Deputy Director Programs

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IRC - The International Rescue Committee

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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 DDP provides leadership, decision-making and oversight of the IRC Bangladesh’s program portfolio, ensuring a strategically coherent program direction and compliance with IRC and donor regulations. The DDP assures strong collaboration and coordination on programmatic issues both internally and externally, including the development of quality proposals and the delivery of high quality and timely programs for our clients. The DDP is also responsible for supervising Grants, Partnerships, MEAL, Technical and Program implementation functions. This position will work closely and collaboratively across departments of the Country Office and with other IRC Partners including Technical Advisors and awards management colleagues. The DDP 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 female leaders, to succeed.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Implementation

• Oversee and ensure programs are implemented to high quality standards and on time, including supporting Program Coordinators and Technical coordinators use structured and realistic project management tools in coordination with Operations teams, including workplans, procurement plans, and spending plans.

• Closely monitor budgets, spending, and program progress to ensure grants are run within budget and closed on time, assuring consistent Project Cycle Management routines and taking well-structured and timely corrective action as needed.

• Assure clear accountability, roles and responsibilities, and highly effective communication and coordination channels across teams within the Programs Department

• Guide the implementation of the IRC Bangladesh Partnership Strategy and sectoral partnership plans to assure the IRC is delivering on localization commitments while also maintaining high quality and efficient services for clients.

• Provide the CD with accurate and up to date advice of developments and opportunities in program and project implementation together with any necessary recommendations for action.

• Support the MEAL Coordinator and Sr. Coordinator for Grants, Partnerships and Accountability in delivering on the country office MEAL strategy, and assuring use of information collected through MEAL systems and client feedback mechanisms inform all stages of the project cycle.

• Ensure high quality reporting for submission to donors, per IRC and donor guidelines.

• Ensure the provision of appropriate technical assistance from IRC’s Technical Units, external consultants or partner agencies as necessary.

• Lead engagement with consortium partners including on strategic direction and coordinating program design or delivery; and ensure proactive engagement in external coordination and advocacy forums.

2. Strategic Planning & Implementation

• Lead the development, review and implementation of the Country Strategy Action Plan (SAP) focusing on Driving ownership of the strategy by all program departments, delivering against strategic commitments, and implementing the IMPACT quality standards

• Ensure programming is aligned with the IRC Bangladesh SAP priorities and IRC Outcomes and Evidence Framework (OEF), including program planning, project design, and communications with staff.

• In coordination with the CD and other colleagues, annually update country program, and sector strategies while remaining relevant to evolving contexts and operational effectiveness.

• Lead the development and roll out of strategic initiatives such as expanding the IRC’s partnership model to drive localization agenda, research and innovation, and assure integration of cross-cutting issues of gender, partnership climate change and disaster risk reduction in sectoral programming.

3. Grants and Program Development

• Provide overall guidance and leadership to the IRC Bangladesh Grants and Program Development teams, assuring sound business development strategy, process and systems are in place and adequate financing is secured to deliver the targeted outcomes for clients

• Oversee program strong program design and proposal strategy for each new funding opportunity, including need and evidence based program design, strong technical and operational engagement in design processes, and sound budgeting and competitiveness.

• Ensure program, grants and finance teams produce high quality financial and narrative donor reports, including assuring program and MEAL teams provide timely and quality contributions addressing all reporting requirements.

• Grow the impact of IRC programming by assuring excellent and high quality program delivery, maintaining and strengthening the trust of key donors, partners, collaborators and proactively positioning the IRC for program development opportunities.

4. Human Resources 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.

• Proactively support the ownership and implementation of the Gender Equality Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Action plan as member of the SMT and by supporting staff ownership, leading initiatives and setting an inclusive and empowered workplace culture.

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

5. Liaison/Representation and Coordination

• Command a sound understanding of our programs in order to professionally represent the IRC and its interests externally.

• Assist CD in establishing, developing and sustaining strong relationships with donors / Govt counterparts to ensure sustainable programs in the portfolio sectors.

• Encourage and support improved program cohesion through coordination initiatives and information sharing with and between all key country program staff.

• Actively contribute to various advocacy initiatives and platforms by bringing the perspective and evidence from IRC programs to foster evidence-based advocacy dialogue towards strengthening protection of rights of beneficiaries

• Serve actively in Senior Management Team and deputize for the CD as necessary.

Major Challenges/Difficulties of this Role

• Balancing multiple priorities in a fast-paced and high demanding work environment.

• Smooth coordination and communication with multi-cultural multi sector team of national and international staff based in multiple locations.

• Ensuring program and support service quality in a dynamic context.

• Handling dynamic safety and security context with diverse threats and challenges, including violent and non-violent civil unrest, road safety and acute weather conditions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (candidates with Master’s degree will be preferred): International Development, International Relations, relevant social sciences or equivalent experience in relevant fields.

• Over 10 years of experience (including 5 years at programmatic leadership level), preferably in a refugee context or complex humanitarian and development environment.

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

• Ability to think strategically, prioritize and meet deadlines in a challenging environment; flexible to adapt to changing needs; must work effectively and efficiently with a culturally diverse team.

• Excellent budget management skills and experience of diverse range of donor contract management, especially experience in managing large scale programmes with high value budgets

• Experience of leading programmes through both direct operational approach as well as in partnerships with local NGOs.

• Strong diplomacy skills; ability to establish and maintain good collaboration with partners, donors and other peers in a sensitive environment. Excellent command over English, Bangla language highly preferred.

• 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, Equality 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 female 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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Qualifications

Added 1 year ago - Updated 8 months ago - Source: rescue.org