Chief of Party

Job Description

BACKGROUND

The International Rescue Committee’s mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded over 80 years ago, the IRC is a leading humanitarian and development organization with presence in more than 40 countries. Across contexts, the IRC is committed to delivering innovative, high-impact programs tailored to the needs of communities affected by crisis.

The International Rescue Committee began responding to the growing humanitarian crisis in Honduras since 2018. IRC Honduras has reached more than 243,745 people with integrated services including research-driven education interventions, gender-based violence response programs, child protection services, protection coordination, cash for families in crisis and increased access to trustworthy information. The IRC serves individuals and families who are internally displaced, returned asylum seekers and refugees, and survivors of violence especially women, girls, and the LGBTQ+ population. Where there are gaps in the delivery of humanitarian assistance for people identified as most at risk of harm, IRC delivers direct services and works to strengthen national systems.

SCOPE OF WORK

The IRC seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated five-year USAID Improved (Re)Integration Services activity. The project will increase sustainable (re)integration of returned Honduran migrants and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to reduce irregular migration to the US and ensure that returnees and IDPs find safety, as well as satisfactory social services and economic opportunities, within communities of origin. The $15.5M Improved (Re)Integration Services Activity will focus on empowering and enabling existing local government and NGOs to provide better services with more uniformity in the quality of services across the country, suggestions for policy improvement and execution related to inclusive services for returnees and IDPs, including case management, and improve community outreach interventions.

The COP will have the primary responsibility for the overall strategic leadership and oversight of the activity. The COP will also have the principal responsibility for representation of the project to all key stakeholders, including government officials and USAID, provide overall strategic leadership and vision for the IRC-led team spread across multiple technical areas and locations, oversee international and national partners implementation of activities, as well as implementers of other USAID-funded initiatives as required. The COP will ensure that project initiatives achieve the expected results of the USAID funded Improved (Re)Integration Services activity in Honduras. This position is contingent on the IRC being awarded funding and is anticipated to begin in November 2023. The position will be based in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

- Provide strategic and technical leadership and direction, define and implement activities to achieve the greatest impact toward project goals and objectives; - Develop, review, and monitor in coordination with key project staff, annual work and performance plans to ensure long-term and short-term priorities are on track; - Oversee technical direction and project delivery to ensure activities are in line with the performance framework and meet all standard operational policies and procedures; - Oversee the Deputy COP in managing partners and providing financial and operations support that optimizes resources through sound budgets, consistent financial tracking, and timely submission of reports to the donor; - Report to USAID through both formal and informal debriefings, annual and semi-annual reports; - Maintain active and cooperative relationships with all key stakeholders, including government officials, project partners, other implementing agencies, and related institutions; - Represent the project and the organization in public and ensure distribution of information about project achievements and lesson learned; - Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility.

REQUIREMENTS

- Advanced degree (PhD or MA) from an accredited university in Economic Recovery and Development, International Development, or related field; equivalent experience may be substituted for graduate degree; - Minimum of 10 years of experience in similar economic recovery and refugee/IDP programs, and experience managing complex international donor-funded development activities in challenging environments. - Significant previous experience working in conflict or crisis situations. - Experience working in Honduras or within the Northern Central America region on refugees, returned persons, IDPs, or migrant support programming required. - Previous experience as COP of USAID-funded programs preferred; - Demonstrated experience in managing multi-year and multi-million-dollar projects. - Demonstrated success incorporating innovation and participatory, flexible, and gender-sensitive programming into implementation. - Strong negotiation skills and the ability to develop relations with local counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders; - Demonstrated innovation and success in staff capacity-building and in participatory, flexible, and gender-sensitive programming and implementation; - Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with a wide network of partners and stakeholders - Strong communication skills, both oral and written. - Capacity to work well under pressure, and the ability to communicate appropriately and effectively cross‐culturally is critical. - The candidate must be fluent in English and Spanish.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: IRC considers all applicants based on 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 laws.

WOMEN, MINORITIES AND PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal. Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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Qualifications