Senior Programs and Business Development Advisor

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. 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 that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities.

The IRC has programs in Ukraine and Poland under its Ukraine response Programs started as emergency focused but are now pivoting towards recovery and resilience, whilst maintaining our ability to respond to humanitarian needs. This role will focus on program quality and business development in coordination with the Senior Director and other key internal stakeholders.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Senior Program Advisor will be a key member of the Ukraine Crisis team responsible for promoting and supporting effective and efficient programming in the 2 country programs. S/he will work closely with the Senior Director, the Emergency & Humanitarian Access Unit, Technical Excellence, regional HR, and country programs (primarily with the deputy directors of programs to ensure that country programs are able to scope priorities and deliver on the new Strategy100 commitments, as well as continue to position IRC in the region as a partner of choice.

Major Responsibilities:

Country support

• Work closely with the Deputy Directors of Programs (DDP) to ensure they are supported as needed and that quality programming is maintained

• Hands on engagement, in coordination with the Deputy Directors of Programs (DDP), to advance priorities identified in the country SAPs and in S100, including but not limited to program quality (including Project Cycle Management), partnership, client responsiveness, etc. Work with country programs to adapt and engage in several organizational initiatives to improve program quality and achieve greater impact for our clients. These include continuing to enhance timely and efficient program delivery by improving how data is used to drive performance and optimize structures

• Bring knowledge of field programs and understanding of program quality to advance IRC’s program quality framework (IMPACT), building capacity, and driving change efforts

• Facilitate close and efficient coordination of regional and headquarters staff’s support to the country programs on common programming, operational and funding issues

• Provide leadership to increase cross country programs’ coordination, collaboration, communication, and harmonization of programming

• Facilitate sharing and learning across countries, and support country programs to incorporate learning from other regions into project design and operations management.

• Spend significant time travelling and providing practical support to country teams to advance priorities.

Business Development

• Support and manage regional BD strategy, and support the Senior Director, CD, DDP, Program and Technical Coordinators in donor engagement to secure funding for Ukraine and Poland’s Strategic Action Plans (SAPs)

• Assess prospective and existing funding opportunities in collaboration with regional business development and program support teams and advise country teams on how to make funding requests more competitive and responsive to donors´ priorities

• Contribute to the identification of potential donors, including non-traditional donors for IRC such as private sector donors and foundations; maintenance of donor relations and mobilization of resources to support planned work as per the SAP

• Support the high quality and timely submission of funding proposals through providing guidance to the grants team and escalating issues of concerns to the SMT. When required, this could include surge support in areas such workplan design, coordination of technical, financial, and regional input, writing overviews, editing, and formatting proposal documents, and ensuring internal approvals before donor submission

• Review certain (strategic) proposal packages to ensure they are competitive, comply with donors’ rules and IRC’s internal requirements

• Strengthen the capacity of IRC team members for fundraising and business development by promoting industry best practices and conducting training

• Promote the involvement of stakeholder groups, including implementing partners and beneficiaries (where possible), in designing new projects/ programs.

Regional Strategy Support:

• Manage strategic initiatives as required, including the Strategy100 processes under the supervision of the Senior Director

• Actively engage in the development of regional analyses and new partnerships, given the cross-border dynamics of many of the issues and conflicts within the region and to ensure IRC remains relevant throughout the region

• As a key team member, work with the Senior Director to organize and plan high level meetings and visits on priority topics, as required, including agenda development, and ensuring effective facilitation and follow-up.

Key Working Relationships:

Direct Reporting: Senior Director, Ukraine Crisis

Partnership and Consultation: country programs, regional team, other HQ offices as needed.

External Contacts: External stakeholders in Poland and Ukraine, plus other external actors supporting Poland and Ukraine.

Job Requirements:

Education: bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of experience required, master’s degree is a plus; background in humanitarian and development assistance

Work Experience: Minimum of 8-10 years of relevant experience

Field Experience: At least 4 years of senior level field experience in relevant settings, for instance in a DDP role

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Experience in a range of sectors, in both humanitarian and development contexts

• Demonstrated experience of coordinating complex projects and leading changes both to working culture and business processes

• Team player, flexible and able to work within a small group of decision-makers to diagnose and provide support to country teams in a timely, efficient and effective way

• Strong acumen in programs and grant management

• Self-starter with excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to develop positive relationships with local and remote team members at multiple levels in the organization

• Ability to work successfully independently and with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Ability to apply analytical thinking to evidenced, justified recommendations.

Language Skills: Proficiency in English required.

Working Environment: Can be remote, with estimated 30-40% travel to country programs.

The IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability. The IRC is an equal opportunity employer.

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Qualifications