Bangladesh: Deputy Director of Programs-Cox's Bazar

Job Description

The IRC has been present in Bangladesh since late 2017 and obtained registration with the NGO Affairs Bureau (GoB) in March 2018. Subsequently, IRC became a full-fledged country programme in July 2018 and Since then, we have been moving quickly to expand our integrated health and protection programme to protect and assist Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh through both direct and partner based programming focused on primary healthcare, women’s protection and empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence and child protection. IRC in Bangladesh is currently in process of finalizing its first Strategic Action Plan (SAP) to guide its operation in Bangladesh for next two years (until 2020) and contributing in three organization-wide key objectives – (i) Grow our impact; (ii) Delivering on our promises; (iii) Standing up for our values and for our beneficiaries

IRC in Bangladesh is currently at critical stage in terms of consolidating our existing work in Rohingya refugee camps making sure that we deliver comprehensive and high quality services; Rapid scale up of programme in existing sectros (protection and health) but also introducing new sectors (education., WASH and Livelihood) both in refugee camps and new start up in host community in Cox Bazar; Rapid growth in both staff strength and funding etc.

PURPOSE:

The Deputy Director Programme (DDP) is one of the very exciting role in IRC Bangladesh. The Deputy Director Programs provides a leadership, decision-making and coordinating role on programmatic issues, both in the development of quality proposals as well as the effective implementation of IRC’s projects in Bangladesh. With a current focus on Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazar and a potential expansion to serve other crises affected communities in the country. IRC is currently implementing programs in Cox Bazar in Health and Safety with plans to expand to work on Education and Economic Wellbeing in near future.

As a senior member of the country management team, the Deputy Director Programs leads on the development of strategies and implementation of programming in the Cox’s Bazar (Rohingya refugees and host community) and beyond.

All functions of this position adhere to the “IRC 2020,” strategy, the Bangladesh country office’s Strategic Action Plan and strive for program excellence, gender equality, maximum beneficiary support, and client voice and choice. The position is part of the senior management team and as such, serves as a key leader in supporting and achieving the IRC’s mission in Bangladesh.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Strategic Planning & Implementation

• Support the implementation of the IRC Bangladesh organizational goals as laid out in Strategic Action Plan, in line with IRC’s Global Strategy Architecture. In coordination with the CD and other colleagues, annually update country program, and sector strategies while remaining relevant to evolving contexts and operational effectiveness.

• Oversee the implementation and monitoring of the country strategic action plan

• Lead roll out of all strategic programming initiatives; including but not limited to Research and Development, Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Response.

• Oversee the development of donor and program sector strategies, including the integration of cross-cutting functions of gender, monitoring & evaluation, cash programming, partnership, disaster risk reduction and advocacy.

2. Program Development

• Provide overall guidance and leadership in the rollout and use of IRC’s Program Framework, Theories of Change and Strategic Action Implementation Plan.

• In coordination with the Country Director, pro-actively design and implement fundraising strategies, incorporating donor mapping and communication plans, to ensure program sectors are adequately financed.

• Support the Grants and Programme Quality / MEAL Unit to ensure that high quality, evidence and needs-based project proposals are developed, according to the Proposal Flowchart and in compliance with IRC and donor regulations as well as within the parameters of the Country Program Strategic Plan.

3. Program Implementation

• Support the Senior Programme Coordinator / Base manager (s) & Technical Coordinators to ensure that program implementation is managed closely through the development of structured work-plans & approved monitoring plans based on project proposals.

• Ensure grants are managed within budget by leading Budget to Actual meetings and ensuring that expenditures are monitored monthly; with well-structured corrective action is initiated and tracked where required.

• Support program teams and program support teams in achievement of IRC Bangladesh’s SAP outcome priorities and programmatic commitments.

• Provide the Country Director with accurate and up to date advice of developments and opportunities in program and project implementation together with any necessary recommendations for action.

• Support the Programme Quality Coordinator in developing, rolling out and monitoring the use of a programme-wide MEAL strategy and tools for the collection and analysis of program information (qualitative and quantitative) to inform all stages of the project cycle to increased shared learning internally and externally.

• Oversee the development of timely and high quality reporting by the grants team and program staff for submission, per IRC and donor guidelines.

• Coordinate donor visits, and support field staff in preparing and conducting these visits as necessary.

• Support in the development of a Partnership Strategy, development of required strategy implementation tools and identification of potential national civil society organization partners.

• Ensure the provision of appropriate technical assistance from IRC’s Technical Units, external consultants or partner agencies as necessary.

