Deputy Director of Programs

The IRC has developed a new global strategy called S100 which is being operationalized at country level since 2021. Through this strategy, the IRC has redefined it’s mission while setting out clear operational and organizational ambitions and commitments to strengthen its mandate in humanitarian emergencies and post-conflict situations.

The IRC started working in Burkina Faso in 2019 in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the influx of internally displaced populations, due to the security situation. The IRC Burkina has a main office in Ouagadougou and three field offices in Ouahigouya (North Region), Dori (Sahel), Fada (East), and sub-offices in Djibo (Sahel), Séguénéga (North) and Kaya (Centre North).

Job overview

As a key member of the Senior Leadership and Management Team and under the supervision of the Country Director, the Deputy Director of Programs (DDP) main role is to provide strategic and operational leadership in the management of the Program, focusing on its development, quality, advocacy, and IRC’s influence at the national level. The DDP has direct responsibility for the effectiveness and efficiency of support to all units of the Program Team in the country program. The DDP ensures the implementation of the country strategic plan through the development of Program, high-quality project, innovative and delivering results rapid and sustainable impacts for the benefit of the populations we serve.

He/she directly and indirectly supervises the international and national staffs of the Program team, including the technical coordination teams (including Health/Nutrition/Wash, Protection including WPE/GBV, child protection and protection monitoring, ERD, governance and education), the Grant and Partnership Team and the Monitoring and Evaluation, and Learning teams.

In support of the Country Director, the DDP assumes a high-level internal and external representation role with donors, partners, state actors, civil society, the private sector, and other key stakeholders in Burkina Faso and/or the region. In the absence of the Country Director, the DDP may be called upon to assume the role of Acting Country Director.

Responsibilities

Main responsibilities

As a senior member of the country team, the Deputy Director of Programs will have overall responsibility to provide strategic and operational leadership and management of the program, focusing on its development, quality, advocacy, and influence at the national level, mainly in the following areas:

• Program strategy design and development

• Team management

• Business development, resource mobilization and partnership

• Implementation of the quality program

• Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Documentation, Communication and Learning

Specific responsibilities

Strategic and operational management

• Strategic planning: with guidance from the Country Director, lead the planning, development, implementation of IRC program initiatives with sector coordinators, in accordance with the strategic plans and based on an up-to-date contextual analysis to ensure pertinence of all programming.

• Spearhead a multi-annual strategy that prioritizes localization, cash if , responsiveness, and gender, diversity, equity & inclusion.

• Coordination: Coordinates the development, formulation and writing of project ideas, concept notes and proposals in collaboration and coordination with national and regional technical teams.

• Effectiveness: ensure the effective and qualitative management of IRC Burkina’s program cycle and ensure programmatic learning between program/projects.

• Leadership: take leadership on strategic development, action plans with clear objectives and clear results evaluation steps, long-term and short-term priorities, implementation plans; financial projections and assessment tools.

• Support: Work with country technical teams and field coordinators to ensure adequate support is provided to program/project implementation staff while Assisting Sector Coordinators to develop and maintain monitoring plans, work plans, spending plans, staffing plans, etc. in collaboration with Operations, Finance and Grants.

• Provide on-going problem-solving guidance for field offices regarding programmatic issues, planning issues, and difficulties encounters with local authorities and Partners;

• Participation: Formulates and develops program that promote beneficiary or client participation, capacity building, partnership, advocacy, and promotion of rights.

• Opportunities: ensure the development of new opportunities in line with Burkina’s Strategic Action Plan

• Policy: ensure that all interventions in Burkina Faso comply with IRC policies, donor specificities and standards generally accepted in the field of Humanitarian/Development and national protocols.

• Data: Assist teams in the collection, analysis, presentation and retention of data and the achievement of expected indicators of different programs/projects as well as in the use of analyzed data in programmatic decision-making.

Program Quality and Growth

• Provide leadership, guidance, and support on program quality tools and initiatives such Project cycle meetings.

• Identify assessment needs and opportunities with technical coordinators and provide guidance on the design and implementation of assessments and evaluations, including their reports.

• Organize and chair regular program coordination meetings with relevant staff.

• Guide proposal and concept note development and define with the CD the strategic direction of our programmatic and fundraising efforts.

• Coordinate the development, formulation and writing of project ideas, concept notes and proposals in collaboration and coordination with country and regional technical teams.

• Support programs to initiate and build partnerships with local partners in line with IRC guidance.

• As security permits, conduct regular visits to program sites to monitor program quality and provide action-oriented feedback and recommendations.

