Jobs at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator

Requisition ID: req9059
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Sector: Emergency Response
Employment Type: Full-Time
Employment Category: Fixed Term
Open to Expatriates: Yes

Background
The conflict in North East Nigeria has displaced over 1.9 million people and shattered livelihoods of many more. Since 2014 IRC has been delivering support to communities affected; across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, with field offices in Maiduguri, Monguno, Gwoza, Damaturu, Yola and Mubi and a country office in Abuja. With over 700 staff we deliver humanitarian support and longer term recovery programming in health, nutrition, WASH, education, protection, economic recovery and livelihoods. We work in coordination with State government Ministries, WHO, UNICEF, UNHCR, UN OCHA and other development organisations. IRC is an active participant in coordination mechanisms to contribute to improved impact.

Scope of Work

• The IRC Nigeria seeks an experienced, dynamic individual for the role of Preparedness and Response Coordinator (PRC) will be to provide key cross-sector, cross-functional support to the country program and its implementing partners.
• The PRC is responsible for ensuring quality, coordinated, rapid emergency response, with an emphasis on timeliness and best use of resources; leading and building staff capacity on preparedness and acute response initiatives.
• The PRC’s responsibilities also include assessment and information gathering on early warning and emergency impacts; representation at various forums; and liaison with diverse stakeholders including IRC technical units, government partners, and international and local NGOs. This position reports to the Deputy Director Field Management  and will be based in Maiduguri with frequent field travel.
• He/she is responsible for coordinating the quality and effectiveness of IRC Nigeria’s acute first line emergency response in Northeast of Nigeria. The Preparedness and Response Coordinator (PRC) will be responsible for coordinating and providng technical expertise to the Country Leadership Group (CLG) in strengthening the country office’s overall capacity to be prepared for and respond to emergencies in accordance with IRC’s principles and practices.

Duties and Responsibilities
Programming:

• Lead and coordinate the design and delivery of IRC acute emergency interventions in response to e.g. displacement  due to conflict or natural disasters, disease outbreak, and other emergencies as they arise and based on needs.
• Initiate, and as necessary lead, needs assessments and data collection to feed into project design; Support field teams where needed to develop/refine tools for, and/or conduct and compile information from, rapid assessments.
• Work closely with Supply Chain at planning stage of assessments to ensure that all logistical needs will be agreed upon and met.
• Assess and collaborate to take advantage of opportunities for integrating preparedness, cash, and resilience components into new and ongoing programs.
• Work closely with Grants and Finance departments in the development of budgets and proposals for emergency preparedness and response interventions, coordinating with other technical leads/specialist on project design and proposal development inputs.
• Provide leadership during rapid onset emergency response start-up
• Ensure emergency activities are carried out in accordance with the Sphere Minimum Standards and Humanitarian Charter in disaster response and other pertinent standards;
• Strengthen linkages across all program sectors to ensure a strong, coherent intergrated outcomes approach in line with IRC Nigeria Strategic Action Plan
• Closely monitor and manage program spending and serve as budget manager for emergency response grants.
• Closely monitor and stay up to date on context-specific factors informing and/or impacting IRC planning and implementation, e.g. early warning data, security and access issues, other actor mapping, and make recommendations to SMT and program teams accordingly.
• Work closely with M&E unit to ensure data collection and monitoring tools are aligned with and responsive to emergency program M&E frameworks, core indicators, and inclusive of the particular needs of vulnerable groups.
• Ensure compliance with IRC policy, procedures and practices throughout preparedness and emergency response activities, including adherence to Do No Harm principles
• Serve as lead focal point for IRC Nigeria’s multi-department, cross-functional Emergency Preparedness Planning (EPP), Country Emergency Team (CET), and Cash Program Prepositioning (CPP) initiatives, driving the implementation and further development of these initiatives with coordinated and efficient approaches; building and maintaining buy-in and capacity; and liaising with SMT and Regional/HQ Emergency Unit regarding progress and ongoing support needs.

Coordination and Representation:

• In collaboration with field coordinator/senior area managers and security focal points, closely monitor and communicate with key staff as needed on new or anticipated developments in population movements, security context, accessibility constraints, and natural or environmental phenomena.
• Liaise with and support operational functions in their roles in effectively designing and delivering preparedness and response, particularly on cash, prepositioning, and timely procurement.
• Represent IRC at relevant national level forums (e.g. cluster, working groups, and other coordination meetings; launches and briefings) providing feedback, analysis and recommendations to the senior management team.
• Ensure that IRC’s response is well coordinated with other humanitarian actors, community leaders and and appropriate governmental authorities.
• Identify opportunities for and take forward concrete actions toward enhancing coordination with other NGOs.
• As needed, facilitate donor and HQ visits to the program sites.

