Project Description and Impact

Action Pour le Développement des Jeunes au Congo (ADJC) is a nonprofit organization focused on addressing key issues affecting vulnerable communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), especially youth and women. ADJC's flagship initiatives include the SAFIPAD project (aimed at tackling period poverty by producing and distributing reusable sanitary pads), the JIKOBORA Initiative (focused on clean cooking and reducing deforestation), and large-scale tree plantation programs in South Kivu. Through these projects, ADJC seeks to empower communities, improve health and education outcomes, and combat environmental challenges.

Despite these impactful initiatives, ADJC faces challenges in scaling its operations, securing diversified funding, and optimizing its internal processes. While the organization has made notable strides, it needs strategic support to expand its reach, increase sustainability, and ensure that its programs continue to deliver measurable impact over the long term.

Why ADJC Needs Support:

1. Scaling Impact:

   • ADJC’s programs have positively impacted many communities, but there is a need for strategic guidance to scale these initiatives sustainably to reach more vulnerable populations.

2. Funding Diversification:

   • ADJC primarily relies on external funding, but it needs expertise to diversify its funding sources and create more sustainable financial models, including exploring partnerships, grants, and social enterprise options.

3. Operational Efficiency:

   • With growing projects and beneficiaries, ADJC needs advice on streamlining operations, improving project management, and optimizing the use of resources for greater impact.

4. Capacity Building:

   • The organization would benefit from developing its leadership and team capacity to manage expanding programs and navigate the complex challenges of scaling an NGO in a resource-limited setting.

Learning Opportunity

• Community-Based Development Strategies:

  • The Experteer will gain hands-on experience in designing and implementing development projects that are deeply rooted in local communities, learning how to address complex social and environmental challenges in resource-limited settings.

• Impact Measurement and Evaluation:

  • They will learn how to design monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of community-driven programs, such as SAFIPAD and JIKOBORA, and track long-term social and environmental impact.

• Sustainable Development and Social Entrepreneurship:

  • The Experteer will gain insight into integrating sustainability into nonprofit and social enterprise models, including strategies for financial diversification and creating revenue-generating programs like ADJC’s tree plantation initiatives.

• Crisis Management and Resilience:

  • Working in a dynamic and sometimes challenging environment like the DRC, the Experteer will learn how to navigate crises and unexpected challenges, building resilience in projects and organizations facing unstable conditions.

• Cross-Cultural Collaboration and Leadership:

  • They will develop skills in working across diverse cultural contexts and enhance their ability to collaborate with local leaders, communities, and stakeholders in the DRC, fostering inclusive leadership practices.

• Project Scaling and Expansion:

  • The Experteer will learn the intricacies of scaling community development initiatives, including the strategic, operational, and financial considerations required to expand projects while maintaining quality and sustainability.

Accommodation

To be determined with the selected candidate

Travel Stipend

To be determined with the selected candidate

About the Hosting Organization

Action Pour le Developpement des Jeunes au Congo (ADJC) is a Non-profit working on Biotechnology, Civic & Social Organization, Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing, Food Production, Mental Health Care.

Representative