Deputy Director of the Child Protection Alliance, Global at International Rescue Committee

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Support development, implementation, and periodic review of the Alliance Strategy and workplans, ensuring relevance, results-orientation, cost-effectiveness, and clear performance measurement.
• Lead designated Alliance workstreams aligned with strategic priorities.
• Strengthen alignment and synergies between Alliance priorities and IRC contributions.
• Support governance processes, including preparation, follow-up, and implementation of decisions from the Executive Committee and Steering Committee.

Management, Coordination, and Convening

• Ensure coherence and complementarity across Working Groups, Task Forces, and Initiatives, with clear mechanisms for progress tracking, learning, and reporting.
• Facilitate effective information flow and collaboration across Alliance members and technical groups.
• Lead planning and delivery of the Annual Meeting for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action, ensuring relevance, accessibility, and engagement.
• Support annual internal governance, planning, review, and fundraising meetings.
• Contribute to day-to-day oversight of the Alliance Secretariat.

Technical Leadership and Quality Assurance

• Provide technical oversight to selected Working Groups, Task Forces, and Initiatives.
• Support identification of sector-wide technical gaps, priorities, and areas for improvement.
• Oversee review and sign-off processes for Alliance technical and advocacy products.
• Ensure meaningful inclusion of national and local member perspectives across Alliance work and governance.

Partnerships, Advocacy, and External Engagement

• Support the Alliance Director in building and sustaining strategic partnerships with UN agencies, donors, NGOs, academic institutions, peer alliances, and the private sector.
• Contribute to global and regional advocacy to advance child protection and the centrality of protection in humanitarian response.
• Support development and implementation of Alliance communications and engagement strategies.
• Leverage strategic networks (including disability, GBV, and ECD) to advance collective child protection priorities and IRC contributions.

Research, Learning, and Multisectoral Engagement

• Contribute to IRC and Alliance research and learning agendas.
• Promote dissemination, uptake, and application of Alliance guidance and evidence across partners and within IRC.
• Share cross-context learning from the Alliance within IRC technical and global practice forums.

Resource Mobilization and Financial Coordination

• Identify and support joint fundraising opportunities aligned with Alliance priorities.
• Engage with Alliance co-hosts and partners on financial and operational coordination, as delegated by the Alliance Director.

Professional Profile

• The Alliance Deputy Director brings substantial experience leading complex, multi stakeholder initiatives at the global level. The role requires advanced expertise in strategic leadership, humanitarian action, coordination, and child protection, with proven ability to operate effectively in politically sensitive and partnership driven environments.

Leadership and Management Experience

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience, including at least 5 years in a senior management or deputy leadership role, preferably within an international organization, alliance, coalition, or network.
• Demonstrated experience deputizing for an Executive Director or equivalent, including assuming leadership authority as required.
• Proven ability to lead, encourage collaboration and foster cohesion within diverse, multicultural teams, including staff and partners across multiple time zones.
• Strong track record in building, managing, and sustaining complex partnerships, balancing diverse institutional interests while maintaining a shared strategic direction.
• Solid experience engaging with and supporting governance bodies, including steering committees, boards, advisory groups, or member assemblies.
• Ability to represent the Alliance credibly at high level global and regional fora, influencing policy, practice, and sector priorities.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to or leading development and implementation of strategic plans, results frameworks, and theories of change.
• Proven judgment, discretion, and cultural sensitivity when navigating politically complex or high risk environments.
• Clear commitment to the Alliance’s mission, values, and principles, including equity, inclusion, and partnership.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong ability to work effectively with senior internal and external stakeholders across sectors and geographies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly developed organizational and time management skills, with a proven ability to prioritize and deliver independently.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to synthesize complex information accurately for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in navigating matrixed, cross functional global structures within large international networks.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Strong ability to motivate volunteers to contribute to a collective goal.
• Ability to lead and adapt through change with a proactive, solution oriented approach.

Education:

• Master’s degree in social sciences, Child Rights, Development Studies, Social Work or a relevant field required.