Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) Coordinator

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.

The IRC Ukraine is seeking a dynamic leader to serve as the Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) Coordinator, responsible for ensuring the quality, strategic direction, and timely implementation of all ERD programming, including basic needs and winterization cash assistance, livelihoods initiatives, and integration with Ukraine’s social protection systems. The ERD Coordinator will lead the entire program management cycle—from design and planning to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation—providing cohesion and strategic leadership across ERD activities. They will also work closely with IRC staff and key partners to ensure context-appropriate interventions, leverage cross-program synergies, and align with both national systems and international standards.

In this role, the ERD Coordinator will play a critical part in setting the overall programmatic direction and developing strategies that are aligned with IRC’s global and regional priorities while meeting donor expectations. This includes engaging donors and external stakeholders, designing programs and projects, and overseeing resource development efforts for ERD initiatives. The ERD Coordinator will be a focal point for external partnerships, collaborating with local NGOs, municipalities, government bodies, private sector entities, and other stakeholders to foster integrated and multi-sectoral interventions that enhance the effectiveness and impact of ERD activities. They will represent IRC in relevant coordination forums, including the Cash and Shelter/NFI Working Groups, Social Protection Task Forces, and other key platforms, to ensure alignment and coherence with sector-wide objectives.

Additionally, the ERD Coordinator will provide hands-on capacity building for IRC field staff and partners through regular field visits, training, and mentoring, supporting field teams under the decentralization plan to maintain IRC’s standards and quality of implementation. This role will also ensure the systematic use of data, research, and evidence to guide program decisions, evaluate impact, and continually improve ERD interventions. The ERD Coordinator will be responsible for delivering technical guidance and support to ensure high-quality program implementation, developing and maintaining strategic partnerships to advance ERD programming, leading resource development and advocacy efforts, and overseeing operational functions and technical quality to achieve project goals.
The ERD Coordinator will play a central role in utilizing evidence-based approaches to refine and assess the effectiveness of ERD programs, ensuring that interventions are data-driven and aim to improve outcomes and accountability. Reporting to the Senior Program Quality Coordinator, the ERD Coordinator will be based in Kyiv, with regular travel to field locations to support and mentor teams on the ground, fostering a robust and resilient ERD portfolio that aligns with IRC’s mission and strategic goals.

Main Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership and Program Management:
Lead the management of a complex, multi-donor, multi-year ERD portfolio that includes Emergency Response via both Cash and in-kind delivery, Livelihoods and Development interventions, strengthening the national shock-responsive Social Protection system, and ERD risk reduction activities. Ensure the effective delivery of these programs through IRC and partner organizations by:
• Developing and setting clear objectives and priorities for the ERD portfolio and strategy in alignment with IRC’s global and regional strategies.
• Coordinating and integrating ERD activities across various sectors to enhance program synergies and effectiveness.
• Developing comprehensive programmatic frameworks that guide the implementation of ERD initiatives, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of populations affected by crisis, as well as donor’s requirements and national technical guidance on delivery mechanisms.
• Supporting MEAL team in establishing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess program impact, gather insights, and inform decision-making.
• Supporting the Partnership team in establishing appropriate mechanisms to respond to the engagement needs of the ERD department, in alignment with the strategy abovementioned.
• Engaging with donors and core stakeholders to secure funding, provide program updates, and demonstrate accountability while aligning with their expectations and requirements.
• Facilitating capacity-building opportunities for staff and partners to enhance the quality and sustainability of ERD interventions.
• Regularly reviewing and adapting program strategies in response to evolving needs, contexts, and best practices in ERD.

