Emergency Deputy Director, Field Management

International Rescue Committee
United States, New York, New York
122 East 42nd Street (Show on map)
Nov 20, 2024
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. *This role is open to current and former IRC employees only* The Emergency Deputy Director, Field Management (DDFM) is a member of the Senior Management Team and is responsible for ensuring cohesion between programs and operations, established through a close working relationship with all SMT members and area-based coordinators. The DDFM advises senior management about contextual and operational realities and in doing so contributes to overall strategic thinking of IRC's programs and operations. In this role the individual will seek to establish a conducive environment to ensure program activities are carried out effectively, efficiently, and safely, in furtherance of agreed objectives and taking into consideration all internal and external factors affecting the operational environment. The DDFM will represent the IRC in any external representation efforts, such as in NGO Forums and other key coordination meetings. Major responsibilities: Senior Leadership and Strategic Planning * Serve as an active member of the SMT, contributing to SMT agenda, discussions, and decision-making. * Remain up-to-date on the developments of the context and partner with all SMT members to ensure successful program operations. * Provide data-driven analysis and recommendations on operational risks to the Crisis Lead and wider SMT. * Empower the Field Management Team (FMT) to share thoughts and opinions on opportunities for program growth or shifts, and represent FMT voice within the SMT, ensuring that IRC continues to remain relevant and an added value in the response. * Champion a culture of effective and respectful partnerships. Promote partner-led programming in line with IRC's "why not partner?" and "partner as equals" approach. Support field leaders to identify and articulate clear pathways to support the achievement of partnership goals, including field-level support to partnership capacity sharing. * Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders - including local partners, community leaders, NGOs, government ministries/authorities and UN agencies, to enhance cooperation and coordination between organizations (remotely and in person) * Be an active participant in relevant external coordination fora, in coordination with other members of the SMT. * Champion gender, diversity and inclusion throughout our operations and our programs. Field Management for Program Delivery * Provide leadership, vision, and insight to the FMT as a key enabler to the achievement of strategic goals and the successful delivery of programs; enable and empower the FMT to solve hub-level problems, build internal and external relationships, and unlock implementation challenges. * Foster and maintain strong relationships and build trust across all functions (Programs, Finance, HR, Humanitarian Access, Safety & Security, Supply Chain) to ensure cross-functional ownership and accountability and enable quick, responsive solutions for program and operational staff in the field to successfully delivery programs. * Work closely with HASS and People & Culture to ensure safety, security, and duty of care for all staff and partners in field offices. Raise issues that are affecting staff and partners in field operations. * Promotes strong linkages and exchange between operations and program teams, including in the field, other hub offices, and with the country team to ensure sharing of best practices and expertise. * Closely monitors events in current and potential operational areas to identify other possible programming areas and support in identifying new partners in close coordination with the DDP. * Maintain a sound understanding of IRC's programs and activity plans. Ensure continued oversight of both partner and direct service delivery in close collaboration with the DDP. * Ensure that partnership considerations are incorporated into project planning and that local partners are actively engaged in program design and delivery. * Ensure that partnership risk management actions are effective and aligned with the emergency context and nature of the partnership. * Monitor the implementation of programs in line with established workplans and budgets, advising on risks to timely delivery and the achievement of project objectives. Actively participate in Project Cycle Management (PCM) meetings. * Closely monitors context developments in the field to identify any significant shifts which could impact operations. Operational Support * Manage the operational field budgets, liaising closely with Finance to develop field support budgets, monitor cash flow, and support budget holders to monitor BvAs and track program spending, as per guidance from the DDF and DDP. * Oversee external financial commitments including procurement contracts and lease agreements for all facilities including offices, guesthouses, and warehouses. * With support from the HASS Coordinator, promote safety and security practices and adherence to IRC global security principles. * Support Supply Chain, Admin and IT teams to ensure delivery of high-quality support services for the effective delivery of programs in line with established goals, workplans and program commitments. * Ensure all policies, procedures, and practices comply with IRC, donor, and national requirements, and collaborate with DDFM in other locations to ensure consistency across operation as relevant. * Actively participates in the development of local policies related to Supply Chain, Admin and IT and adaptation of IRC global policies to local context as needed. * Promote and ensures compliant use of IRC equipment and communication resources, including adherence to BIS licenses, confidentiality, and storage of data and similar. * Maintain analytics and high-quality data to monitor performance, drive prioritization and planning, and course correct to improve program support services in a timely fashion. People and Culture * Promote team spirit, cohesion, respect, and the IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct among staff in close cooperation with the People and Culture team. * Work with direct reports and with relevant SMT members for positions managed in partnership, to determine goals and identify skills gaps and to put into place plans for learning and training. * Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews. * In collaboration with People & Culture department, look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment. * Partner in investigations when required and collaborate with the Crisis Lead and P&C if corrective actions are required, taking into consideration safety and security of IRC staff, programs, and assets. * Ensure new field leadership positions receive well-structured orientation and onboarding. * Ensure regular and reliable team meetings and maintain open and professional relations with all team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable and empower staff to successfully perform in their positions. * In collaboration with P&C, ensure duty of care activities are regularly conducted within the team to promote staff well-being and keep morale high. Key Working Relationships: * Position Reports to: Crisis Lead * Position directly Supervises: Key Field leadership positions (Health/ERD/WASH/Partnership coordinators as well as the Supply coordinator, and the Finance and HASS managers) either directly or through a Management in Partnership (MiP) arrangement with other SMT members. * Key Internal Contacts: All SMT members, relevant regional and HQ colleagues * Key External Contacts: International and national NGOs, key stakeholders in areas of operation including local authorities, UN agencies, active forums and working groups. Education/Work Experience: * A university degree in a relevant field and/or 8 years of progressively responsible international work experience, including leadership of multi-site, multi-sectoral operations in a complex operating environment. Experience working in conflict/post-conflict or emergency response situations is required. * Successful experience in a leadership role in complex security environments and situations of constrained humanitarian access is strongly preferred. Demonstrated Technical Skills: * Proven ability to think strategically, prioritize and meet deadlines in a challenging emergency setting. * Demonstrated skill in the rapid and accurate analysis of complex issues, strong decision-making ability, and the capacity to translate programmatic priorities into operational delivery. * Familiarity with IRC core program areas including health, nutrition cash & basic needs, and WASH. * Experience in managing security in a complex and rapidly changing security context. * Proven ability to negotiate and work with partner organizations. * Strong budget and fiscal oversight capacities. * Extensive representation and fundraising success, including prior experience with European, US, and other international donors. * Established capacity to handle stressful situations in a healthy, constructive manner. * Ability to respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner, producing high-quality outcomes. * Prior work experience and a keen understanding of political complexities in Sudan and/or the region preferred. Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies: * Champion a culture of effective and respectful partnerships. Promote partner-led programming in line with IRC's "why not partner?" and "partner as equals" approach * Demonstrated successful leadership and management experience with a multi-disciplinary team in cross-cultural settings, including active mentoring and coaching. * Effective in developing high-potential staff to achieve career growth and maximum contribution. * Proven experience in managing high-quality programming that meets the needs of clients. * Proven experience delivering appropriate levels of oversight of a portfolio consisting of a variety of complex, high-value donor-funded projects. * Experience building personal networks at a senior level, resulting in securing new opportunities for the organization. * Ability to dispassionately represent program context, constraints, and successes to media, government, and other senior audiences. Language * English is required; Arabic is preferred. #LI-DNI 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. 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.