Deputy Director Programs

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.
Scope:
The Deputy Director Programs plays a central role focusing on overall program quality and driving forward the Ethiopia Country Strategic Plan. The Deputy Director is responsible for assisting the Country Director in the planning and implementation of activities crucial to the success of field programs, including government and donor relations, program design, evaluation and ensuring program quality, management of grants and budgets and supervision of program staff.

Essential functions

Programming
• Provide overall leadership and management to IRC Ethiopia programs, protecting and enforcing strategic program direction and growth
• Participate in the development of strategic work-plans with clear objectives and achievement benchmarks, long-term and short-term priorities, implementation plans, financial projections and tools for evaluation
• Review all programs through regular field visits and ensure that program implementation strategies are compatible with overall program goals and objectives as well as ensuring program meetings are held with program coordinators/managers; encouraging a holistic approach and innovative program marketing strategies in a post conflict operating environment
• Review all program donor reports and new project proposals in collaboration with the Grants Department, technical coordinators, operations and finance departments; ensure completeness and timely submission

Grant Management
• Ensure that program coordinators/managers actively review BVAs each month and take an active role in managing the budgets according to donor and IRC requirements.
• Recommend interventions to correct any deviations that impact budget adherence; where necessary ensure timely and justified grant and /or budget revisions / realignments / (No) Cost Extensions in consultation with the Technical Coordinators;

Human Resources
• Directly supervise Technical Coordinators and Managers within the following sectors – Program Unit, Health, GBV, CYPD and WASH as well as the Grants Unit.
• Recommend to the CD promotions, disciplinary action and termination of program staff in consultation with direct supervisors.

Communication, Reporting and Data Collection
• Liaise with counterparts, UN agencies and NGOs; 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

This position reports to the Country Director

This position has 7 staff report to him/her.

Requirements
Professional specifications:
• Five years of overseas experience (ideally in sub-Saharan Africa), preferably in relief/development work with management and supervisory responsibilities in program, administration at senior management level
• Experience working with and coordinating with US, EU and UN donors, other INGOs, national NGOs and government agencies
• Proven ability at staff management, multi-tasking, time management, and flexibility, particularly in a multi-cultural environment
• Knowledge and understanding of project cycle, including project design and M&E systems and procedures
• Computer literate in common software packages (MS Word, Excel, EPI INFO and Power Point)
• Strong writing and communication skills, fluency in English essential.
• Innovative and creative problem solver; Extensive travel required
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Personal specifications:
• Ability to work under pressure, long work hours, and high workload.
• Ability to independently organize work and prioritize tasks.
• Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Specific Security Situation/Housing:

The security level is Yellow

The DDP will have his/her own house in Addis.

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