Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) Coordinator

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

On December 16, 2013, heavy military exchanges occurred between rival SPLA factions in Juba (Central Equatoria State). The fighting and violence quickly spread to other states in South Sudan, trapping thousands of civilians in Unity, Lakes, Upper Nile, and Jonglei States in UN bases or makeshift IDP settlements. Despite the signing of a cessation of hostilities agreement, fighting has continued between Government and opposition forces, resulting in mass displacement. OCHA estimates that 1.3 million South Sudanese have been displaced due to insecurity, of whom 950,000 are internally displaced. It is estimated that around 87,000 IDPs are being sheltered in UN bases around the country.

After an initial scale up phase immediately upon the start of the conflict, IRC south Sudan is now launching a second scale up phase to further strenghten its response to the ongoing crisis. In particular, IRC will open new offices in Nyal, Koch and Guit, Unity state and launch two multi – sectoral rapide response mobile teams deployable anywhere in South Sudan for emergency deployments. Each new location as well as the mobile teams aim to deliver emergency assistance in health, protection, nutrition and water and sanitation. The mobile teams are deployable for up to 2 months in each location based on the decision of the inter – cluster. Deployment will be done alongside other mobile team partners. Offices in Nyal, Koch and Guit are located in recently accessible locations and will implement emergency interventions with an eye to extending the presence of the program beyond the current grant. 

SCOPE OF WORK:

The IRC seeks 1 rapid response mechanism ( RRM) coordinator.The RRM Coordinator will be in charge of coordinating the mobile team deployments. He / She will work with the cluster, inter – cluster and partner organizations to identify potential locations for deployment balancing access, needs and logistical support. He / She will supervise the RRM team leader and be overall responsible for the RRM program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Project Implementation
  • Overall responsible for grant implementation and program strategy
  • Collect information on areas of needs, displacement trends, response gaps and the overall security situation to produce up to date analysis of the emergency situation and potential response gaps
  • Actively  liase with partner organizations to identify areas of needs in selected sectors and locations and identify deployment opportunities for the mobile teams
  • Actively coordinate with the cluster and inter – cluster to valide selected locations and secure the necessary support from the core pipeline, the logistics cluster and UNHAS
  • Develop reporting tools and quality monitoring tools to ensure overall program quality and accurate reporting
  • In charge of proposal development, program strategy and program reporting
  • Ensure regular field visits.
• Staff Management
  • Recruit RRM Team Leader in conjunction with the Human Resources Department
  • Maintain updated job descriptions, conduct interviews, orient new staff to the IRC and the rapid response team
  • Supervise the RRM team leader directly, providing ongoing leadership to the team and overseeing implementation and coordination of activity plans to ensure targets are met
  • Overall responsibility for employee’s timesheets, work plans, vacation schedules, and staff training/development activities
  • Ensure Performance Management System documentation for all staff is in place and followed up regularly
  • Ensure team members understand and follows IRC and donor Policies and Procedures
• Grants Management and Reporting
  • Oversee all the grants within the area of operation.;
  • Participate in Grants Opening, Mid-Term and Closing meetings
  • Ensure appropriate and timely spending of grants to achieve program goals, grant reporting contributions, use and distribution of supplies and resources
• Representation & Coordination
  • Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders, including community leaders, NGOs, UN agencies, community-based organisations and other IRC sectors to enhance cooperation and coordination.
  • Ensure that information from coordination meetings is shared internally and with other sectors, as appropriate
• Professional Standards 
  • The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, 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.

REQUIREMENTS

• Univeristy degree .
• At least 3 years professional experience in program management. Rapid response experience an asset
• Experience in emergency settings / conflict areas required.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership and management
• Strong coordination skills.  
• Strong understanding of emergency context and security management
• Experience in working with and coordinating with the UN, donors, INGOs and other stakeholders
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills
• Excellent analytical and written skills, and good computer skills
• Fluency in English
• Additional qualities: ability to multi-task, ability to handle pressure well, ability to improvise, flexibility, adaptability to transitions

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Security level orange/ red. The situation in Juba is calm at the moment but remains tense and unpredictable; concerns include criminality, presence of armed troops, and looting. There is active conflict in many parts of the country and a possibility for further expansion of the conflict and violence into other areas and other states.

HOUSING:

• This position is based in juba. Housing is in individual studios or shared guesthouses.