Consortium Coordinator

Job Description

Program Brief

Founded in 1933, International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading agencies working in post-conflict and development contexts, supporting communities in over 40 fragile, failed and developing states. In this capacity, we work to restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted, struggling to endure and wishing to advance on a path of development.

IRC has been present in Bangladesh since 2017 and obtained registration with the NGOAB in March 2018. Since IRC obtained registration in March 2018, it has moved quickly to expand its integrated emergency health and protection response through both direct and partner-based programming focused on primary healthcare, women’s protection and empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence and child protection.

Purpose of the Role

IRC in partnership with Concern Worldwide along with other local implementing partners is implementing a three years consortium project with financial support of Bureau of Population Refugee and Migration (BPRM) to deliver Health, Nutrition and Food Security, and Protection services for Rohingya Refugees and vulnerable host communities in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The project aims to directly benefit over people while over people are expected to be benefitted indirectly over a period of three years.

Under the direct supervision of Deputy Director Program, the consortium coordinator will be responsible for ensuring well-coordinated, consistent and quality implementation of the BPRM funded consortium project adhering to IRC, donor and GoB compliance. Consortium Coordinator will be accountable for the overall achievement of the contractual objectives (timeframe, targets/indicators, and budget) of the projects and for monitoring that the activities are implemented accordingly by the respective consortium partners. With the support of the technical and support staff from all partners, this position will be responsible for establishing and maintaining an integrated vision among partners while being accountable for delivery on project objectives, targets, time, and budget ensuring alignments and cost effectiveness. The position will serve as the key liaison and focal point with relevant stakeholders and will facilitate the collaborative partnership between them and the consortium partners.

Highlights of Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Leadership:

- Act as a part of the Consortium Steering Committee (SC) responsible to present the critical analysis and information and recommendations on strategic, operational and financial matters and support in decision-making by IRC management and SC - Work with and supervise the overall project implementation across all consortium members, to ensure the technical and geographical coherence of the project - Supervise the overall management of the project financial resources, with the support of concerned departments of consortium lead and partners - Under the strategic guidance of the SC, participate in meetings with donor to share project progress updates and support in decision-making on various programmatic and operational issues of concern - Management of project implementation by the IRC - Provide leadership for the smooth implementation of the activities of the project components under the IRC. - Lead the monthly budget versus achievement analyses for the the IRC components as well as the overall status of the consortium project expenditure. - Provide strategic leadership on overall project financial management. - Lead the project cycle management processes and represent the project at internal IRC country program coordination meetings. - Ensure proper planning and timely implementation of project trainings and capacity building activities. - Supervise SBCC activities and material development. - Provide technical guidance on developing SBCC materials - Provide strategic guidance to community engagement activities - Ensure that the accountability to affected populations related tasks are implemented as per the plan.

Grant Management:

- Take the overall lead in facilitating and compiling project plans in coordination with consortium members - Lead on the overall programmatic, logistic & financial management of the project, including the identification of risks and obstacles, to ensure donor compliance in terms of project deliverables & eligibility criteria - With the support of the technical specialists, develop specific strategies for cross-cutting themes (gender, diversity & inclusion, protection, and advocacy) for the consortium project - Lead on the contractual reporting (narrative and financial) in coordination with consortium members. - Monitor the proper financial management and forecast of budget lines across the consortium, in coordination with the finance departments - Undertake regular monitoring of activities, including field visits and regular consortium meetings

Internal Coordination:

- Lead on the set up and implementation of efficient coordination and communication mechanisms between consortium team members, including project kick off meeting, regular technical review meetings and project close-out meetings - Lead on the set up of systems, TORs, SOPs and tools in place across the consortium to promote and facilitate, collaborative ways of working (including cross learning and sharing), programmatic alliances, consistency in implementation and value for money - provide leadership in different working groups established under the consortium arrangement including M&E Working Group, Finance Working group etc.

External Coordination and Advocacy:

- Represent the consortium with the Donor, sub national and national level coordination platforms, Technical Working Groups, UN Agencies and government Authorities meetings, when needed and in coordination with consortium lead - Coordinate with advocacy lead of consortium lead and partners and feed into in-country and international advocacy initiatives through regular contextual analysis and evidence from the project implementation

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL):

- Supervise consortium MEAL Manager and ensure a robust MEAL working group at consortium level - Take lead on the Consortium Project Quality, undertake consortium program reviews to ensure the technical coordination and the quality of the project across the consortium - Lead on the elaboration, implementation and revision of an effective MEAL plan and monitoring and clients’ feedback systems throughout the project, in coordination with the Consortium MEAL working group - Lead on the relevance and quality of monitoring reports, analysis and data trends, including recommendations produced by the Consortium MEAL working group - Promote cross-learning and sharing across all consortium partners; produce high-quality communication material for external dissemination.

Staff Management:

- Direct supervision of Senior Consortium MEAL Manager and Senior Consortium Manager-Outreach, and ensure their performance management as per IRC’s standard policy and procedures - Promote and ensure effective implementation of IRC way, harassment-free workplace policy and safeguarding policy (IRC team as well as partners)

Deliverables

- High quality and consistent delivery of consortium projects ensuring full utilization of financial resources aligning with donor and GoB conditions - Geographical and Technical Synergies and cross learning - Functional robust MEAL system including clients’ responsiveness and safeguarding systems - Timely submission of high-quality narrative and financial report to consortium SC and donor - High visibility and acceptance of IRC and its consortium partners and its operation among beneficiaries, and the government - Performance management system for consortium team is rolled out.

Qualifications

- Experience managing multi-sectoral programs with preferably health, nutrition and protection - For master’s degree holder, at least 8 years of relevant experience with direct management of the development and implementation of programs in complex humanitarian and development settings; In case of Bachelor’s degree holder, the experience requirement will be 10 years - Previous strong experience working in a consortium structure at coordination level preferably in Cox's Bazar - Experience in managing US grants preferably BPRM will be an advantage - Excellent organizational and program management experience, including with staff work plans, budget management and monitoring and evaluation - Demonstrated understanding of gender-responsive program cycle management, clients’ responsiveness - Excellent leadership, communication, and facilitation skills - Excellent interpersonal, coordination and networking skills - Experience in capacity building and mentoring of staff and partners - Excellent problem-solving skills, and demonstrated ability to handle pressure and improve - Good understanding and experience in dealing with GoB’s architecture in Bangladesh preferably in Rohingya crises and host community - Highly developed influencing, communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate technical issues effectively and persuasively - Excellent English and Bangla language communication skills, both written and verbal - Excellent database, data management and data analysis skills; excellent command over MS office - Strong commitment to IRC’s mission, purpose and values - Strong verbal communication in English Skill

Specific Educational Qualification

- Master’s/ Bachelor’s degree in Development/ Social Studies/ Management/ Humanitarian studies or related fields

Professional Degree/ Certification

- Certification in Project Management will be an added advantage

Standard of Professional Conduct

IRC and IRC employees are required to abide by the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct which are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity

We are committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous 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. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified women professionals to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Are you ready to join the most dynamic team?