About Good Shepherd International Foundation (GSIF)
The Good Shepherd International Foundation (GSIF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the rights of vulnerable people, particularly girls and women, by supporting the mission of the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd (OLCGS).
GSIF operates in more than 30 countries worldwide, supporting programs in education, social protection, economic justice, human rights, and emergency response.
The organization strengthens the capacities of local partners by mobilizing resources, improving program quality, and promoting accountability and impact measurement through effective knowledge management and strategic partnerships.
Position: Africa Program Coordinator
Department: Africa Team
Location: Africa (specific location to be determined)
Primary Country of Responsibility: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Reports To: Africa Regional Manager
Required Experience: At least four (4) years
Contract Type: One-year consultancy contract, with the possibility of extension or conversion into a local employment contract
Application Deadline: 18 October 2026
DEPARTMENT: AFRICA TEAM
The Africa Team supports and accompanies OLCGS partners across African countries in managing programs and grants.
The department plays a critical role in ensuring the successful implementation of development initiatives. GSIF is also working toward establishing an Africa Regional Office to coordinate activities strategically across the continent.
Key Working Relationships
Internal Relationships:
- GSIF departments.
- Relevant stakeholders within the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd (OLCGS).
External Relationships:
- OLCGS global partners.
- Donors.
- Regional stakeholders.
- International stakeholders.
Purpose Of The Role
The Africa Program Coordinator will oversee the implementation of program activities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with the possibility of expanding responsibilities to additional countries in the future.
The successful candidate will collaborate closely with local partners to ensure that program activities align with national priorities and organizational strategic objectives.
The position combines operational oversight of country-level programs with contributions to GSIF’s long-term vision of establishing an Africa Regional Office.
The role requires a high degree of individual responsibility, including regular field visits and direct support for local partners, while working collaboratively with the wider team to achieve regional objectives.
Key Responsibilities
A. Program Implementation and Oversight
The Africa Program Coordinator will:
- Support local partners in developing, planning, implementing, and monitoring donor-funded programs across various countries, ensuring compliance with GSIF and donor standards and timely delivery of activities.
- Ensure the successful execution of all program phases by providing operational support to local partners and maintaining compliance with GSIF’s Program Cycle Management (PCM) standards.
- Promote accurate and efficient program implementation through effective financial planning and the use of grant management tools.
- Lead support for country-specific programs, providing guidance throughout every phase of implementation and ensuring that activities remain aligned with established program objectives.
- Contribute to strategic discussions on program quality and the future vision of the relevant Units and Ministries of the Congregation.
B. Stakeholder and Partner Management
The successful candidate will:
- Maintain strong relationships with existing and potential donors and other stakeholders, ensuring transparent communication about project progress and identifying opportunities for future funding.
- Serve as the primary point of contact between GSIF and local partners, ensuring clear, consistent, and effective communication.
- Represent GSIF at external events, including conferences, seminars, and workshops.
- Develop collaborative networks with other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations to promote peer learning and knowledge sharing across countries.
- Manage relationships with local partners, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and actively supporting their capacity-building efforts.
- Liaise with GSIF’s Partnership Development Team to follow up on partnership leads and fundraising opportunities.
C. Financial Management
Responsibilities will include:
- Supporting local partners in preparing and maintaining financial documentation, including project budgets, financial plans, and donor reports, while ensuring compliance with internal policies and donor requirements.
- Collaborating with GSIF’s Finance Team to ensure accurate financial reporting that meets donor requirements and internal audit standards.
- Providing effective financial oversight of country-specific projects, ensuring accurate tracking and reporting of all expenditures.
- Working closely with GSIF’s Finance Team and local Africa Team to coordinate budget management and resource allocation, contributing to the development of regional financial strategies.
D. Reporting, Monitoring, and Evaluation
The Africa Program Coordinator will:
- Assist local partners in conducting needs assessments, project evaluations, and analyses, incorporating findings into GSIF’s monitoring and evaluation systems in collaboration with the Knowledge Management and Communication Department.
- Review and finalize program reports for donors and internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that reports accurately communicate project impact, achievements, and challenges.
