Country: United States of America
Closing date: 20 Mar 2018
Requisition ID: req710
Job Title: Regional Program Officer, Great Lakes Region
Sector: Grants
Employment Category: Regular
Location: USA-New York, NY - HQ
Job Description
Background/IRC Summary:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives are and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC is a prominent international organization working in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities.
Job Overview/Summary:
The Regional Program Officer (RPO) plays a vital role within a regional team that supervises a regional portfolio of humanitarian relief, recovery and long term development programs in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania.
Candidates will be well organized and self-motivated with demonstrable writing, grant management, and creative problem solving skills. The successful candidate will liaise with country programs, NY support departments, IRC UK (London), IRC Brussels, IRC Geneva, IRC Germany and our government relations office in Washington DC to resolve country office and/or regional issues.
The Program Officer will be capable of managing multiple and complex tasks; thrive under pressure; have strong people skills; and be capable of interfacing successfully with internal actors, donors and partners to resolve program issues. S/he will also feel comfortable in a representational role, speaking on humanitarian and recovery issues to policy makers, donors and other audiences.
Based in New York, the Program Officer works under the supervision of the Regional Unit which includes the Regional Director (RD) and the Regional Grants Director (RGD). Directly supervised by the RGD, in coordination with the Deputy Regional Director (DRD), the RPO also manages the Program Managers/Assistants and interns for the region.
Major Responsibilities:
Coordination and Supervision (25%)
- Provide grant management support for all awards, with a priority on US government and UN donors, including proposal submission, ensuring donor application and reporting requirements are met and dealing with donor related issues;
- Maintain a strong relationship with the RGD, RD and DRD - reporting on a regular basis and copying them on relevant communications - through an established communications protocol;
- Regular travel to country offices to provide support and monitoring across the areas of programs and grants, including gap filling where the grants coordinator/manager role is vacant.
- Manage interdepartmental relationships with the Policy and Practice Units and NY support departments on proposals, reports, and additional requests for information;
- Work closely with NY and UK departments and units to provide ongoing support to one another and to country offices as requested and needed;
- Act as regional or country representative in both internal and external initiatives and meetings;
- Supervise the Program Manager/Assistant in carrying out necessary functions as they relate to country program support;
- Ensure direct reports, Program Manager/Assistant, are trained on all relevant IRC processes and donor regulations; support direct reports in achieve annual objectives;
- Coordinate with the Program Officers for other regions for information sharing and to establish a coherent program support and backstopping function between headquarters and the field.
Program Design & Strategy Support (35%)
§ Review and provide substantive feedback on proposals/reports. Draft proposals when necessary;
§ Review budgets and supporting documentation for proposals in coordination with the Compliance and Policy Unit and Regional Controllers, and assist in creating budgets when necessary;
§ Remain informed about programmatic issues and security & political developments in the region;
§ Stay in regular contact with in-country Grants staff on program progress and potential/identified compliance issues;
§ Work with RGD, DRD and DDPs to inform general programmatic capacity and direction of country program, discuss impact of and capacity to pursue new potential opportunities
§ Facilitate follow-up on programmatic issues to ensure accurate and timely financial and narrative reports to donors;
§ Negotiation, review and processing of agreements and sub-agreements;
Donor Liaison (15%)
§ Coordinate with the various fundraising departments on fundraising initiatives, proposals and opportunities in the region.
§ Maintain contact with donors regarding program amendments or budget realignments.
§ Liaise with US-based donors on ongoing/future programs & strategies;
Advocacy (5%)
§ Support advocacy efforts for the region as requested by the Washington DC office, RGD and RD;
§ Participate in advocacy and/or representational visits, events and meetings
Other Key Areas of Responsibility (20%)
§ Provide coverage for key program/support functions in the field as requested, to assist with short-term gaps and emergency support;
§ Hold primary responsibility for the capture and upkeep of data on IRC platforms
§ Liaise with communications and external relations staff to inform IRC media products
§ As needed, support country program to ensure procurements meet donor requirements
§ Knowledge of and/or support to creation of country-specific strategic action plans (SAPs);
§ Participate in special projects as needed and other tasks as assigned.
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: Regional Grants Director Position directly supervises: Program Managers/Assistants
Indirect Reporting: Regional Director Other Internal and/or external contacts:
Job Requirements:
§ Masters Degree in a related field preferred, or at least two years comparable related experience;
§ Three years' progressive work experience, ideally with a relief and development NGO;
§ Two years' international field experience highly desirable;
§ Project management experience, including supervisory experience ideal;
§ Program development and/or grants management experience;
§ Excellent written and oral communication skills;
§ Proven ability to effectively manage relationships (e.g., with internal actors, peers, donors);
§ Effective people management skills: ability to lead staff and promote productivity in a pleasant work environment;
§ Familiarity with countries in the region an advantage;
§ Solid organizational skills: ability to be flexible & work well under pressure in a fast-paced multi-task team environment;
§ Good Computer skills: facility with MS Word, Excel, and email/internet software; and
§ A working professional level of oral and written French is required.
Working Environment: Standard office work environment.
How to apply:
Please follow this link to apply: http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=YXN0cmlkLm1hdGhldy43MjMwMy4zODMwQGlyY2NkLmFwbGl0cmFrLmNvbQ