Senior Program Manager

BACKGROUND:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC is at work today in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities. The IRC’s Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration (RAI) department creates opportunities for refugees and other vulnerable migrants to gain stability and control of their future. RAI serves more than 100,000 individuals each year, through a diverse portfolio of programs aimed at five core outcomes: Health, Safety, Economic Wellbeing, Education and Power.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Senior Program Manager plays a lead role in scaling IRC’s Home Study and Post-Release Services (HSPRS) for unaccompanied children in the U.S. from six current IRC offices to more than 17 offices throughout the US. This is a national, multi-million-dollar project with ambitious delivery goals in a short time frame and the Senior Program Manager will ensure the necessary processes are in place to achieve project success and advance this project through FY24. This includes but is not limited to successfully developing systems, processes, workplans, timelines and metrics, helping ensure timely recruitment and hiring; advancing guidance, training materials, manuals, and other resources in alignment with federal, state, local and donor requirements; creating and ensuring the uptake of policies and procedures, forms, and processes; and developing an appropriate project structure. In partnership with the HSPRS Program Director, the Senior Program Manager provides critical solution-focused leadership, high-level oversight and direct execution as needed to ensure delivery goals are met.

This is a 15-month position with the possibility of renewal depending on funding.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Project Management

- Key focal point for a large, complex, multi-million-dollar project with minimal supervision; scope the project, drive high-quality solutions at a quick pace, and surface and quickly resolve roadblocks as they arise. - Apply structure to ambiguous, complex problems and facilitate structured problem-solving sessions with team members and senior collaborators. - Collaborate closely with and provide problem-solving support to senior collaborators as needed; Facilitate decision-making and consensus-building meetings on critical topics. - Lead project teams; assign responsibilities, and review work for quality and completion. - Develop a project workplan, timeline and metrics within one month of start date. - Develop a performance plan with objectives and achievable benchmarks to ensure the timely and successful implementation of the HSPRS project. - Work with IRC internal departments to establish the systems and processes needed to scale HSPRS programming (i.e., IT, office services, operations, global supply chain, HR, etc.) - Gather information and support advancement and troubleshoot problems that arise around the execution of grant contracts and budgets in relation to the HSPRS award. - Establish systems and processes to successfully monitor quality and ensure adequate recordkeeping and reporting requirements in compliance with the cooperative agreement. - Support Director and Assistant Director in facilitating bi-weekly operations, program delivery and progress meetings. - Analyze progress and prepare monthly reports for leadership to show progress towards metrics and goals.

Finance and Grant Tracking

- Work with key HSPRS leadership staff, finance team and IRC offices during anticipated budget negotiations to ensure a strong and sustainable budget. - Liaise with Finance Manager and Budget Officer to support HSPRS staff through high-level review of grant spending and liaise with other teams to identify needed actions to ensure compliance. - Attend and document budget and grants review meetings.

Human Resource and Program Office Support

- Liaise with HR to support early and sustained recruitment process including JDs, recruitment targets, interview panels, etc. - Developing an office preparation checklist/framework for how we help offices prepare and be ready for project launch. - Work with Training Officer to prepare and manage initial logistics for Intensive Training

Other Operations and Administrative Tasks

- Ability to travel to various sites as needed. - Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements: The successful candidate must be a highly organized self-starter that has experience in launching and managing complex national or multi-million-dollar projects. This position requires a diverse skill set including being able to set-up systems and process; communicate with diverse, key stakeholders; and troubleshoot and resolve issues that impede or threaten project success. A good understanding of unaccompanied children’s needs and Home Study and Post-Release Services is a significant plus. Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment with ability to effectively build internal and external relationships.

- Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred. - A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project management, with proven ability to launch new projects of project expansion.

- At least two years of experience working with refugee, immigrant and asylum seeker communities in the U.S. - Fluent in English, both spoken and written; proficiency in language(s) spoken by client group is desired. Fluency in Spanish is a plus. - Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research, and problem-solving purposes.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

- Strong organizational skills with the ability to set up systems and processes that ensure project success. - Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to prioritize and manage time effectively. - Good time management skills with a high level of productivity, adaptability and flexibility. - Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications. - Ability to work both independently and in a dynamic, cross-functional global team structure. - Ability to manage and work through change in a proactive and positive manner. - Effective people and program management skills with the ability to train, lead and manage staff productively under stressful circumstances. - Strong analytic problem-solving skills. - Attention to detail and accuracy in work product. - Demonstrated ability to promote an organizational culture that reflects IRC’s core values of service, accountability, integrity, and equality. Ability to lead in a way that recognizes that IRC’s work is best accomplished through the true collaboration of individuals from many cultures with a great variety of skills and perspectives. - Strong relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships. - Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.

Working Environment:

- Remote work. - Domestic (non-local) travel may be required. - May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirement.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. 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. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days (depending on role and tenure), medical insurance starting at $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

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Qualifications Update