Overview
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 position ensures programs are evidence-based, needs-driven, monitored closely, and funded appropriately.
Key Responsibilities
- 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.
- 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.
- Participate actively in country program management, coordination, and strategy meetings.
- Ensure programming is aligned with the emergency response plan, eventual SAP priorities, and IRC’s Emergency Programme Menu.
- Liaise with headquarters technical advisors and ensure technical coordinators apply relevant guidance and best practices.
- 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.
- Ensure the alignment of 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Coordinate the development of corrective measures to ensure projects finish on time and on target.
- Ensure the office consistently promotes and effectively uses IRC’s Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results System (PEERS).
- 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.
- Work with colleagues to identify funding opportunities and develop competitive, responsive proposals.
- Provide strategic direction for new program design.
- Ensure that strategic partnership considerations are incorporated in program design.
- Ensure the proactive engagement of partners in program development and project design efforts.
- Review and assure the quality of concept notes and proposals.
- Ensure program compliance with donor regulations, local government regulations and IRC internal control procedures.
- 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.
- Supervise and mentor direct-report staff.
- Maintain open and professional relations with team members.
- Develop cohesive teams through regular department meetings, individual meetings, and the promotion of a collaborative working environment.
- Coordinate performance management within the department.
- Promote and monitor staff care and well-being.
- 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”.
- Model accountability and commitment to safeguarding all staff, partners, clients and others with whom we work.
Required Experience
- 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.
- 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 MS Office skills.
- Willingness to travel regularly, including to complex security environments.
