Deputy Director, Programs

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, assisting people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we improve outcomes in the areas of health, safety, economic wellbeing, education and power. Given the disparity faced by women and girls, IRC seeks to narrow gender inequalities and also ensure social inclusion of all vulnerable groups in broader policies, processes and actions affecting their lives.

IRC has been working in Uganda since 1998 supporting refugees, vulnerable host communities and various institutions in the country notably the government, community-based organizations, the civil society and the private sector. Currently, the IRC in Uganda has presence across six sub-regions and six refugee settlements, implementing programming in the sectors of health, protection and rule of law (PRoL), women’s protection and empowerment (WPE), economic recovery and development (ERD), and education. IRC Uganda also implements cross-cutting programming focused on systems strengthening and accountability to affected persons. As part of IRC Uganda’s strategic ambitions, the IRC works closely with local actors, including civil society organizations, local non-governmental organizations, local and national governments, among others, to strengthen their capacity and with intentions of transferring more resources for locally-led implementation and support to our clients.

Job Overview

IRC Uganda is looking for a strategic leader for the Deputy Director, Programs (DDP) to lead the programs department, who is responsible for overall leadership in the design, implementation and management of IRC Uganda’s programs to address clients’ needs and priorities. The DDP is responsible for providing strategic direction of programs, conceptualizing and promoting innovations, and continuing to deepen the impact of IRC’s programs on the ground. The DDP assists in senior-level, internal and external coordination and stakeholder engagement, including with donors, government and non-government partners, and IRC technical and regional support teams; oversees multi-sector project design and implementation; manages sector teams to propose, coordinate, and deliver quality programs aligned with strategic priorities and beneficiary needs; and leads strategic funding opportunity tracking, – partnering and pre-positioning decisions. The DDP must be able to motivate and lead a diverse staff as well as effectively manage programs, partnerships and budgets.

The DDP reports directly to the Country Director and is based in Kampala, with frequent travel to program sites (approximately 30%). This position directly supervises four Technical Coordinators, Grants Coordinator, Partnerships Coordinator, Program Coordinator for Quality and Learning, MEAL Coordinator, Communications and Advocacy Coordinator, and two strategic Project Coordinators. The DDP is a key member of the Uganda Senior Management Team.

Major Responsibilities:

Strategic planning and implementation

• Contribute to implementation of the Uganda Strategy Action Plan (SAP) through committed investment in the monitoring of the SAP Implementation Plan (SAP-IP) and oversight of the Uganda country allocation of the HQ strategic ambitions funds

• Ensure strategic direction of programs is in line with the FY22-24 SAP

• Champion IRC’s global strategy, Strategy100, and promote innovation and creativity to advance key ambitions

• Lead the development of an ambitious yet realistic FY25-27 SAP, ensuring collaboration and buy-in from within the country program

Program development

• Ensure the development of new program opportunities in line with IRC Uganda’s SAP

• Provide leadership in the design of new projects, including identification of potential partners (local and INGOs) and ensuring overall quality of proposals

• In coordination with technical and partnership staff, identify local NGO partners; develop and implement capacity-building protocols for the transfer of IRC skills and experience to local government and national NGO partners

• Ensure collaborative program design processes that fully leverage the perspectives, experience and expertise of local actors, where possible based on collaborative needs assessment processes.

• Promote cross-learning and integration across sectors to provide more holistic services to IRC’s clients

• Ensure all designed projects use the IRC theories of change and that outcomes are evidence-driven and evidence-generated

• Working with the Communications and Advocacy Coordinator, develop advocacy mechanisms and identify networks for coalition building

Program implementation and monitoring

• Provide overall leadership and management to all IRC Uganda programs, by protecting and enforcing strategic program direction and growth

• Monitor all programs through periodic field visits and review sessions and ensure that program implementation strategies are compatible with SAP ambitions

• Promote and apply IRC’s Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results system (PEERs), ensuring that IRC’s partnership principles, skills and approaches are applied by staff across projects with partners.

