Deputy Director of Programs

The International Rescue Committee has opened a new country program in Mali since 2012. Our programs span the range from humanitarian relief to development activities, focusing on protection, education, health and nutrition, food assistance and rural livelihoods, water and sanitation and governance. We work in the north, the center and south of Mali. Conflict and drought have displaced hundreds of thousands of people, both in Mali and in neighboring countries. The humanitarian and security situation remains extremely complex in terms of access, resources, and coverage of the basic needs. IRC Mali is working in remote and complex (in terms of security) areas to cover the needs of IDPs and the most vulnerable communities.

Scope of work

As a senior member of the country team, the Deputy Director for Programs will have overall responsibility to supervise, support, enhance quality, coherence, impact, sustainability and synergy of the current IRC Mali’s integrated programming.

The Deputy Director for Programs will be based in Bamako, he or she reports to the Country Director and required to travel to the field in southern, central, and northern Mali as possible. S/he will develop and disseminate a vision of program evolution and quality with the Country Director and the Sector leads through playing a leading role in the oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and development of the sectoral strategies and the country Startegic Action Plan (SAP).

Responsibilities

Strategy Development

• In collaboration with the Country Director, lead the planning, development, implementation of IRC program initiatives with technical coordinators and Senior Programs Coordinator (SPC), in accordance with the strategic plans and liaise with IRC’s Technical Units for technical guidance on implementation and new program design.

• Ensure effective and timely implementation of programmatic objectives of the SAP and its regular reviews in collaboration with the Senior Management Team.

• Ensure that the Strategic Action Plan is disseminated to all new IRC staff.

• Ensure that all staff and partners understand the importance of gender equality, diversity and inclusion (GDEI) in programming and working environment and that all programmes are designed to reduce gender inequalities.

• Ensure that respect for humanitarian principles is applied in IRC programming on a daily basis.

• 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 and Senior Programs Coordinator (SPC) assessment needs and opportunities and provide guidance on the design and implementation of assessments and evaluations, including their reports.

• Working closely with Grants and Program Development Coordinator to supervise the development, formulation and writing of project ideas, concept notes and proposals in collaboration and coordination with regional technical teams.

• Ensure the highest quality of design for all proposals with the support of the Grant department.

• Support Partnership Coordinator to initiate and build partnerships with local partners in line with IRC guidance and based on the commitments agreed on the SAP.

• 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.

• Working closely with MEAL Coordinator and SPC to promote the deployment of the SOP for beneficiary feed-backs mechanisms (accountability).

Program Management

• Work closely with Senior Programs Coordinator to 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 MEAL departement and projet leads 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 Departements and Project leads to hold efficient and effective Opening, Review, and Closing Programs Meetings following the PCM tool.

• Ensure that Grants Departement, technical coordinators and project managers produce quality donor reports to be 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 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 and Deputy Director for Finance to ensure an adequate synergy between programs and operations.

Human Resources Management

• Provide excellent line management of MEAL Coordinator, Senior Programs Coordinator, Grants and Programs Development Coordinator, Partnership Coordinator 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.

• Work with the management team to maintain a high level of commitment from all staff, while considering what actions can be taken to improve the working environment and enable the staff to optimize their work life balance.

• 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 DRDP and indicated HQ program related staff.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Community development, Economic, Program Management and / or in a field related to the position

• At least seven years of international experience with required experience in an emergency or conflict-afflicted setting.

• 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.

• Fluent in French and proficient in English

• 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.

Work environment

• Private housing with Internet connection

• Security level: Orange, but stable in Bamako. All international staff of IRC Mali must comply with the rules and policies in place for security.

• Position is accompanied

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

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 or disability.