Economic Recovery and Development Coordinator

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 50 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 deliver 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.

IRC Ukraine seeks a dynamic leader and program strategist to fill the role of the Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) Coordinator. The ERD Coordinator will lead and oversee basic needs and winterization cash as well as livelihoods programming and the integration of IRC’s ERD programming with the social protection systems in Ukraine, including directing strategic planning, decision making, and supervision of staff. The ERD Coordinator will identify specific opportunities for local partnerships with local NGOs, local municipalities and governments; steer IRC towards increasing implementation through partnerships; and develop strategic directions for the country program for all areas of Economic Recovery and Development. They will serve as the key liaison with local and international implementing partners, the Cash Working Group, the Shelter/NFI Working Group, the Task Forces on Social Protection as well as municipalities and governmental partners, the private sector and other stakeholders.

As this is a fluid and rapidly changing context, the location of this assignment may change based on the needs of the program, but will be based either in Kyiv with regular travel to field locations in Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa, Kherson and Mykolaiv. Housing will be provided in IRC accommodation and hotels.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the supervision of the Deputy Director of Programmes (DDP) and with technical support from ERD Technical Advisors, the ERD Coordinator will:
• Ensure the technical quality and effective implementation of a range of Economic Recovery and Development, including Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), employment, enterprise and agricultural support as well as integration into Ukrainian social security systems for people affected by the conflict, in both partner-led and directly implemented projects.
• Design programs and seek funding for the above-mentioned ERD programming in order to build and grow a stable funding base for high quality and impactful programs.
• As necessary/ in regular intervals, identify new local partners and lead emergency needs assessments, labor, value chain as well as market assessments to inform activity design and ensure programs are contextually appropriate and reflect community-based design considerations.
• Provide overall technical oversight and leadership for the ERD Team in Ukraine, including coordinating with field management on operational functions for achieving the goals of the project as well as hiring, staff and budget management.
• Ensure that gender, protection and environmental stewardship are mainstreamed in all programming under direct responsibility.
• Lead IRC’s ERD strategy in Ukraine and support overall counterprogram strategic direction.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program quality/Management and implementation
• Responsible for the overall project coordination with partners and direct program implementation in line with the IRC Country Strategy Action Plan and IRC international priorities, frameworks and policies.
• Provide technical leadership and direction for all ERD activities; define and implement context-appropriate activities to achieve the greatest coverage and impact possible for both immediate support to people affected by the conflict in Ukraine and for future recovery and resilience needs.
• Ensure regular communication with other Technical Coordinators within IRC Ukraine, and globally-based Technical Advisors for Economic Recovery & Development, Protection and Health to integrate appropriate technical unit priorities in program design and implementation.
• Collaborate with key staff and senior members of other technical sectors to prepare strategic work-plans with clear objectives and achievement benchmarks, long-term and short-term priorities, implementation plans, financial projections and tools for evaluation.
• Closely coordinate with field management to ensure program implementation is on time, with target goals and budget management, using effective monitoring and evaluation systems and adaptive management principles to reach desired impacts.
• Ensure programming is client and needs-based, using evidence-based modalities and approaches, and contextually appropriate for different areas of Ukraine.
• Ensure payment delivery mechanisms for CVA programming are fit for purpose and meet the needs and preferences of clients, and explore new Financial Service Provider opportunities and mechanisms as needed.

Partnerships
• Identify and develop partnerships with local and international implementing partners as appropriate for program design and service to clients based on IRC’s partner (PEERS) standards of equal and effective partnership and a ‘why not partner’ approach.
• Strengthen relationships with national bodies, including Ukrainian social protection schemes.
• Identify potential private sector partners and linkages to support livelihoods and employment programming.

Team management/Staff Supervision & Development
• Support field management where needed on project implementation to ensure work plans and ERD project activities and outcomes are completed as planned.
• Oversee the development and implementation of staff technical capacity building and professional development plans that promotes a culture of learning and continuous training.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Provide continuous performance feedback to staff; identify performance issues and work with staff and Human Resources to document and address issues in a timely manner.
• Lead the recruitment of new ERD personnel as required.

Coordination & Representation
• Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key collaborators including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors.
• Regularly attend and actively participate in the Cash Working Group, the Shelter/NFI Working Group, the Task Forces on Social Protection, the Food Security and Livelihoods Cluster as well as CCD (Collaborative Cash Delivery Network).
• Increase profile of IRC in Ukraine as a strong basic needs and livelihoods actor.
• Represent the IRC’s ERD strategy in Ukraine with donors and advocate for opportunities in line strategy and priorities.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)
• Ensure that ethical and sound data collection and information management systems are in place for appropriate program monitoring, analysis, planning, evaluation, and advocacy – for both direct and partner implemented activities.
• Maintain an effective monitoring, evaluation, and planning system to measure scale and impact of programs.
• Coordinate program evaluations and reviews ensure documentation of lessons learned informing reporting and program development, analyzing and sharing relevant information with the MEAL Coordinator, DDP and other colleagues as relevant.
• Incorporate feedback into future program design and collaborate with the MEAL Coordinator and Client Responsiveness Officers in addressing feedback from clients and partners, and proactively trend-analyze feedback to adapt program in real time.

Business Development
• Identify gaps and needs in ERD programming areas and proactively source funding.
• Facilitate co-design sessions with a focus on clients and gender needs with partners, potential partners and other IRC colleagues.
• Develop concept notes and proposals for ERD programming expansion and continuation, including budgets, logical frameworks, relevant indicators, and written narratives.

Reporting
• Collect, compile and revise ERD program narrative reports and ensure timely submission.
• Collaborate with the Grants Team to assure quality of reports to be submitted to donors.
• Provide up-to-date information on needs and success stories to Comms and Advocacy team.

Professional Standards
• Ensure that gender, protection, and environmental stewardship are mainstreamed in all programming under direct responsibility.
• Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of the team; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to senior management, and when liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for IRC programs.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs.
• Adhere to the IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies as a requirement of the IRC

JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education: Minimum university degree in a related field. Preferably, advanced degree in International Development, Business Administration, Economics, or Humanitarian Response.

DEMONSTRATED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:
• At least 5-7 years of relevant work experience in cash and voucher assistance, livelihood programming, social protection, and/or other humanitarian and development programmes with demonstrated experience leading a team and building partnerships to achieve results.
• Knowledge and experience of cash and voucher assistance, humanitarian needs assessments, market and labour market analysis, private sector engagement, financial inclusion and micro-enterprise support.
• Fluency in English required; Ukrainian and Russian fluency will be an asset.
• Previous experience leading programming in complex contexts as well as ability to supervise, coach and mentor staff.
• Proven leadership and strategic planning capabilities, including budget management.
• Demonstrated knowledge of gender equality topics and proficiency in managing projects that mainstream gender.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in developing and maintaining unbiased and professional working relationships with government officials, civil society partners, and other counterparts and clients.
• Proven ability to work well in and promote teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure with professional grace.
• Knowledge of regulatory, contractual, legal and financial compliance requirements associated with international donor funding.
• Willingness to travel to different locations within Ukraine, especially in the east and south.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook. Experience in data management and collection software (ONA/ODK, Commcare, etc.) and cash delivery mechanism software a plus (Financial service provider portals, electronic payment management, digital wallets, etc.).
• Demonstrated dedication to an anti-racist and Do No Harm approach, gender equality and inclusion.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
Ability to work or travel through Schengen Area is highly preferred.

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.