Deputy Chief of Party

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees required to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure.

The IRC leads the humanitarian field by implementing high-impact, cost-effective programs for people affected by crisis and by using our learning and experience to craft policy and practice. To achieve that vision, the Technical Excellence Unit provides technical assistance to country program staff and shares what we learn to influence global health.

Position Summary:

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) will oversee operational and program management support for a $50 million immunization consortium project to reach zero-dose children in conflict areas across seven countries (Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso), supporting the Chief of Party to ensure program performance through monitoring of activity progress, financial status, and contract compliance. The DCOP will be responsible for ensuring capacity sharing between global and local consortium partners to achieve contract milestones in a compliant manner. S/he will liaise with country program and partner staff and support them to put in place systems to ensure project performance and contract compliance.

Job Responsibilities:

· Provide strategic and technical leadership and direction, defining and implementing activities to achieve the greatest impact toward project goals and objectives; serve as Acting COP in COP’s absence;

· Provide financial and operational management that optimizes resources through sound budgets, consistent financial tracking, and timely submission of reports to the donor.

· 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;

· Support management of consortium partnerships and maintain collaborative partner relations;

· Support reporting to GAVI through both formal and informal debriefings, annual and semi-annual reports;

· Assist COP in maintaining 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, as assigned, and support the 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 social sciences, international development, or related field; equivalent experience may be substituted for graduate degree;

· At least seven years of experience in managerial roles on similar programs in developing countries, including substantial supervisory experience. Experience with projects focused on economic recovery and youth development.

· Significant previous experience managing operations for similar programming in conflict or crisis situations;

· Experience working in the Sahel required.

· Previous experience as DCOP of USAID/FCDO or other institutional-funded programs.

· Substantial experience managing subgrantees required;

· 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;

· Strong communication skills, both oral and written;

· Fluency in English and French required.

Qualifications