Rapid Response Manager

BACKGROUND:

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a prominent international organization working in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. 

IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state.  In early 2014, IRC opened a field office in Mubi town of Adamawa state in NE Nigeria.  IRC has ECHO, OFDA, and Gates funds to respond to health, nutrition, GBV, and WASH activities.  In September 2014, IRC received additional funds to carry out emergency food distributions, shelter support, and NFI distributions to newly displaced IDPs.    IRC also received funds to carry out a child protection rapid assessment and program start up activities.  In December, IRC will begin a Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) project in Adamawa state in an effort to respond to the on-going influx of IDPs.  The project is targeting WASH and protection support to vulnerable IDPs. 

SCOPE OF WORK:

The RRM Manager will be responsible for the implementation of RRM program in Yola and surrounding LGAs (Yola North, Yola South, Girei, and Fufore). The program aims to provide emergency water, sanitation and non - food items to displaced urban IDPs within 14 days of their displacement. In addition, the program looks at protection issues facing the community and will ensure both protection and protection mainstreaming approaches are integrated into all rapid response and emergency programming.  Each intervention involves a multi - secotrial assessment, an emergency NFI or / and WASH intervention, protection support, and a post - intervention monitoring visit. The project manager will be based in Yola. The position will report to the Senior Program Coordinator and will liaise closely with the technical unit based in NYC. 

RESPONSABILITIES:
Program implementation 

• Lead the implementation of the rapid response mechanism program in Yola ensuring the mechanism is highly responsive to new population movements and able to respond within 14 days of the alert. 
• Ensure the program follows the RRM methodology.
• Closely oversee the procurement, transport, warehousing and dispatching of emergency program supplies to the field. 
• Ensure water, sanitation, NFI and protection responses are of high quality and in line with international standards and program guidelines. 
• Actively monitor and strengthen program quality through regular field visits, monitoring tools and reports. Provide regular opportunities for capacity building. 
• Actively monitor the security situation and identify trends and potential areas of needs. 

Staff Supervision & Development 

• Hire program staff and oversee their training 
• Manage and supervise all staff in the RRM Program
• 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. 
• Overall responsibility for staff timesheets, work plans, vacation schedules, and staff training/development activities 
• Ensure all program staff are of aware and follow IRC procedures. 
   

Grant Monitoring & Partner Management 

• Select and implement appropriate monitoring and evaluations systems; analyzing results to ensure and enhance program effectiveness and quality. 
• Assure appropriate and timely spending of grants to achieve program goals, grant reporting contributions, use and distribution of supplies and resources. 
• Oversee all program budgets and ensure compliance with IRC procedures. 
• Actively contribute to proposal writing and strategy development 

Advocacy and fundraising 

• Actively work to highlight key issues in the sector and potential advocacy points. 
• Actively work to highlight identified needs to cluster participants and advocate for action. 
• Seek in collaboration with the country director and senior program coordinator opportunities for further funding and program expansion. 

Coordination 

• Actively coordinate with the finance, supply chain, and human resources department to ensure timely progress and compliance with IRC procedures. 
• Actively coordinate with partner organizations to avoid overlap and ensure a coordinated response. 

Other 

• Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of the team; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for IRC programs 
• Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs 

Professional Standards

• All IRC staff are required to adhere to the IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies. 

REQUIREMENT

• Postgraduate degree. 
• At least 3 years experience in emergency programming. Prior experience in water and sanitation and / or distributions an asset.
• Experience in Africa required 
• Proven interest in supply chain including transport, warehousing and distribution. 
• Proven experience in needs assessment, monitoring and evaluation. 
• Proven technical writing skills. 
• Ability to work under pressure 
• Solid managerial skills and experience in an international multi-cultural setting. 
• Strong project planning, organizational, interpersonal, budgeting and communication skills 
• Successful experience working within a volatile security environment. 
• Willing to spend significant time in remote and volatile locations. 
• Dynamic 
   

Deployment Security Protocols:

Yola is security phase 3 (ORANGE) so the RRM Manager will be expected to respect the various security protocols in place in country.  Phase 3 requires clear contingency planning in place with staff prepared should hibernation or evacuation be called.  A government curfew exists and remains 9pm to 6am, meaning expatriate staff have to be at the hotel/guesthouse in Yola no later than 8:30pm.

Communications: The RRM Manager will travel with a thuraya phone when going to outside the 4 LGAs of intervention and will be provided at least two local mobile phone SIM cards and internet modem upon arrival in country.