The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. IRC leads the way from harm to home. The IRC implements programs in four Great Lakes countries — Burundi, Central Africa Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania (Note that Cameroon and Chad will be integrated to the Great Lakes in FY23, so to form a new region) — and implements programs through the arc of crisis, emergency, humanitarian, and development contexts.

Working in partnership with local civil society, NGO, CBOs, government, and private sector actors is fundamental to the International Rescue Committee’s mission to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster, including climate change, to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Effective local partnerships are central to the IRC’s partnership strategic ambitions in Strategy100 and Great Lakes Country Strategic Action Plans (SAP), resulting in more effective, responsive, and locally owned response and development efforts that reach more people and produce better outcomes for the people served. Investing in local civil society organizations (CSOs), community-based organizations (CBOs) and government entities recognizes those organizations as critical actors in achieving outcomes, as permanent catalysts, and drivers of change. Within that context, IRC must also serve to influence wider regional/sub-regional networks/organizations’ partnership ambitions (such as the Lake Chad Basin Commission, NEAR Network, etc.), as well as donors’ partnership approaches, in support of the realization of the Grant Bargain Commitments

Job Overview/Summary

The Senior Program Advisor will be a key member of the Great Lakes regional team responsible for promoting effective and efficient programming in the region’s country programs, to ensure positive outcomes for clients, with a focus on partnership approaches. Will work closely with the regional SMT, Country leaders and the Partnership Unit, to ensure that country programs are able to scope priorities and deliver on partnership ambitions, as well as contribute to position the IRC in the region as a partner of choice. S/he will provide strategic leadership and advise the IRC’s partnership work in the Great Lakes region, by establishing a regional partnership approach and supporting country programs to operationalize local partnership standards as well as define and deliver on the partnership components of their Strategy Action Plans (SAP), consistent with IRC’s partnership ambition. S/he will coordinate the development and implementation of the IRC Great Lakes partnerships priority and contribute to reinforcing reflections and practices that will enhance IRC’s implementation of partnership principles. S/he will ensure that regional partnership initiatives support country programmes, provide change management advisory support to country leadership for quality delivery of SAP partnership ambitions across all functions.

Major Responsibilities:

Regional Strategy Support:

• Maintain awareness of key partnership trends and debates in the humanitarian sector and support the regional leadership team to track and engage in these initiatives, as necessary

• Promote a space for dialogue and manage risks associated with organizational transformation related to partnership

• Use findings and recommendations from the Great Lakes “Decolonizing strategic growth” analysis to coordinate development of a contextual informed partnership model;

• Provide regional oversight for developing regional analyses and engaging with regional/sub-regional organizations/networks and regional partnership programming with relevant donors, given the cross-border dynamics within the region and the regional ambition to increase our partnerships throughout the region

• Lead the IRC Great Lakes engagement in strategic partnerships and networks with key local/national/regional organizations to support program quality, research, advocacy, communications, and capacity strengthening that are complimentary to the IRC’s expertise and humanitarian & development goals

• Track and analyze partnership key performance indicators for learning and decision-making.

Partnership Management and Country Support:

• Support Great Lakes country programs in developing strategies to reinforce existing and build nascent partnership relationships with civil society organizations, government entities and private sector actors, as well as with networks

• Support country program in applying proven principles and approaches that will fulfill the Great Lakes region partnership ambitions, including through application of organizational guidance provided as part of the PEERS review process

• Collaborate with technical advisors, regional and programmatic and operation leads, including the Regional Program and Award Support (RPAS) teams, to support Great Lakes country programs to analyze the roles of local actors, to define IRC’s approach based on how it can best ‘add value’, prioritizing opportunities to support and reinforce local capacities and systems (asking ‘why not partner’)

• Facilitate meaningful partner participation in key decision making, including in the context of strategy development and program design and management, and accountability to partner perspectives and feedback

• Provide support and guidance to business development efforts with the aim of reinforcing partnership within multi-country/sub regional opportunities, working closely with the Senior Program Development Advisor or other identified Business Development support teams.

• Promote and guide principled, collaborative, and contextualized risks analysis and management with partners across all organizational functions, consistent with the IRC Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results System (PEERS,) working closely with the Regional Program and Awards Support (RPAS) teams to identify risk mitigation measures and strategies as needed.

• Work with country programs, IRC’s partnership and client responsiveness teams, and the regional business development, and program and awards support teams, to improve clients’ and partners’ greater influence over program design and delivery

• Support effective capacity sharing and systems strengthening approaches across Great Lakes country programs, as well as broader organizational development and systems strengthening approaches, and ensuring that IRC is understanding and leveraging opportunities to learn from partners

• Guide, coach, and mentor partnership leads in each country program in the use of PEERS for the development and management of principled, collaborative partnerships.

