Economic Empowerment Programme Manager

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 UK 
IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. The IRC UK has been delivering Resettlement Asylum and Integration (RAI) programme in the UK since 2021, working in partnership with local councils, providing integration support to resettled refugees in Southeast England and now has the opportunity to support Resettled Refugees in Hampshire.

In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.  

The Purpose of the Role

The Economic Empowerment (EE) Programme Manager oversees the development, implementation, and completion of all grants, contracts and activities related to the Economic Empowerment department, including refugee employment, workforce development, small business development, and financial capabilities. The portfolio currently includes a large private donor grant and several small local authority contracts. Responsibilities include supervision of economic empowerment staff, primarily the ESOL & Adult Education Lead and Employment Caseworkers, and ensuring compliance with programme requirements.

Key Working Relationships:

Position directly supervises: ESOL & Adult Education Lead and Employment Caseworkers and work closely with the Finance Manager, other Programmes Managers, Senior Programme Development Advisor and other departments where there is overlap in client caseload.

The position work with external partners such as Community-based organisations, employers, and workforce agencies.

Key Accountabilities:

 Oversight and growth of Programmes:

• Effectively manage the development, implementation, compliance, and completion of all grants and contracts within the department.
• Responsible for the development of grant proposals, including working with the Senior Programme Development Advisor to find new opportunities and strengthen donor relations to grow the EE portfolio of work.
• Monitor the provision of services through regular and systematic case file reviews, and quality assurance protocols including data QA to ensure compliance with donor requirements and provision of quality services.

 Staff Supervision and Other Responsibilities:

• Participate as an active member of the RAI management team and relevant internal and external groups. 
• Support the Economic Empowerment team members; formally evaluate team and individual performance to ensure objectives have been met. 
• Recruit and train staff in all aspects of economic empowerment programmes responsibilities.

• Represent IRC in public, professional and governmental forums.
• Facilitate interdepartmental communication and information sharing for monthly newsletters, program reports, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications:

• University degree (four year, B.A.) or equivalent experience; advanced degree in related field such as business, public policy.
• Strong analytical and training skills; excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Highly organized self-starter with proven success managing multiple priorities, making critical decisions, and delivering results in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Solid diplomacy, relationship building and networking skills; ability to effectively manage internal and external relationships, including community stakeholders and donors.
• Demonstrated success achieving goals and communicating effectively a multi-cultural environment.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written. Proficiency in a second language desirable.
• Demonstrated proficiency in working with MS Office applications, with strong command of Excel
• Strong understanding of the UK employment support ecosystem, including Jobcentre Plus, local authorities, DWP-commissioned programmes (e.g., Connect to work, Restart, Flexible Support Fund), adult education funding (AEB, Multiply), and local careers/employer networks***.
• Knowledge of employer needs, labour market trends, and sector-based recruitment models in the UK (e.g., health & social care, hospitality, logistics, construction).
   

Experience:

• Minimum five years of related program management experience including staff management, program development, and monitoring and evaluation***.
• Minimum of three or more years’ experience implementing economic empowerment programmes; this could include workforce development, financial inclusion, and/or small business development programmes***
• Knowledge and familiarity with UK integration services for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants***

• Demonstrated experience working with relevant key partners including industry/private sector, adult education and/or colleges, workforce system, public benefits system(s), financial service(s) providers, and/or small business centers strongly preferred
• Previous fundraising and grant writing experience
• Demonstrated ability to promote an organizational culture that reflects IRC’s core values of service, accountability, integrity, and equality.  Ability to lead in a way that recognizes that IRC’s work is best accomplished through the true collaboration of individuals from many cultures with a great variety of skills and perspectives.
• Direct experience delivering economic empowerment programmes tailored to people facing barriers such as refugees, migrants, women returning to work, long-term unemployed or ESOL learners***
• Knowledge of effective approaches for: ESOL-for-Employment models; Skills assessments and vocational profiling; CV and interview preparation, coaching, and workplace readiness; Sector-based work academies (SWAP), work experience and employer engagement; Self-employment/micro-enterprise pathways relevant to refugee communities
• Track record building partnerships with UK employers and training providers to create inclusive recruitment pipelines.
• Experience influencing employers to adopt refugee-inclusive recruitment practices (e.g., guaranteed interviews, contextual hiring, supported placements).

You must have the right to work in the UK.

The deadline for this role is 4th Jan 2026

The salary for the role is £48-51,000 per annum pro rata

IRC UK strives to be an equal opportunities employer. IRC-UK is committed to equality of opportunity and to non-discrimination for all job applicants and employees, and  we  seek  to ensure  diversity  in  our  workforce  regardless  of  gender,  race,  religious  beliefs, nationality, ethnic/national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC UK welcomes applications from all candidates, including underrepresented groups and refugees who have the right to work in the UK.

IRC UK will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application and/or interview process, and for essential job functions if appointed to a role. Please contact us if you may need such adjustments. 

If you have any questions or need assistance with the online recruitment process, please contact the IRC UK HR team at applications@rescue-uk.org

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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