Deputy Director - Cross Border Programs

The International Rescue Committee 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 life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Inside Syria, 6.5 people are internally displaced and 9.3 million are in need of humanitarian assistance. Today’s 3 million refugees are expected to increase to 3.5 million by the end of 2014. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is undertaking a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis. With an annual budget in excess of $100 million and a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1100 staff, IRC is implementing programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, WASH, child protection, education, women’s protection and empowerment, NFI and food distribution, cash assistance, and livelihood programming.

Working in coordination with the humanitarian community in Iraq, IRC currently addresses the needs of war-affected Syrians and Iraqis from several operational bases, including Baghdad, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Dohuk. IRC’s activities in northeastern Syria focus on providing vital medications and medical equipment, food and non-food items as well as economic recovery and protection programs, forming part of a regional humanitarian response.

SCOPE OF WORK:
The Deputy Director, Cross-Border Programs leads IRC’s operations in the north-eastern Syrian governorate of Al-Hassakeh, which are managed and supported from Iraq. S/he will report to the Iraq Country Director and work in close coordination with other members of the country senior management team. This position is based in Dohuk, Iraq, with frequent travel to Derek (Malikiyeh), Syria and Erbil, Iraq.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leadership and Representation
  • Provide leadership and supervisory management for cross-border programs in Al-Hassakeh, including mobilization and stewardship of resources, staff safety and security, program quality and accountability, and performance management.
  • Work closely with Finance colleagues to ensure systems are in place and functioning effectively for budget development, management and realignment; cash management, financial planning, cash transfers using the Hawala system, and staff effort allocation.
  • Set operational objectives with support function leads, including Human Resources, Supply Chain and Security Management, working closely with the Deputy Director, Operations to achieve compliance, coordination with programmatic activities, and appropriate budget planning.
  • Participate actively in country program management and strategy meetings with other members of the senior management team.
  • Actively engage with local authorities and key stakeholders in Syria and the Kurdistan Regional Government to ensure access, staff protection and community acceptance.
  • Provide leadership and support to IRC staff in Syria through regular field visits as security and access allow, development and implementation of robust remote monitoring plans, capacity building and other identified areas of support.
  • Actively liaise with IRC Turkey and Jordan country programs to maximize coordination and effective allocation of staff and funding resources across country programs.
  • Actively collaborate with partner organizations to avoid duplication of efforts, maximize impact and ensure a coordinated response in the area of implementation.
  • Coordinate closely with other INGO and UN agencies on the ground.
• Strategic Direction, Program Quality and Growth
  • Provide cohesive leadership to Syria cross-border programming from Iraq, ensuring that priorities and opportunities identified are in line with and contribute to achievement of IRC’s objectives for the Syria Response region.
  • Support the Country Director in fundraising efforts for cross-border programming.
  • Work with colleagues in country program, region and HQ to identify funding opportunities and develop competitive, responsive proposals that meet internal standards, apply IRC Program Framework principles and are donor compliant. Meet with donors to discuss current and potential funding.
  • Work closely with operational support departments to ensure systems are regularly reviewed and in place to support strategic growth.
  • Work with country program staff and HQ technical advisors to examine the suitability of introducing new sectors into the cross-border portfolio.
  • Remain abreast of ongoing humanitarian response and funding trends in the region, and provide regular updates on these trends and analysis of how they may affect IRC programming.
  • Develop and maintain strong working relationships with current and potential donors.
  • Work with the Director of Policy, Advocacy and Communications to develop clear advocacy messages, contribute to policy analysis, and produce program-related information materials.
  • Participate  actively in sector coordination groups to advance IRC’s involvement in the emerging “whole of Syria” response.
• Staff Performance Management and Development
  • Supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely constructive performance feedback, and leading 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.
  • 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.
  • Work with regional HR staff to identify and implement recruitment and retention strategies.
• Grant Monitoring & Partner Management
  • Develop, adapt and implement appropriate monitoring and evaluation systems; analyzing results to ensure and enhance program effectiveness and quality. Introduce and support use of mobile technology for data collection where appropriate.
  • Working with the Program Coordinators, ensure appropriate and timely grant spending to achieve program goals, including procurement, use and distribution of supplies and resources.
  • Support the submission of timely, accurate and well-written donor reports and other reporting requirements.
• Risk and Security Management
  • Ensure security procedures are in place and being followed. Maintain close coordination and communication with the DDO and the Regional Safety and Security Advisor on safety and security concerns and evolving issues that could adversely affect IRC staff or operations.
  • Ensure business continuity through an integrated risk management approach, including security, financial, operational and reputation risks by developing contingency plans and scenarios; and take ownership of the action plans.
  • Maintain close coordination and communication with the Iraq DDO and the Regional Safety and Security Advisor on safety and security concerns and evolving issues that could adversely affect IRC staff or operations.
  • Identify and/or develop and disseminate guidelines for IRC and partner organizations to operate safely with high-quality programs inside Syria.
  • Develop ongoing relationships with community leaders and stakeholders within the operations area. Work to ensure that the mission and work of IRC is known and accepted. Work to encourage stakeholders to work with the IRC in ensuring that staff and programs are safe and allowed to continue humanitarian activities.
  • Develop and/or identify optimal practices to minimize the diversion of aid and assistance in Syria.
• Stewardship and Operational Management
  • Drive operational excellence to achieve optimal efficiency and cost-effectiveness in all functions and operations of cross-border programs.
  • Build consensus around priorities to improve the delivery of assistance inside Syria and with the Deputy Director, Operations, make business processes (e.g., financial, procurement, donor reporting) more consistent between partner organizations operating in Syria.
  • Identify key areas for improvements in these processes and practices and work to push them forward.
  • Oversee the development, deployment and utilization of financial and operational policies, procedures, and systems to deliver compliance with IRC and donor requirements.
  • Provide timely and effective oversight of the financial position of IRC’s cross-border operations.
  • Maintain effective and coordinated budget monitoring processes.
  • Play an active role in preparing internal and external audits; ensure recommendations related to operations are followed and take all necessary measures to address audit findings.

Professional Standards
IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global 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:

• Graduate degree in a relevant field
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience managing complex humanitarian programming. Previous experience in an emergency or conflict-afflicted setting is required
• Demonstrated successful leadership experience managing a multi-disciplinary team and cross-cultural dynamics
• Superior diplomatic and coordination skills are essential, both for internal coordination and for working with key stakeholders, including Iraqi and Syrian organizations and government officials.
• Demonstrated ability for rapid, accurate analysis of complex issues, strong decision-making, and translation of programmatic priorities into operational strategies
• Proven track record of leading multi-location teams
• Repeated, successful experience delivering appropriate levels oversight for a portfolio consisting of a variety of complex, high-value donor-funded projects
• Politically astute, with well-developed diplomatic and negotiating skills
• Fluency in spoken and written English; working knowledge of Arabic strongly preferred
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders
• Extensive representation and fundraising success, including prior experience with European, US and international donors
• Experience of managing security in a complex and rapidly changing security context
• Established capacity to deal with ambiguity in stressful situations
• Ability to respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner, producing high-quality outcomes
• A keen understanding of political complexities in the Middle East region
• Strong commitment to IRC’s vision, mission and core values
• Motivated, positive individual who excels at taking initiative and is able to motive team members to produce results under pressure while maintaining a sense of humor.

SPECIFIC SECURITY SITUATION/HOUSING:
This position is a limited accompanied post based in Dohuk with weekly travel to northeast Syria, security and access permitting, and must comply with all IRC security policies and procedures applicable to international staff. Individual housing of good standard is provided.