4. Human Resources and Staff Development

• Provide supportive guidance and supervision to direct reports. Provide appropriate and timely feedback to staff regarding their performance, including timely implementation of the annual staff performance management system.

• For technical coordinators, set clear and smart objectives aligned to SAP commitments

• Ensure all relevant existing program and technical staff are knowledgeable on the SAP, and associated processes and initiatives including onboarding of new program/technical staff as necessary.

• Support the identification of staff development opportunities for senior staff.

• Assist in developing job descriptions and in the recruitment of senior program staff. Ensure that regular and quality staff evaluations are conducted for all staff.

• Promote an open, diverse and participatory work environment.

• Ensure staff is properly oriented to IRC global, regional and Bangladesh level prior to commencement of their work.

• Lead with commitment, integrity and accountability to the “IRC Way” – Global Standards for Professional Conduct

5. Liaison/Representation and Coordination

• Command a sound understanding of IRC’s programs. To be able to professionally represent the IRC and the IRC’s interests with implementing partners, government, donors and other stakeholders.

• Assist the Country Director in establishing, developing and sustaining a strong relationships with donors / Govt counterparts to ensure sustainable programs in the portfolio sectors.

• Encourage and support improved program cohesion through coordination initiatives and information sharing with and between all key country program staff.

• Actively contribute in various advocacy initiatives and platforms including cross border (Myanmar) to advocate for protection of rights of IRC’s beneficiaries and assistance.

• Promote the IRC Bangladesh vision and mission amongst all staff.

• Serve as an active member of the country program’s Senior Management Team and deputize for the Country Director as necessary.

Major challenges/difficulties of this role:

• Balancing multiple priorities in a fast-paced and high demanding work environment.

• Smooth coordination and communication with multi-cultural multi sector team of national and international staff based in multiple locations.

• Ensuring program and support service quality during a period of rapid expansion.

• Successfully managing relationships and maintaining access in a politically complex environment.

• Managing a dynamic safety and security context with diverse threats and challenges, including violent and non-violent civil unrest, road safety and extreme weather.

Deliverables/KPI

1. High quality and timely delivery of IRC’s multi sector programme in Bangladesh aligned with its Strategic Action Plan (SAP);

2. A motivated and a high performing programme team of IRC in Bangladesh;

3. Development of IRC’s programme in host community in Cox bazar and beyond aligned with its first SAP and based on needs and IRC’s potential value addition;

4. Effective utilization of financial and in kind resources mobilised for IRC’s programme in compliance with IRC’s internal, donor and GoB policy and procedures.

5. High visibility and acceptance of IRC team and its operation among beneficiaries, government and non-government stakeholders.

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ROLES:

Within the Program or Department (position names): · Directly supervised by the Country Director;

· Supervise and works closely with Technical Coordinators, Senior Programme Coordinator/base managers and Grants Coordinator

Outside the Program or Department (Program & position names): Internal (close coordination)

· Senior operation coordinator and team

External (close coordination)

· Accountability towards IRC’s clients / beneficiaries

· Relevant GoB authorities

· Donors

· Other International and national NGOs active in similar operational areas

NUMBER OF REPORTEES:

Direct: 7-9 staff (both international and national)

Indirect: Lead a team of over 100 programme staff

EXPERIENCE (Including sector/industry):

• Excellent professional track record with over 10 years of experience, preferably in a complex and dynamic humanitarian and development environment.

• At least 3-5 years of experience at programmatic leadership level.

• Successful experience of working within a complex and refugee programme is preferred.

• Bangladeshi nationals with relevant international experience will be highly preferred.

KNOWLEDGE , SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, prioritize and meet deadlines in a complex and challenging environment; must be culturally sensitive

• Excellent leadership, people management, interpersonal and negotiation skills and a demonstrated ability to develop harmonious and high-performing teams.

• Strong diplomacy skills; ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with partners, donors and other stakeholders in a sensitive environment.

• Effective communication and presentation skills.

• Excellent skills in managing large scale programme with high value budgets from diverse range of donors.

• Excellent command over MS office

• Excellent command over English. Candidates having command on Bangla language will be preferred.

• Cultural and gender sensitivity, adaptability, willingness to travel.

SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION:

DegreeConcentration / Major

Bachelor degree (candidates with master degree will be preferred)

International Development, International Relations, relevant social sciences or equivalent demonstrable experience in relevant fields.

Applications to be submitted on: https://rescue.csod.com/ats/careersite/jobdetails.aspx?site=1&c=rescue&id=3150