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.
Sudan is facing one of the most complex and devastating humanitarian crises in the world today and has remained at the top of IRCโs watchlist for two consecutive years. Since the outbreak of war in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the country has spiraled into relentless violence, institutional collapse, and mass displacement. Despite multiple ceasefire announcements, violence has continued for nearly two and a half years, displacing over 12 million people across all 18 states.
The crisis has devastated health services nationwide with over 70% of health facilities are non-functional or overwhelmed, and 30.4 million people now require humanitarian assistance. Around 25 million people face acute food insecurity, including 770,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Damage to health infrastructure, supply shortages, and restricted humanitarian access continue to severely hinder the response.
In response to increasing needs, the IRC has scaled up its humanitarian efforts despite immense challenges. We are supporting Sudanese communities, both within the country and across national borders and now seeking a Program Director to help support the Country Director in leading this operation.
Job Overview/Summary
The Program Director (PD) provides strategic leadership, decision-making and coordination for program development and delivery, overseeing the effective implementation and technical quality of IRCโs programs in Sudan. The Program Director ensures that programs are evidence-based and needs-driven, monitored closely, and funded appropriately. Reporting to the Country Director and a member of the Management Team, s/he will supervise technical program coordinators as well as Grants senior coordinators and Partnership Director and MEAL . The Program Director has a close working relationship with the East Africa Deputy Regional Director, and the Regional Emergency Director, and other East Africa Program Director Overall, the Program Director is responsible for ensuring programmatic strategic direction of the Sudan Country Program, high quality implementation of a wide range of programming across emergency to early recovery and development contexts and conducting day to day team management.
Major Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Representation
โข Provide overall leadership and management of IRC Sudan programs, maintaining & enforcing strategic direction & growth.
โข Champion IRCโs Strategy 100 and lead the development of Sudanโs Strategic Action Plan (SAP) in coordination with the Country Leadership Team.
โข Lead the development, follow up and progress review of the SAP-implementation plan (SAP-IP), in line with organizational guidelines and country program needs.
โข Work with the management team to develop fit for purpose operational budgets, which reflect a strong understanding of situational parameters, beneficiary needs, program needs and available resources.
โข Participate actively in country program management, coordination, and strategy meetings with other members of the management team.
โข Actively liaise with IRC Program Director in the East Africa Region and the regional team to maximize synergies and application of best practice across the region.
โข Represent IRC and IRC's interests to government officials, donors, the UN and other operational and implementing partners.
โข Support the Country Director in cultivating strategic partnerships or relationships with new/existing donors, potential consortium partners and other stakeholders to further strategic development opportunities.
โข Build productive relationships with donors, national/regional/local government authorities, private sector actors, and local/international organizations in Sudan, in close coordination with the Country Director.
โข Ensure that IRC Sudanโs program interventions are planned & coordinated within the broader humanitarian effort.
โข Ensure IRC is represented at national and regional sector coordination groups.
Business development and program design
โข Remain abreast of ongoing contextual and funding trends, and provide regular updates and analysis of how they may affect IRC programming.
โข Provide cohesive leadership to IRCโs program teams in Sudan, ensuring that priorities and opportunities identified are in line with and contribute to the achievement of IRCโs objectives in East Africa and the Sudan strategic action plan with strong partnerships focus.
โข In conjunction with the Country Leadership Team (CLT), lead the development, implementation and review of IRCโs country program business development strategy to ensure that individual sector programs, overall strategy and operations are adequately funded.
โข Lead on the development of innovative concept notes and funding proposals in collaboration with Country and regional technical leads, Finance, M&E, Supply Chain and HR/P&C teams.
โข Ensure the highest level of quality in program design HR/P&C through robust and in-depth context analysis, development of theories of change and sector level strategies.
โข Ensure that IRCโs programs are responsive to community needs and are built and delivered to enhance community resilience.
โข Work closely with Finance colleagues to ensure timely budget development, financial planning and cost management.
โข Ensure that rigorous M&E processes and results-based management, periodic and systematic learning inform program design and adaptation
Program Quality and Delivery
โข Liaise with HQ technical advisors & ensure technical coordinators apply relevant guidance & best practices in new program design & implementation.