2. Technical Quality Assurance
• Uphold the highest standards of technical quality throughout all project stages, from design and planning to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
o Coordinate and attend core meetings of relevant Clusters, Working Groups, and Task teams to ensure alignment with national technical guidance.
 Cash Working Group
 Collaborative Cash Delivery (CCD) Network, also as proxy for the CD in the Steering Committee of the National Hub
 Shelter and NFI Cluster
 Food Security Cluster
 Livelihoods Working Group
 Ad-hoc Task Teams
o Evaluate and support the adaptation of existing approaches, when/if guidance from the above mentioned Clusters indicates a need for shift in modalities.
• Develop and implement robust, evidence-based, contextually relevant project designs that align with best practices in ERD, in coordination with the Cash and Livelihoods TAs for the Region, the ERD Community of Practice’s best practice, and relevant internal key advisors.
• Facilitate participatory planning processes with key stakeholders, including but not limited to affected communities, to ensure interventions are responsive to their needs.
• Establish and monitor clear performance indicators and outcomes for ERD activities, in collaboration with the MEAL team, to meet IRC’s standards and donor expectations.
• Provide ongoing technical support, strategic guidance, and capacity building for field teams and partners to enhance program quality, focusing on areas like monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and data management.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor program delivery, gather feedback, address challenges, and identify opportunities for service provision improvements.
• Ensure the technical quality of cash-based, in-kind, and livelihoods interventions in line with IRC’s Country Strategy Action Plan and international frameworks.
• Collaborate with Technical Coordinators and HQ-based Technical Advisors in ERD, Protection, and Health to integrate relevant technical unit priorities into program design and implementation.
• Support innovation, research, and pilot projects, such as the shock-responsive Social Protection initiatives, to ensure the highest technical capacity, accompanied by documenting lessons learned, adaptation strategies, and improved programming. These should range across ERD core priorities, in line with the strategic objectives of the department.
o Shock-Responsive Social Protection
o Adequate Shelter for IDPs in protracted displacement
• Analyze data and feedback gathered through monitoring and evaluation to inform adaptive management and facilitate timely adjustments to strategies and interventions.
• Document and share lessons learned and best practices across the organization to foster continuous learning and improvement in ERD programming.
• Collaborate with the Grants Team to coordinate, draft, compile, revise, and ensure the quality of internal and external reports for ERD, maintaining consistent, accurate messaging for donors and stakeholders.
• Lead dissemination of core ERD products (e.g., reports and infographics) to external ERD partners and stakeholders.

3. Program Development, Proposal Design and Integrated Programming:
Take a lead role in program development, project design, and proposal writing to secure funding and support for ERD initiatives by:
• Collaborating with key stakeholders, including field staff, technical and BD teams, and partners, to identify emerging needs and opportunities for ERD programming that align with IRC's strategic goals.
• Leading the design of innovative and evidence-based project proposals that address the specific needs of affected populations, ensuring alignment with IRC’s global and regional strategies as well as donor priorities.
• Conducting comprehensive analyses of the ERD landscape in Ukraine, including risk assessments and stakeholder mapping, to inform project design and ensure relevance to the local context.
• Ensuring that proposals incorporate technically sound language and terminology, reported in line with donor expectations.
• Fostering collaboration across different sectors of IRC’s operations in Ukraine by actively engaging with sector leads to develop multi-sectoral interventions that enhance the effectiveness and impact of ERD activities.
• Promoting synergy across programs by integrating ERD considerations into broader humanitarian efforts, ensuring that interventions are holistic and address the multifaceted challenges faced by vulnerable individuals and communities.
• Building strong relationships with donors, participating in funding discussions, and presenting programmatic needs and achievements to secure support for ERD initiatives.
• Reviewing and refining proposal drafts, ensuring clarity, coherence, and adherence to IRC’s quality standards and donor guidelines before submission.

4. Coordination, Stakeholder Engagement, and Advocacy:
• Represent IRC in national and relevant regional fora to promote ERD issues, enhancing visibility and support for IRC’s programs.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with national authorities, NGOs, and international agencies to foster collaboration and enhance coordination on ERD efforts.
• Facilitate joint initiatives and information-sharing among stakeholders to develop coordinated strategies that address ERD challenges and maximize program impact.
• Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, government actors, UN agencies, and international and local NGOs.
• Ensure national-level concerns and challenges are communicated to relevant stakeholders to advocate for standards and procedures that enhance coordination in ERD programming.
• Liaise as Technical Subject Matter Expert with the national High Commissions, upon need (i.e., High Commission on IDP Housing, Regional MCEK, etc.)

5. Partnerships:
• Identify and develop partnerships with local and international implementing partners to enhance ERD services in Ukraine, ensuring alignment with IRC’s PEERS standards for equal and effective partnerships to create sustainable and impactful programs addressing the unique needs of clients
• Conduct stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify key actors in the ERD sector, including government agencies, NGOs, community organizations, and private sector stakeholders, clarifying roles, responsibilities, and opportunities for collaboration, ensuring a coordinated response to ERD challenges.
• Strengthen partnerships with relevant national and local organizations, including the national Chamber of Commerce, relevant Ministries with aligned or complementary mandates, Private Sector entities, and community-based groups, to foster a coordinated response to ERD challenges, enhancing the effectiveness and reach of IRC’s ERD initiatives, ensuring vulnerable clients receive comprehensive support.
• Engage in continuous dialogue with partners to share best practices, resources, and lessons learned, fostering an environment of mutual learning and collaboration to improve the quality of ERD services and promote innovative solutions tailored to the specific context of Ukraine.

