Country Director DR Congo

The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change is seeking a Country Director for DR Congo, based in Kinshasa. This senior role involves leading strategic advisory services to the government, focusing on business climate reform, investment promotion, and digital transformation. The director will build relationships with government and private sector stakeholders, manage a multidisciplinary team, and drive impactful reforms to support sustainable development goals in the region.
We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.

We are a global team of over 800 changemakers, operating in more than 40 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference.

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

Role Summary

We are looking for an experienced strategic government advisory professional to lead TBI’s work in DR Congo as the Country Director.

The Country Director leads TBI’s programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), overseeing strategic advisory services in areas such as business climate reform, investment promotion, government delivery, renewable energy solutions, and digital transformation. This senior leadership role is critical to supporting the Government of DRC in achieving sustainable social and economic development goals through innovative solutions and accelerated implementation of key priorities.

Working closely with senior government counterparts, private sector stakeholders, and international partners, the Country Director will build trusted relationships and drive high-impact reforms. By combining TBI’s expertise in strategy, policy, and delivery, the role ensures alignment with the government’s ambitions while fostering partnerships to mobilise resources.

The Country Director will also spearhead business development initiatives, manage a high-performing, multidisciplinary team, and provide strategic direction to ensure projects deliver measurable outcomes. This role requires exceptional leadership, resilience, and a deep understanding of DRC’s socio-economic context to navigate complex environments and deliver transformative change.

More specifically, the Country Director is responsible for the following:

Client Relationships and Stakeholder Engagement
• Build and maintain trusted, long-term relationships with senior government officials through the delivery of high-quality, actionable insights.
• Secure and renew mandates from government counterparts for advisory services on priority reforms, ensuring alignment with national strategies for sustainable social and economic development.
• Develop and foster strategic partnerships across government entities, the private sector, international donors, and multilateral institutions to mobilise resources and accelerate economic development initiatives.
• Pursue funding opportunities with multilateral donors, international financial institutions, and philanthropic organisations to sustain and expand TBI’s programme in DRC, ensuring alignment with government needs and TBI’s value proposition.
• Act as a key representative of TBI, advocating for DRC’s reform agenda and showcasing the Institute’s expertise at regional and global platforms to strengthen stakeholder collaboration and elevate the country’s profile.

Team Management & Internal Coordination
• Provide clear and strategic direction to the team across all project areas, ensuring robust planning, effective resource allocation, and timely execution of deliverables.
• Leverage TBI’s collective expertise in strategy, policy, delivery, and technology to deliver innovative, high-impact solutions tailored to client needs.
• Actively support team members by sharing content expertise, guiding analysis, and contributing to the development of high-quality client deliverables when required.
• Maintain final accountability for the quality, timeliness, and alignment of all outputs with client objectives, ensuring consistency with TBI’s standards of excellence.
• Mentor and cultivate a high-performing team by fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and values-driven culture that prioritises professional growth, well-being, and continuous learning.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration within TBI to align efforts across country, regional, and global teams, maximising synergies and resource utilisation.

Administration
• Implement and maintain robust financial controls, ensuring strict adherence to compliance standards and proactively identifying and mitigating risks across all programmatic and operational areas.
• Take full accountability for the effectiveness and efficiency of team operations, including performance management processes, to drive excellence and alignment with project goals.
• Provide regular, comprehensive updates to the Regional Director and senior leadership, highlighting progress, risks, and proposed solutions for potential bottlenecks.
• Lead the development and implementation of TBI-specific policies, including the country risk register and related protocols, ensuring staff compliance and operational safety.
• Actively contribute to regional initiatives, including recruitment, talent management, programme delivery, and the identification of new business opportunities to enhance TBI’s impact across the region.

Person Specifications
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience, with at least 6 years in an advisory capacity to senior public sector clients, preferably in Africa and with a distinct advantage for experience in DRC.
• A Master’s degree in Public Policy, Finance, Economics, International Relations, Political Sciences, or a related field; equivalent experience combined with an undergraduate degree will also be considered.
• Extensive experience in strategy development, with prior management consulting experience highly desirable.
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the programme’s core focus areas: business climate, investment promotion, government delivery, renewable energy, or digital transformation.
• Proven ability to lead and manage diverse teams, encompassing various skillsets, nationalities, and cultural backgrounds, fostering a collaborative environment focused on team success and professional growth.
• Strong ability to work independently, think strategically, and deliver high-quality, client-ready outputs, including well-structured presentations and reports.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to establish credibility and build trust quickly with senior government and external stakeholders.
• Adept at navigating complex political systems, with sound judgement to anticipate and manage potential conflicts or tensions in external engagements.
• Solid awareness of international relations and global economic trends, particularly related to Africa, and a deep understanding of DRC’s socio-economic landscape, including its key sectors and governance systems.
• Comfort in a fast-paced environment with the ability to handle multiple, diverse workstreams while maintaining prioritisation and focus on outcomes.
• Advanced written communication and executive reporting skills, ensuring clarity and precision in all deliverables.
• Fluency in French and professional proficiency in English are essential.

Closing Date:

2025-04-04