Deputy Director Programs

Background/IRC Summary:  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.

IRC has been working in Pakistan for over 30 years, and manages & delivers large, complex programs to meet needs in health, education, protection, environmental health and livelihoods for displaced, poor & conflict-affected communities. IRC works in partnership with local government and non-governmental organizations and currently works in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces.

Job Overview/Summary: The Deputy Director Programs provides a leadership, decision-making and coordinating role on programmatic issues, both in the development of quality proposals as well as the effective implementation of IRC’s projects across Pakistan.  With a focus on refugees, internally-displaced populations and flood-affected communities, IRC is currently implementing programs in six lead sectors, namely Women’s Empowerment, Protection, Health, Environmental Health (WASH), Education and Food security/Livelihoods.

As a senior member of the country management team, the Deputy Director Programs leads on the development of strategies and implementation of programming in the three geographic areas where the IRC is operational: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Sindh. 

Major Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning & Preparedness
• Support the implementation of the IRC Pakistan Country Program Strategic Plan, in line with IRC’s Program Framework. In Coordination with the CD and other colleagues refresh country program and sector strategies on as need basis.
• Oversee the development of program sector strategies, including the integration of cross-cutting issues of gender, partnership, disaster risk reduction and advocacy.
• Together with other SMT members, build IRC Pakistan’s disaster preparedness and emergency response capacity, as appropriate to country context, needs and operational capacity. 

Program Development

• Provide overall guidance and leadership in the rollout and use of IRC’s Program Framework.
• In coordination with the Country Director, pro-actively design and implement fundraising strategies, incorporating donor mapping and communication plans, to ensure program sectors are adequately financed.
• Support the Grants Unit and M&E Unit  to ensure that high quality and needs-based project proposals are developed, according to the Proposal Flowchart and in compliance with IRC and donor regulations as well as within the parameters of the Country Program Strategic Plan.

Program Implementation

• Support the Provincial /Sector Coordinators to ensure that program implementation is managed closely through the development of structured work-plans and approved monitoring plans based on project proposals and that expenditures are monitored monthly; with well-structured corrective action is initiated and tracked where required.
• Provide the Country Director with accurate and up to date advice of developments and opportunities in program and project implementation together with any necessary recommendations for action.
• Support the M&E Coordinator in developing, rolling out and monitoring the use of a country-wide M&E strategy and tools for the collection and analysis of program information (qualitative and quantitative) to inform all stages of the project cycle to increased shared learning internally and externally.
• Oversee the development of timely and high quality reporting by the grants team and program staff for submission, per IRC and donor guidelines.
• Coordinate donor visits, and support field staff in preparing and conducting these visits as necessary.
• Support the Partnership Coordinator in the development of a Partnership Strategy and identification of potential national  Civil society organization and development of required implementation tools.
• Ensure the provision of appropriate technical assistance from IRC’s Technical Units, external consultants or partner agencies as necessary.

Human Resources and Staff Development

• Provide supportive guidance and supervision to direct reports.  Provide appropriate and timely feedback to staff regarding their performance, including timely implementation of the annual staff performance management system.
• Set clear and smart objectives for sector coordinators
• Support the identification of staff development opportunities for senior staff.
• Assist in developing job descriptions and in the recruitment of senior program staff (national and international).  Ensure that regular and quality staff evaluations are conducted for all staff.
• Promote an open, diverse and participatory work environment.
• Ensure staff is properly oriented to IRC Pakistan prior to commencement of their work.
• Deliver and execute a plan to hire, train and build capacity of staff to transition role to a national staff by conclusion of assignment.
• Lead with commitment, integrity and accountability to the “IRC Way” –  Global Standards for Professional Conduct

Liaison/Representation and Coordination

• Maintain a sound understanding of IRC’s programs to be able to professionally represent the IRC and the IRC’s interests with implementing partners, government, donor s and other stakeholders.
• Assist the Country Director in developing a strong relationship with donors / Govt counterparts to ensure sustainable programs in the portfolio sectors.
• Encourage and support improved program cohesion through coordination initiatives and information sharing with and between all key country program staff.
• Promote the IRC Pakistan vision and mission amongst all staff.
• Serve as an active member of the country program’s Senior Management Team and deputize for the Country Director as necessary.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to:Country Director
• Position directly supervises:The Deputy Director of Programs supervises the M&E Coordinator,  other Sector Coordinators as well as Provincial Coordinators for Khyber Paktunkhwa and Sindh.
• The Deputy Director Programs reports to the IRC Pakistan Country Director.

Indirect Reporting:
 

Job Requirements:

Education:

Post-graduate degree in International Development, International Relations, relevant social sciences or equivalent demonstrable experience in relevant fields.

Work Experience:

• Excellent professional track record with 2-3 years of overseas experience, preferably in a post-conflict environment with program leadership responsibilities.  Successful experience working within a complex security environment is a preferred.
• Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, prioritize and meet deadlines in a complex and challenging environment; must be culturally sensitive
• Excellent leadership, people management, interpersonal and negotiation skills and a demonstrated ability to develop harmonious teams in a multi-ethnic context.
• Strong diplomacy skills; ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with partners, donors and other stakeholders in a sensitive environment.
• Language Skills:  Have fluent spoken and written English

Others:  

• Strong computer skills: must be competent in the use of Windows MS office programs (Word, Excel), email programs, etc.
• Willingness to travel outside Islamabad to field sites under demanding conditions.
• The position is open to national candidates as well