Senior Program Coordinator

Job Description

The Senior Program Coordinator will provide leadership and day to day management of IRC’s programs implementation in Colombia, under the supervision of the DDP for Colombia. The Sr. program Coordinator will be responsible for leading the programmatic quality and overseeing the smooth running of the IRC’s programs’ implementation in the field offices. S/he will serve as focal point for the coordinators from Health, Women Protection and Empowerment, Child Protection, Education and Economic Recovery and Development. The incumbent will also represent the Colombian program when needed, ensuring a high level of visibility and acceptance of IRC programs. The Senior Program Coordinator participates in the Extended Senior Management Team and will drive program, implementation, which requires effective coordination with all departments across the country program.

Responsibilities:

Program management (planning, implementation & future development)

- Under the leadership of DDP and in close coordination with technical coordinators, ensure timely planning, implementation and follow up of IRC’s multi sector programming, including health, women’s protection and empowerment, child protection, economic recovery and development and education and other sectors as they come online. - Monitor the progress of projects against work plans and budgets and provide appropriate support to coordinators and managers and other program staff to ensure that work plans are adjusted as needed, targets are met, and budgets are spent out in compliance with IRC internal and donor policy and procedures. - Provide procurement planning support to sector coordinators and base staff (both program and support), in close coordination with the Supply Chain Coordinator. - Identify risk areas to delivery of projects and coordinate solutions and mitigation measures in a timely manner. - Keep abreast of the specific local context, needs, gaps and constraints to anticipate issues that may affect program implementation, recommending appropriate adjustments as needed and roll out timely actions. - Ensure consistent collaboration with Field Management Team to ensure program implementation is collectively planned and coordinated - In collaboration with DDP and technical program coordinators, contribute to participatory and inclusive proposal design and development processes, ensuring that projects are data-driven and aligned with the IRC VCR Strategy Action Plan (SAP) and IRC’s Strategy100. - Support program coordinators in the monitoring and follow up of local partners throughout the different projects. Work closely with partnership and programs in the process of identifying new local partners.

Leadership and Staff Management

- Direct supervision of program coordinators from the multiple sectors in Colombia. - Ensure performance objectives and key performance indicators are established and regularly reviewed for direct reports. - Provide regular constructive feedback to direct reports, and support direct reports in performance management of their team members. - Under the guidance of DDP, promote appropriate norms and establish necessary measures that makes IRC Colombia a safe and healthy working environment for both female and male staff. - Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews. - 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. - Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews. - Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly. - Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths. - As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies. - 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. - Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff. - Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment. - Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Coordination & Representation

- As needed and in coordination with DDP and other program sector leads and country program management, represents IRC in inter-agency forums and discussions. - Participate in relevant working groups both within and outside of the UN cluster system, including GIFMM. - Represent and promote IRC with local authorities and coordination bodies in Colombia when needed, to ensure a high level of recognition and acceptance of IRC programming with government, host community and refugees.

Research, Learning and Analysis

- Together with the DDP, MEAL coordinator, and program coordinators, lead assessments and research aimed at generating a strong evidence base for IRC programming, as well as to inform IRC advocacy. - Support the greater sharing and use of research and learning within IRC’s program sectors, including by contributing to program development and design, to ensure interventions are responsive to needs and informed by a sound understanding of the humanitarian context.

Key Working Relationships:

- Position Reports to: Deputy Director for Programs - Position directly supervises: Program coordinators (and Managers when coordinators are not in place) - Internal: All staff and departments within the Country Program (MEAL Coordinator, Partnership team and Grant teams), HQ/Regional Technical Units (Technical Assistants and M&E specialists), HQ Research Evaluation & Learning Unit, Finance and Operations - External: Partner organizations, other humanitarian actors.

Qualifications

Education:

- BA/BS Degree in international development, social sciences, or a related field; MA/MS a plus.

Work Experience:

- At least 8 years of experience within the international development / humanitarian sector, several of which was at senior management level (some international experience preferred) - Minimum of 3 years’ specific experience in senior management role. - Experience with multi-sectoral and multi-donor funded programs - Prior experience working in remote-management situations preferred, particularly in supporting partners.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

- Advanced leadership, team building, project management, networking and advocacy skills are required. - Excellent skills and proven track record of managing multi sector emergency response and recovery program. Experience of working in refugee context is an added advantage. - Excellent skills and proven track record of external representation and coordination. - Excellent skills in managing large scale program with big budgets from diverse range of donors. - Experience of managing oversight of logistics, procurement, administrative and financial functions, ideally as part of the management of program base. - Excellent inter-personal and problem solving skills and proven ability to negotiate with a wide range of people (internally and externally). - High energy, and able to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment. - Ability to work independently and maintain flexibility in an environment where change or revision to projects and planning is regular. - Good understanding and experience of managing staff safety and program security in dynamic environments. - Excellent command over MS office - Cultural and gender sensitivity, adaptability, willingness to travel. Strong program/technical and budget management skills, planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation skills. - Strong written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external parties. - INGO experience required; experience working with the interagency coordination mechanisms desirable. - Comprehensive knowledge of humanitarian accountability principles and their translation into practice. - Experience with multi-sectoral and multi-donor funded programs. - Strong technical and operational knowledge of humanitarian programming in a remote context. - Proven experience in designing and delivering capacity-building activities. - Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies: - An appropriate balance of strategic thinking and doing skills - Strong methodical planning and organizational skills - Strong leadership, interpersonal and communications skills - Strong analytical, presentation, and reporting skills - Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively represent IRC at forums and with donors. - Strong negotiation skills essential with experience in conflict resolution desirable. - Superior oral and written communication skills, with ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders. - Experience of working successfully with local stakeholders such as local and international NGOs, government, etc. with sensitivity and diplomacy. - Proven ability to design and lead training engagements with staff and partners to enhance skills and adapt to changing program demands. - Mature and structured approach to team management and project delivery. - Positive attitude to work, self-reflective, motivated, inspired, collegial. - Proven ability to work well in and promote teamwork, thrive in a multi-cultural environment, be flexible and handle pressure with professional grace. - Strong commitment to IRC’s mission, purpose and values

Languages:

- Professional fluency in spoken and written English is required.

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

- Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. - Experience with statistical and data management software.

Ability to Travel: 20 – 30% within the country and globally for workshops and conferences.