6. Staff Supervision & Development:
• Maintain open and professional relationships with team members, fostering a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to excel in their roles.
• Provide technical guidance, on-the-job mentoring, and coaching for team members, including people/technical managers, to enhance their leadership and programmatic skills.
• Directly supervise the Information Management (IM) Manager, conducting regular performance reviews and providing constructive feedback to support their development.
• Collaborate with HR and central/field teams to assist in the recruitment of ERD staff, ensuring the team is equipped with the necessary skills and experience.
• Facilitate training and continuous capacity-building opportunities for staff, emphasizing both technical and project management skills to empower them in their roles and enhance overall program effectiveness.
• Spend substantial time in field locations to train, mentor, and support field teams. Empower IRC staff and partners to take ownership of ERD programming, ensuring the quality of field-level implementation while maintaining adherence to IRC’s ERD standards.
• Actively contribute to the decentralization plan by empowering field teams to take ownership of ERD programming. Provide targeted training and resources to ensure that staff in field locations are equipped to implement ERD initiatives effectively, aligning local efforts with IRC's standards and strategies.
• Work closely with the HR department to implement effective performance management systems, ensuring that staff performance aligns with organizational goals. Participate in regular performance appraisal processes, provide input on staff evaluations, and collaborate on developing strategies for staff development, promotion, and retention.
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection at team level to strengthen safeguarding, wellbeing and duty of care, and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.
• Lead by example and support IRC’s commitment to taking all necessary preventive measures and creating an environment where people feel safe and can report misconduct.
• Model accountability and commitment to safeguarding all staff, partners, clients and others the IRC works with to build a culture of prevention of safeguarding violations in our workplace and our programs.
• Model accountability and commitment to the wellbeing of all staff, partners, clients and others the IRC works with to build a culture of duty of care in our workplace and our programs.

7. Project Implementation (not-staffed), and ad-hoc coordination (10%)
• The ERD Coordinator is responsible for the project on shock-responsive Social Protection, due to its sensitive nature. This encompasses all phases of the project cycle.
• Liaise with core stakeholders in the project, including but not limited to, Private Sector, Government Representatives to ensure appropriate complementarity of the initiative, without creating a parallel system with existing structures.
• Develop a clear risk mitigation matrix for the project, beyond the standard Cash Safeguarding Protocols in place for CBN disbursements.
• Oversee all project implementation, ensuring the mitigation measures are implemented appropriately and comprehensively by the IM team, the Partners, and other interested parties.
• Clear all data and payments for the project, ensuring that Safeguarding policies are in place and there isn’t a risk of engaging in activities that could damage the IRC's reputation.
• Represent IRC at external discussions regarding injured civilians and combatants, including conferences, to ensure accurate information sharing and minimization of risks.
• Under this framework, 10% of the time, the ERD Coordinator is dedicated to the Collaborative Cash Delivery (CCD) Network, supporting on technical discussions and steering committee decision-making processes.

8. Technical Subject Matter expert to the High Commission (10%)
• 10% of the time, the ERD Coordinator is dedicated to the Ukrainian Parliament, along with one officer, as Subject Matter Expert on housing and basic needs in protracted crisis (MOU in place). This entails participation in meetings, conferences, and high-level discussions, support in developing draft laws to promote access to suitable and sustainable housing for IDPs in the country, and external representation.
• The ERD Coordinator needs to be Media Trained, and attend refreshments courses, in coordination with the Communication department, as delivering speeches on this matter.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders, outside of the mandate under the High Commission, to ensure appropriate coordination and representation of IRC across fora.

9. Program Support Activities
• The ERD Coordinator is also responsible for all PRs and financial documents of the department, liaising with Supply Chain and Finance, ensuring a timely and accurate compilation of core documentation for program delivery.

Key Working Relationships:
Position reports to: Deputy Director of Programs
Direct Supervision: Information Management Manager
Technical Supervision: CBN Managers and Livelihoods Manager (Administratively Managed by Field Coordinators).
Other internal contacts: Other Technical Coordinators (including PRoL, WPE, CP Health, MEAL, Grants, Partnerships), ERD Technical Advisors, Field Coordinators, Ukraine Senior Management Team

Requirements

The ERD Coordinator will need to meet the requirements below:
• Minimum a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Finance, Business Administration or related subject
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in cash and voucher assistance, livelihoods, micro-enterprise development, agricultural and/ or livestock promotion, social protection, and/or other early recovery programs
• Previous experience supervising and managing a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting
• Previous experience in emergency preparedness and response
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building and mentoring of national and international staff
• Demonstrated experience in grant management and proposal writing
• Excellent computer skills in programs such as: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Capable of applying skills and knowledge in a range of capacities, including direct implementation, advisory functions, training and the transfer of technical knowledge and management skills to others - Personal qualities: Team player, flexible, network-builder, able to handle pressure well
• Familiarity with key donor regulations, i.e., BHA, BPRM and ECHO
• Experience in working with and coordinating with the UN, donors, INGOs and other stakeholders
• Fluent in spoken and written English

This position will be based in Kyiv, with regular travel to other locations as necessary.

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 who are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.