Deputy Director, Programs

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

IRC has been working in Uganda since 1998 supporting refugees, vulnerable host communities and various institutions in the country. Currently, the IRC in Uganda has presence across six sub-regions and five refugee settlements, implementing programming in the sectors of health, integrated protection, economic recovery and development (ERD), and education. IRC Uganda also implements cross-cutting programming focused on systems strengthening and accountability to affected persons. As part of IRC Uganda’s strategic ambitions, the IRC works closely with local actors, including civil society organizations, local non-governmental organizations, local and national governments, among others, to strengthen their capacity and with intentions of transferring more resources for locally-led implementation and support to our clients.

Job Overview 
IRC Uganda is looking for a strategic leader for the Deputy Director, Programs (DDP) to lead the programs department, who is responsible for overall leadership in the design, implementation and management of IRC Uganda’s programs to address clients’ needs and priorities. The DDP is responsible for providing strategic direction of programs, conceptualizing and promoting innovations, and continuing to deepen the impact of IRC’s programs on the ground. The DDP assists in senior-level, internal and external coordination and stakeholder engagement, including with donors, government and non-government partners, and IRC technical and regional support teams; oversees multi-sector project design and implementation; manages sector teams to propose, coordinate, and deliver quality programs aligned with strategic priorities and beneficiary needs; and leads strategic business development activities. The DDP must be able to motivate and lead a diverse staff as well as effectively manage programs, partnerships and budgets. 

The DDP reports directly to the Country Director and is based in Kampala, with frequent travel to program sites (approximately 30%). This position directly supervises four Technical Coordinators, Grants & Partnerships Coordinator, MEAL Coordinator, and the Senior Project Coordinator - PlayMatters. The DDP is a key member of the Uganda Senior Management Team. 

Major Responsibilities: 

Strategic planning and implementation
•    Lead the development of an ambitious yet realistic Uganda Strategy Action Plan (SAP), ensuring collaboration and buy-in from within the country program, implementation of SAP priorities, and management of aligned strategic funds
•    Ensure strategic direction of programs is in line with the Uganda SAP
•    Champion IRC’s global strategy, Strategy100, and promote innovation and creativity to advance key ambitions 
•    Lead other strategic initiatives as necessary such as geographic and programmatic expansion or contraction strategies, efficiency and process strategies, and integrated programmatic strategies

Program development
•    Lead the development of new program opportunities in line with IRC Uganda’s SAP and business development strategy
•    Provide business development leadership, including proactive identification of funding opportunities, management of effective capture processes, and ensuring quality concept note and proposal submissions. Manage the business development strategy, including regular review and updates of the strategy and coordinating actions across multiple team members responsible for BD.
•    Play a lead role in stakeholder engagement for business development purposes, including regular engagement with key donors and coordinating sector based stakeholder engagement plans.
•    Lead IRC Uganda’s localization strategy including defining localization priorities and plans, identifying and developing new partnerships, building the capacity of staff on partner management and localization approaches, and ensuring effective management of established partnerships. This includes overseeing capacity-building protocols for the transfer of IRC skills and experience to local government,  national NGO partners and community organizations/structures.
•    Ensure collaborative program design processes that fully leverage the perspectives, experience and expertise of multiple sectors, local actors, and clients. 
•    Promote cross-learning and integration across sectors to provide more holistic services to IRC’s clients
•    Ensure all designed projects use the IRC theories of change and that outcomes are evidence-driven and evidence-generated
•    Working with the Communications and Advocacy Coordinator, develop advocacy mechanisms and identify networks for coalition building

Program implementation and monitoring
•    Provide overall leadership and management to all IRC Uganda programs, ensuring alignment with the country SAP, IRC and industry quality standards, and changes in context. 
•    Monitor the performance and quality of all programs through periodic field visits and review sessions and ensure adaptations are made in line with findings
•    Promote and apply IRC’s Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results system (PEERs), ensuring that IRC’s partnership principles, skills and approaches are applied by staff across projects with partners.
•    Ensure effective project cycle management (PCM) processes are in place for successful implementation of projects, including workplans, M&E plans, spending plans, procurement plans, etc. as well as regular PCM meetings (planning, opening, implementation, learning, closing) to track progress.
•    Ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems are effectively designed, measure prioritized outcomes, and integrated into all stages of programming. Operationalize project learning and documentation for all projects.
•    Provide strategic leadership on budget development with the grants team and technical coordinator(s) in consultation with finance and Operations departments and ensure project expenditure is tracked against program budgets on a monthly basis, with corrective actions determined. Review all program donor reports and new project proposals in collaboration with the grants department, technical coordinators, operations and finance departments; ensure completeness, quality and timely submission

