Global Surge Team Roster: Emergency Deputy Director of Programs

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The IRC’s Global Surge Team (GST) is a roster of esteemed and highly qualified humanitarian professionals who deploy on short notice to non-emergency and emergency contexts to support the IRC’s mission. Members of the GST provide specialist support where talent is most needed for short-term deployments of up to three months. The GST is a flexible employment opportunity for staff, requiring members to be available for deployments only 50% of the year (with opportunities for additional deployments if incumbent is interested).

Scope of Work

The Emergency Deputy Director for Programs (DDP) provides strategic leadership, decision-making and coordination for program development and delivery, overseeing the effective implementation and technical quality of IRC’s emergency programs. The Emergency DDP ensures that programs are evidence-based and needs-driven, monitored closely, and funded appropriately. The position reports to the Country Director (CD) on deployment and is a member of the Senior Management Team. The Emergency DDP directly supervises grants, partnerships, MEAL, and all technical coordinators, often in Health, Cash and Basic Needs, Education and Protection sectors.    

This position has close working relationships with the EmU Quality in Emergencies team, the Regional Emergency Directors and other members of the EmU and regional support teams. 

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership
•    Provide overall leadership and management of IRC emergency programs, maintaining and enforcing strategic program direction and growth.
•    Oversee the implementation of the emergency response plan and lead the eventual transition to the development of a country program Strategy Action Plan (SAP).  
•    Drive IRC’s efforts towards a ‘partner first’ program approach and foster a network of local partners, empowering those entities to lead key decision making and service delivery, and positioning IRC as a partner of choice.
•    Build strategic partnerships with local actors, fostering collaboration on strategy, program design and development, and capacity sharing.
•    Serve as a leader in building a culture of effective and respectful partnerships. Promote attitudes and values conducive to building and sustaining collaborative partnerships across the country program. 
•    Participate actively in country program management, coordination, and strategy meetings with other members of the senior management team.

Program Quality 
•    Ensure programming is aligned with the emergency response plan, eventual SAP priorities, and IRC’s Emergency Programme Menu including program planning and project design. 
•    Liaise with headquarters technical advisors and ensure technical coordinators apply relevant guidance and best practices in new program design and implementation.
•    Ensure high-quality and adaptive technical program support and guidance to partners.
•    Support the development of measurement tools to assess program impact and involvement of client groups in program design. Ensure the alignment of the IRC emergency programs with the MEAL Handbook and the use of established stringent monitoring and evaluation systems.
•    Champion an organizational culture where data and client input are routinely used for decision making and program adaptation. Promote systems which ensure that evidence is used to inform proposal design and theories of change. 
•    Identify and pursue opportunities to improve client feedback mechanisms to ensure responsive programming.

Program Delivery
•    Maintain a sound understanding of IRC emergency programs and activity plans. Ensure continued oversight of both partner and direct delivery. 
•    Support and supervise implementation of strong Project Management Cycle processes and tools in accordance with standard IRC tools.  
•    Ensure program teams develop, implement, and regularly update detailed workplans, procurement plans, spending plans and staffing plans.
•    Actively contribute to and/or chair project implementation meetings as required to review progress of programs, including but not limited, to progress indicators, workplans and spending. When required, coordinate the development of corrective measures to ensure projects finish on time and on target, ensure timely follow up on any agreed actions.
•    Ensure the office consistently promotes and effectively uses IRC’s Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results System (PEERS) and that partnership decision-making and action is driven by IRC’s partnership principles.
•    Ensure that safeguarding risks and measures to mitigate risks are consistently addressed through the PCM cycle
•    Build staffing required to deliver on safeguarding risk mitigation and Minimum Standards into program design and budgets.

Business Development and Grants Management
•    Work with colleagues in the country program, region and headquarters to identify funding opportunities and develop competitive, responsive proposals that are strategically aligned and donor compliant.
•    Provide strategic direction for new program design in close coordination with the grants and technical coordinators.
•    Ensure that strategic partnership considerations are incorporated in program design, including in Go / No-Go funding discussions. 
•    Ensure the proactive engagement of partners in program development and project design efforts.
•    Review and assure the quality of concept notes and proposals. 
•    In collaboration with the Grants Coordinator, ensure program compliance with donor regulations, local government regulations and IRC internal control procedures.

