The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria - more than half of the country's population - are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. 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 a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, 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.
Job Overview/Summary:
IRC Syria country programme has recently united under one leadership for the entire Syria response. Under this structure one DDP is holding the S100 and SAP IP for the entire country programme and two ERD Coordinators support in implementing the ERD (Economic Recovery and Development) strategy in North East Syria and North West Syria (from Gaziantep) respectively
Working under the direction of the Program Implementation and Quality Director (PIQD) the Senior ERD Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring a unified ERD strategy for the Syria country programme with the two ERD Coordinators reporting into her/him directly. The role will manage continued growth, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of livelihoods and basic needs program in Syria. This will involve updating and implementing the ERD strategy for whole of Syria with particular attention to single hub sensitivities, donors relations, UN and clusters relations, acting as driver in all new proposals design, writing and implementation including spending plans, work plans and budget management. Possibly included in high level donors relations specific to ERD in Syria. The role is based in Amman, with up to 30% of time expected travel to field sites.
Responsibilities:
Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy
•Provide strategic direction, leadership and overall technical and management support to ERD programs operating in all Syria and make sure programs in different hubs are well integrated and harmonized between each other.
•Lead program design processes and provide technical oversight that ensure new or adapted programming focused on quality, efficiency, impact and integrated approaches with other sectors.
•Oversee ERD programming activities, including technical support, supervision and guidance to ERD teams in both hubs.
•Provide guidance and support to the ERD Coordinator(s) to effectively manage competing priorities and implementation in line with the Syria Strategic Action Plan.
•Actively support the ERD management team in the development and implementation and monitoring of ERD interventions in their area of operation, including cash and basic needs, agriculture and food security, livelihoods and early recovery programs, and support to Partners-led programs.
•Coordinate direct reports toward ensuring all targets are met on time, according to budgets, and in line with donor commitments.
•Support the development of M&E systems and lead analysis of ERD data trends to course correct and adapt programming, with a focus on quality ERD interventions.
•Work collaboratively to integrate ERD with other program sectors where appropriate, particularly with protection and health programs.
•Support training to IRC and partner teams to improve technical knowledge and practices, ensuring that capacity strengthening support effectively addresses individual and partner priority needs.
•Lead the process of the development of new proposals and initiatives in accordance with the Syria Strategic Action Plan and IRC program framework.
•Lead and participate in the development of budgets for program proposals in conjunction with the grants and finance departments.
•Work with the ERD team and Technical Unit to strengthen cash and basic needs, agriculture and food security, livelihoods and early recovery approaches, defining the strategic direction of all ERD programming.
•Coordinate annual plans with IRC Technical Unit support.
• Ensure projects and activities are of high technical quality, meet sector standards, mainstream protection, align with IRC’s quality frameworks, and respond to community and monitoring feedback.
•Liaise with partners, sector working groups and other stakeholders to ensure that IRC’s programmatic goals and strategies are in line with national and international priorities.
•Coordinate regular ERD program assessments to identify opportunities for expansion and improvements in program effectiveness, efficiency and efficacy.
•Lead on efforts to increase IRC’s Climate Smart Agriculture programs, while providing overall advice to broader efforts related to IRC’s Climate Ambitions.
•Ensure effective and high quality reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for both internal and external use, capturing best practice.
•Proactively continue to grow the ERD portfolio through development of concept notes and proposals to existing and new donors, maintaining a coherent ERD strategy across IRC’s areas of intervention
•Support the identification of opportunities for ERD programming initiatives in support of service delivery and/or through leadership in collaboration with country program senior management, business development staff and TU advisors.
•Facilitate innovation, piloting, testing, and learning at the level of ERD portfolio
Grants Management and Reporting
•Review progress in achieving program objectives and targets in collaboration with the program’s coordinators, deputies and implementing partners.
•In coordination with the ERD Coordinators participate in and lead Grants Opening, Mid-Term and Closing meetings.
•Review technical aspects of internal and external reports prepared by the managers within agreed deadlines using IRC and donor formats, as required.
•Supervise, prepare and implement detailed program spending, procurement and work plans for all ERD projects for Syria.
•Coordinate inputs for ERD into budget and indicator tracking on a monthly basis, implement corrective action as required, and report this within IRC.
•Ensure internal and reports to donors are produced and delivered in a timely and quality manner.
Partnerships and Coordination
•Manage dedicated positions responsible for ERD partner support to develop and strengthen strategic partnerships with Syrian partners in both hubs.
•Work closely with Sub Award Partnerships Unit on the management of sub-awards to ERD partners.
•Establish networks with UN, INGOs, and local partners to promote technical capacity and develop strategic partnerships, including active participation in cluster meetings.
•Represent the IRC’s ERD programs with national authorities, non-state actors, UN agencies, NGOs, and donors.
•Work closely with the ERD partnership focal points to develop and finalize the technical assessments for implementing partners
•Work closely with the ERD partnership focal points to develop and finalize the technical capacity building plan for implementing partners, in addition of supervising and monitoring the implementation of the plan.
