Programme Director- Education Research in Conflict and Protracted Crisis (ERICC) at International Rescue Committee

The Purpose of the Role
The Programme Director provides overall programme leadership of the IRC-led ERICC consortium. They are responsible for developing and maintaining a high functioning global research consortium, including strong collaboration with eight consortium partner, and ensuring that the project is implemented to a high standard in accordance with FCDO regulations, IRC policies, and international standards of researching education. Working in close partnership with the Research Director and senior leadership of the consortium organizations, the Programme Director will drive the project’s goals, objectives and strategy; develop the consortium’s governance structure and ways of working, oversee internal and external communications, define & develop key performance indicators, budgets and work plans, and oversee monitoring & reporting, risk management, and partner scopes of work.

The Programme Director keeps the consortium and all staff members moving toward programme goals and objectives, identifies barriers and enablers of success, and problem-solves with members of the consortium. They are the primary representational link with FCDO staff and the organizations leading ERICC’s other components (INEE and British Academy), and represents the project to internal and external partners – including other researchers, government officials, donors, media and, humanitarian agencies and INGOs at the international level.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES Expert Project Leadership

• Provide high level leadership and direction, across the project to guide effective implementation to achieve the desired outcomes
• Manage the overall project by establishing a strategy with both operational and research-focused key performance indicators, timelines and work plans in adherence with technical quality standards and donor guidelines.
• Working with the ERICC Deputy Director, ensure the development of budgets and spending plans, and monitor the financial health of the project.
• Ensure appropriate due diligence, safeguarding, risk management processes and procedure for the ERICC programme.
• Oversee and monitor project activities in accordance with the project agreement; Ensure IRC meets FCDO contractual project, legal and financial requirements.

Consortium leadership

• Develop and lead a well-functioning and supportive consortium that consistently delivers high quality research, expert technical expertise to FCDO country offices and programs. As part of this, develop and maintain strong lines of communication and collaboration.
• Manage excellent cooperation with and between consortium partners; partner organizations and government officials ensuring alignment as well as instituting clear processes and protocols for surfacing any issues or challenges in a timely manner.
• Work with Deputy Director to develop partner sub-contracts, including negotiating scopes of work and budgets.

Team leadership and supervision

• Support project staff by creating a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, transparency, mutual respect, and recognition and empowers staff to take responsibility.
• Establish regular cadence for team meetings and individual check-ins with direct reports, as well as ensure these management practices cascade throughout the team.
• Set clear performance objectives for direct reports and ensure that all managers are similarly establishing clear management expectations for their teams.

Oversight of research and country-level support

• Ensure the project adheres to and promotes the highest standards of ethical research on education
• Work with all key staff to identify technical assistance needs and arrange for the provision of assistance
• Work closely with and provides expert management support to the Research Director and the Principal Investigators as they design and plan research activities
• Supervise the Senior Education Facility Manager to develop two expert call-down mechanisms, including contributions to the terms of reference for IRC technical staff, researchers and consultants, ensuring project objectives and outcomes are met and that project staff performance is evaluated.
• Establish and oversee a competitive grant mechanism, totaling £2.37M, aligned with FCDO’s and IRC’s regulations.

Representation: FCDO and external forums

• Represent the IRC and the consortium as primary liaison focal point with FCDO
• Ensure timely, accurate and good quality reporting to the donor and others
• Represent and promote ‘ERICC’ in high level policy and advocacy forums
• Manage external relations by representing the project and the organization in the public and ensuring the distribution of information about project achievements and lesson learned
• Support development and implementation of research uptake plans
• Support the development of messaging and research uptake strategies to disseminate research findings from the wider ‘ERICC’ research programme

Minimum Requirements
Skills, Knowledge And Qualifications

• Master’s level education in related field
• Excellent understanding of research design and methodology and of education in conflict and crises settings research and innovation networks
• Proven ability to represent an organisation at a senior level and to build strong relationships at the local, national and international levels
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to manage a large and varied workload, work under pressure and meet deadlines

Experience

• Experience of managing or leading consortia of complementary and independent organizations across at least 3 countries.
• Experience of project management for large, complex (> 15 million GBP) projects.
• Experience of managing or in a senior role in a FCDO-funded commercial contract.
• Proven ability to lead diverse staff and cross-organizational teams, manage performance, foster a positive working environment and manage issues sensitively and diplomatically.
• Experience of working in a large and complex international organisation.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience of managing or carrying out research in humanitarian contexts.
• Experience working in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Nigeria, South Sudan or Bangladesh.
• Substantial experience in conflict and emergency contexts focusing on education.