Department Manager

Job Description

Background: Over the past 80 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees who have fled war or disaster. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. Through 25 offices in cities across the United States, the IRC also helps refugees and other immigrants resettle in the U.S. and become self-sufficient. The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve.

The Policy & Advocacy Department (P&A) is a dynamic team whose core purpose is to drive fundamental change in the humanitarian sector, and to defend and promote core humanitarian policies, protections and assistance. The team carries out, coordinates, and provides guidance on a wide variety of domestic and international advocacy initiatives, including expert briefings, public outreach and education, and communication with the media. IRC advocates represent the IRC with legislative and executive branches of the US government, the media, NGO partner agencies and coalitions, the United Nations, and international financial institutions such as the World Bank. Learn more about the work of IRC’s Policy and Advocacy team here: https://www.rescue.org/policy.

Job Overview/Summary: The Global Policy and Advocacy (P&A) Department Manager is responsible for managing a diverse and critical range of administrative, logistical and management services for the P&A department. The Department Manager reports to the Senior Director for Planning and Operations, supports the Vice President, works closely with colleagues in the Washington and New York offices, and liaises with external parties. This is a linchpin role for the Global Policy and Advocacy team, as this person will maintain crucial processes and relationships and collaborate at all levels within the team and across the IRC. The Department Manager position offers the chance to work with a dynamic group of humanitarian professionals and policy experts in a fast-paced, stimulating and challenging environment.

Major Responsibilities****:

Executive Assistant Role (approximately 10% of work)

· Manage VP’s calendar and respond to scheduling requests as needed

Substantive Content Support Role (approximately 10% of work)

· Assist VP in preparing for meetings, including preparing briefing memos and creating presentations

· Provide research, writing and special project support to the VP as needed

· Develop understanding of Policy and Advocacy priorities in order to communicate effectively about team objectives and outcomes with internal stakeholders

Team Manager Role (****approximately 80% of work****)

· Ensure that P&A team is effectively sharing information and collaborating internally, communicating with IRC stakeholders routinely, and managing workflows in a streamlined and smooth manner by managing and maintaining team processes and structures, including:

o Team calendar and meetings schedule

o Internal and external communications, including websites

o Contact and information management

o Routine HR, finance, and other tasks as needed

· Support P&O Director in budget oversight and management

· Provide logistical assistance for team travel

· Coordinate the logistics for internal and external appointments, meetings, conference calls and other special events affecting the advocacy department

· Work closely with human resources and finance to manage processes related to new hires, staff changes and staff departures

· Recruit for and coordinate the team fellowship program

· Help ensure that P&A team is operating in alignment with diversity, equity and inclusion expectations of IRC.

Key Working Relationships: Position Reports to: Senior Director for Planning and Operations, Policy and Advocacy Position directly supervises: N/A Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Global Policy and Advocacy, Communications, Europe Policy and Advocacy, International Programs Department, US Programs, President’s Office, Finance, Information Technology, Human Resources

External: Administrative coordination with NGOs, U.S. government agencies, Congress, multilateral institutions and other organizations as needed

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Political Science or other related field

Work Experience:

· 2 years work experience preferred

· Administrative experience, or experience managing schedules and coordinating logistics for events or high-level individuals preferred

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

· Excellent organizational and time management skills, including juggling competing priorities and tight deadlines and prioritizing tasks appropriately

· Positive, resourceful and flexible attitude with ability to problem solve, work productively both in a team environment or independently as needed, and take initiative in a fast-faced environment

· Proven attention to detail

· Strong project management skills

· Solid English language writing, editing, and research skills with a focus on details, including ability to learn and apply IRC style guidelines

· Excellent interpersonal and oral communications skills

· Familiarity with or proven interest in humanitarian aid sector, foreign policy, and/or refugee issues

· Ability to use sound judgment in maintaining confidential information

· Fluency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and ability to learn online web-based applications

· Ambition to learn and grow skills by taking on challenging tasks, and mastering complex content and concepts

· Commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion at the IRC and in the humanitarian field

· Lived experience with conflict or crisis-driven displacement, resettlement, asylum, immigration or migration is an asset in this role

Working Environment: Standard office work environment. Up to 5% travel may be required.

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

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer

IRC considers all applicants on the basis of 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 law.

We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $120 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

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