Deputy Director of 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.

SCOPE OF WORK:
The Deputy Director for Programs provides the leadership required to ensure that IRC is in a position to develop long term programming to respond to the protection needs of those impacted by conflict in Iraq and in response to the Syrian refugee crisis and that IRC’s main program areas, protection/rule of law, children and youth, protection and development (CYPD), WASH, economic recovery and development, and women’s protection and empowerment (WPE) programming are strategically coordinated to complement each other. The DDP position primarily oversees the Grants unit, Education, WASH, Child Protection, Livelihoods and Community Based Protection programming throughout Northern Iraq. This position will work closely with one other DDP to ensure all programmatic areas are supported. This position will be based in Erbil with 10% travel to Baghdad and 40% travel to Dohuk and Sulaymaniyah.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide leadership to the country program as a key member of the Senior Management Team.
• Oversee the quality implementation and support of ongoing programming based on robust grant management and monitoring and evaluation systems and the facilitation of Technical Unit support.
• Provide technical support for the senior program staff and Grants unit.
• Oversee donor and internal narrative reporting, ensuring that all reports are of high quality and meet the standards of the IRC.
• Oversee the development of donor proposals - log frames, narratives and budgets - based on the country program priorities.
• Ensure staff compliance to security, procurement, HR and financial management protocols.
• Represent the program to donors, UN and partner INGOs, and national and local government officials.
• Strategic Leadership
  • Work with the Regional Unit and Country Director to provide leadership to the development and maintenance of a comprehensive needs-based program strategy for IRC programming in Iraq.
  • Provide guidance to the program team regarding tools and strategies to ensure that programming is based on input from communities, a thorough understanding of the context, and technical best practices.
  • Lead the development and implementation of integrated programming initiatives so that technical sectors compliment the programming of one another to promote the “mainstreaming” of protection principles, child protection and gender in all programming.
  • Lead the development and updating of sector strategies in relevant areas of programming and ensure it is complimentary to strategic planning at both the country level and globally.
  • Work with Deputy Director of Operations to ensure appropriate logistics involvement at all stages of the project cycles.
• Program Implementation
  • Ensure that program implementation is managed closely through the development of structured work plans, indicator tracking sheets and monitoring plans.
  • Ensure that donor compliance for program, reporting, and financial grant requirements are met.
  • Coordinate programs to ensure technical and program support across sectors.
  • Ensure that monitoring and evaluation of programming informs quality implementation.
  • Ensure the professional development of program staff in order to maintain a high standard of capacity for the implementation of quality programming.
  • Work with senior program staff to ensure that protection information is used effectively for advocacy and for the development of new programming.
  • Closely monitor program spending and follow up spending plans with sector heads.
  • Work with senior program staff to develop new business and plan expansion of programming where necessary to meet beneficiary needs and country program strategy.
• Human Resources Management
  • Provide guidance and supervision to all direct reports; discuss job expectations, set objectives and provide appropriate and timely feedback regarding performance of direct reports, including timely implementation of the annual staff performance management system.
  • Clearly define the training needs of direct reports and ensure they are able to access training and professional development resources appropriate to their skill gaps/needs.
  • 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.
  • Provide leadership support for the successful implementation of and adherence to the IRC Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures.
  • Lead with commitment, integrity and accountability to the "IRC Way" – Global Standards for Professional Conduct.

Professional Standards
The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the 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:

• Postgraduate degree in International Development, International Law or similar relevant social science or related field
• Excellent professional track record with at least six years of management level experience including NGO experience and working in protection program implementation
• Previous experience managing programs financed through US, EU, UN and private foundations, with previous competitive RFA/P experience a plus
• Strong coordination, communication and advocacy skills and demonstrable capacity for working effectively in a close, multi-disciplinary cooperative team environment
• Proven ability to live and work in an unstable, insecure environment and maintain sense of humor
• Prior work experience in Iraq or Middle East context preferred
• Prior experience overseeing the implementation of programs in large-scale emergency and post emergency response contexts
• Technical knowledge in one or more of the following areas: WASH, education, livelihoods, child protection, WPE, conflict sensitivity, community protection
• Strong management/leadership skills including capacity building and mentoring
• Previous budget and fiscal oversight responsibilities
• English is required, Arabic is desirable

SPECIFIC SECURITY SITUATION
The DDP will be based in Erbil, Iraq with travel throughout Iraq. The security situation in Iraq continues to be volatile. Security measures are in place (guarded compounds, communication systems, movement restrictions) in Baghdad. The candidate should be prepared to implement programming in remote and insecure environments. This is a limited-accompanied position.