Iraq: Senior ERD Manager - Basic Needs

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 4 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 Turkey, 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.

In northeast Syria the IRC implements health, basic needs, livelihoods, women’s protection, and protection programming.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Senior ERD Manager will support the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of basic needs program activities. This includes cash and vouchers, and emergency food and NFI distributions. The Senior Manager will play a key role in the oversight and quality implementation of the economic recovery and development portfolio.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Quality & Program Strategy Development

• Oversee the implementation of cash, voucher and in-kind programming across multiple sites, ensuring programs achieve their objectives within the allotted time and budget and to quality;

• Provide technical and management support to cash and voucher distribution teams with a specific focus on voucher and market systems development;

• Assess the appropriateness of different programming options and ensure implementation modalities best respond the needs and context;

• Support emergency preparedness and rapid response to onset displacement, through field teams and implementing partners.

• Work with beneficiaries, vendors, finance, and operations teams to identify optimal transfer amounts and payment mechanisms for cash and voucher assistance;

• Work alongside the Basic Needs and Livelihoods Coordinator and the Livelihoods Manager to develop the country sector strategic direction and plans including expanding economic programming based on needs of target populations in northeastern Syria.

Staff Management and Development

• Build the capacity of the team under his/her supervision in selected program methodologies, and provide ongoing coaching and support of staff to ensure high-quality program implementation.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Take responsibility for discussing job expectations, performance, and objectives on a quarterly basis with all staff and as a part of the annual Performance Review and Planning Process.
• 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.
• 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 team

Grant Planning, Program Implementation & Business Development

• Works alongside the Basic Needs and Livelihoods Coordinator to anticipate, plan and manage programmatic and structural transitions. The Senior Manager will have significant budget oversight and develop spending plans to ensure grants are spent accordingly.
• Ensure the IRC submits donor reports as per set schedules (monthly, quarterly and annually) on grant activities, indicators and achievements are produced in quality.
• Assist with program development, including the writing and preparation of proposals, reports, or other outputs as needed in support of expanding cash and voucher programming in Syria;

Partner Identification & Management

• Ensure regular performance monitoring of partners to achieve the set project’s objectives; provide technical support and guidance;
• Where possible identify new partners (including private sector) to support economic recovery program activities;
• Where relevant, support the Basic Needs and Livelihoods Coordinator in external representation and technical coordination with other stakeholders, including INGOs, CBOs and working groups.

Professional Standards

• All IRC staff are required to adhere to THE IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies.

Returning National Candidates: 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 Syria Response 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. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

REQUIREMENTS

Job Requirements

• Bachelor degree in social sciences, nutrition, economics, international affairs or related field required.
• Experience with cash transfer programming, market-based emergency responses and NFIs programming strongly desired.

· Minimum of 3 years professional humanitarian experience,

· Strong team and people leadership, management, organizational and development skills;

· Strong program and budget management skills including planning and reporting across multiple grants;

· Strong written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external parties;

· Works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure effectively and productively;

• Fluency in English is required; Arabic highly desirable

Working Environment

The position will be based in Duhok, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, currently a low security risk and a comfortable environment. Shared housing will be provided. Frequent travel required, access and security permitting.

IRC leading the way from harm to home.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.

http://chm.tbe.taleo.net/chm03/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1&rid=13579