Deputy Director Operations (DDO)

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 the displaced and refugees forced 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 way from harm to home.

IRC has been present in Bangladesh since 2017 delivering critical humanitarian response and recovery services for host communities and displaced populations in Cox’s Bazar, and recently expanding to address the climate crisis in Southern Bangladesh. We have offices in Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar and Ukhiya staffed by over 400 employees and nearly 500 incentive workers and together we aim to provide the best possible impact for some of the most vulnerable children, women and boys in Bangladesh. Core to the IRC’s portfolio is our integrated health and protection programming through both direct and partner-led implementation models, and has expanded to also include education, livelihoods, DRR and climate resilience and youth-focused programming. In Bangladesh, the IRC is a recognized leader in high quality primary healthcare, sexual and reproductive health, women’s protection and empowerment, gender-based violence response and prevention, child protection, and access to justice and legal services. We strive to “partner as equals” with Bangladesh NGOs, civil society and government authorities to assure high quality programming that delivers impact at scale for Rohingya refugees, displaced people and host communities.

Purpose of the Role

The DDO provides leadership, decision-making and oversight of the IRC Bangladesh’s operations functions, ensuring a strong and well-aligned strategic direction, effective systems to deliver on programmatic priorities, and compliance with IRC and donor regulations. The DDO assures strong collaboration and coordination on operations issues both internally and externally, including the start-up and continued adoption of the Integra ERP and the delivery of high quality program services for our clients. The DDO is also responsible for supervising Government Relations, Supply Chain, Safety Security & Access, IT and Office Management functions. This position will work closely and collaboratively across departments of the Country Office and with other IRC Partners at headquarters and regional level. The DDO is a senior member of the Bangladesh Country Office leadership, reporting directly to the Country Director and a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT).

For this role, we are seeking a dynamic leader who can drive continued success across our strategy, deliver on priorities, and motivate a diverse and inclusive team with a joined vision and shared goals. You will be skilled in fostering collaboration across departments and across sectors, and empowering staff, particularly women leaders, to succeed.

Highlights of Key Responsibilities

1. Operations Management and Strategic Planning:

• Lead IRC’s Operations department and foster a motivated and high performing operations team through skills enhancement, team building, delegation and empowerment.

• Continuously assess the IRC’s operational set up and needs in Bangladesh and undertake strategic and operational improvements to adapt to the evolving context and to assure continued implementation of the IRC Bangladesh Strategy Action Plan.

• Lead the IRC’s business continuity planning and assurance, including all aspects of operations, access, safety security and government relations, to prevent disruptions of programmatic activities across all IRC field sites.

• Drive operational improvements to enhance the organization’s ability to implement programs in the most efficient, cost effective, safe and compliant manner, strengthen donor relations and improve organization-wide activities.

• Drive effective adoption of Integra (the IRC’s organization-wide ERP system) including leading change management process and uptake, with particular emphasis on SC and ensuring effective partnership between Operations, Finance and Program departments for successful Integra adoption.

• Participate in the development and/or review of new proposals, operating plans / budgets & strategic plans ensuring the operational needs are well brought together and reflected wherever appropriate.

• Collaborate with programs team to implement the IRC’s partnership strategy, participate in the partnership working group, and assure operational capacity sharing opportunities with partners.

• Maintain relationships and closely work with IRC Headquarters and Regional Operations Leads across Supply chain, IT, Safety, Security & Access and government liaison/ administration functions as needed.

2. People Management and Staff Development:

• Work daily to support the success and achievements of your individual team members, setting clear expectations, providing timely feedback, and motivating staff to exceed their own limitations

• Foster a team spirit of collaboration, mutual accountability, adaptability and commitment to delivering quality for clients.

• Establish clear expectations for strong and proactive cross-functional collaboration within the IRC Bangladesh, and lead by example in establishing true partnerships across Operations and Finance, HR, Programs

• Proactively support the ownership and implementation of the Gender Equality Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Action plan as member of the SMT, drive GEDI priorities within the Operations Department and set an inclusive and empowered workplace culture.

• In close collaboration with the Sr. HR Coordinator, assure a strong workforce planning for the Operations department, including assuring continual growth and development of staff, timely recruitment to fill vacancies, and driving greater gender diversity in management level positions.

3. Supply Chain Management:

• Provide leadership direction, guidance and support to ensure the smooth functioning of the SC function through setting appropriate performance targets and expectations, identifying and troubleshooting risks, assuring cross-departmental coordination, and monitoring.

• Ensure the smooth adoption and utilization of the IRC’s Integra ERP system across the Supply Chain function, including cross-departmental coordination, trouble-shooting and coaching/support for effective utilization of the system for program delivery.

• Guide and support the Supply Chain department in close cooperation with the Regional Supply Chain Director to have strong processes and systems in place for effective fleet, procurement and inventory management (down to the facility level), and to assure close cooperation with Programs teams to assure smooth monitoring and execution of those systems.

• Ensure compliance and application of the IRC Global and donor procurement policies.

4. Office and Security Management:

• Oversee the management of operations at field offices, ensuring they meet the needs of programs through effective management by the Cox Bazar and Ukhiya Operations departments.

• Work closely with DDP and Senior Program Coordinator (Head of Ukhiya field office) to maintain field office control, efficiency, safety and securty.

• Ensure all IT infrastructure is suitable to support all IRC program and operational needs, and that IT services, hardware and software are regularly maintained as necessary.

• Ensure the IRC Bangladesh maintains a deep understanding of the evolving safety, security and access risks and contextual dynamics in all areas of operation, proactively adaptsts to mitigate these risks and assure safety of staff and facilities.

• Assure regular updating of the IRC”s safety and security management plan and collaborate with other departments for strict adherence to its implementation

5. Government compliance and Liaison/Representation and Coordination:

• Provide strategic leadership across departments to establish and sustain strong relationships with government counterparts to ensure smooth program delivery which is also aligned with GoB rules and regulations for INGOs in Bangladesh.

• Ensure all relevant functions work in close collaboration against established workflows associated with government compliances such as FD approvals and operational coordination at national level, Cox Bazar, and camp/district-level in a timely manner.

• Ensure that all access issues (challenges / barriers) are regularly monitored and responded in timely manner involving all relevant internal functions.

• Promote the IRC Bangladesh vision and mission amongst external and internal stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (candidates with master’s degree will be preferred): Business administration, management, supply chain or other relevant subject area or equivalent demonstrable experience in relevant fields. Certification in any of the operations functions/ Leadership and Project Management will be an added advantage.

• Over 10 years of progressive work experience (including 5 years at operational leadership level), preferably in a complex and dynamic humanitarian and development environment.

• Excellent leadership, people management, interpersonal and negotiation skills and a demonstrated ability to develop gender balanced, harmonious and high-performing teams.

• Successful experience of working in refugee program is preferred, Candidates with relevant international experience will be highly preferred.

• Ability to think strategically and provide strategic leadership to diverse teams, prioritize and meet deadlines in challenging environment; must be culturally sensitive.

• Previous substantial experience in at least three of the following fields: Project Management, Supply Chain, Administration, Security, IT, Risk Management, Communication, Fleet Management, Government Liaison.

• Excellent understanding of GoB’s compliances for NGOs operation in Bangladesh, budget management, and change management

• Strong diplomacy skills; ability to be flexible to changing needs, manage stress and maintain good collaboration with partners, donors and other peers in a critical environment.

• Committed towards IRC’s core values Integrity, Equality, Accountability and Service

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, Accountability and Equality. 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?

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