- Facilitate the collection and analysis of project data from local partners and ensure that the information contributes to GSIF’s broader evaluation frameworks.
- Support local partners in developing robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems to ensure that implemented projects achieve positive and sustainable outcomes.
- Support reporting processes for all country-specific projects, ensuring the timely and accurate submission of reports to donors and internal teams.
- Collaborate with GSIF’s Knowledge Management and Africa Team departments to ensure that evaluation findings inform broader regional strategy discussions.
E. Strategic Planning and Contribution to the Africa Regional Office
The successful candidate will:
- Support local partners in developing, implementing, and monitoring local strategic plans.
- Identify country-specific challenges and opportunities and provide practical recommendations to inform the vision and operational structure of the future Africa Regional Office.
- Actively participate in strategic planning sessions for individual countries and the Africa region as a whole.
- Facilitate country-level insights and discussions concerning the development of the Africa Regional Office.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of a regional capacity-building plan to strengthen local partners’ skills and institutional capabilities.
- Contribute to the establishment of a local branch.
Qualifications And Requirements
Applicants should meet the following requirements:
Educational Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in Economics, Political and Social Sciences, or a related field.
- An advanced degree is preferred.
- Academic training or specialized coursework in Project Cycle Management (PCM), or equivalent professional experience.
Professional Experience
- At least four (4) years of relevant professional experience, preferably with NGOs or similar organizations working in project cycle management (PCM), including financial planning and management.
- Experience working across the African continent.
- Experience in capacity strengthening and grant writing.
- A strong understanding of the international development and humanitarian assistance sectors.
- Previous experience working with faith-based organizations will be considered an asset.
Technical and Professional Skills
- Strong financial management abilities.
- Knowledge of the Theory of Change.
- Ability to support program planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Experience in grant management, budget monitoring, financial reporting, and donor compliance.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and coordination skills.
- Ability to manage office-based and remote teams using appropriate information technology tools.
- Computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Familiarity with videoconferencing tools and other digital communication platforms.
Language Requirements
- Excellent written and spoken English.
- Excellent written and spoken French.
- Knowledge of additional languages is an advantage, including Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili, and other relevant languages.
Travel Requirements
The successful candidate must be willing to travel to Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, at least three times per year.
Each visit may last between two weeks and one month.
Applicants should therefore be prepared to undertake extended field visits as required by program activities.
CONTRACT DETAILS
The position is offered under a one-year consultancy contract, with the possibility of extension or conversion into a local employment contract.
The role will be based in Africa, with the specific location to be determined.
The successful candidate will report directly to the Africa Regional Manager and will work closely with GSIF departments, local partners, donors, and other relevant stakeholders.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested and qualified candidates should submit the following documents:
- An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- A motivation letter explaining their suitability for the position.
Application Email recruitment@gsif.it
Application Deadline
18 October 2026
Applicants should ensure that their applications are submitted before the deadline.
Candidates must demonstrate excellent written and spoken proficiency in both English and French to be considered for the position.
SAFEGUARDING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
The Good Shepherd International Foundation recognizes its responsibility to promote gender equality and ensure the protection, safety, and safeguarding of children and adults in vulnerable situations.
GSIF maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of abuse and exploitation.
All staff members, interns, and consultants associated with GSIF are required to sign and comply with the organization’s Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.
GSIF reserves the right to conduct background checks on prospective candidates.
Failure to comply with the organization’s safeguarding policies and standards will result in the candidate not being appointed to the position.
FINAL REMINDER
Before applying, ensure that you:
- Meet the minimum requirement of four years of relevant professional experience.
- Have excellent written and spoken English and French.
- Possess the required educational qualifications and relevant technical skills.
- Have experience in program coordination, financial management, grant management, and project monitoring and evaluation.
- Are willing to travel to Kolwezi, DRC, for extended field visits.
- Submit your CV and motivation letter to the official recruitment email address before 18 October 2026.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Applicants must be fluent in both English and French, including speaking and writing. Candidates who do not meet this language requirement should not apply.
