Jordan: Deputy Director, Operations

Requisition ID: req737

Job Title: Deputy Director, Operations

Sector: Operations

Employment Category: Fixed Term

Location: Jordan

Job Description

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.

Background

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Inside Syria, 7.6 million people are internally displaced and 12.2 million are in need of humanitarian assistance, with 4.8 million in hard-to-reach areas. There are 3.8 million Syrian refugees in neighboring countries. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis with an annual budget in excess of $140 million and a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1,250 staff in the region. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, education, women's protection and empowerment, NFI and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

SCOPE

The day to day portfolio will include direct supervision of the supply chain team in Amman and one or more Field Managers based in the sub-offices. Overall management of field operations, security, and IT, including providing support to all field teams to ensure all field offices are functioning efficiently and transparently and in compliance with IRC's and donors' procurement guidelines. Secondary responsibilities will include working with the Country Director, Deputy Director of Programs, and program teams to ensure quality program support services according to IRC principles and donor guidelines and that these services are completed in a timely manner and within budget.

Reporting to the Country Director and serving as member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), the Deputy Director of Operations is expected to contribute to organizational strategic thinking, planning, and overall coordination efforts. This position has close working relations with the Finance Controller, HR Director, Deputy Director Programs, as well as other program and regional staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Field Operations

• Directly line manage Field Managers based in field offices, ensuring that program operation departments are fit-for-purpose throughout program expansion and transition phases;
• Develop and adapt IRC policies, procedures and SOPs to support workflows and functioning of program centers and facilities in urban and camp contexts;
• Provide overall support and guidance to field operations, with a focus on supply chain and logistics, including providing support to ensure field offices and program centers are functioning efficiently and transparently and in compliance with IRC policies.
• Guiding field managers to support them in promoting good coordination efforts to ensure that IRC field offices are well positioned in their areas, and have smooth relations with different stakeholders (like, authorities, UN agencies, INGOs, etc)
• In cooperation with the CD and Safety and Security Manager, ensure the risks IRC field staff face in their work environment are mitigated against to the degree feasible given the context, and ensure Security Management Plan and SOPs for field staff and offices are in place, kept current and implemented by all staff at all times.
• Verify that information technology policies and procedures are documented, disseminated and consistently applied across field offices; and that field staff are receiving the needed IT support and services

Supply Chain

• Ensuring that the Supply Chain team meets the needs of the programmes in a timely manner and does so in accordance with IRC GSC policies and procedures,
• Direct supervision of the Supply Chain Manager and oversight of all Supply Chain staff,
• Verify that Supply Chain policies and procedures are documented, disseminated and consistently applied across the country program; and updated when needed.
• Oversee the provision, quality and compliance of warehousing, assets and inventory management to meet program needs, eliminate losses and inform accurate and timely reporting.
• Ensure that compliance monitoring processes are developed and effectively implemented.
• Oversee Supply Chain staff in developing and managing appropriate coordination mechanisms to ensure that all operational units are interacting well with each other, as well as with the Regional Unit, Global Supply Chain (GSC), the Country Office, across different field sites, and other IRC support entities.
• Assist supply chain staff in partnering effectively and cooperatively with other units to improve planning and resource utilization. Work with program staff to ensure procurement planning and identification of operational support needs.
• Ensure full proactive involvement of key processes with the finance department including Budget Versus Actual (BVA) report input and necessary information for operational budget accuracy.
• Ensure for proper tracking of master agreements and contracts to ensure availability of up to date and accurate information.
• Review all tendering processes and provide feedback in accordance to policies and procedures.
• Promote capacity building to country program staff on operational processes and policies
• Ensure proper support from country program to Support Services Unit (SSU), and from SSU to country program as well
• Ensure smooth coordination with SSU, and clarity of roles and responsibilities between SSU and country supply chain department

Programs Support, Strategy and Business Development

• Work with CD and DDP to identify opportunities for program expansion and support development of funding proposals.
• Work with the CD and DDP on the Country Program Strategic Planning process.
• Develop, monitor and manage IRC Jordan's relevant SAP objectives and infrastructure commitments to facilitate program transitions and preparedness
• Provide operational support and training to field staff as required.
• Ensure all new proposals have received thorough operations review and appropriate operations platform is maintained
• Work with Grants department to ensuring compliance of processes for projects under existing and new donors
• Provide input including operational risk analysis and recommendations to the Country Director and Finance Controller related to operations spending and effectiveness of in-country reporting and planning systems.

Staff Management, Learning & Development

• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting quarterly performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance 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.
• Promote and monitor staff care, well-being and self-care; approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage.
• Offer leadership support for successful adherence by staff to IRC's country and Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures.
• As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of a national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by end of assignment

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to: Country Director

Position directly supervises: Procurement Manager, 2 Field Manager, Senior Assets Officer

Other Internal and/or external contacts: DD Programs, Finance Controller, HR Director, program coordinators, grants department

QUALIFICATIONS

• Six or more year's progressive management and leadership experience with an International NGO.
• Bachelor degree in relevant management or technical field.
• Experience managing country program teams with a diverse portfolio; knowledge of major donors (including USAID/OFDA/PRM, ECHO/EC, DFID, UN Agencies).
• Very strong background in Supply Chain and Logistics, and field management and coordination.
• Experience managing Security in a hostile environment is an advantage.
• Excellent leadership, people management, interpersonal and negotiation skills and a demonstrated ability to develop harmonious teams in cross cultural context.
• Strong diplomatic skills. Ability to establish good working relationships with partners, donors and other stakeholders in a sensitive environment.
• Experience in IT is an advantage.
• Regional experience; knowledge of the context (in experience and expertise) and understating of the culture (Jordan/Middle East) essential;
• Demonstrated experience in monitoring/capacity building of staff and commitment to staff training and development.
• English fluency required, Arabic strongly preferred.

The position is based in Amman with frequent travel to field sites in country. The position is accompanied and individual housing is provided in Amman as well as accommodation during field travel.

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.

Attention Returning National Candidates: IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs. We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a national of the country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply.

Please follow this link to apply: http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=YXN0cmlkLm1hdGhldy40MTEzNi4zODMwQGlyY2NkLmFwbGl0cmFrLmNvbQ