• Ensure appropriate management tools are developed for successful implementation of projects, including workplans, M&E plans, spending plans, procurement plans, etc.

• Ensure alignment and adherence to IRC’s program quality framework, the IMPACT Standards, across all projects

• Ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems are effectively designed, measure prioritized outcomes, and integrated into all stages of the project.

• Work with the grants, programs and finance teams to track monthly project expenditure against program budgets

• Recommend grant and budget revisions in consultation with the technical coordinator(s), grants team and project implementation teams

• Assist in budget development with the grants team and technical coordinator(s) in consultation with finance and operations departments

• Review all program donor reports and new project proposals in collaboration with the grants department, technical coordinators, operations and finance departments; ensure completeness, quality and timely submission

Operations

• Encourage constructive and productive communication between program and operations staff to guarantee timely service delivery

• Ensure program compliance with internal control procedures

• Be aware and adhere to security protocols for the organization in line with the Security Management Plan for the country program

Human Resources

• Directly supervise 11 staff, including technical coordinators, grants, MEAL, partnerships, communications and advocacy, program quality, and strategic project coordinators

• Coordinate the recruitment of all program staff, and recommend promotions, performance action for program staff in consultation with direct supervisors, Human Resources and the Country Director.

• Coach and mentor staff with the aim of strengthening their technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team, providing professional development guidance, and leading to staff retention.

• Support the development of sound performance objectives among staff and provide regular feedback on staff progress toward realizing those objectives.

• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.

• Ensure timely completion and submission of interim and annual employee performance reviews.

Communication and Coordination

• Liaise with counterparts, UN agencies and NGOs in the field to coordinate multi-sector integrated programs, standardize sector specific activities and obtain up-to-date information for program planning and implementation

• Ensure IRC participation in respective sector specific coordination forums and help foster exchanges of program information, best practices and training materials with partners, involved communities and various line Government ministry officials

• Ensure regular communication between field program teams and program department staff

• In coordination with the Country Director and the management team ensure effective communication mechanism is in place to facilitate access to information by all staff to enhance inclusive participation and empowering work environment

• Liaise with IRC’s relevant Technical Advisors regularly and proactively, and pursue technical guidance and support on quality implementation and new program design

Key working relationships

Position reports to: Country Director

Direct reporting: Health Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Economic Recovery and Development Coordinator, Integrated Protection Coordinator, Grants Coordinator, MEAL Coordinator, Communications and Advocacy Coordinator, Partnerships Coordinator, Program Coordinator for Quality and Learning, Senior PlayMatters Coordinator, and Kulea Watoto Project Coordinator

Other internal contacts: Senior Management Team (Deputy Director, Finance; Deputy Director, Operations; Deputy Director, HR and Administration); Field Coordinators; Technical Advisors; Deputy Regional Director; Regional Director, Awards Management; Re:Build regional project team; PlayMatters regional project team

Requirements

The Deputy Director, Programs will need to meet the requirements below:

• Master’s degree in relevant field (Development Studies, Social Sciences, International Relations, etc).

• Six to eight years of experience, preferably in relief/development work with management and supervisory responsibilities in program, administration at senior management level.

• Demonstrated excellence in proposal and report development and writing.

• Demonstrated excellence in human resource management, particularly in a multi-cultural environment, including techniques for staff development, training, motivation, and discipline.

• Strong team and people leadership, management, organizational and development skills.

• Demonstrated excellence in multi-tasking, time management, and flexibility.

• Direct experience in building the capacity of national NGOs and working with local partners including a clear understanding of NGO capacity building.

• Experience working with and coordinating with donors including EU, ECHO, foundation donors, UN, USG, FCDO, USAID etc. and knowledge of specific donor guidelines and priorities.

• Demonstrated skills and experience working within INGO finance, security and operational frameworks.

• Knowledge of best practices in project design, implementation and community participation techniques.

• Ability to take the initiative and proven ability to work creatively, innovatively and effectively to make decisions with limited direct supervision.

• Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software programs.

• Excellent analytical, writing skills and fluency in English.

• Strong commitment to humanitarian work and values.

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

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

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