The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees delivers lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
The IRC has been working in Bangladesh for over 5 years implementing direct programming in the areas of WASH, education, livelihoods, reproductive health, gender-based violence, and child and youth protection and development. With an annual operating budget of over $ 1 billion (2021), IRC successfully runs a global portfolio of both humanitarian as well as development interventions and has significant experience implementing large-scale programs requiring substantial and sustained collaboration with multiple actors.
Position Summary
The IRC is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for the five-year, $50 million USAID-funded Community Safety & Protection (CSP) Activity. This project will encompass a set of innovative interventions, with an overall goal of addressing the Human Rights situation in the country particularly for vulnerable minority communities. The project objectives will also include protecting and supporting the victims of violence and deprivation of rights and will create their access to justice system.
The Deputy Chief of Party will have overall responsibility for assuring that all assistance provided is technically sound and appropriate to meet activity objectives. They will be responsible for providing overall technical, administrative, and subject matter expertise service to the COP and serve as the alternate liaison with USAID on management and technical matters. This role will be a key technical lead within the project team that will oversee all program/technical staff. The successful candidate must have significant international program management experience in managing donor and/or USAID funded projects in Bangladesh. They must have the ability to fluently converse and write in Bangla and English.
This position will report to the COP and is contingent on the IRC being awarded funding. It is anticipated to begin in Nov 2024.
Job Responsibilities:
• Provide technical and strategic leadership support on all program activities, including leading partnerships and technical assistance to program partners, grantees, and beneficiaries;
• Responsible for ensuring program quality, technical excellence and timeliness of all deliverables.
• Serve as subject matter expert in design, implementation, and oversight of the technical aspects of the activity;
• Responsible for matters of consortium and partners management;
• Develop regular reports and ongoing activity monitoring consistent with IRC and USAID’s requirements;
• Represent IRC externally at meetings, workshops, and other events;
• Serve as the alternative liaison with USAID on management and technical matters;
• Act as a liaison with the Bangladesh government and other in-country stakeholders;
• Manage consortium partnerships and maintain collaborative partner relations;
• Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility.
• Ensure project delivery meets all IRC standard operational policies and procedures;
• Ensure implementation is in accordance with USAID regulations, liaising regularly with USAID agreement officers, technical support staff, sub-grantees, and implementers of other USAID-funded initiatives as required.
• Manage a diverse team of project staff.
Experience/Qualifications:
• Hold a master’s degree or higher in a relevant field and have technical expertise in one or more of the program areas: Protection, Rule of Law implementation, Human Rights Advocacy, Policy Reforms & Implementation, Locally-led Peace & Stability Solutions etc.
• Have 7-8 years of successful experience as Project Director/COP/DCOP of large donor-funded technical assistance.
• Demonstrated experience managing similar projects in Bangladesh or Asia region, involving management of multi-million-dollar budgets/portfolios and coordination with multiple programs and partner institutions.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with the private sector as well as private sector institutions such as Chamber of Commerce, Business Associations and Financial Institutions.
• Demonstrated experience working with governmental institutions, particularly local government divisions, departments of forest and livestock & fishery. Prior experience engaging with the Hill Tract Authorities is a plus.
• Be adept in strategic planning, budget review, adaptive management, and supervision
• Strong leadership, analytical and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact professionally with donor, project stakeholders, in-country collaborators and staff at all levels of the organization.
• Understanding of USAID procurement processes and procedures.
**Local applicants and women strongly encouraged to apply**
Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.