Reporting & Documentation:

• As required, compile or contribute to the writing of assessment and project reports.
• Compile and disseminate any data, reports, briefings, etc. (IRC’s or other agencies’) relevant to IRC preparedness and response activities in a timely fashion.
• Contribute to the design and development of program briefing materials, and provide timely, quality inputs to information requests from IRC regional and HQ management and donors.
• Lead the compiling and writing of periodic situation reports as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field from a recognized university with at least five years of relevant work experience; or, master’s degree in relevant field from a recognized university with at least three years of relevant work experience.
• Minimum of 5 years humanitarian aid experience in complex and natural disasters.
• Experience must include work in a similar role within an international humanitarian/emergency in a complex humanitarian context
• Strong understanding of the humanitarian emergency operating context, including Sphere, the humanitarian system, donors, security, civil military liaison and project cycle management
• Exceptional coordination and inter-personal skills.
• Background in situation analysis, needs assessments and project management.
• Demonstrably excellent written and oral communication skills; strong English writing skills required.
• Experience with cash programming is a plus.
• Familiarity with major donor rules and regulations (e.g. USAID/OFDA, DFID , ECHO, SIDA).
• Proficient in MS Office, MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint, Kobo

Personal Specifications:

• Ability to work under pressure, long work hours, and high workload
• Ability to independently organize work and prioritize tasks
• Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

Standards for Professional Conduct

• The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in 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.
• Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Deputy Director of Field Management

Requisition ID: req8805
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Employment Type: Full-Time
Sector: Program Administration
Employment Category: Fixed Term
Open to Expatriates: Yes

Background
IRC entered Nigeria in October 2012 in response to a widespread flood disaster. Since then, the IRC has expanded its scope and size of the programs as new areas became accessible after prolonged conflict and insecurity, in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States. The IRC’s is responding at scale to the humanitarian situation across sectors including integrated Health and Nutrition services, Reproductive Health care and Women Protection services, Environmental Health, Child Protection, Economic Recovery and Development, Education and General Protection. In 2015, IRC Nigeria developed a five-year long term Strategy Action Plan: The plan has Health, Education and Economic Wellbeing as high priority program areas.

Job Overview / Summary

• The Deputy Director of Field Management (DDFM) is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT). Reporting to the Country Director (CD), the DDFM will lead IRC field operations in Nigeria in close coordination with other members of the SMT and key operations and finance personnel based in Abuja.
• The DDFM is responsible for ensuring cohesion between programs and operations through a close working relationship with the Deputy Director for Programs and Deputy Director for Operations.
• The DDFM advises senior management about programming directions and opportunities, and ensuring that program activities are carried out effectively, efficiently, and safely, in furtherance of objectives as laid out in the Strategic Action Plan and taking into consideration all internal and external factors affecting the operational environment.

Major Responsibilities
Leadership and Management:

• Participate in Senior Management Team (SMT) initiatives including weekly, monthly and quarterly meetings as well as other ad hoc events;
• Develop and lead, in collaboration with SMT colleagues, sub-national management fora to ensure cross sectoral program integration and cross departmental partnership and synergies;
• In collaboration with the Deputy Director for Operations, oversee robust and comprehensive security and risk management through participatory approaches across all departments and levels of staff in field locations;
• In collaboration with the Senior Program Coordinators and Field Coordinators, continually monitor and assess the evolving humanitarian context and needs in the North East and channel these to SMT colleagues
• Represent the IRC externally on behalf of the Country Director in Nigeria’s North East and ensure the organization is strategically positioned in relevant sub-national UN, NGO and government fora;
• Act as a champion for the Strategic Action Plan (SAP), ensure that all operations and program activities are orientated towards meeting SAP objectives and participate fully in SAP reporting and revisions;
• In partnership with the Deputy Director for Programs, provide leadership and supervisory management of Senior Program Coordinators for the efficient and effective delivery of program commitments through overseeing the development and implementation of tools such as procurements plans, budget versus actual reports, work plans etc.;
• Working closely with the Deputy Director for Programs, Senior Program Coordinators and the grants team, support program coordinators to ensure comprehensive donor grant management and compliance.
• Working closely with SMT colleagues, ensure that operations (finance, supply chain, HR, IT) are responsive to the needs of programs, are in line with IRC policy /donor regulations and meet the highest compliance standards possible.
• Ensure effective human resource management, in conjunction with relevant colleagues, through responsive supervision and performance management of direct reports and overseeing staffing, leave, performance management planning and roll out across relevant teams.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in relevant technical or managerial subject area
• At least seven years of international experience with four years of experience in the management of emergency, post-conflict or development programs.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in program design and delivery, including proposal development and/or strategic level operations design and delivery
• Proven capacity in staff management, multi-tasking, time management and diplomacy.
• Experience of working hostile environments as well as security analysis and management
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Must be an innovative and creative problem solver, and a team player, with experience working with multi-cultural teams.
• Fluent in English

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online