The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the worldโs 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 more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees delivers 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.
Main Purpose of the Job
IRC Afghanistanโs Deputy Director for program quality development, Awards and Partnership is responsible for the oversight and management of the Program Departmentโs Grants and Partnership Units. This is a senior leadership position with significant management responsibility and serves as a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT). The Awards, Business Development and Partnership reports directly to the Country Director. IRCโs Grants Unit is growing and is currently composed of seven team members. The position directly manages two direct staff and seven indirect. This role is based in Kabul with periodic travel to the field. Key in-country and HQ relationships are with the program technical leads, Deputy Director of Finance, Awards Management Unit, and donors. The Awards, Business Development and Partnership provides strategic guidance and support to the country office on issues of program development, grants/sub-grants management and compliance, and donor relations. The position holder leads proposal development processes and supports a variety of aspects of project cycle management, including information management, problem analysis, evidence-based program design, negotiation with donors and partners, grant and sub-grant monitoring and modifications, reporting, and grant closure. The position holder is the main focal point for external engagement with key donors and in coordination with the CD.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Grants Management & Donor Compliance:
โขBusiness development: strategic planning with PCs and grants at proposal design to ensure our programs are funded as per program strategies and that we are pursuing opportunities that complement our strategy and ambitions.
โขParticipate in PCMs to ensure program planning and implementation is in line with strategy and best practices and that PCs are properly budgeting, spending and meeting targets
โขIdentify new funding opportunities by monitoring and analyzing donor strategies and funding trends. Research and advise the DDP and CD on the benefits and risks of pursuing different funding streams in line with the country programโs Strategic Action Plan.
โขLead new program design in close coordination with the DDP and sector coordinators.
โขSupport the Grants Coordinator to manage the development and review of concept notes and proposals. Ensure all proposal outputs are accurate and complete prior to submission.
โขTrack, monitor and supervise all external reporting to ensure the timely delivery of reports which meet donor and IRC requirements.
โขFacilitate open communication with headquarters-based focal points during proposal development and throughout the grant management cycle.
โขMaintain a strong working relationship with donors. Participate in donor meetings together with the CD as required.
โขSupport the Grants Unit in the monitoring of the post-award projects
โขAct as the key focal point and advice the IRC Afghanistan on donor compliance and flag risks and concerns to SMT as required
Strategic Leadership on Grants, Fundraising and Partnerships
โขLead the definition of IRCโs Strategy Action Plans as they relate to partnerships with civil society organizations, collaborating with SMTs to integrate effective partnership approaches into sectoral strategies.
โขCollaborate with internal and external stakeholders to drive processes that ensure IRC develops and maintains a detailed working knowledge of the civil society landscapes, and establishes, builds and maintains a network of strategic partner relationships.
โขEnsure that partnership is appropriately integrated into all new business development, and support the development of new business development concepts that prioritize partnerships.
โขFacilitate systematic partner feedback on IRCโs management of and performance in partnerships, as well as appropriate action in response to the feedback.
โขLead responsibility for IRCโs engagement in CSO and INGO, including contributing leadership to forums (where that aligns with IRCโs strategy), and promoting the localization of the Afghanistan response.
โขAdvocate with donors to promote approaches and requirements that are appropriate and responsive to the priorities and realities of local partners, and that promote the localization of the Afghanistan response.
Partnership Internal Management
โขLead responsibility for facilitating a process that defines clear roles, responsibilities and management structures in the country program to ensure efficient and responsive processes with respect to sub-award partnerships, consistent with IRCโs PEER system.
โขCollaborate with SMTs to ensure that IRC includes key partnership competencies in recruitment for relevant technical and operational positions; provides staff with necessary support for skills development for core partnership skills (mentoring, negotiation, etc); and includes performance objectives for relevant positions that incentivize effective partnerships.
โขServe as a technical resource for partnership-focused staff in sector teams to promote an effective, responsive and coherent approach.
โขFoster and promote a culture, attitudes and values conducive to collaborative partnerships throughout the Afghanistan teams, based on a clear and shared understanding of IRCโs strategy, role and approach, and IRCโs core partnership principles.
โขLead and facilitate the effective implementation of IRCโs PEER system, and actively contribute to the continued development and improvement of the system.
โขSupport the Partnership Coordinator and team to define and manage appropriate competitive and non-competitive processes for identifying and selecting partners.
โขOversee and support the Partnership Coordinator in all aspects of sub-award life cycle management - from due diligence vetting, project and agreement development, sub-award management, monitoring and accountability, through to closure - coordinating all program, operations and finance components.
โขEnsure all partners have collaboratively developed project support plans in place and oversee the delivery of timely and effective support.
Human Resource Management
โขDirect management oversight of the Grants and Partnership Unit, including ensuring that the unit is appropriately resourced and structured, and the recruitment, performance management, and professional development of all unit staff.
โขCoach, train, mentor and supervise direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting quarterly performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews. Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth.
โขHold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis.
โขProvide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
โขPromote IRCโs regional nationalization goals in the management of the unit.
โขMaintain 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.
โขModel healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
โขWork with regional HR staff to identify and implement recruitment and retention strategies.
Qualification and Requirements:
Education:
โขSocial Science or something similar
Years of Experience:
โขMinimum of seven years of experience in grants management and program quality functions in a multi-donor, multi-sector working environment.
Skills:
โขDemonstrated experience in an inter-departmental coordination role and the ability to communicate with and balance the priorities of a range of stakeholders.
โขExtensive experience leading proposal development and report consolidation, including the coordination of inputs and drafting of complex documents across multiple departments.
โขExperience advising teams and ensuring compliance with donor regulations. Knowledge of BHA, ECHO, FCDO, and USAID requirements an advantage.
โขA genuine commitment to collaborating with national NGOs and government partners in humanitarian response. Experience managing partnerships with and processing sub-awards to NGOs is a distinct advantage.
โขExperience strengthening systems to collect, analyze, and respond to beneficiary feedback is an advantage.
โขPrevious experience in a conflict-affected or protracted crisis setting strongly preferred. Experience in a range of operational settings is preferred.
Technical Competency:
โขHighly developed leadership abilities, including the ability to coach, motivate, and support effective teams.
โขStrong cross-cultural communication skills and eager to work as part of a diverse team. Sensitive to interpersonal differences and a range of viewpoints.
โขExceptional advance planning and organizational skills. Able to effectively prioritize and follow multiple projects simultaneously.
โขAnalytical, strategic, and able to proactively develop solutions to complex challenges.
โขFlexible and innovative. Able to adapt plans in response to contextual changes.
โขReliable, patient, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
โขCommunication and reporting skills
โขFluency in English
โขComputer skills (including MS Word, Excel, Access, and internet) an advantage
โขAbility to work closely, professionally, and constructively with all others regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, religion, race, tribe, or cultural background
Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way โ our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.