Representation and Coordination
•    Maintain a strong working relationship with donors. Lead external representation with donors as required. 
•    Actively, systematically, and regularly ensure ongoing communication with various partners in country. 
•    Ensure that IRC emergency program interventions are planned and coordinated within the broader humanitarian effort.  
•    Ensure IRC is represented at sector coordination groups, including the clusters. 

Staff Performance Management and Development
•    Supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, and establishing a supportive environment while emphasizing accountability.
•    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.
•    Develop cohesive teams through regular department meetings, individual meetings, and the promotion of a collaborative working environment.  
•    Coordinate performance management within the department and ensure a culture of high performance through staff engagement and accountability. 
•    Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. 
•    Work with regional People and Culture staff to identify and implement recruitment and retention strategies.
•    Model and encourage active practice of the principles of the “IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct” throughout the country program.
•    Model accountability and commitment to safeguarding all staff, partners, clients and others with whom we work; build a culture of safeguarding -- where our clients and staff trust IRC, feel safe raising concerns.

Requirements

•    Excellent professional track record with at least 8 years of experience in conflict and humanitarian environments with significant program leadership responsibilities. 
•    Successful experience delivering programs in a complex security environment strongly preferred.
•    Proven ability to think strategically, prioritize and meet deadlines in a challenging emergency setting. 
•    Demonstrated ability for rapid, accurate analysis of complex issues, strong decision-making, and translation of programmatic priorities into operational strategies.
•    Familiarity with IRC’s emergency core programming areas including health, protection, cash & basic needs, and education. 
•    Excellent leadership, people management, interpersonal and negotiation skills and a demonstrated ability to develop harmonious teams.
•    Demonstrated ability in coordination, networking and relationship building with key partners including government, donors, INGOs, national and local organizations, UN agencies.
•    Extensive representation and fundraising success, including prior experience with European, US and other international donors.
•    Excellent oral and written English skills, including the ability to write and edit complex technical documents for external submission with minimal oversight. Knowledge of French, Arabic or Spanish strongly preferred.
•    Excellent MS Office skills.
•    Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible. 
•    Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
•    Willingness to travel regularly, including to complex security environments.  
 

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Why Choose the IRC?

Work that has meaning: Every day at the IRC is a chance to make a difference through a purpose-driven career. Whether you're working directly with communities or providing support behind the scenes, you will be part of a dynamic team that is always innovating, scaling, and testing new and better solutions to ensure the best possible outcomes for the people we serve.

Global scale, dynamic workplace: At the IRC, we believe that the dynamic, global make-up of our team is our strength. When you join us, you're not just starting a job—you will be part of a global organization positively impacting millions of lives in over 40 get to work with colleagues from all around the world—working across time zones and regularly exchanging different ideas, perspectives and insights. You’ll join a team that is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and heard.  

Challenging work, innovative solutions: We’re committed to excellence and innovation, and pride ourselves in setting industry-leading standards while practicing evidence and data-lead strategies. Come challenge norms, shatter conventions, and pioneer change while working on real, nuanced and complex issues we face in the world today.  

Community centered: We’re an empathetic community that truly cares for one another. Our comprehensive safety and security initiatives ensure a safe work environment, while our continuous learning and development programs provide ongoing opportunities for personal and career advancement.

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Our Typical Recruitment Process

The interview process typically includes three rounds, though the number may vary depending on the role and level of seniority. It usually begins with a conversation with our recruiting team to learn more about you and your goals. This is followed by an interview with a hiring manager or business stakeholder to explore your background and provide more insight into the role. The final round focuses on assessing your role-specific expertise and may be conducted as a panel interview to evaluate your cross-functional strengths. Before extending an offer, we generally conduct reference checks, and after an offer is made, a standard background check is completed. While we strive for consistency, the process may differ based on the role, business unit, location, job type, legal requirements, and other factors.

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