Consortium Team Lead 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 of:

Job Title: Consortium Team Lead

Requisition ID: req24024
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Sector: Program Administration
Employment Category: Regular
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: No

Job Description

• This position is subject to funding
• The International Rescue Committee 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, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster.
• At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Contextual Background

• The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict affected populations.
• IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri and Monguno of Borno state and Damatru of Yobe State.
• Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods

Project Overview

• The MMC / Jere consortium is a consortium led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in partnership with Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), funded by Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), USAID  that aims to leverage the expertise of each partner to deliver an Integrated Emergency, Recovery and Resilience Area-Based Response in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere LGAs, Borno State, Nigeria by providing integrated services to conflict affected persons across the following sectors: Health, WASH, Nutrition, Food Assistance, Multi-purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), Economic Recovery and Market Systems (ERMS), Protection and Shelter and Settlements.
• The consortium aims to meet the most immediate and lifesaving needs of IDPs, host communities and returnees in MMC and Jere, as well as addressing ongoing, protracted needs, and supporting early recovery through capacity-building, the strengthening of existing health systems and community-based structures, and increasing the ownership of lifesaving, life-sustaining, and life-building services by local authorities, service providers, and local communities to ensure sustainability.

Job Overview / Summary

• The Consortium Team Leader will provide overall leadership, management, and the strategic vision to the implementation of Area Based Approach to the consortium of International NGOs focused on an Integrated Emergency, Recovery and Resilience Response for Crisis-affected Persons in MMC and Jere LGAs, Borno State, Nigeria.
• S/he will provide high quality coordination, analysis, and strategic directions to the implementation of the project to the Consortium Management Team, Steering Committee, Government Stakeholders, and other partners in ensuring the delivery of the project objectives, on time delivery and targets within budget and high-level accountability to beneficiaries.
• The Consortium Team Leader will work closely and under the supervision of the Deputy Director of Programs (DDP) in close coordination and collaboration with the Consortium Management Committees, Country Director, Deputy Director Field Management and Senior Program Coordinators, MEAL Coordinator and Senior Grants Coordinator.
• S/he will supervise consortium program team to ensure accountability for the project and donor rules and regulations.
• S/he will effectively manage project processes and systems according to IRC and donor standards in coordination with relevant teams and organizations.

Major Responsibilities
Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy:

• Provide overall technical leadership, financial oversight, strategic vision of implementation and operational management of the programme
• Provide high quality leadership, coordination and strategic vision to the consortium, with hands on management ensuring programme activities achieve the greatest coverage and impact possible, coordinated inputs and technical/managerial quality and programming that is data-driven and adapts and changes with the context
• Develop and ensure a strong MEAL system in place for the consortium that adheres to program quality standards and procedures
• Ensure that through area-based approach there is optimal delivery of a comprehensive package of essential cross-sectoral services to the targeted beneficiaries
• Lead the harmonization of approach by the consortium e.g case management referrals, registration, and referrals
• Lead the strategic coordination with government services and systems

Program Development and Implementation:

• Lead and ensure Project Cycle Meetings that is grant start-up, implementation review, learning sessions and close-out meetings are planned and conducted in a timely manner with full participation of the consortium and all relevant stakeholders
• Provide leadership to the consortium for timely and high-quality implementation of programs, and promote regular reviews – both internal and external – and other learning events
• Ensure program implementation in compliance with BHA regulations, agreements signed with partners and IRC internal policies and procedures
• Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites for monitoring, quality control and program staff mentoring and coaching.
• Aid the production of clear and quality reports, both national and financial by the consortium that demonstrate excellent accountability.

Research, Learning and Analysis:

• Work with the M&E to build and foster a culture of learning and reflection that uses data to design and adapt programs.
• Coordinate with other BHA consortium key assessments
• Take lead to ensure there is harmonization of M&E indicators and joint concurrent surveys by the consortium with other BHA consortium
• Lead the consortium is organizing key learnings and best practices within the consortium and other donor consortiums

Coordination & Representation:

• Lead the consortium in developing public messaging and profile of the project
• Represent the consortium in external relationships with the donor, various relevant government line ministries, technical agencies and organizations and; key events relating to the project
• In coordination with the consortium management committee and DDFM, assist in organizing donor visits by supporting staff in the smooth design and running of field visits

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement management capacity building approaches and plans to strengths of the consortium team
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• 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.
• Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• 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.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Demonstrated experience in supervision both international and national staff and look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.
• 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.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to:  Deputy Director of Programs
• Indirect/Technical Reporting: Consortium Program Management Committee, Consortium Steering Committee and Country Director.
• Position directly Supervises: Consortium Senior M&E Manager, Consortium Finance Coordinator and Consortium Grants Manager

Key Internal Contacts:

• Country Program:  SMT, Senior Program Coordinators, Senior Grants Coordinator, MEAL Coordinator, Compliance Coordinator, Governance Coordinator etc.
• Region/Global: Technical Advisors

Qualifications

• Master’s or equivalent experience in Development Studies, International Relations, Humanitarian Assistance, Political Sciences, Social Administration or other relevant Degrees e.t.c.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive senior management experience in managing integrated, multisectoral programs in humanitarian and development program
• Demonstrated and strong experience managing a consortium of international NGOs as Team Leader or Project Director level
• Demonstrated experience in Area Based Approach to programming
• Experience in managing USAID funded program is strongly preferred
• Should possess minimum 7 years of international assignments experiences in humanitarian and development work
• Demonstrated experience and ability to build and maintain relationships with governments, technical line ministries, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, private sectors and partners
• Experience working in Sub Saharan Africa especially in West Africa.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Provide high-quality leadership and strategic vision to the consortium, with hands on management ensuring programme activities achieve the greatest coverage and impact possible, coordinated inputs and technical/managerial quality and programming that is data driven and adapts and changes with the context
• Demonstrated experience in program management, project design and use of project design tools.

Demonstrated Managerial / Leadership Competencies:

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills with evidence of ability to build and maintain good relationship with people in wide range and levels of organizations (consortiums, government, private sector, NGOs etc)
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures and work independently and cooperatively with team members
• Ability to handle a large and dynamic workload, work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Delivers quality results for clients, partners and colleagues.

Languages:

• Fluency in English (spoken and written)

Computer / Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Ability to Travel:

• At minimal.

Standards of Professional Conduct

• The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of 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, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

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

Note: 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.