Niger: Deputy Director of Programs

Organizational description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) 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, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. 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. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Background

Since the early 1980's, Niger has consistently been ranked at the bottom of the UN's Human Development Index. Over half the population suffers from chronic food insecurity and one in ten are extremely food insecure. Niger has a global acute malnutrition rate in children from 6-59 months of 14.8% nationwide. Niger is also a disaster prone country, regularly hit by food crises and vulnerable to flooding, cholera and locust swarms. Niger has the highest fertility rate in the world.

In addition to the vulnerability of a significant proportion of Nigeriens, Niger has and is being currently affected by conflicts in its neighboring countries. In 2011, due to the conflict in Libya, Niger was faced with the influx of approximately 83,000 returnees, many of them who have lived in Libya for 20 or 30 years and hardly have any links or families in Niger. Because of the conflict in Mali in 2012, Niger today plays host to over 50,000 Malian refugees, and due to the conflict in Nigeria in 2013, there has been an influx of an estimated figure of 120,000 Nigerians and Nigerien returnees.

As this brief overview presents, Niger faces many challenges and the needs of the different populations are alarming.

SCOPE OF WORK

The DDP provides overall guidance and support to the IRC Niger program, contributes to strategic planning and management, ensures program design and management (Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation), program quality and development, donors and IRC compliance, staff development, and representation. The DDP also works closely with the Deputy Director in Sahel Region to ensure holistic and quality support to IRC's programming in both Sahel Countries in the outcomes of Safety, Health, Economic Well Being, Education and Power.

The DDP supervises senior program staff (sector and deputy sector coordinators/program managers) and M&E Manager; and works closely with the Emergency /RRM coordinator as well as HQ based TU staff. The DDP reports to the Country Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning & Management

• Support CD and play an active role in the design, planning and execution of IRC Niger CSAP and advocacy strategies in relation to program areas;
• Provide strategic leadership and management to the individual Program Coordinators to identify and develop areas for improvement in program quality and foster synergies between program sectors
• Monitor program developments and determine strategic opportunities

Program Management - Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Provide overall leadership and management to IRC programs in Niger, ensuring strategic program direction, managed growth and compliance with IRC and donor regulations.
• Working in collaboration with Program Coordinators and Technical Advisors, ensure that program implementation is managed closely through the rigorous use of structured, updated workplans, spending plans, indicator tracking sheets and approved monitoring & evaluation plans.
• Provide supervision to Program Coordinators to ensure the financial health and performance of each of the IRC projects. Ensure expenditure within each project is monitored on a monthly basis against spending plans, and that well-structured corrective action is initiated and tracked where required.
• Liaise with counterparts, UN agencies and NGOs in the field to coordinate multi-sector integrated programs, standardize sector specific activities and obtain up-to-date information for program planning and implementation. Ensure IRC participation in respective sector specific coordination forums and help foster exchanges of program information, best practices and training materials with partners, involved communities and various line Government ministry officials
• Ensure effective and timely implementation of programmatic objectives of grants
• Work with the senior management team to develop operational budgets, which reflect a detailed understanding of situational parameters, beneficiary needs, available resources and technical possibilities;
• Provide on-going problem-solving guidance for field offices regarding programmatic issues, planning issues, and difficulties encounters with local authorities and Partners;
• Ensure a close coordination and collaboration with Operations department leads to ensure an adequate synergy between programs and operations;
• Support program coordinators and M&E Manager in the monthly review of Budget vs. Actuals reports.

Program Quality & Development

• Provide leadership, guidance, and support on program quality tools and initiatives;
• Provide technical guidance on the design and implementation of assessments and evaluations, including their reports;
• Organize and chair regular program coordination meetings with relevant staff;
• Identify training opportunities and Conduct training of IRC staff on program design, monitoring, and evaluation, report writing, and proposal development;
• Support programs to initiate and build partnerships with local partners in line with IRC guidance;
• Conduct regular visits to program sites to monitor program quality and provide action-oriented feedback and recommendations;
• Create opportunities for learning lessons from existing programs and their application;
• Ensure the highest quality of design for all proposals in compliance with IRC and donors guidelines.

Policies / Compliance

• Actively participate and Support Grants Manager and program coordinators to hold efficient and effective Opening, Review, and Closing Grants Meetings;
• Support the Grants Manger to ensure that all donors policies are followed by programs and operations;
• Support the Grants Manager and program coordinators to ensure that quality donor reports are generated and submitted to donors and headquarters in a timely manner. Oversee budget re-alignments and amendments when necessary.

Staff Development

• Facilitate the conceptual, managerial, organizational and technical capacities of IRC staff to effectively contribute to the achievements of the program objectives;
• Directly supervise program and grants managers/coordinators;
• Coach and build capacity of program staff to foster staff retention and enhance program quality;
• Coordinate the recruitment of program staff, and recommend promotions and performance action plans for program staff with direct supervisors, Human Resources and the Country Director;
• Ensure the Performance Management System for all program staff is followed;
• Ensure regular communication between field program teams and program department staff;
• In coordination with the Country Director and the management team ensure effective communication mechanism is in place to facilitate access to information by all staff to enhance inclusive participation and empowering work environment;
• In coordination with the Country Director and program managers/ coordinators liaise with IRC's Technical Units for technical guidance and support.

Liaison-Representation

• Assist the CD in representing IRC and IRC's interests with Government officials, donors, UN, and other operating and implementing partners when required or applicable;
• Assist the CD in developing a strong relationship with donors to ensure sustainable funding of programs;
• Represent IRC in lieu of the Country Director as necessary
• Support program coordinators in their representation roles in technical meetings

REQUIREMENTS

• At least five years of experience in the management of emergency, post-conflict or development programs, at least two years of overseas experience in Sahel Region, preferably in Niger, with at least 2 years in a senior programmatic leadership role.
• Experience working with and coordinating with donors including EU, ECHO, foundation donors, UN (WHO, UNICEF, UNHCR), DFID, OFDA etc. and knowledge of specific donor guidelines and priorities.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Demonstrated excellence in multi-tasking, time management, and flexibility.
• Knowledge of best practices in project design, implementation and community participation.
• Ability to take initiative and proven ability to work creatively, innovatively and effectively to make decisions with limited direct supervision.
• Culturally sensitive, with the ability and interest to identify and work with a multi-ethnic team.
• Post-graduate degree or equivalent demonstrable experience in relevant fields.
• Fluent in French and proficient in English essential.

This is an accompanied position.

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.

IRC leading the way from harm to home.

Please follow this link to apply: http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=a2F0cmluYW1pbGxlci4yMjU4Ny4zODMwQGlyYy5hcGxpdHJhay5jb20