• Help country program to evaluate partners on a regular basic

• Support Great Lakes country programs to conduct partnership capacity self-assessments, and to address the priority strengthening opportunities identified through those self-assessments, including through in-country support

• Lead structured interactions with Great Lakes partners to promote accountability and solicit feedback with respect to IRC’s role and partnership practices.

Key Working Relationships:

Direct Reporting: Great Lakes Deputy Regional Director and Partnership Unit Director

Coordination: work in close collaboration with Country Programs SMT, regional SMT, RPST, and other HQ relevant functions as needed

External Contacts: national, regional/sub-regional networks/organizations

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s Degree is a plus; background in humanitarian and development assistance.

Work Experience: Minimum of 5-7 years of relevant experience.

Field Experience: At least 2 years of senior level field experience in relevant settings.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Experience in a range of sectors, in both humanitarian and development contexts, including proven partnership-focused results, experience in building principled partnership rooted in feminist value across various contexts

• Demonstrated experience of coordinating complex projects and leading change both through working culture and business processes

• Experience fostering and collaborating with community-led local organizations, including conducting CBO capacity strengthening

• Team player, flexible and able to work within a small group of decision-makers to diagnose and provide support to country teams in a timely, efficient, and effective way

• Self-starter with excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to develop positive relationships with local and remote team members at multiple levels across the organization

• Professional experience within the Great Lakes to understand the partnership landscape and cultural context

• Ability to work successfully independently and with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Ability to apply analytical thinking to evidenced, justified recommendations

• Experience in programs and grant management will be an asset.

Language Skills: Working professional Proficiency in French and English required, and knowledge of region’s local language is an asset.

Working Environment: Duty station in Nairobi, Kenya. Estimated 30-40% travel to country programs.

The IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability. The IRC is an equal opportunity employer.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality 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.

A Development Organization is seeking qualified, experienced, and highly motivated Program Manager II who will manage and provide technical oversight of the development and implementation of STaR project in Cameroon, ensuring effective systems and processes are in place that support high-quality programming advancing its work in serving the poor and vulnerable. Your management skills and knowledge will ensure that the country program (CP) delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of the project for those whom we serve.

The position is based in MAROUA/Cameroon

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of the stabilization project’s resilience and recovery activities in the Far North Cameroon with interventions in community infrastructure; agriculture & rural livelihoods; social cohesion; and local governance that are intended to contribute to stabilization and reconciliation in the most affected regions of the Lake Chad Basin. Throughout the project cycle, ensure project design, start-up, implementation, and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.

• Effectively supervise and manage talent for the project in Cameroon, including a team of up 15-20 staff. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports.

• Lead the development of program learning – identify opportunities for learning, research and publications in the relevant program sectors and implementation of MEAL policy. Facilitate the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned to contribute to the agency and project knowledge management agenda. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices.

• Contribute to the proactive pursuit of opportunities for new funding to ensure growth of the CP portfolio in line with agency, regional, and CP strategic priorities. Serve as the technical lead and technical writer to ensure quality proposals in per agency and donor standards. Contribute to budgeting and staffing plans and activities for proposals.

• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact.

• Oversee the identification, assessment, and strengthening of partnerships relevant to the project and the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools, and approaches.

• Collaborate with other CRS staff in Maroua and the senior management team to lead local representation for CRS to the local diocese and state/local government in the Far North, ensuring Church and government authorities are regularly updated on CRS work in the area and that CRS activities align with local Church and host government strategies/initiatives, where possible.

• Ensure CRS’ active participation and/or leadership in local sectoral or multi-sectoral coordination and security forums and the regular sharing of information and data internally within CRS and with other agencies to inform collective analysis and planning.

• Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources.

• Monitor staff adherence to security protocols, including ensuring that project staff are aware of, and comply with, CRS personnel safety and security policies and procedures and the dissemination of safety and security SoPs/plans.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s Degree in International Development, Economics, International Relations, Civil or Structural Engineering, or related studies required. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in relevant field-based project management experience required, with preferably at least 2-3 years working in emergency, recovery, and/or resilience programming, preferably in emergency settings. Experience with community infrastructure construction/rehabilitation programming is a plus.
• Experience in managing moderately complex projects with an international NGO in volatile security environments.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.
• MEAL skills and experience required.
• Familiarity with Sphere standards.
• Knowledge of CRS and/or demonstrated ability to manage partnerships with faith-based and secular partners.
• Ability and proven experience transferring knowledge through formal and informal training.
• Experience managing staff, budgets, and planning processes
• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors.
• Experience managing complex local procurement processes.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment

Personal Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions
• Strong relations management abilities and inter-personal skills. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Excellent presentation, facilitation, and communication skills
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented
• Excellent writing, editing, and publication skills
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership in strategic planning initiatives.
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions quickly and independently.
• Extremely flexible and have the ability to cope with stressful situations.
• Ability to relate to and motivate staff effectively.
• Ability to work as a team player in a challenging environment.
• Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point).

