Deputy Chief of Party

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. The IRC has been working in Bangladesh for over 5 years implementing direct programming in the areas of WASH, education, livelihoods, reproductive health, gender-based violence, and child and youth protection and development. With an annual operating budget of over $ 1 billion (2021), IRC successfully runs a global portfolio of both humanitarian as well as development interventions and has significant experience implementing large-scale programs requiring substantial and sustained collaboration with multiple actors.

Position Summary

The IRC is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for the five-year, $50 million USAID-funded HICRA. This project will encompass a set of innovative interventions, with an overall goal of addressing the social and economic and environmental challenges in the southeastern districts of Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban. The challenges are most acute in the communities directly responsible for hosting the refugee camps. The overall development assistance is expected to be delivered in the following sectors: WASH, nutrition, economic growth (inclusive finance, private sector engagement, microfinance etc.), natural resource management, and agriculture.

The DCOP with guidance from the COP will lead implementation of all aspects of the project, providing overall administrative, operational, and logistical management, with a focus on achieving the project’s objectives/results. The position will be responsible for acquisition and supervision of the activity’s financial and human resources. The DCOP will be responsible for ensuring the quality and timeliness of all deliverables. The DCOP will oversee effective coordination of activities with those of relevant Government of Bangladesh ministries, international organizations, and other USAID-funded activities in the region. This role will ensure implementation is in accordance with IRC and USAID regulations, liaising regularly with USAID agreement officers, technical support staff, sub-grantees, and implementers of other USAID-funded initiatives as required.

This position will report to the COP and is contingent on the IRC being awarded funding. It is anticipated to begin in Nov 2023.

Job Responsibilities

• Support the COP in providing strategic and technical leadership and direction, defining and implementing activities to achieve the greatest impact toward project goals and objectives; serve as Acting COP in COP’s absence;

• Provide financial, operational, procurement and MEL management that optimizes resources through sound budgets, consistent financial tracking, and timely submission of reports to the donor.

• Ensure project delivery meets all standard operational policies and procedures;

• Manage consortium partnerships and maintain collaborative partner relations;

• Support reporting to USAID through both formal and informal debriefings, annual and semi-annual reports;

• Assist COP in maintaining active and cooperative relationships with all key stakeholders, including government officials, project partners, other implementing agencies, and related institutions;

• Represent the project and the organization in public, as assigned, and support the distribution of information about project achievements and lesson learned;

• Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility.

Requirements:

• Advanced degree from an accredited university in international development, finance, economics or any field related to any of the above-mentioned sectors.

• At least seven years of experience in managerial roles on similar programs in developing countries, including substantial supervisory experience. Experience with projects designed to address any of the social, economic and environmental challenges in the mentioned sectors.

• Experience overseeing projects aiming to strengthen micro- and small business in both farm and non-farm sectors through improved access to finance; value chains; and business enabling environment for private sector investment.

• Experience working in the Asia and/or Bangladesh required.

• Previous experience as DCOP of USAID-funded programs preferred;

• Substantial experience managing subgrantees required; Knowledge of donor rules and regulations and CFR 200 highly desirable.

• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to develop relations with local counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders;

• Demonstrated innovation and success in staff capacity-building and in participatory, flexible, and gender-sensitive programming and implementation;

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written;

• Fluency in English required; proficiency in Bengali strongly preferred.

**Local applicants and women strongly encouraged to apply**

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.