Emergency Program and Liaison Manager

Job Description

BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian international NGOs, provides relief, rehabilitation and development support to vulnerable people and communities over 30 countries. We began work in Ethiopia in 2000 in response to severe drought in Ethiopia’s Somali region and are currently providing assistance to Ethiopians and refugees in six regions in Ethiopia, implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response. Job Overview/Summary:

The Emergency Program and Liaison Manager will work under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director of Emergency. Play a liaison and representation role for the IRC’s operation in Amhara, will coordinate with IRC Addis program coordinators and managers, Safety and Security unit, country office SMT, and represent the IRC on regular and ad hoc coordination forums, and cluster meetings happening in Bahir Dar with regional UN sub offices, IPs, government offices and partners to ensure IRC’s extensive humanitarian interventions in Amhara Region are going smooth. She/He also responsible to participate on a multiagency Rapid need assessment lead by UNOCHA and assist in the monitoring of IRC direct interventions and sub granted projects in Amhara Region. The position holder will also handle liaison roles and collaborating closely on IRC’s behalf with various governmental authorities, including but not limited to all regional bureaus as appropriate, UN offices, IPs and where required to communicate and facilitate IRC’s interest at regional level which includes timely approvals of all kinds of local Agreements, sub-Agreements, LOU/MOUs, sharing of access, safety and security related information, follow up of supplies transportation and distributions, donation agreements, facilitation of flight bookings, convoy and ground transportation internally and externally with various relevant UN agencies and others. Responsibilities: -

- Represent IRC at Regional coordination forums and relevant cluster meetings, including with counterparts at other NGOs and U.N. agencies; Participate in working groups, seminars, meetings, multiagency rapid need assessment etc that have a relevance to IRC projects and ensure the Director - Operations, Director -Emergency, Rapid emergency response and other technical units are briefed on meetings and their outcomes. - Maintain a regular communication with the Deputy Director - Emergency, the technical units and SMT, Grants and Safety and Security coordinator and others as needed. - Maintain good partnership with regional government agencies and other partners in Bahir Dar and across the region. Share key program related updates and challenges as per the interest of IRC. - Support IRC projects are implemented as planned, within budget and set duration, and in line with the IRC local and global humanitarian policies and guidelines. - Participate and assist in the monitoring of IRC direct interventions and sub granted projects in Amhara Region - Share and update the SMT on safety, security and access related matters and developments in the region to protect IRC's staff, assets, and reputations. - Host and accompany high profile IRC guests and IRC donors who come for official visit and internal monitoring or assessments. - Serve as the liaison person and key focal point with regional authorities. Facilitate meetings and conversations with government officials for smooth implementations of activities. - Support to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the IRC operations. - Build and maintain relationships with key partners and decision-makers in the government, and among local authorities. - Proactively coordinate and advocate on IRC’s behalf with regional, and local authorities/officials to ensure the desired outcomes for IRC’s activities are achieved. - Ensure timely signature of IRC project Agreements, Sub-Agreements, MOUs, LOUs and any other relevant agreements between IRC, UN agencies, partnerships organizations and government agencies at regional level. - Ensure active follow-up on outstanding applications with various regional offices, responding to queries from authorities in a timely manner. - Develop methodologies to improve the liaison processes and approaches including best practices and new developments affecting the IRC as humanitarian actor. - Familiarize and keep up to date with all government requirements applicable to IRC work in Amhara Region to support smooth programs' implementation, and communicate grants teams to ensure compliance, develop guidelines including all requirements, procedures, and processes. - Ensure IRC Bahir Dar staff are aware of and understand any concerns of government officials regarding IRC Amhara Region operations. - Participate in Project cycle meetings - Prepare and share regular progress reports with internal team members. - Carry out other tasks assigned by DO and SMT.

Qualifications

Job Requirement Education and experience

- Education: Post graduate degree/First degree in law, public administration, humanities, development studies and related social sciences fields. - 4 years of proven experience with the first degree or 3 years of relevant experience plus post graduate degree. - Significant experience in overall program/project management, preferably in Education in Emergency, WASH, Health and nutrition, Protection, ERR, and related sectors. - Experience of working with the government at a senior level will be considered as an advantage. - Knowledge and experiences of the regional system of government and administration. - NGO experience is a plus. - Education: Post graduate degree/First degree in law, public administration, humanities, development studies and related social sciences fields. - 4 years of proven experience with the first degree or 3 years of relevant experience plus post graduate degree. - Significant experience in overall program/project management, preferably in Education in Emergency, WASH, Health and nutrition, Protection, ERR, and related sectors. - Experience of working with the government at a senior level will be considered as an advantage. - Knowledge and experiences of the regional system of government and administration. - NGO experience is a plus.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

- Fluent English written and spoken. - Competent with using computers, especially Microsoft Office Word and Excel spreadsheets and Outlook. - Dedicated, independent, and motivated. - Respectful nature, excellent collaboration skills. - Strong communication, organization, and interpersonal skills. - Strong sense of personal integrity - Attention to detail and ability to multi-task.