Required Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 30%.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

DRC has been operating in West Africa since 1998 and in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2011. The DRC West-North Africa & Latin America (WANALAC) Regional Office is based in Dakar, Senegal, and covers several countries. Led by the Regional Executive Director, the DRC WANALAC oversees, supports, and provides strategic directions for DRC’s Country Offices within the above-mentioned regions. From May 2022, it will include Algeria*, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Colombia, Libya*, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Tunisia*, Venezuela.

Purpose

The DRC WANALAC is looking to recruit an experienced, highly qualified, and enthusiastic professional. The DRC WANALAC is in discussion to be the Fund Managing Director for the Sahel Regional Fund (hereafter: SRF), which will be a strategic regional fund.

The Fund Managing Director will be based in Dakar with frequent travel to the field (25%). This position is a senior one, requiring a strong previous experience in senior management positions. This position also requires a full professional proficiency in French language.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the authority of the Regional Executive Director who is the line manager, and under the functional management of the appointed Chair of the Board who is ensuring the SRF Fund Managing Director work to meet functional objectives for the management of the Fund, and in close coordination with the DRC Regional team and Headquarters, the Fund Managing Director will

The main responsibilities and tasks of the Fund Managing Director are the following:

Strategic Leadership and management

• • Exercising strategic leadership i.e. leading the development, management and implementation of SRF regional strategy and MEAL framework, as well as the Operation Frameworks which will include chapter on grant management, compliance, vetting and due diligence process, risk management and financial management – Ensuring that the SRF is organised, managed in order to pursue new funding opportunities while at the same time operating in compliance with DRC minimum requirements, DRC Operations Handbook, the donor and local legislation requirements and ensuring that proper risk management systems are in place in order to provide appropriate levels of security and controls over the organization’s resources. – Actively contribute to joint fundraising efforts and explore the setting-up of a separate SRF legal entity in the long term. – Lead and manage direct reports (including people planning, performance, well-being and development).

Fund management

• • Lead call for proposals for the catalytic window and based on new funding opportunities – S/he will ensure that an independent evaluation committee is established and endorsed by the Board, and that it evaluates project proposals and submit evaluations – according to the guidelines approved by the Governance Board – for review, discussion and decision-making of the board. – Based on the proposed risk management framework, he/she ensure the review of the aggregated project risks in a consolidated risk matrix and present it to DRC and the donor to ensure this remain in the overall risk appetite for the fund. He/she will ensure it is implemented, monitor progress on implementing mitigations measures and escalate risks to the Board according to the risk appetite statement. – S/he will organise Board meetings on quarterly basis to update the board members on progress of actions and projects, outcomes of project’s monitoring (both financially and programmatically), most serious risks, contextual analysis on emerging crisis and major trends. – Lead the revision of the SRF strategy and frameworks based on learning.

Grant management system and strategic planning

• S/he will be responsible for the entire grant management cycle and for SRF strategic planning processes.
• S/he will be responsible for establishing grant management systems in coordination with the SRF MEAL and the finance department.
• Ensure quality and timely submission of consolidated donor narrative and financial reports.
• Liaise with donor(s) relating to specific grant programmatic issues.

Risk and compliance

• Strengthen, further develop, and ensure implementation of the SRF Risk and Compliance strategy and action plan.

Representation

• • Increase the visibility and credibility of SRF in the area and maintain close relations with all relevant stakeholders including donors. – Lead communication and joint advocacy initiatives to the Board for review and endorsement and rolls them out.

In addition to the above, the Fund Managing Director may be asked to carry out other duties requested by the Regional Executive Director or the Chair of the Governance Board.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in political science, international development, economics or other relevant field.
• Minimum 10 years’ relevant experience (including 5 years at senior management level) in international emergency and/or post-conflict settings, preferably working with displaced populations
• Proven leadership skills and a competence in people management
• At least 8 years’ experience in effective people management, including implementation of code of conduct and anti-corruption measures
• Highly developed skills and demonstrated capacity in developing and driving regional program strategy, organizational process and mechanisms that ensures compliance to internal procedures and guidelines in large scale and complex humanitarian operations
• Experience in writing high quality proposals for large donors, such as DFID, EU, ECHO, USAID, OFDA, UNHCR, and other UN agencies
• Knowledge of donor rules and regulations
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize large workloads, to consistently meet deadlines and adapt in a complex and challenging work environment
• Minimum 2 years of experience working with INGOs and international organizations with the following sectors in their portfolio – protection, food security and nutrition, WASH, shelter, NFIs and health
• Proficiency in common computer packages i.e. Word, Excel, Power point etc
• Experience living and working in a cross-cultural, multi-sector, team environment
• Ability to work well under pressure and in adverse conditions
• Demonstrated commitment and strict adherence to confidentiality
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal)
• Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and French