Senior ERD Manager at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian aid, relief and development nongovernmental organization. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers emergency aid and long-term assistance to refugees and those displaced by war, persecution or natural disaster. 

Experience2 years
Location Adamawa.

Job Overview/Summary

• The  Senior ERD manager will be responsible for field-based technical oversight/outcome manager for the implementation of ERD projects in Adamawa state.
• The Senior ERD Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation and scale-up plans for the cash transfer programming.
• S/he will liaise with ERD Technical coordinator, partners, IRC HQ technical, and as relevant, interagency coordination structures.
• The Senior Manager is responsible for the overall management of the project staff, providing all the necessary support to ensure the successful implementation of ERD programming.
• The senior manager will manage the spending on the project to avoid under or overspend at the end of the project cycle.
• He/she will work closely with ERD project manager and other staff in other technical areas including Environmental Health, Health and Nutrition, Women Protection and Empowerment (WPE), Protection, etc. to strengthen collaboration for integrated programming.

Major Responsibilities

Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy

• Work alongside the ERD Technical Coordinator to plan and manage project specific ERD programming, notably the Climate Resilience projects and youth livelihoods programming in Adamawa and Yobe states.
• Ensure appropriate methodologies and technical approaches are implemented by working with the ERD Coordinator to ensure global best practices in Economic Recovery and development programming.
• Support ERD M&E staff to develop relevant monitoring and evaluation tools and adapt them to the different program methodologies.
• Plan and oversee the Anticipatory cash transfer Project inception assessments focused on Climate vulnerable households and community level, stakeholder mapping, and management in collaboration with the ERD Technical Coordinator, M&E team, and other IRC technical staff.
• Review and summarize monthly monitoring reports for the ERD Coordinator on the output/impact of the cash assistance on the target HHS and communities.
• Follow up on indicator progress and achievement and ensure quality data management for project monitoring.
• Support the identification of opportunities and development of market-integrated assessments in collaboration with the Senior ERD Manager, M&E team, and other IRC sectors.

Program Development

• Support/participate in the development of all ERD Food security and Livelihoods related proposals as may be delegated by ERD coordinator.
• Take responsibility for project budget implementation, management, and compliance.
• Contribute to regular donor and internal reporting. Where necessary, coordinate with the Grants team to ensure the IRC submits donor reports as per set schedules (monthly, quarterly, and annually) on grant activities, indicators, and achievements that are produced in quality.
• Work closely and coordinate with IRC logistics, finance, and grant staff to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures.
• Provide direction, capacity building, and monitor staff in the implementation of their work plans and technical quality of activities.
• Analyze budget, map grant salaries, and attend BVA meetings when requested by the  ERD Technical Coordinator.
• Where possible identify new partners (including the private sector) to support Economic Recovery project activities.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

Required for all positions with supervisory responsibility, if special considerations are needed (e.g. remote management), make this additive to the base language here.

• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths of the team in Syria.
• 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, promote a strong team spirit and provide oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage all time, attend 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, promote 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.
• 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 communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Research, Learning and Analysis

• Support in Designing and implementation of research studies, surveys, and assessments to inform programmatic decisions and improve outcomes.
• Conduct data analysis, interpretation, and visualization to identify trends, patterns, and insights.
• Develop and maintain databases, datasets, and other research infrastructure. 2. Learning and Capacity Building: –
•  Develop and implement learning strategies, plans, and activities to build staff capacity and enhance organizational learning. –
•  Design and deliver training, workshops, and other learning events to promote knowledge sharing, skills development, and behavior change. –
• Collaborate with colleagues to integrate learning and capacity-building initiatives into programmatic activities.
•  Develop and maintain partnerships with external stakeholders, including research institutions, universities, and other organizations, to advance research, learning, and analysis initiatives.
• Develop and submit high-quality reports, briefs, and other written products to communicate research findings, learning, and analysis insights. – Present research findings, learning, and analysis insights to internal and external stakeholders, including program teams, senior management, and external partners.

Coordination & Representation

• Develop and maintain effective coordination and long-term relationships with external stakeholders; government line ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Science and Technology, and Ministry of Youth and Social Development on the implementation of ERD projects.
• Actively advance IRC’s connections to livelihood actors at the national level, seeking avenues for partnership, collaboration, and coordination of activities.
• Participate in ER&L, FSWG, and the Cash working group meetings in the project areas.
• Oversee any partnership with the private sector and community CBOs if any during the period of the project.
• Where possible identify new partners (including the private sector) to support Economic Recovery project activities.

Key Working Relationships

• Position Reports to: Field coordinator/ERD coordinator (MIP)
• Indirect/Technical Reporting: MEAL Coordinator and Snr MEAL manager
• Position directly Supervises: ERD Manager

Key Internal Contacts:

• Country Program:  Grants unit; Finance, Program management Unit (PMU) people and culture and Supply chain departments; other sector outcome managers
• Region/Global: Livelihood Climate Resilience Technical Advisor (TA), Researcher Economic Recovery and Development, Award Management Unit (AMU
• Key External Contacts:  Food Security Sector, Cash Working Group (CWG), Early Recovery, and Livelihood Sector and project stakeholders

Qualifications

Education:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in agriculture/Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Disaster and Risk Management, Development Studies, Climate Studies/Natural Resource Management, Food Security studies, Livelihood studies, Rural Development, or related discipline. A post Graduate degree is an advantage.

Work Experience:

• 2 years of progressively responsible project manager experience in Economic Recovery Development/Food Security and Livelihood programming, preferably with a focus on Climate resilience, youth livelihoods and  Cash Transfer Programming.
• At least 2 years of technical experience in Food Security, Livelihoods, and Agriculture in INGO or bilateral organizations.
• In-depth understanding of ERD/Food Security sector indicators.
• Experience in relationship building, and partnerships in advancing the organizational mission and recognizing opportunities for collaboration.
• Experience managing new and innovative projects.
• Experience in developing new relationships with private sector partners.
• Experience coordinating with relevant clusters and working groups.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Project management experience in Economic Development programming, Food Security, and livelihood support particularly with gender and diversity sensitivity.
• Strong budget management skills, planning, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation skills.
• Proven experience managing Livelihood projects with research objectives and outcomes.
• Ability to run program analysis and draw inferences for decision making.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact professionally with donors, project stakeholders, in-country collaborators, and staff at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly assess priorities and effectively manage a variety of activities at a time while paying appropriate attention to detail.
• Strong leadership, analytical and organizational skills.
• Creative thinking and innovation.

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

• Experience managing multiple project teams.
• Experience in developing new relationships with a wide range of private sector partners and government Institutions.
• Strong leadership, analytical and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly assess priorities and effectively manage a variety of activities at a time while paying appropriate attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact professionally with donors, project stakeholders, in-country collaboration with IRC staff at all levels of the organization.

Languages: 

• Fluency in English Language both written and spoken is required. Understanding of local language (Hausa) is an added advantage.

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.  Add position-specific (e.g. accounting software, statistical software, etc.).
• Training and certification in Food Security and Livelihoods, Project Management, Climate Smart practices, Disaster and Risk Reduction and Cash programming are an advantage.

Ability to Travel: The position may require approximately 10% travel to the field locations, attend coordination meetings and training. 

Method of Application

Interested and qualified? Go to International Rescue Committee (IRC) on rescue.csod.com to apply