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.
The IRC began working in Afghanistan in 1988, launching relief programs for people displaced by the invasion of the Soviet Union. IRC is currently operational across eleven provinces by delivering critical life-saving as well as longer term development and resilience programmes under the thematic areas of Emergency response, Health and Nutrition, Education, Integrated Protection and Environment Health.
Scope of work
The IRC seeks a Team Lead (TL) for an upcoming FCDO Health activity in Afghanistan called ‘Health and Education in Afghanistan – Response and Transition (HEART)’. The programme will support and strengthen the service delivery of basic health and education services to Afghans.
The Team Lead will be responsible for overall management, technical oversight and donor compliance of the HEART programme in accordance with IRC, FCDO, and international best practices. Directly manging the programme management unit (PMU), S/he will work closely with the IRC Country Director Senior Management Team (SMT), and their respective teams including program, grants, partnerships, supply chain, finance and access teams to ensure successful execution of the programme design as agreed by the donor to contribute in overall the impact by achieving the set targets and objectives with quality and timely manner.
The Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the programme, and selection of final applicant is subject to FCDO’s approval.
Responsibilities
•Develop and execute overall programme strategy, work plan and budget to achieve the programme results.
•Lead overall strategy, management, and operations for the programme making key decisions, mitigating risks, and ensuring the integrity of the programme’s timely implementation.
•Lead and supervise the programme’s senior team across all consortium members, including providing leadership and building capacity across core programme staff.
•Lead technical and operational planning and strategic communications for the programme.
•Provide technical direction for the development and adherence to the MEAL plans for the successive phases of the project to capture expected performance and results.
•Lead regular reviews of deliverables, programme practices, tools and achievements against programmatic targets and quality standards; integrate learning and adaptation for continuous performance improvement informed by an effective use of data.
•Ensure that contract, finance, and grants administration functions are in full compliance with IRC and FCDOs’ compliance requirements and are well supported with effective systems and procedures.
•Lead efforts for overall consortium management, ensuring oversight and support align with partner-specific needs, donor compliance, and implementation plans.
•As the programme’s primary focal point, manage key relationships with all levels of relevant stakeholders as well as required by the aims of the project.
Requirements
•Typically, a Master’s degree in the Medical Field, Public Health, International Development, International Relations, or related field.
•12+ years of relevant and progressive experience managing high-value, complex, multi-year, multi-partner projects implemented in international development and/or humanitarian settings, including at least 7 years in a senior-level position providing technical assistance and managerial oversight.
•Demonstrated experience designing and managing projects with focus in the areas of health project management, emergency preparedness and response, and capacity strengthening etc.
•Proven experience cultivating and managing donor, host-country and muti-lateral agencies relations;
•Experience providing technical direction, assistance, and oversight for project implementation, measuring performance against targets, as well as leading any necessary training and mentoring staff, partners, and key stakeholders.
•Experience leading and/or supporting capacity strengthening initiatives with local stakeholders in related technical areas, including contributing to curriculum development and effective training methodologies for the health sector.
•Demonstrated experience managing teams, employing both in-person and remote management approaches to supervision of staff in various locations.
•Strong leadership and management skills with proven ability to lead and motivate multidisciplinary and multicultural project teams.
•Knowledge of foreign aid architecture, including humanitarian and development funding mechanisms.
•Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written. Knowledge of local languages (Pushto, Darri) a plus.
•Willingness and ability to travel to project sites, including traveling to insecure environments, is required.
•Qualified women and/or local candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
Please note that the JD is high level and indicative only at this stage and may be subject to change once the Terms of Reference for the programme is released and as the opportunity develops. This position will be contingent on the outcome of the bid.
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.