Project Manager, Research & Innovation

This position can be fully remote in all US IRC Locations.

The IRC’s Airbel Impact Lab designs, tests, and scales life-changing, cost-effective solutions for people affected by conflict and disaster. By applying deep technical expertise and field experience with a range of skills from the behavioral sciences, human-centered design, research, and multi-disciplinary problem-solving in humanitarian contexts, we work to develop breakthrough solutions that combine creativity and precision, flexibility and expertise, and a desire to think afresh with the experience and reputation of a large-scale implementing organization.

We are looking for an organized, thorough, proactive, and collaborative project manager to coordinate strategic projects and initiatives across the Airbel department. As Project Manager, you will partner with Airbel and cross-departmental colleagues to drive strategic initiatives to successful completion, draft project scopes, objectives, and timelines, support clear, consistent and transparent communications across the team, and build a collaborative, open, and engaged team culture.

Project Management

• Own the project management of special projects and initiatives, running them independently, including scoping, supporting the development of strategies, gathering inputs, and engaging key leaders.
• Provide clear and concrete instructions to team members to ensure clarity of project ambitions and actions; track progress and results; review outputs and provide constructive feedback for quality assurance.
• Provide written updates on project progress for visibility across the Airbel team and IRC leadership.
• Identify potential challenges and establish strategies to minimize risks.
• Lead the development of project workplans and timelines; use detailed processes and tracking systems to ensure the successful execution of projects on-time and within scope.
• Coordinate the establishment of roles and responsibilities with project collaborators and partners.
• Develop and implement exercises and activities for cohesion, reflection, and continuous improvement, including kickoffs, retrospectives, assessments, and reviews.

Internal Communications and Knowledge Management

• Own key internal communications streams and play a key role in contributing to more transparent knowledge sharing within the department, with IRC leadership, and across the IRC.
• Build and deploy streamlined, light touch systems for collecting information from a range of actors.
• Craft strategic department updates to strengthen transparency and accountability.
• Visually represent information in compelling formats for high-profile presentations and documents to enhance visual appeal, understanding, and uptake of information.
• Create slide decks, documents, and templates to represent the work of Airbel.
• Oversee the creation of regular executive updates and inputs for senior leadership, including for the President and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Leadership Group.

Leadership Support

• Create decks, write talking points and briefs, and work with the team to ensure the Chief Research and Innovation Officer is briefed and receives high quality and timely materials in advance of high-profile engagements.
• Support team members in organizing and scheduling meetings and events with internal and external partners.
• Identify action items from relevant meetings and events for follow-up and track their progress and completion.
• Support the Director, Policy & Planning with administrative tasks (e.g., hiring, scheduling, etc.) as needed.

This position will report to the Director, Policy & Planning and work closely with Airbel leadership and other team members. This position has growth potential within the Airbel Impact Lab.

Requirements

• Proven ability to coordinate large-scale, cross-functional projects, with at least 4 years of demonstrated project management experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and fluency in English is required.
• Strong proofreading skills, and ability to convey information (both visually and in writing) in compelling and easy-to-understand formats.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills: the ability to effectively liaise with and motivate a variety of people, including Airbel leadership, in a multi-cultural environment and across various time zones
• Flexible work attitude, proactive and demonstrated creativity and problem-solving ability with minimal guidance.
• Familiarity and experience with project management software tools, methodologies and standard processes, such as scrum and agile methodology.
• High level of proficiency with the Google suite and MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, Powerpoint)
• Outstanding attention to detail and organizational skills is required.
• Ability to be flexible, work well under pressure, and handle competing priorities in a fast-paced environment, sticking to deadlines and following through.
• Proficiency in Adobe suite of products a plus.
• Experience working in an international organization with a dispersed workforce an advantage.
• Experience in humanitarian setting or development contexts a plus.

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.

Compensation:

Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:

In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity:

IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days (depending on role and tenure), medical insurance starting at $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.