In 2016, IRC Burundi launched an Economic Recovery and Development Sector tasked with mounting a robust response to mitigate the consequences resulting from the 2015 political and economic crisis. A strategic plan was developed to launch emergency cash as well as urban and rural livelihoods recovery and resiliency programming. Programmatic objectives range from the socio-economic reintegration of returnees, raising the standard of living for both rural and urban households by strengthening decision-making capacity, the reduction of socio-political conflicts by creating employment for out-of-school youth and adults, capacity-building to improve market-based skills, improving income generation, improving food security and reducing negative coping strategies through various types of cash transfer programming. Through all of the programming, the IRC is working to improve the generation of income and assets of its beneficiaries with the aim of improving overall resilience.
Scope of Work
The Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) Technical Coordinator (TC) provides direct technical supervision to ERD managers and officers in Bujumbura and field offices, ensures quality and technical soundness of ERD program implementation, represents IRC’s ERD sector internally and externally and is responsible for seeking new funds and writing new project proposals. All work will be in line with best practices in the field of ERD and IRC’s Program Framework. The TC will provide technical inputs for cash transfer programming, a Rapid Response Mechanism, agricultural programming, income generating activities, entrepreneurial and vocational training as well as access to finance within the ERD portfolio as well as in other technical sectors such as Child Protection and Women’s Protection and Empowerment. This position will be based in Bujumbura with travel to the field sites approximately 50% of the time. The TC reports to the Deputy Director-Programs also based in Bujumbura. The TC will liaise regularly with other TCs and Program Managers, as well as Field Coordinators (FCs) and Program Coordinators (PCs) in the districts of operation.
Key Responsibilities & Performance Objectives
Program Quality - Effective program design and coordination that contributes to enhanced quality and strategic interventions at the community-level
•Lead the development, finalize, and facilitate ongoing review of the ERD Country Sector Strategy, within the wider context of IRC Burundi’s Country Program Strategic Plan.
•Ensure that all ERD interventions within the Burundi Country Program are in accordance with the Country Program Strategic Plan, ERD country sector strategy, ERD sector framework (from HQ), and international standards.
•Ensure that new programming follows IRC Burundi program design guidelines; is informed by input from the clients and includes field staff participation and follows IRC standard log frame.
•Continue to actively seek funding for ERD programming in Burundi, as per the ERD sector strategy developed. Lead ERD program staff in the development of new projects including budgets.
•As applicable, supervise the response within the ERD sector to emergency situations including conducting assessments, and designing, implementing and coordinating the ERD response.
•Conduct regular field technical support and monitoring visits to ensure maximum program quality in interventions.
•Ensure quality of trainings conducted or supported by the ERD sector by reviewing training modules, and evaluating the impact of trainings on programs.
•Take the lead in designing tools and conducting baselines, and project evaluations. Ensure that M&E plans are developed and monitored for all ERD program projects.
•Liaise with relevant TCs, to support the design and ensure quality of economic activities within their respective programs.
Program Implementation - All aspects of programs are implemented and managed effectively
•Track overall progress on program’s projects and support ERD manager to guide program implementation ensuring technical soundness, value for money and fulfillment of program objectives.
•Ensure that program tracking, monitoring and evaluation tools are developed and in place and work with FCs/ PCs and grants unit to oversee their maintenance and use in compiling donor reports.
•Ensure that expenditures against the ERD-related component of all budgets are on track in relation to work plans and support ERD managers in budget management through budget projections, tracking and regular reviews.
•Ensure that ERD programs collect relevant data on program implementation and outputs in a timely fashion and based on established M&E framework.
•Develop internal reporting formats, and ensure continued progress reporting within ERD sector
•Support ERD managers in the development of project reports and conduct technical review of donor and other reports prior to Technical Unit review. Serve as focal point for incorporation and dissemination of feedback from TU.
•Ensure compliance with donor regulations / agreement terms.
•Participate in all grant/sector review meetings and ensure that all action items related to grants management are follow-up on in a timely fashion.
Human Resources - Excellent human resources management that promotes enhanced levels of professionalism and leadership within the program
•Develop and update, as necessary, ERD staff JDs and ensure staff understand their tasks and responsibilities.
•Develop performance objectives and conduct regular performance evaluation for ERD managers, as well as informal feedback.
•Support ERD managers in the performance management of their teams.
•In coordination with ERD managers/FCs/ PCs, provide regular informal and formal feedback for all ERD program staff.
•Ensure ERD team is adequately staffed and competent to achieve program objectives. Identify staffing and/or skills gaps and liaise with human resource department to fill these gaps/needs.
•Promote a culture of respect and cohesiveness within the ERD team and other sectors.
•Act as IRC Burundi’s focal point for technical and training support on the latest best practices in the ERD field. Conduct formal and on-the-job training for ERD staff on ERD methodologies and approaches to build capacity of ERD program staff and other staff within the country program as appropriate.
•Identify key ERD program staff to be mentored and developed, and appropriately do so.
Coordination & Representation - High quality representation of organization and sector through internal and external coordination opportunities
•Ensure smooth and productive coordination with government, non-government, and private sector stakeholders.
•Participate in the Cash Working Group and Food Security working group meetings and other relevant government/ministerial coordination meetings as often as possible and ensure that same coordination is happening at the field-level. May be required to dedicate 10% of working time to co-leading Cash Working Group.
•Ensure IRC data collected is shared with district and Bujumbura stakeholders as necessary and appropriate, in line with IRC and international principles of ethical data sharing.
•Represent ERD program to donors and other funding partners to leverage opportunities for expanded support.
•Represent ERD program internally in coordination with IRC Burundi programs and support departments to ensure quality, integrated programming with other sectors.
•Liaise with relevant TCs to support the design and ensure quality of economic activities within their respective sectors.
•Ensure clear communication with field sites, especially FCs/PCs, regarding program planning, procurement, travel schedules, and staffing issues.
