Deputy Director of Operations

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.

The IRC Yemen began its programs in October 2012. Currently IRC Yemen is operating in eight governorates in the south and north of Yemen through direct programming and through a local partnership and implementing Health, WASH, Nutrition, Economic Recovery and Development, Education, Child Protection, and Women Protection and Empowerment programs.

Scope of work:

The Deputy Director of Operations (DDO) provides leadership, decision-making and coordination on the country program’s critical support functions. S/He ensures that programs are supported and that all necessary systems, policies and procedures are in place and implemented in all locations at all times. Based in Aden with 50% travel to Sanaa and field locations, the position reports to the Country Director (CD) and is a member of the Country Management Team (CMT). The DDO directly supervises the Supply Chain Coordinator, Humanitarian Access Coordinator, Field Coordinator and the IT Manager. This position has close working relationships with the Deputy Director of Finance, Sr. HR Coordinator, Deputy Director of Programs, Sr. Grants & Accountability Coordinator and members of the regional support team.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Business Development

• Lead the implementation of the Country Strategic Action Plan (SAP) as it relates to Operations.

• Lead the implementation of operations excellence program (Scorecards) identifying improvement priorities and developing action plans.

• Work with CD and DDP to identify opportunities for program expansion.

• Ensure all new proposals receive thorough Operations review and that appropriate support cost and country program asset needs are budgeted for.

Supply Chain

• Supervise Supply Chain Coordinator and oversee all Supply Chain staff.

• Ensure the Supply Chain team meets the needs of the programs in a timely manner and does so in accordance with IRC policies and procedures.

• Assist Supply Chain staff in developing and implement appropriate coordination mechanisms to ensure that all Operations units are interacting with each other.

• Assist supply chain staff in cooperating effectively with other units of the country program, including supporting program staff with procurement planning and identification of operational support needs.

• Provide inputs, including operational risk analysis, and recommendations to the CMT related to operations spending and effectiveness of in-country reporting and planning systems.

• Undertake periodic system reviews of procurement, assets, warehouse/inventory, suppliers and vendor contracts to verify that policies are adhered to and to identify areas for improvement.

• Ensure that the Supply Chain Coordinator works closely with the Regional Unit and Global Supply Chain.

Humanitarian Access and Security

• Work closely with the Humanitarian Access Coordinator (who reports to the Country Director) on issues related to physical access challenges for field teams and on bureaucratic access challenges through local authorities.

• Ensure the risks IRC faces in its work are correctly identified and mitigated against to the degree feasible in the context.

Information Technology

• Supervise the Information Communications Technology Manager and oversee all IT staff.

• Verify that ICT policies and procedures are documented, disseminated and consistently applied across the country program.

• Ensure that ICT compliance monitoring processes are developed and effectively implemented.

• Ensure systems are in place for preservation and retention of IRC information.

• Support the IT staff to provide top-tier and effective IT services and support across all field sites.

• Ensure that the IT Manager works closely with Regional and Global IT.

Field Management

• Supervise the Field Coordinator and oversee the Field Managers.

• Ensure coordination and cooperation between and within various program and operational departments in the field locations.

• Ensure technical coordinators (Supply Chain, Humanitarian Access and IT) provide necessary support and oversight to Field Managers for them to effectively oversee the day to day activities of operations staff based in their locations.

• Ensure field offices have the staff and resources required to serve the needs of programs.

Human Resources and Staff Development

• Ensure IRC Yemen HR policies and procedures are implemented and complied by all operations staff at all times.

• Set clear objectives for and provide mentorship and supervision to direct reports.

• Ensure that regular and quality staff evaluations are conducted for all operations staff.

• Ensure IRC Yemen guidance on team meetings and regular, predictable and actionable meetings for staff at Manager Grade and above are adhered to.

• Ensure that all relevant department heads develop and implement Capacity Building Plans for their teams.

Liaison/Representation and Coordination

• Serve as an active member of the Country Management Team.

• Serve as a focal point and maintain communication with HQ operations staff and Regional support team.

• Liaise with and represent IRC Yemen with UN OCHA, other INGOs and local authorities.

• Ensure IRC Yemen is represented at relevant operations clusters and actively participates.

• Supervise the Head of Office in Sana’a who will be responsible for the Government Liaison department. This department is responsible for central-level engagement with the authorities, including managing the Principal Agreement, Sub-Agreement, and Government Reporting processes.

Education, Knowledge & Experience

• Graduate degree in business management, administrative sciences or other relevant field.

• Excellent professional track record with minimum 5 years of overseas experience, preferably in a conflict/post-conflict environment with leadership responsibilities. Experience in emergency context preferred.

• Experience managing country program teams with a diverse portfolio.

• Proven ability to think strategically, prioritize and meet deadlines in a complex and challenging environment; must be culturally sensitive.

• Excellent leadership, people management, interpersonal and negotiation skills and a demonstrated ability to develop harmonious teams in a multi-ethnic context.

• Good interpersonal and team building skills and knowledge of participatory approaches.

• Fluency in English. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Working knowledge of Arabic strongly preferred.

• Willingness to live and travel in remote and conflict affected areas.

• Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, highly organized and punctual.

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, 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.

Work Environment: There is active conflict in parts of the country and a possibility for further expansion of the conflict and violence into other areas. The situation both in South and North of Yemen remains unpredictable. Security will be thoroughly discussed during the interview process.

Housing: Lodging in Aden and Sana’a is in a shared IRC guesthouse. All IRC sites have electricity and internet all day through. Food is the individual’s responsibility.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.