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’s Global Surge Team (GST) is a roster of esteemed and highly qualified humanitarian professionals who deploy on short notice to non-emergency and emergency contexts to support the IRC’s mission. Members of the GST provide specialist support where talent is most needed for short-term deployments of up to three months. The GST is a flexible employment opportunity for staff, requiring members to be available for deployments only 50% of the year (with opportunities for additional deployments if incumbent is interested).

Job Description

The Deputy Director for Programs, Global Surge (DDP) provides leadership, decision-making and coordination on programmatic issues, including the development of quality proposals and overseeing the effective implementation of IRC’s programs. You should be able to motivate and lead a diverse team, as well as effectively manage programs, partnerships and budgets.

The position reports to the Country Director (CD) and is an active member of the Country Management Team. The DDP directly supervises Technical Coordinators, the Senior Program Coordinator for protection sectors, and the Senior Coordinator for Grants & Accountability. You will have close working relationships with the Deputy Regional Director and other members of the regional support team, along with Technical Advisors who support the country program.

Major Responsibilities:

Strategy, Planning, and Business Development

• Together with the CD, lead in the implementation of the IRC Strategy Action Plan (SAP)

• Serve as the focal point for the SAP Monitoring and Reporting Protocol and SAP Implementation Committee

• Ensure programming is aligned with SAP priorities and IRC’s Outcomes and Evidence Framework (OEF), including program planning, project design, and communications with staff

Program Development and Fundraising

• In coordination with the Senior Coordinator Grants & Accountability (SCGA) and the CD, actively design and implement fundraising strategies, incorporating donor mapping and communication plans

• Support the SCGA, the Grants and M&E departments in ensuring the high quality and needs-based project proposals are developed in compliance with regulations and within the parameters of the SAP

• Ensure program teams to adhere to internal schedules for delivering their contributions for concept notes, proposals and donor reports. Ensure program inputs are in the required format and to the desired quality

• Ensure IRC’s dedication to gender equality is factored into program design and implementation

Program Implementation

• Maintain a sound understanding of the implementation progress of IRC programs

• Chair grant review meetings to review progress of programs, including, but not limited, to spending. When required, coordinate corrective measures to ensure projects finish on time and on target, ensure timely follow up on any agreed actions

• Support Technical Coordinator to ensure that project delivery is guided by structured work-plans and approved monitoring plans based on project proposals

• Ensure program teams develop, implement, and revise as required, detailed Procurement Plans and Staffing Plans; and these plans develop in cooperation with Field Management Teams and Operations functions

• Provide the CD with accurate and up to date advice on developments and opportunities in program implementation, together with any necessary recommendations for course correction

• Support the Senior Coordinator Grants & Accountability to deliver on the country M&E strategy

• Ensure use of information collected through M&E and client feedback mechanisms to inform all stages of the project life cycle

• Ensure that program teams are submitting timely and high quality reporting to the grants team, per IRC and donor guidelines

• Monitor program delivery through regular field visits and review sessions. Ensure senior program staff are frequently visiting project sites to monitor implementation

• Be responsible for the Country Emergency Team and ensure maintenance emergency preparedness levels to enable quick emergency response

Staff Leadership and Development

• Ensure implementation of HR policies and procedures at all times

• Provide supportive mentorship, leadership and clear performance objectives to team members

• Ensure that regular and quality staff evaluations are conducted for all program staff

• Set regular meetings with staff members to prioritize information-sharing and team-building

• Ensure that all reports develop and implement Capacity Building Plans for their teams

Representation and Coordination

• Actively, systematically and regularly connect with various partners in country

• Ensure that IRC’s interventions are planned and coordinated within the broader humanitarian effort

• Ensure representation of IRC at sector coordination groups, including the clusters

• Help maintain a positive relationship with donors / Government counterparts

Partner Management

• Support the Country Program in achieving its commitments to expand local partnerships

• Develop and maintain effective partner working relationships

• Ensure regular technical program support and guidance to partners, in accordance to partnership agreements

Requirements

• You should have excellent leadership, people management, interpersonal and negotiation skills, as well as a demonstrated ability to develop collaborative teams in a multi-ethnic context that requires cultural sensitivity. We are looking for someone with the ability to think strategically and to prioritize and meet goals in a timely manner while working in a complex environment.

• Graduate degree in International Development, International Relations, Business Management and Administrative Science, or equivalent

• Excellent professional track record with 5-6 years of overseas experience in a conflict/post-conflict environment with program leadership responsibilities

• Demonstrated experience in program design and monitoring; experience developing and monitoring budgets, work plans and other program management tools

• Demonstrated coordination, networking and relationship building skills with key partners including government, donors, INGOs, national and local organizations, UN agencies

• Fluency in English. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Working knowledge of French and/or Arabic strongly preferred

• Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, high attention to detail, flexible and adaptable

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

• Capable of working and living in an emergency environment while maintaining a healthy outlook. Willing to travel in remote and conflict affected areas

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

**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.