Operations
•    Encourage constructive and productive collaboration and communication between program and operations staff to guarantee timely service delivery.
•    Ensure program compliance with internal control procedures.
•    Be aware and adhere to security protocols for the organization in line with the Security Management Plan for the country program.

Human Resources
•    Directly supervise 7 staff, including technical coordinators, grants and partnerships, MEAL, , and strategic project coordinators
•    Coordinate the recruitment and staff planning for the programs team in consultation with direct supervisors, Human Resources and the Country Director.
•    Coach and mentor staff with the aim of strengthening their technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team, providing professional development guidance, and leading to staff retention.
•    Support the development of sound performance objectives among staff and provide regular feedback on staff progress toward realizing those objectives. Ensure timely completion and submission of interim and annual employee performance reviews.
•    Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.

Communication and Coordination
•    Liaise with counterparts in local and international NGOs, UN agencies, donors, and  other actors in the field to coordinate multi-sector integrated programs, standardize sector specific activities and obtain up-to-date information for program planning and implementation 
•    Ensure IRC participation in respective sector specific coordination forums and help foster exchanges of program information, best practices and training materials with partners, involved communities and various line Government ministry officials
•    Ensure regular collaboration and communication between field program teams and program department staff
•    In coordination with the Country Director and the management team, ensure effective communication mechanism is in place to facilitate access to information by all staff to enhance inclusive participation and empowering work environment
•    Liaise with regional , HQ and other IRC country programs to share learning and best practice, position for IRC internal opportunities and resource allocation, and ensure overall alignment of IRC Uganda’s programming with IRC’s strategy, programming models, processes and systems

Key working relationships 

Position reports to: Country Director

Direct reporting: Health Coordinator, Education Coordinator, Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) Coordinator, Protection Coordinator, Grants and Partnerships Coordinator, MEAL Coordinator, Senior Coordinator - PlayMatters Coordinator.  

Other internal contacts: Senior Management Team (Deputy Director, Finance; Senior Field Management Coordinator; Deputy Director, People & Culture; PROTECT SRHR Project Team Lead); Field Coordinators; Technical Advisors; Deputy Regional Director; Regional Vice President, Awards Management; Project specific regional teams.  

Requirements
 
The Deputy Director, Programs will need to meet the requirements below: 
•    Master’s degree in relevant field (Development Studies, Social Sciences, International Relations, etc).
•    Eight years of experience, preferably in relief/development work with management and supervisory responsibilities in program administration at senior management level.
•    Demonstrated excellence in human resource management, particularly in a multi-cultural environment, including techniques for staff development, training, motivation, and discipline.
•    Strong team and people leadership, management, organizational and development skills.
•    Demonstrated excellence in multi-tasking, time management, and flexibility.
•    Direct experience in partnership working, including identifying and developing a wide range of partnerships and managing effective implementation through and with partners 
•    Excellent stakeholder management and representation skills with a range of internal and external  stakeholders, including the ability to influence and negotiate positive outcomes 
•    Experience working with and coordinating with donors including European, UK and US governments, private foundation donors, UN agencies etc. and knowledge of specific donor guidelines and priorities.
•    Demonstrated skills and experience working within INGO finance, security and operational frameworks.
•    Knowledge of best practices in project design, implementation and monitoring processes and techniques.
•    Ability to take the initiative and proven ability to work creatively, innovatively and effectively to make decisions with limited direct supervision.
•    Excellent analysis and communication skills,  including demonstrated excellence in proposal and report development and writing.
•    Fluency in English. 
•    Strong commitment to humanitarian work and values.
 

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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