Deputy Director Programs

Requisition ID: req6499

Job Title: Deputy Director Programs

Sector: Program Administration

Employment Category: Fixed Term

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: Yes

Location: Commune Urbaine de Niamey, Niger

Job Description

IRC’s vision for Niger is that individuals, households and communities are resilient, self-reliant and able to thrive in a changing context. IRC Niger is present in the regions of Tilllabery, Agadez and Diffa with projects in the following areas: Environmental Health (EH) and Non Food Items (NFI) including Emergency – Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM), Integrated Protection, Education, Nutrition, and Livelihoods.

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, program quality and development, donors and IRC compliance, staff development, and representation. The DDP also works closely with the Deputy Regional Director for the West Africa 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 technical program coordinators, the grants coordinator and the monitoring & evaluation advisor. The DDP is a member of the IRC Niger Senior Management Team.

Reports to: Country Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy Development

• With guidance from the Country Director, lead the planning, development, implementation of IRC program initiatives with sector coordinators, in accordance with the strategic plans and liaise with IRC’s Technical Units for technical guidance on implementation and new program design.
• Under the supervision of the Country Director, ensure effective and timely implementation of programmatic objectives of the SAP and its regular reviews.
• Participate actively in and contribute to strategic meetings and initiatives of the humanitarian and development community in IRC’s interest
• Maintain an up-to-date contextual analysis to ensure pertinence of all programming

Program Quality

• Provide leadership, guidance, and support on program quality tools and initiatives
• Identify with technical Coordinators assessement needs and opportunities and Provide guidance on the design and implementation of assessments and evaluations, including their reports
• Organize and chair regular program coordination meetings with relevant staff;
• Conduct training of IRC staff on program design, monitoring, and evaluation, report writing, and proposal development.
• Coordinate the development, formulation and writing of project ideas, concept notes and proposals in collaboration and coordination with regional technical teams.
• 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 with the support of the Grant department
• formulate and develop actions that promote beneficiary participation and beneficiary feed-backs.

Program Management

·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;
• Assist Sector Coordinators to develop and maintain monitoring plans, work plans, spending plans, staffing plans, etc. in collaboration with Operations, Finance and Grants.
• Work closely with the Grants Manager and support sector coordinators to hold efficient and effective Opening, Review, and Closing Grants Meetings
• Support sector coordinators in the monthly review of Budget vs. Actuals reports
• In collaboration with the Grants Coordinator and sector coordinators 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;
• Support and promote adherence to finance controls for program expenditures in accordance with IRC Global and Niger policies and procedures;
• 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 the Deputy Director for Operations to ensure an adequate synergy between programs and operations;

Human Resources Management

• Provide excellent line management of Nutrition, WASH, Protection, Emergency, and ERD (Economic Recovery and Development) Sector coordinators, Grant Coordinator and Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor, including setting objectives and work plans, and carrying out regular coaching as well as periodic evaluations.
• Ensure that the Program team is consistent and that colleagues work in good collaboration with each other, with an excellent understanding of mutual expectations; and that support for field teams is prioritized
• Working closely with Human Resources and Sector coordinators, oversee recruitment of all senior program staff and ensure the Performance Management System for program staff is carried out as required;

Representation

• Represent 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 sector coordinators in their representation roles in technical meetings
• Other activities/responsibilities that may be required by the CD, the DRD and indicated HQ program related staff.

Qualifications

• Post-graduate degree or equivalent demonstrable experience in relevant fields
• At least seven years of international experience with required experience in an emergency or conflict-afflicted setting.
• Fluent in French and proficient in English
• Experience working with and coordinating with donors (including EU, ECHO, foundation donors, DFID, and OFDA) and knowledge of specific donor guidelines and priorities.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in program design and delivery, including proposal development and compliance
• Proven capacity in staff management, multi-tasking, time management and diplomacy.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Must be an innovative and creative problem solver, and a team player, with experience working with multi-cultural teams.
• Ability to work under pressure and with heavy workload.
• Ability to independently organize work and prioritize tasks.
• Ability to quickly understand the complexities of the operating context, IRC models / systems / processes / tools; organizational structures and decision-making processes
• Good understanding of security / emergency management to ensure staff safety, minimize risk and maintain business continuity;
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Willingness to travel in the field and work in sometimes remote corners and / or with relative safety and minimal living conditions.