Country: United States of America
Closing date: 30 Jun 2019
The Project Director, Signpost, will lead the Signpost Global Team to achieve the three-year vision of expanding the project to all crisis-affected populations who would benefit from the Signpost digital portfolio of tools. The Project Director will execute the strategy to achieve the vision, including improving the quality and reach of existing Instances and building new partnerships to expand Signpost in new relevant geographies and contexts. The Director will set clear annual goals for the global team taking into account the diverse and specific needs of instances, monitor progress and adapt tactics as necessary to maintain Signpost’s brand alignment with gold-standard protection principles. He / she will also work to ensure client satisfaction both internally to instance teams and externally to beneficiaries.
She / he will proactively engage with the Global Leadership Council (GLC), a body of leaders from the NGO partners (presently IRC and Mercy Corps) who are delivering Signpost Instances in the field, formally on a monthly basis and informally as frequently as needed, to share project progress, troubleshoot challenges and raise key strategic decisions. She / he will engage at least monthly with all Instance leads to assure they are receiving necessary program quality support broadly as well as specifically to their instance and delivering on their commitments to maintain protection and product standards.
The Director will set a robust business development strategy and execute it, including proactively fundraising with existing and new private and public donors. She/ he will keep abreast of funding opportunities for instances and proactively make those connections, as well as assure that instances are not competing with each other and with the Global team. She / he will assure visibility of the Signpost program internally at IRC and externally in the media, in collaboration with Communications colleagues and with other partners, speaking knowledgeably about Signpost as a whole as well as instances specifically.
The Director will manage performance of the global team, including setting performance goals and professional development targets for all full time staff, and make decisions about the composition of the team in line with available budget and the program needs. She / he will also monitor Instance-level performance and report on it regularly to the Global Leadership Council.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategy and implementation
- Execute Signpost vision of expanding globally within the next three years; determine tactics for achieving global strategic vision, including mapping out and cultivating key stakeholder relationships
- Set clear performance targets for the project in collaboration with the team (including Signpost Global team as well as instance leads) on an annual basis, monitor progress and assure team is guided to meet targets
- Oversee preparation for and facilitate monthly Global Leadership Council (GLC) discussions on project progress, challenges and successes, and strategic decisions. Host quarterly impact review meetings with GLC to assure project is meeting goals.
- Identify new Instance opportunities and make informed go / no-go recommendations to GLC
- Identify Instances that are in need of remedial support to maintain their Signpost license, supervise the delivery of support and recommend relinquishment of Signpost license if that is necessary
- Identify new technology partners or products that would benefit the digital portfolio and make informed recommendations to GLC
- Ensure Signpost continues to adhere to humanitarian principles and best practices across protection and digital spheres.
- Support identification and development of research and evidence-generating opportunities, as well as strategies to ensure new evidence is incorporated into best practice.
Manage and strengthen relationships with key partners
- Manage relationships with IRC Regions and Country Programs utilizing Signpost; ensure the global team is delivering high value support to Instances that meets their needs and hold Instance leads accountable for quality implementation
- Promote dynamic communication between instances and Signpost team
- Expand relationships with new donors, including private and public institutions
- Maintain strong existing partnership with Mercy Corps and grow other NGO partnerships to expand Signpost globally
- Engage with existing donors to provide progress updates and maintain strong relationships
Represent Signpost
- Represent Signpost externally in media and events as-needed
- Represent Signpost internally to all IRC stakeholders
Oversee business development and financial management
- Launch business development strategy and proactively fundraise for Signpost with private and public donors
- Oversee Signpost global budget
- Assure that grant reports are delivered on time and with high quality
- Make decisions about the composition of the team in line with the budget and programmatic needs
Manage global team performance
- Manage performance and professional development of global team members, assuring they have adequate direction and clear performance goals
- Ensure clear definition and understanding of roles and responsibilities within the Signpost team and for engagement with instances
Qualifications
- At least five years’ experience leading complex project or program, ideally with multiple partners in the humanitarian and / or product management space
- Demonstrated background in or fluency with digital product management in order to effectively oversee product management and developer functions
- Demonstrated ability to successfully work in a fast-paced environment, within and across departments/functions
- Experienced team manager who develops positive relationships with locally and remote based staff and works comfortably in a group/collaborative setting
- Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills
- Have a positive can-do attitude and remain calm under pressure
- Be result-driven and proactive with exceptional problem-solving skills
- Cultural sensitivity essential
- Entrepreneurial experience strongly preferred
- Experience working in humanitarian and / or international development preferred
- Understanding of the humanitarian architecture, particularly protection activities preferred
Additional language competency a plus
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to: Deputy Director of Emergencies Unit
Oversees: ~4-8 direct reports, including but not necessarily limited to staff with expertise in product and social media management, protection technical assistance, monitoring and evaluation, budgeting and project management
Works closely with: Members of Global Leadership Council, other IRC colleagues in private and public fundraising departments, Technical Units
How to apply:
https://rescue.csod.com/ats/careersite/jobdetails.aspx?site=1&c=rescue&id=4471