, and now eliminate slavery in artisanal mining. Through close collaboration with local non-governmental organizations (NGO), we have documented multiple forms of slavery linked with the trade in minerals. These abuses include forced labor, including salongo, and debt bondage connected directly to mining activities. Slavery in eastern Congo also includes the use of children by armed groups; the exploitation of children and adults through commercial sex work, and other forms of sexual slavery; forced marriage; and other forms of child slavery. These acts constitute violations of slavery and human trafficking laws under international law and also violate relevant Congolese laws. With our local partners, we have conducted community-based consultations to understand the impact of slavery on those who are most affected and to learn the priorities of artisanal mining communities for developing possible solutions.
Until now, FTS has been supporting this work in the DRC through regular visits by our Washington-based staff. We are expanding the DRC country program and hiring a Goma-based DRC Coordinator consultant who will report to the Program Manager in Washington. Long-term employment is a possibility.
Responsibilities:
Provide ongoing support to local partner organizations in strategic program design, implementation, reporting, and financial accounting:
Gain a full understanding of the contexts and activities currently being conducted by FTS' Congolese partner organizations in relation to slavery and trafficking in eastern DRC.
Maintain regular contact with partners by visiting their work in the field and at their offices and giving them feedback on a regular basis. Help them reflect on and resolve both immediate and strategic challenges as they move toward eradication of slavery.
Assist partners with building self-sufficiency in setting budgets; making workplans; preparing simple evaluation methods; writing grant requests and reports; keeping records and maintaining compliance and accurate financial accounting.
Document actions, achievements and challenges and provide updates to FTS' US-based Programs, Development and Communications teams on a regular basis.
Provide strategic policy advocacy representation for FTS in multi-stakeholder meetings, and with community leaders and government officials:
Regularly attend and participate in multi-stakeholder meetings, contributing lessons learned from partners in the field. Identify gaps in efforts to address the root causes of different forms of slavery in eastern DRC.
Carry out analysis and create realistic recommendations regarding current legislation, regulations and implementation of policies in relation to preventing slavery and trafficking. Provide care and legal rights for survivors and help them reintegrate in communities.
Engage in education and advocacy with Congolese government and parliament officials regarding combating human trafficking.
Provide information to FTS staff in the U.S. regarding government, non-governmental, and other stakeholder actions against slavery and trafficking in the DRC.
Explore opportunities for expanded partnerships with Congolese organizations, and work towards a formal legal presence for FTS in the DRC:
Gather information about the scope of anti-slavery work already being done by Congolese and international groups , and the potential of different local approaches.
Identify potential new partners for FTS in the DRC, initiating partnership start-up with at least one new potential partner during the consultancy period.
With guidance from FTS Headquarters, lead efforts to formally register FTS in the DRC by the end of the consultancy period, including through gathering information and initiating necessary steps.
Identify opportunities to strengthen the work of international and national development agencies/NGOs by helping them incorporate a slavery focus in all their programs. Identify a range of possible agencies and approaches, and advocate for integration of a slavery focus within their existing programs, including through training their staff.
Participate in required training provided by FTS, and in the development of FTS overall work planning and program strategies and strengthen the role of the overseas program work in FTS' fundraising, research, advocacy and public education. Host donors and potential donors as needed to help ensure adequate funding for the DRC program and FTS overall.
Qualifications:
A minimum of five years work experience with grassroots, community-based organizations, while based in a Global South country
Relevant post-graduate qualification in development, human rights, law or related field or commensurate experience
Experience in creating and implementing monitoring and evaluation processes that are appropriate to grassroots organizations focused on anti-poverty and human rights objectives
Ability to develop and manage budgets and understand income and expenditure reports with strong attention to financial details
Experience in collaborative advocacy processes, in relation to achieving government accountability and legislative/policy improvements
Knowledge of the DRC's governmental system, as well as the international framework for human rights
Knowledge of how issues of slavery and human trafficking relate to other development, poverty and human rights issues in the Congolese context
Enthusiasm and willingness to travel outside Goma at least 35% of the time
Good knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel spreadsheets (for financial reporting and budgeting)
Required: fluency in written and spoken French; professional competency in Swahili; understanding of spoken English. Strongly preferred: professional competency in English.
Benefits:
The DRC Coordinator will be hired as a consultant for an initial 6-month period. There is a possibility that the consultancy will be extended, pending funding and work performance. Monthly consultancy fees for this position will be competitive and commensurate with work experience. Free the Slaves is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer committed to workplace diversity.
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please email a one-page cover letter, a resume/CV of no more than three pages, desired salary range, and a list of three professional or academic references.
Only successful candidates will be contacted for interview, which will take place in Goma.
No Fee
AJS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS AND AJS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.
SOME EMPLOYERS MAY ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF YOUR APPLICATION.
