Deputy Director of Programs

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 29 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.
Present in the CAR since 2006 the IRC is currently realigning its Country Program (CP) to respond to the ongoing emergency response and develop programs for the early recovery stage in country. The CP is active in 4 locations across the country (Bangui, Zemio, Bocaranga and Ndele) and four sectors (Health/Nutrition, Education, Food Security/Economic Recovery and Development (ERD), and Protection including women’s protection and empowerment (WPE) and child protection). The team includes 15 international staff and around 150 national staff.
To build the capacity of both international and national staff and increase the quality of the programs the Country Program seeks to recruit a Deputy Director of Programs.
Scope of work
The DDP will be responsible for the strategic oversight of IRC programs in the Central African Republic and will take a lead role in the implementation of the country Strategic Action Plan. S/he will ensure program design and management (Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation), program quality and development, donor and IRC compliance, staff development, and representation. The DDP supervises the Program Coordinators, Partnership, M&E and Grants departments. S/he will work closely with HQ based Technical and Regional Unit colleagues. The DDP reports to the Country Director (CD) and will be based in Bangui with frequent travel to the field (50 %).
Responsibilities
Strategic Planning & Management

Support the CD and play an active role in the design, planning and execution of IRC CAR Strategic Action Plan and advocacy strategies in relation to program areas;

Provide strategic leadership and management to the individual Program Coordinators to identify and develop areas for improvement in program quality and foster synergies between program sectors

Monitor program developments and determine strategic opportunities

Program and Grant Management – Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation

Provide overall leadership and management to IRC programs in CAR, ensuring strategic program direction, managed growth and compliance with IRC and donor regulations.

Working in collaboration with Program Coordinators and Technical Advisors, ensure that program implementation is managed closely through the rigorous use of structured, updated workplans, spending plans, indicator tracking sheets and approved M&E plans.

Ensure effective and timely implementation of programmatic objectives of partnership

Oversee partnership implementation and support to project

Ensure effective and timely implementation of programmatic objectives of grants

Oversee Grant Opening and Closing meetings, OTIS and compilation of reports and proposals

Work with the senior management team, specifically with Deputy Director Finance, to develop operational budgets, which reflect a detailed understanding of situational parameters, beneficiary needs, available resources and technical possibilities.

In collaboration with the Field Coordinator provide on-going problem-solving guidance for field offices regarding programmatic issues, planning issues, and difficulties encounters with local authorities and Partners.

Ensure close coordination and collaboration with the Operations department leads to ensuring an adequate synergy between programs and operations.

Support program coordinators, grants and M&E Manager in the monthly review of Budget vs. Actuals reports.

Program Quality & Development

Support programs to initiate and build partnerships with local partners

Provide leadership, guidance, and support on program quality tools and initiatives

Provide technical guidance on the design and implementation of assessments and evaluations, including their reports

Organize and chair regular program coordination meetings with relevant staff.

Conduct regular visits to program sites to monitor program quality and provide action-oriented feedback and recommendations

Create opportunities for learning lessons from existing programs and their application

Ensure the highest quality of design for all proposals in compliance with IRC and donors’ guidelines

Policies / Compliance

Actively participate and Support Grants Coordinator and program coordinators to hold efficient and effective Opening, Review, and Closing Grants Meetings

Support the Grants Coordinator to ensure that all donors’ policies are followed by programs and operations

Support the Grants Coordinator and program coordinators to ensure that quality donor reports are generated and submitted to donors and headquarters in a timely manner. Oversee budget re-alignments and amendments when necessary.

Staff Development

Identify training opportunities and conduct training of IRC staff on program design, monitoring, and evaluation, report writing, and proposal development.

Facilitate the conceptual, managerial, organizational and technical capacities of IRC staff to effectively contribute to the achievements of the program objectives.

Directly supervise program, grant and M&E coordinators

Build capacity of program/grants staff to foster staff retention and enhance program quality

Coordinate the recruitment of program staff and recommend promotions and performance action plans for program staff with direct supervisors, Human Resources and the CD.

Ensure the Performance Management System for all program staff is followed.

Ensure regular communication between field program teams and program department staff.

In coordination with the Country Director and the management team ensure effective communication mechanism is in place to facilitate access to information by all staff to enhance inclusive participation and empowering work environment

In coordination with the Country Director and program managers/ coordinators liaise with IRC’s Technical Units for technical guidance and support.

Liaison-Representation

Assist the CD in representing IRC and IRC’s interests with Government officials, donors, UN, and other operating and implementing partners when required or applicable.

Represent IRC in lieu of the Country Director as necessary

Support program coordinators in their representation roles in technical meetings

Liaise with counterparts, UN agencies and NGOs in the field to coordinate multi-sector integrated programs, standardize sector specific activities and obtain up-to-date information for program planning and implementation.

Ensure IRC participation in respective sector specific coordination forums and help foster exchanges of program information, best practices and training materials with partners, involved communities and various line Government ministry official

Key working relationships:

External: Donors, sub-grantees, other strategic partners.

Internal: Grants Coordinator, Partnership Coordinator, Operations Coordinator, Country Director, Deputy Director finance, Field Coordinator, Program Coordinators and Regional and Technical units in NY.

Requirements

Postgraduate degree in International Development, Management, Social Works or similar relevant degree

Excellent professional track record with five – seven years of international management level experience within (NGO) leadership working in emergency/post conflict environment

Skills and knowledge in at least two out of the following expertise areas: project management, M&E, protection, health and food security/ERD (preferably in Central Africa)

Proven technical writing and budgeting skills with strong proposal writing and budgeting skills, IT proficiency, excellent communication and writing skills, good interpersonal skills, ability to work in a team setting, ability and willingness to travel to remote areas,

Ability to prioritize and multitask high volume of work to meet tight deadlines and prioritize activities according to missions’ needs.

Experience of grants management and coordinating with donors including EU, ECHO, foundation donors, UN (WHO, UNICEF, UNHCR), DFID, OFDA etc..

Experience of partnership and or localisation

Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation systems.

Knowledge of best practices in project design, implementation and community participation.

Ability to take initiative and proven ability to work creatively, innovatively and effectively to make decisions with limited direct supervision.

Culturally sensitive, with the ability and interest to work with a multi-ethnic team.

Fluent in French and proficient in English essential.

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.

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