Rapid Response Coordinator, Ukraine

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of 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 ensure social inclusion of all vulnerable groups in broader policies, processes and actions affecting their lives.

Job summary

After almost a year of conflict, the operating environment in Ukraine is characterized by a protracted complex emergency and overlapping acute emergencies linked to armed conflict, displacement, restricted access to essential services, food insecurity, and extreme weather conditions. The IRC’s programs respond to both chronic and acute emergency needs.

As part of an effort to swiftly respond to Ukraine’s changing context, IRC Ukraine is planning to establish multisectoral Rapid Response Teams, able to deliver a variety of technical programs (NFI, cash, health and protection) in a mobile, efficient manner to reach people affected by the conflict as soon as possible.

The Rapid Response Team Coordinator is responsible for the strategic direction, leadership, and quality implementation of emergency responses across the IRC Ukraine country program, with a particular focus on the management and coordination of the local Rapid Response Teams. The position is responsible for context monitoring and emergency preparedness, emergency response coordination, and Rapid Response project management.

This position reports to the Deputy Director for Programs and is based in Kharkiv with regular travel to program sites primarily in southeastern and eastern Ukraine (Kharkiv, Odesa, Mykolayiv, Kherson).

Major responsibilities

Emergency Planning and Start Up

• Hire and establish multi-sector Rapid Response Teams (North and South).

• Organize and ensure completion of all onboarding, including critical safety and security, first aid, mine risk education and operational trainings.

• Finalize cross-departmental SOPs for Kharkiv Rapid Response Team (North team).

• Finalize multi-sector rapid needs assessment tools for deployment of Rapid Response Team and development of community profile for planning and design of rapid response mechanism per community.

• Advise Ukraine leadership on (1) staffing requirements for sustainability including working with HR to design appropriate contracts and policies to support duty of care of team, (2) size, composition and function of team and how many teams for north (Kharkiv) and south (Mykolayiv/Kherson).

• Regularly monitor and report on emergency trends across areas of team intervention / potential intervention. Using both external and internal data, provide analysis on likely humanitarian needs and make recommendations to senior management on situations which may require either direct or partner-led responses.

• Develop a strategy to disseminate information on the availability and capacities of the IRC Rapid Response Teams, how to report an alert, and how to request a response. Ensure alignment and coordination with the broader humanitarian system and other existing emergency response mechanisms.

• In collaboration with the Partnerships Coordinator, support the pre-positioning and operational readiness of a network of national NGO partners in line with IRC’s PEERS system as required.

• In collaboration with technical program leads and the Supply Chain department, support the procurement, pre-positioning, and timely distribution of context-relevant emergency supplies.

Emergency Response Management

• Lead internal coordination to enable rapid and effective emergency responses leading, managing and coordinating IRC Ukraine’s Rapid Response teams.

• Ensure all emergency alerts are quickly considered for either direct IRC or partner response. Coordinate technical needs assessments as required.

• Ensure appropriate staffing, response modalities, and coordination requirements.

• Support program teams as they carry out direct-IRC emergency response interventions. Advise on appropriate staffing, response modalities, and coordination requirements as requested.

• Support the Partnerships Coordinator and IRC emergency focal points in their engagement with and technical support to partners as requested.

• Ensure adequate documentation and data collection during rapid responses.

• Oversee post-response reflections and evaluations in collaboration with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) department, including analysis of client feedback.

• In collaboration with technical leads, ensure productive coordination with the cluster system, humanitarian forums, and local authorities.

Project Management

• Coordinate closely with the Deputy Director for Programs and Grants department to ensure effective project management and compliance with donor requirements.

• Develop actionable plans to ensure that all stated project objectives are regularly evaluated and achieved.

• Produce and utilize regularly updated project management tools, including workplans, implementation plans, procurement plans, and accurate financial forecasts.

• Oversee timely, relevant, and responsible use of project funds.

• Coordinate closely with the MEAL department to develop monitoring tools and collect high-quality data.

• Ensure that all internal and external reports are submitted on time and to a high-quality standard.

Emergency Monitoring & Preparedness

• Regularly monitor and report on emergency trends across Ukraine, primarily in southern and eastern Ukraine. Using both external and internal data, provide analysis on likely humanitarian needs and make recommendations to senior management on situations which may require either direct or partner-led responses.

• Under the guidance of the Deputy Director of Programs and in collaboration with the Partnerships Coordinator, support the pre-positioning and operational readiness of a network of national NGO partners in line with IRC’s PEERS system as required.

Other

• Other relevant duties as assigned by Deputy Director of Programmes to further IRC rapid response emergency programs.

Key working relationships:

• Reports to the DDP, works significantly with SMT and programme, operations, safety and security and partnership teams

Job qualifications

• Minimum of five years of experience managing emergency humanitarian programs in complex operating environments, including prior experience in situations of armed conflict.

• Previous experience leading multi-sector acute emergency responses required.

• Solid understanding of the humanitarian system and roles/responsibilities of key external actors.

• Experience working with national NGO and local partners on emergency management.

• Demonstrated experience in an inter-departmental coordination role and the ability to communicate with and balance the priorities of a range of stakeholders.

• Excellent project management and reporting skills.

• Strong financial management skills, including budget management, financial forecasting, and management of spending plans.

• Excellent written and spoken English required, proficiency in Ukrainian/Russian an advantage.

• Ability to work or travel through Schengen Area is highly preferred

Competencies

• Excellent cross-cultural communication skills and comfortable working as part of a diverse team. Sensitive to interpersonal differences and a range of viewpoints.

• Highly diplomatic with excellent political awareness and advanced negotiation skills.

• Demonstrated advance planning and organizational skills. Able to effectively prioritize and follow multiple activities and deadlines simultaneously.

• Supportive leader able to mobilize, energize and assist their teams with care and attentiveness.

• Flexible and innovative. Able to adapt plans and pivot approaches in response to changes in context.

• Proactive, reliable, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Professional Standards

The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. 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.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer 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.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.

#LI-GR2

Qualifications