Job Vacancy at International Rescue Committee

Job Overview/Summary

The IRC is in partnership with a consortium of partners to implement DFID funded reliance program (Building Resilient Communities in Somalia – BRCiS) in Somalia. The program aims at enhancing the capacities of communities and local systems to attain self-reliance and reduced need for humanitarian response in an inclusive, fair, and equitable way, by maximizing use of local resources and capacities.

The IRC is recruiting Program Implementation and Monitoring Coordinator who will be responsible for overseeing the coordination and management of the IRC's work under the programme. Working in close collaboration with program sector leadership, the Consortium Management Unit (CMU), partner organizations, the relevant line ministries at both federal and regional levels and other stake holders. The Coordinator will play a key role in ensuring that the program is implemented to a high technical standard and is in full alignment with the program outcomes and overall objectives as well as the consortium strategy and protocols.
The Program Implementation and Monitoring Coordinator will work under the oversight of the Deputy Director for Programmes.

Major Responsibilities:

Strategic

• Oversee the implementation of the IRC’s work under the BRCiS Consortium Program in Galmudug, Puntland and Benadir.
• Ensure technical coordination of regional/district level activities related to BRCiS program
• Actively develop and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including consortium partners, donors, government and other stakeholders;
• Contribute to technical discussions and planning exercises regarding BRCiS program implementation in Somalia;
• Represent the IRC in the Consortium technical working groups/meetings;
• Represent the IRC in all relevant meetings within the Consortium and/or external resilience related meetings

Programme Management and monitoring

• Develop key project planning management approaches and tools and orientate relevant staff on their use;
• Coordinate and closely monitor the implementation of BRCiS program against agreed work plan, performance targets, and budget to ensure that programming is on track;
• Conduct regular field visits to the target areas to provide technical support and monitor performance;
• Work closely with the CMU and consortium partners to identify and address implementation challenges in a professional manner;
• Liaise regularly with IRC field staff, grants teams and technical advisors to promote intra-organizational learning and discuss BRCiS strategy implementation in country;
• Ensure strong coordination with IRC sector coordinators through chairing regular technical meetings with coordinators to review progress, discuss challenges, and share best practices;
• Provide the Consortium Management Unit (CMU) high-level updates on progress, risks and potential mitigations on regular basis;
• Lead and ensure the production of timely and high-quality program reports that document achievements, best practices, and lessons learned;
• Ensure quality completion of baseline and end-line assessments during the inception and close out of the programme;
• Maintain open and effective communication amongst the Consortium members, government officials and the donor;
• Oversee the implementation of the MEAL Framework and facilitate course correcting interventions based on emerging findings.
• In accordance with IRC’s Monitoring for Action Standards, support implementation and updating of the IRC measurement action strategy to ensure the following:
  • Indicator monitoring across projects, including incorporation of organizational core indicators
  • Routine monitoring of program activities
  • Tool development
  • Field data audit and data quality check using appropriate forms
  • Assessments of beneficiary needs
  • Evaluations of the effectiveness of program interventions
  • Data collection, including digital data collection where feasible
  • Data storage and secure accessibility of data by project staff and country/regional management;
  • Learning for projects implementation captured and lessons used;
  • Consolidate data at IRC Somalia country level.
• Support development and implementation of accountability feedback mechanisms to ensure responsiveness to client’s needs and aspirations.
• Support collection and updating of program dashboard to provide monthly summaries of key program indicators and assessment results for decision making by country and regional management.

Staff Management

• Supervise any direct reports, including consultants, in accordance with IRC HR policies and local law;
• As necessary, lead the recruitment of new programme staff in coordination with the Deputy Director for Programmes, IRC HR team, and HQ technical unit.

Budget Oversight

• Ensure that program resources, including financial, are used effectively and transparently and in order to achieve program objectives;
• Regularly monitor grant expenditures to ensure that spending is on track and to proactively identify and address any expected under/overspend;
• Ensure promptly response to all budget holders-related inquiries in collaboration with grants and finance teams;
• Hold consultation meetings with CMU in regards to issues relating budget management;

Representation and Advocacy

• Attend national level resilience meetings and other workshops, working groups, and coordination forums as required to ensure close coordination and collaboration;
• Liaise closely with consortium partners to ensure that field-level perspectives and operational considerations are taken into account during national discussions on BRCiS program implementation;
• Analyze and present current program data in creative new ways to influence national-level discussions on BRCiS implementation.

Qualifications

To effectively deliver this engagement, the applicant should meet the following requirements:

• Master's degree in social sciences, development studies, public administration, or other relevant field or the equivalent in professional work
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in management of programs in a developing country or other resource-poor context, including experience in implementing/managing resilience programs
• At least 3 years of experience in a managerial position and demonstrated capacity in project management and budget planning, including the development of spending plans, procurement plans and work plans
• Demonstrated experience in developing proposals for and working with institutional donors, preferably the UK Department for International Development (DFID)
• Excellent budget planning and management skills, previous experience effectively managing multi million-dollar grants required
• Understanding of and experience with the resilience programming - a distinct advantage
• Proficient multi-tasker with the ability to delegate tasks while still maintaining a high attention to detail
• Energetic and self-driven with the ability to independently address and overcome challenges
• Exceptionally patient with a strong commitment to teamwork and capacity-building
• Ability to provide technical support and feedback with a high degree of tact and diplomacy
• Ability to integrate different experiences, methodologies, and approaches from a diverse range of stakeholders, organizations, and technical experts from multiple sectors
• Strong communication skills and effective in representation and liaison with external actors
• Excellent English speaking/writing skills required.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.