•Attend ERD coordination meetings and communicate relevant information to ERD staff.
•Maintain coordination and collaboration with finance and operations to ensure coordination of procurement, project planning and logistics related to the ERD program.
Program Development and Quality
•Assist development of IRC ERD programming in both NES and NW in an integrated manner, as needs are identified and funding opportunities arise.
•Lead ERD assessments and context-appropriate research aimed at generating a strong evidence base for IRC Economic Wellbeing programming, as well as informing IRC advocacy.
•Support the greater sharing and use of research and learning within IRC’s program sectors, including by contributing to program development and design, to ensure interventions are responsive to needs and informed by a sound understanding of the environment(s)
•Identify, monitor and report unmet needs. Explore the potential of the IRC to address those needs within the parameters of the Strategic Action Plan and sector priorities.
•Ensure alignment with global strategy and the economic well being outcomes
•Develop a strategic plan per each ERD components such as including cash and basic needs, agriculture and food security, livelihoods and early recovery programs and etc.
•Assist in the development of detailed log frames, work plans, and monitoring tools and support their implementation in coordination with the Grants unit, ERD program team, and IRC’s Technical Unit for ERD.
•Continue to evolve the remote monitoring program that will ensure service delivery and program expansion inside Syria, focusing on quality programming.
•Ensure that the ERD activities demonstrate adherence to international and national standards.
•Support IRC Syria’s contributions to IRC’s Global Research Innovation Priority for Climate.
•Support the PIQD and Grants team in business development, drafting concept notes, and external representation.
Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:
•Review the structure of ERD teams periodically and map out the staffing needs in alignment with program size and any expansion plans.
•Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of ERD team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
•Support collaborative partner relationships focused on mutual learning and capacity building as well as technical guidance in areas of IRC expertise, including training/mentoring support and performance management that fully reflects the skills and attitudes required to work effectively in partnership.
•Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths of the team in Syria.
•Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
•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.
•Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
•Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis.
•Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
•As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with employment policies.
•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.
•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 both national and international staff.
•Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.
•Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.
Supporting the operational activities:
•Work closely with the Deputy Director of Operations and IRC Syria operational units to ensure effective planning of support required for smooth project implementation.
•Provide technical support to the supply chain department with regard to specialist medical commodities and consumables.
•Work closely with the HR Director to identify and recruit talent inside Syria and Jordan.
•Work closely with the compliance department to ensure the implementation of ERD programs inside Syria according to IRC policy and donors regulations.
Job requirements
•Degree and post-graduate qualification with extensive coursework related to Economic Recovery and/or International Development, such as economics, international development, human rights, etc.
•Minimum of seven years combined international professional and post-graduate education experience, of which at least 4 must involve implementing humanitarian ERD programs at managerial level.
•Demonstrated experience in humanitarian implementation of all 3 sub-components of ERD (cash and basic needs, food security and livelihood, and livelihoods and early recovery) as well as climate resilience.
•Demonstrated experience in capacity building, project design and budget management.
•Experience in working with and coordinating with the UN, donors, INGOs and other stakeholders.
•Experience in effectively dealing with international and headquarters staff, as well as donor agencies, government officials, and other NGO’s; ability to work with a broad spectrum of people.
•Strong writing and analytical skills, including ability to communicate technical matters to a range of audiences.
•Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively manage a variety of multi-level relationships in a multicultural environment;
•Demonstrated experience managing projects with stakeholders and team members without direct managerial oversight;
•Excellent project management skills, including organization and attention to detail;
•Excellent written communications and ability to develop simple and accessible program materials;
•The ability to work productively and accurately while under pressure in a fast-paced, demanding environment;
•Comfort understanding when to handle problems independently and when they should be flagged to leadership;
•Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues in ‘remote’ and distant, diverse teams;
•A flexible work attitude, meaning the ability to work in a team environment or independently, and the ability to meet unexpected demands;
•Mastery of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
•Fluent in spoken and written English
•Ability to Travel: 20-30% in field sites
Desirable:
•Long-term career interest in humanitarian or development program management and/or strategy/quality
•Previous experience with an INGO
•Professional trainings and certificates related to cash and basic needs, agriculture and food security, livelihoods and early recovery programs, or Project Management for Development strongly preferred.
•Strong familiarity with IRC processes strongly preferred
•Strong familiarity with the Syrian context strongly preferred
•The ability to work (read and write) in Arabic (even at a basic level) a plus
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
•A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
•Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development
•Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution.
•Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context.
•Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience.
•Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity.
•Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop and a sense of humor is a must.
•Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.
Language/Travel:
•English is required
•Travel: 20-30% to field sites in Syria and Turkey as well as attending regional and global workshops and meetings.
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: Program Implementation and Quality Director
Position directly supervises: ERD Coordinator(s), WOS ERD Managers.
Indirect Reporting: Country Director
Key internal contacts: HQ based IRC Technical Advisors, Deputy Director of Field Operations, Field Coordinators, Other Program Coordinators, Program Managers, M&E Manager.
Other External: UN bodies, local and national authorities, donors, working groups and clusters.
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