Humanitarian job in Congo with intersos mission leader role

INTERSOS is seeking a highly motivated Mission Leader to join its emergency response team in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The position is a 12-month contract with a start date of September 1, 2026. Applications close July 29, 2026.

INTERSOS is an independent, non-profit humanitarian organization dedicated to assisting victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Our mission is rooted in the values of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equal rights and opportunities for all, respect for diversity, peaceful coexistence, and a commitment to the most vulnerable social groups.

Position overview

Job title: Mission Leader

Position code: SR-38-10259

Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

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

Start date: September 1, 2026

Contract duration: 12 months

Reporting to: Regional Director

Supervises: Senior Management Team (SMT)

Assignment type: Without family

Project context

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the humanitarian landscape remains deeply challenging. The eastern provinces continue to grapple with entrenched violence, armed conflict, and recurrent displacement. Chronic health vulnerabilities persist, compounded by frequent outbreaks such as Ebola. Civilians face severe hardship, marked by persistent human rights violations, targeted attacks, and a high prevalence of gender-based violence.

INTERSOS has been active in the DRC since 2010, delivering critical programs in protection, health, water and sanitation (WASH), and food security across Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu. These initiatives are implemented in collaboration with UN agencies and funded by major donors including ECHO, AICS, SV, and others.

Position purpose

The Mission Leader serves as the organization’s representative in the country, acting on behalf of the Director General to oversee all aspects of INTERSOS’ operations. This includes strategic design, resource planning, program management, and implementation.

Core responsibilities

Strategy and vision

• Monitor and analyze the political and humanitarian landscape across the DRC and neighboring countries through established networks and field assessments to identify new intervention opportunities.
• Develop and refine strategic response plans aligned with INTERSOS’ core values and operational principles.
• Explore and pursue funding avenues that amplify community impact, while coordinating fundraising efforts with institutional and private donors.
• Align the mission’s priorities with donor strategies, ensuring strict adherence to INTERSOS and donor policies and procedures.
• Oversee project development and implementation, conducting periodic field visits to assess progress, quality, and compliance with internal and external standards. Ensure technical and ethical excellence, and verify that program objectives are met.
• Submit new project proposals and emergency interventions to central administration for approval. Evaluate potential emergency responses and lead the design of additional programs based on assessment findings.
• Lead the country strategy planning process, prioritizing actions and resources to achieve program goals.

Representation and advocacy

• Act as the face of INTERSOS in the country, managing relationships with authorities to ensure seamless and timely implementation of interventions while upholding impartiality and independence.
• Facilitate and oversee the organization’s recognition process with local authorities, adhering to national regulations.
• Maintain productive communication with donors, ensuring their awareness of assessed needs to influence funding priorities.
• Represent INTERSOS in relevant forums, platforms, and coordination meetings.

Team leadership

• Ensure the Senior Management Team operates effectively, supports one another, and is fully engaged in key decision-making processes.
• Work with the HR Coordinator to guide and evaluate the performance of both international and national staff.
• Uphold INTERSOS’ organizational values, ethical code, management model, and internal procedures.
• Foster a high standard of ethics, promote teamwork, and cultivate a productive work environment.
• Empower staff to achieve organizational goals and function as a cohesive, high-performing team.

Finance, logistics, and procurement

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

Safety and security

• Assume ultimate responsibility for security, including the development, validation, and implementation of the country security plan. Monitor evolving contexts, conduct risk analyses, and provide actionable recommendations.
• Maintain regular communication with the regional office and security advisor on safety-related matters.
• Make final decisions on all security-related issues within the country.

Accountability and quality control

• Work with the SMT to produce and submit monthly activity reports for the mission.
• Continuously evaluate and analyze the impact of programs and operations through regular field visits, in partnership with the Program Coordinator and MEAL team.
• Ensure full compliance with INTERSOS’ safeguarding policies across all personnel.
• Supervise the effectiveness of the complaint feedback mechanism in collaboration with the MEAL department.
• Monitor program quality and impact in alignment with strategic objectives and relevant indicators.
• Oversee program reporting to ensure compliance with INTERSOS policies, donor regulations, and national requirements.

Required profile

• 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 large grants and international donor relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to work in insecure environments with full responsibility for security planning, monitoring, and management.
• Strong proficiency in essential IT tools (Word, Excel, Internet).
• Fluency in both French and English is required.

Desired competencies

• Strategic vision and forward-thinking approach.
• Exceptional organizational and planning skills.
• Proven leadership, team management, and collaborative abilities.
• Behavioral adaptability and flexibility.
• Strong networking, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
• Diplomatic, interpersonal, and communication prowess.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Robust analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Deep commitment to INTERSOS’ guiding principles.

Contract terms and benefits

• Salary range: €4,505 – €5,182 gross per month
• Housing: Shared guesthouse accommodation
• Rest and recuperation: 7 days of psycho-physical recovery every 12 weeks, plus a €1,000 allowance
• Annual leave: 2.5 days per month
• Comprehensive medical insurance for staff
• Travel and visa: Round-trip airfare included. For assignments of 9+ months, an additional round-trip ticket to and from the home country is provided.
• Onboarding support: One week of online integration training prior to deployment

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application by following the designated portal link.

Please note that the application process consists of three quick steps: register (providing your name, email, password, and nationality), log in, and apply by uploading your CV in PDF format. The platform allows you to track your application history with INTERSOS.

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

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the first interview.