Deputy Director for Programs

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.

The IRC has been working in Mali since the onset of the 2012 nutrition and conflict crises to quickly scale up essential nutrition, WASH, education, child protection and women’s protection and empowerment services. The IRC implements innovative integrated programs in northern, central and southern Mali, which are adapting the evolving context. In 2012, 500,000 people had been displaced by the complex humanitarian crisis; thousands have returned to their areas of origin although the political, social and food security situations remain fragile.

SCOPE OF WORK:

As a senior member of the country team, the Deputy Director for Programs will have overall responsibility to supervise, support, enhance quality, coherence, impact, sustainability and synergy of IRC Mali’s integrated programming in:

• Health/ Nutrition
• Environmental Health/ WASH
• Children Youth Protection and Development, including Education
• Women’s Protection and Empowerment
• Economic Recovery and Development

The Deputy Director for Programs will be based in Bamako and required to travel to the field in southern, central, and northern Mali as possible.  S/he will develop and disseminate a vision of program evolution and quality with the Country Director and the Sector leads through playing a leading role in the oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and development of the sectoral strategies and the Country Program Strategic Plan (CPSP).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategy Development
  • With guidance from the Country Director, lead the planning, development, implementation of IRC program initiatives with sector coordinators, in accordance with the strategic plans and liaise with IRC’s Technical Units for technical guidance on implementation and new program design.
  • Under the supervision of the Country Director, ensure effective and timely implementation of programmatic objectives of the CPSP and its regular reviews
  • Participate actively in and contribute to strategic meetings and initiatives of the humanitarian and development community in IRC’s interest, e.g. Early Recovery Cluster, Durable Solutions Working Group, other HCT Task Forces
  • Maintain an up-to-date contextual analysis to ensure pertinence of all programming
• Program Quality
  • Provide leadership, guidance, and support on program quality tools and initiatives
  • Provide technical guidance on the design and implementation of assessments and evaluations, including their reports
  • Organize and chair regular program coordination meetings with relevant staff;
  • Conduct training of IRC staff on program design, monitoring, and evaluation, report writing, and proposal development.
  • Support programs to initiate and build partnerships with local partners in line with IRC guidance
  • Conduct regular visits to program sites to monitor program quality and provide action-oriented feedback and recommendations
  • Create opportunities for learning lessons from existing programs and their application
  • Ensure the highest quality of design for all proposals
• Program Management
  • Ensure effective and timely implementation of programmatic objectives of grants
  • Work with the senior management team to develop operational budgets, which reflect a detailed understanding of situational parameters, beneficiary needs, available resources and technical possibilities;
  • Assist Sector Coordinators to develop and maintain monitoring plans, work plans, spending plans, staffing plans, etc. in collaboration with Operations, Finance and Grants.
  • Work closely with Grants Coordinator and support program coordinators to hold efficient and effective Opening, Review, and Closing Grants Meetings
  • Support program coordinators in the monthly review of Budget vs. Actuals reports
  • In collaboration with the Grants Coordinator and program coordinators ensure that quality donor reports are generated and submitted to donors and headquarters in a timely manner. Oversee budget re-alignments and amendments when necessary;
  • Support and promote adherence to finance controls for program expenditures in accordance with IRC Global and Mali policies and procedures;
  • Provide on-going problem-solving guidance for field offices regarding programmatic issues, planning issues, and difficulties encounters with local authorities and Partners;
  • Ensure a close coordination and collaboration with the Deputy Director for Operations to ensure an adequate synergy between programs and operations;
• Human Resources Management
  • Provide excellent line management of Nutrition, WASH, CYPD, and GBV Program Coordinators and Monitoring and Evaluation Managers, including setting objectives and work plans, and carrying out regular coaching as well as periodic evaluations.
  • Working closely with Human Resources and Program Coordinators, oversee recruitment of all program staff and ensure the Performance Management System for program staff is carried out as required;
• Represenation
  • Represent IRC and IRC's interests with Government officials, donors, UN, and other operating and implementing partners when required or applicable;
  • Assist the CD in developing a strong relationship with donors to ensure sustainable funding of programs;
  • Represent IRC in lieu of the Country Director as necessary
  • Support progam coordinators in their representation roles in technical meetings

Other activities/responsibilities that may be required.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Advanced degree in relevant technical or managerial subject area
• At least seven years of international experience with two years of experience in the management of emergency, post-conflict or development programs.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in program design and delivery, including proposal development
• Proven capacity in staff management, multi-tasking, time management and diplomacy.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Must be an innovative and creative problem solver, and a team player, with experience working with multi-cultural teams.
• Fluent in French and proficient in English