โข Support the development of measurement tools to assess program impact & involvement of client groups in program design. Ensure the alignment of the IRC Sudan programs with the MEAL Handbook & the use of established stringent monitoring & evaluation systems.
โข Champion an organizational culture where data & client input are routinely used for decision-making & program adaptation. Promote systems that ensure that evidence is used to inform proposal design & theories of change.
โข Identify & pursue opportunities to improve client feedback mechanisms to ensure responsive programming.
โข Ensure IRC Sudan consistently promotes & effectively uses IRCโs Partnership Excellence for Equality & Results System (PEERS) & that partnership decision-making & action is driven by IRCโs partnership principles.
โข Actively contribute to and/or chair Project Cycle Meetings (PCMs) as required to review progress of programs, including but not limited, progress indicators, work plans & spending. When required, coordinate the development of corrective measures to ensure projects finish on time & on target, ensure timely follow-up on any agreed actions.
Staff Performance Management and Development
โข Supervise and mentor direct-report staff, communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, establishing a supportive environment while emphasizing accountability.
โข Providing regular and timely constructive performance feedback, and leading documented semi-annual performance reviews.
โข Develop cohesive teams HR/P&C through regular department meetings, individual meetings, and the promotion of a collaborative working environment.
โข Maintain open and professional relations with team members and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
โข Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
โข Work with regional HR/P&C staff to identify and implement recruitment and retention strategies.
โข Model and encourage active practice of the principles of the โIRC Way โ Global Standards for Professional Conductโ HR/P&C throughout the Sudan country program.
Communications
โข Maintain a healthy and empowering office environment that encourages open, honest and productive communication among IRC staff and with partner organizations.
โข Maintain open communications with regional management staff, regional technical advisors, and HQ departmental staff.
Representation and Coordination
โข Represent IRC and maintain strong working relationships and communication with donors, in consultation and coordination with the Directors East and West.
โข Actively, systematically, and regularly ensure ongoing communication with various partners in the country.
โข Ensure that IRC Sudan program interventions are planned and coordinated with the Sudan Country Program and within the broader humanitarian effort.
โข As agreed with the Directors, East and West, as well as the CD , ensure IRC is represented at sector coordination groups, including the clusters.
Requirements
โข Graduate degree in Psychology, social work, human rights, or related degree preferred
โข At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience managing complex humanitarian and development programming.
โข Strong familiarity with IRC Sudanโs core programming areas including integrated protection, Education, and Economic Recovery and Development.
โข Demonstrated successful leadership experience managing a multi-disciplinary team and a wide range of cultural dynamics
โข Superior diplomatic and coordination skills are essential, both for internal coordination and for working with key stakeholders
โข Demonstrated ability for rapid, accurate analysis of complex issues, strong decision-making, and translation of programmatic priorities into operational strategies
โข Repeated, successful experience delivering appropriate levels oversight for a portfolio consisting of a variety of complex, high-value donor-funded projects
โข Politically astute, with well-developed diplomatic and negotiating skills
โข Fluency in spoken and written English; working knowledge of Arabic is an asset
โข Strong oral and written communication skills, with ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders
โข Extensive representation and fundraising success, including prior experience with European, US and international donors
โข Experience of managing programs in a complex and rapidly changing contexts
โข Established capacity to deal with ambiguity in stressful situations
โข Ability to respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner, producing high-quality outcomes
โข A keen understanding of political complexities in the East Africa region
โข Strong commitment to IRCโs vision, mission and core values
โข Motivated, positive individual who excels at taking initiative and is able to motive team members to produce results under pressure while maintaining a sense of humor.
Key Working Relationships:
โข Position Reports to: Country Director
โข Position directly Supervises:
Key Internal Contacts:
โข Country Program: Management Team members (MT)
โข Regional: Deputy Regional Director and team members from humanitarian access and security, partnerships, public affairs, HR/P&C, finance, supply chain, monitoring and evaluation, ICT4P and others
โข HQ: Program quality and technical units, advocacy, strategy and others as needed
Reporting Lines
Position Reports to: Country Director
Position directly supervises: technical program coordinators, as well as Grants senior coordinators and Partnership Director and MEAL (TBC)
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.
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