Country: United States of America
Closing date: 01 May 2019
Background:
The International Rescue Committee helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. 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.
As a global humanitarian organization, the IRC has unique capabilities, and is particularly known for rigorous research and evidence-based programs. The IRC’s strategy over the next 5 years builds on these capabilities, and its mission is to extend IRC’s thought and operational leadership in the sector.
A key initiative that supports this strategy is the Airbel Center -- IRC’s Research and Development lab -- aimed at investing in the design, development, and scaling of new humanitarian interventions and delivery models. The lab seeks to apply best practices from human-centered design, rapid iteration, and cross-functional problem-solving. Combining these capabilities in IRC’s extensive field presence, and supported by deep sector expertise from our research capability, we believe it is possible to design and scale breakthrough humanitarian programs that could impact millions of people most affected by conflict and disasters.
Job Overview:
The Sr. Innovation Advisor will work with the Director of Implementation and Scaling to ensure high quality project implementation across the entire Airbel portfolio. This role will also focus on developing a framework for planning for scale and provide ongoing support to project leads to ensure scaling plans are developed for all projects. This position will also lead on key department initiatives, including the Airbel and REL (Research Evaluation and Learning) post-merger integration as well as implementation of a planned second regional innovation hub. In the future, this position will lead specific projects in the Airbel portfolio as a project lead or other future department strategic initiatives while continuing to ensure core responsibilities are met.
Major Responsibilities:
First 6 Months
- Supporting the REL and Airbel Integration (30%): In light of the recent announcement of REL and Airbel merging, this role would support development of integration strategy and operationalization of the merger. Key activities include:
o Supporting Senior Leadership in developing a strategy to address the structure of the joint unit, including a joint portfolio of research and design as well as potential implications on organizational structure and core functions of fundraising, budgeting, hiring, communications and knowledge management
o Collaborating with staff members from both teams to solicit feedback on the merger and supporting operationalization of the new structure, including leading on change management processes.
- Supporting the Implementation of the Second Regional Innovation Hub (20%): As Airbel moves closer to launching a second Regional Innovation Hub, this role would support the implementation of that plan. Key activities include:
o Ensuring stakeholder communication and coordination during the initial implementation stage
o Developing and executing the operational start-up plan for the hub until handed over to a future Hub lead
o Support with recruiting and on-boarding future Hub team.
After 6 Months
- Project Leadership: (up to 50%) Following the successful completion of the merger integration and 2nd Hub implementation as described above, this position would go on to lead additional such strategic projects for the unit and/or lead a specific project within the Airbel portfolio working closely with a cross disciplinary project resources. This could also include setting up a new ideation project or executing implementation of an future project in the portfolio. Key activities to include:
o Develop, manage, and execute project design, workplanning, budgeting, and hiring/management of staff needed
o Plan for and run cross-functional meetings with stakeholders across globally distributed business units
o Proactively manage project risks, dependencies, issues, gaps and resource conflicts
o Ensure that project communications are timely, relevant and accurate, including regular status updates.
Ongoing Responsibilities
- Scale (25%): The purpose of the scale work is to develop and execute a framework that serves as guidance for Airbel projects to design a path to scale. This also includes developing guidance for project graduation. Key activities include
o Developing a set of common language to help align on what scale means for Airbel projects. This includes a landscape assessment with key definitions, principles, best practices as well as set of case studies to demonstrate how innovations have successfully scaled up (or failed to dos so)
o Developing a set of tangible tools (such as a template or checklist) that can guide teams to identify and design the right path to scale for them at each phase of the Airbel lifecycle
o On an ongoing basis, work with individual project leads to devise and execute scaling strategies, including initially two projects that are approaching that phase in the lifecycle.
5. Project Risk Management (25%):
o Lead the project review process in collaboration with Direction of Implementation, synthesizing all aspects of project planning, finance and fundraising, hiring, communications, administration, and key governance processes for the Airbel portfolio
o Synthesize and prioritize critical issues and required information for leadership team to facilitate effective decisions re: R&D project portfolio
o Continually identify opportunities to refine the project risk management process to be more efficient and effective.
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: Director of Implementation and Scaling
Position directly supervises: N/A
Indirect Reporting: N/A
Other Internal and/or external contacts:
Internal:
• Chief Innovation Officer
• Senior Director, Research, Learning and Evaluation
• Technical Unit Directors and Team Members
• Country and Regional Directors
• R&D and Strategy Project Managers
Job Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with 5-6 years of progressive experience as a project coordinator or project manager
• Direct functional experience on at least one social sector innovation project or social enterprise, eg. prototyping, strategy development, and partnership development
• Experience developing internal and external communications strategies, and development of communications assets
• Experience in project managing large-scale, cross-functional projects
• Experience in facilitating governance processes
• Excellent writing, presentation and meeting facilitation skills
• Skills in managing and reporting budgets
• Experience in using project management methodologies, templates, tools and processes
• High level of proficiency with MS Office, documents management solutions and project management tools
Working Environment:
• Standard office work environment
• Some travel as needed
How to apply:
https://rescue.csod.com/ats/careersite/jobdetails.aspx?site=1&c=rescue&id=3894