Program Operations Director, E8 – The Hague Netherlands

Organization profile

Every year, millions of people around the world go missing as a result of conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, irregular migration, and other causes. This is a complex global challenge that can be tackled effectively through cross-cutting programs that address a variety of difficult, interconnected issues.

The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization with Headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands. Its mandate is to secure the cooperation of governments and others in locating missing persons from conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, migration and other causes and to assist them in doing so. To learn more about ICMP click here.

About the Position

Reporting to the Director General, the Program Operations Director main duties are the following:

• Leads and manages the Program Operations department that includes the areas of monitoring and evaluation, program management of new and emerging programs, health, safety and security management, and the human resources management division
• Develops and manages program management policies, procedures, systems and tools that provide for effective and efficient program implementation, from conception through to close-out
• Oversees work planning, budget management, quality control and staffing for early and emerging geographic programs
• Facilitates systematic reviews at the launch, implementation, and closeout stages of programs to ensure steady progress against approved workplans, alignment with ICMP strategic objectives, and accurate financial forecasts
• Provides strategic guidance and support to ICMP’s long term country program managers to advance program implementation, donor contract compliance, and partnerships in line with the goals and objectives of ICMP’s priorities
• Coordinates efforts to develop key performance indicators and metrics for ICMP success and to hold managers accountable; as well as knowledge-gathering and management to enable validation or re-examination of ICMP’s approach to delivering successful programs and projects
• Coordinates monitoring and evaluation efforts to ensure programs are collecting and analyzing information to inform programming and track the progress of program implementation through reports and other relevant tools
• Leads the establishment and maintenance of security standards to protect ICMP staff, assets and premises; and ensure and coordinate the formulation of appropriate strategies, policies, and procedures, including access of all staff to security training and services
• Oversees the work of the human resources management division
• Develops and oversee the implementation of an annual work plan and budget for the Program Operations Department.

Qualifications

• Masters level education in International Relations, Human Rights Law, Economics, Business Administration, Project Management or similar
• At least 15 years of relevant experience in a senior management role leading a team of professionals from diverse fields of expertise
• At least five years previous experience working in an international context at the field level in a program operations role
• Experience and knowledge related to the missing persons issue is a strong advantage
• Professionally fluency in written and spoken English with excellent drafting skills
• Fluency in a second language such as Arabic, Spanish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, is an asset
• Demonstrated experience in project management, planning and organization skills
• Proven experience in human resource management, monitoring and evaluation, project budget and financial management

Mandatory requirements

• Proficiency in Microsoft applications
• Proven ability to interact positively with colleagues regardless of culture, nationality or gender
• Willingness and ability to travel at short notice and to work flexible hours including weekends and evenings
• Commitment to the underlying objective of helping the authorities and families of the missing to account for missing persons in an impartial and transparent manner
• Physical and mental resilience, with the ability to operate effectively in hostile environments

Benefits
This is a full-time position with a competitive base salary at the E 8 level on the ICMP professional salary scale, includes a post adjustment, six weeks of paid leave and extended health and dental benefits. The position is eligible for expatriate benefits including relocation allowance, education allowance for eligible dependent children and dependent health insurance coverage.

This position is based in the international city of peace and justice, The Hague, The Netherlands. The Hague is a comfortable city and appeals to those with a wide range of interests. To learn more about living in The Hague click here. ICMP enjoys exemption from income tax and social security deductions in The Netherlands (staff members are responsible for any income tax in their home country).

Expected start date: 1 March 2024

VN close date: 15 January 2024

ICMP is committed to maintaining an environment of mutual respect, where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants. ICMP believes that diversity and inclusion among our staff are critical to our success as a global organization, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented individuals from a thoroughly diverse range of candidates. ICMP is proud to be part of the International Gender Champions network.

Applications from qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged.

ICMP may cancel this recruitment without notice or may decide to offer a position at a different salary level , with different duties and/or contract length.