Apply: IRC Deputy Director of Programmes

By Development Diaries
May 23, 2022

Deadline: Ongoing

Location: Freetown, Western Area, Sierra Leone

International Rescue Committee (IRC) is seeking applications from eligible applicants for the post of Deputy Director of Programmes.

The IRC is a global humanitarian aid, relief, and development non-governmental organisation. It responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives.

Responsibilities

Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC way (code of conduct) and other IRC safeguarding policies and procedures
Spearhead the review and implementation of the country programme’s clients’ feedback and response mechanism (CRM) according to IRC’s global CRM standards
Ensure all partners under a sub-award contract adhere to their safeguarding policies and procedures and meet donor minimum requirements/standards
Ensure effective and timely implementation of programmatic objectives of grants
Work with the senior management team to develop operational budgets, which reflect a detailed understanding of situational parameters, beneficiary needs, available resources and technical possibilities
Ensure that project planning tools (implementation plans, procurement plans, spending plans, monitoring and evaluation plans) are elaborated, shared and used on a monthly basis by programme coordinators in collaboration with operations, finance and grants colleagues
Work closely with the technical coordinators and grants coordinator to hold efficient and effective project design, project planning and opening, project implementation, closing and lessons learnt meetings
Ensure that monthly project implementation meetings are conducted by project leads and actions are followed up
In collaboration with the grants coordinator and technical coordinators, ensure that quality donor reports are generated and submitted to headquarters and donors in a timely manner, ensuring programmatic review and inputs on all reports ahead of submission
Provide ongoing problem-solving guidance for the field coordinator and field managers and their teams regarding programmatic issues, planning issues, and difficulty encounters with local authorities and partners
Ensure a close coordination and collaboration with the operations coordinator and field coordinator to ensure adequate synergy between programmes and operations
Support and promote adherence to finance controls for programme expenditures in accordance with IRC policies and procedures
Develop strong working relationships with technical units and technical advisors, to ensure adequate remote and in-country support in line with country office needs and strategic direction
Ensure staff receive adequate capacity-building on topics such as programme design, monitoring and evaluation, report-writing, and proposal development, and specific technical priority areas through supporting direct reports in collaboration with technical advisors to deliver training and coaching
Take the leading role in programme design drawing on evaluations, lessons learnt and identified beneficiary needs in collaboration with programme coordinators
Support the grants team, and technical coordinators to write high quality proposals, meeting identified needs and donor requirements
Promote the use of IRC’s impact standards and revised outcome and evidence framework and impact framework in both programme design and proposal development, ensuring that theories of change are incorporated
Ensure issues of gender equality and protection mainstreaming are integrated into programme design
Maintain an up-to-date contextual analysis to ensure pertinence of all programming in collaboration with the technical coordinators, technical units and field teams
Identify opportunities to diversify the IRC Sierra Leone country programme’s portfolio working in collaboration with the grants unit and technical coordinators

Requirements

Advanced degree in International Relations, Community Development, Economics, or a related field
Seven years, minimum, of experience in the management of complex humanitarian and recovery programmes in Africa or a similar context
Demonstrated successful leadership experience managing a multi-disciplinary team and cross-cultural dynamics
Demonstrated ability for rapid, accurate analysis of complex issues, strong decision-making, and translation of programmatic priorities into operational strategies
Extensive representation and fundraising success, including experience with European, U.S. and international donors
Successful experience delivering appropriate levels of oversight for a portfolio consisting of a variety of complex, high-value donor-funded projects
Proven track record of leading and developing multi-location teams
Solid skills and experience in programme design and delivery, proposal development and monitoring and evaluation
Proven capacity in staff management, multi-tasking, time management and diplomacy
Strong oral and written communication skills, with ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders
Expertise and knowledge of a diversity of programmes (women’s protection and empowerment, health and education)
Motivated, positive individual who excels at taking initiative and is able to motivate team members to produce results under pressure
Proven proficiency in both spoken and written English
Strong commitment to IRC’s vision, mission and core values