• Create opportunities for learning lessons from existing programs and their application.

• Ensure the highest quality of design for all proposals with the support of the Grant department.

• formulate and develop actions that promote beneficiary participation and beneficiary feed-backs.

Human Resources Management

• Staffing: in coordination with the Human Resources management team, ensure that the IRC Burkina Program team is composed of quality staff, living the values of the organization. He/she participates in the recruitment, development, and retention of qualified individuals in all necessary positions of the Program, to support effective, efficient, and high-quality programs/projects. He/she Provide excellent line management of Sector coordinators, Grant Senior Manager and Monitoring and Evaluation team, including setting objectives and work plans, and carrying out regular coaching as well as periodic evaluations.

• Team building: he/she ensures that the Program team is consistent and that colleagues work in good collaboration with each other, with an excellent understanding of mutual expectations; and that support for field teams is prioritized. He/she establishes and evaluates the performance standards/objectives and behaviors of team members. He/She fosters a positive and productive professional work environment and professional relationships amongst staff; and facilitate productive working relationships between the program and operations staff.

• Individual Development and Performance Management: He/she manages and develops the performance of Program teams across the country to ensure the quality of the Program. This includes monitoring and evaluating individual performance and professional development plans, in accordance with the organization’s standards.

Compliance and Risk management

• Budgeting: He/she oversees the coordination of the preparation, consolidation, analysis and submission of program/project budgets in accordance with IRC and donor instructions and guidelines.

• Reporting: He/she coordinates with the Grants the process of preparing and submitting quality reports, in particular program/project reports, as well as other internal IRC reports, including their timely submission and monitoring of the implementation of actions and recommendations of such reports.

• Grants: provide regular inputs into the grant management process and compliance with internal rules and requirements at IRC, and donors.

• Budget: monitor all grant budgets to ensure that donor rules and specificities are followed; Review budget realignment requests and extension requests. develop budgets for new proposals in collaboration with the teams; monitor expenses to ensure they are in accordance with the rules and be accountable for all reports. Contribute, from a programmatic point of view to the formulation of the operational budget.

• Rules: ensure compliance with programmatic rules; ensure that grant/project meetings are organized for any program/project and that consistent Action Plans are developed and implemented by the teams.

• Risks: ensure that systems and processes are in place to identify and manage programmatic risks – identification, assessment, and mitigation.

Representation

• Represent IRC and IRC’s interests with Government officials, donors, UN, and other operating and implementing partners when required or applicable.

• Assist the CD in developing a strong relationship with donors to ensure sustainable funding of programs.

• Represent IRC in lieu of the Country Director as necessary.

• Support sector coordinators in their representation roles in technical meetings

• Other activities/responsibilities that may be required by the CD, the DRD, and indicated HQ program related staff.

Key working relationships:

Position reports to Country Director

Position directly supervises: A senior management team responsible for programs, MEAL, Grant, Partnerships.

Key Internal Contacts:

• Country Program Staffs, West Africa Regional Team and HQ (Awards Management, Ethics & Compliance, Operations and Strategy, Finance, Global Philanthropy & Partnerships, Program Quality, Advocacy and Communications, and General Counsel)

Key External Contacts:

• Partner organizations, Host country government officials, Public and private Donor agencies, International and national NGOs, UN agencies, Clusters leads

Job requirements:

• Master’s degree in Program Management and / or in a field related to the position.

• At least seven to ten years (10+) of international experience in humanitarian/development, with an excellent understanding of the environment of West Africa or experience working in Burkina Faso.

• Strong team management, excellent leadership, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, independent work skills and solid experience in managing your time.

• Strong knowledge and practical experience of IRC’s main donors, US (BPRM, BHA, USAID), European (GFFO/BMZ/KFW, SIDA, SV, NORAD, ECHO, EuropeAid, DFID, DANIDA) and UN agencies (UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, WHO).

• At least seven years of international experience with required experience in an emergency or conflict-afflicted setting.

• Demonstrated skills and experience in program design and delivery, including proposal development and compliance in emergency settings.

• Proven capacity in staff management, multi-tasking, time management and diplomacy.

• Fluent in French and English with an excellent communication and presentation skills

• Must be an innovative and creative problem solver, and a team player, with experience working with multi-cultural teams.

• Ability to work under pressure and with heavy workload, to independently organize work and prioritize tasks.

• Ability to quickly understand the complexities of the operating context, IRC models / systems / processes / tools, organizational structures and decision-making processes.

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Attention Returning National Candidates: IRC strives to attract, motivate, and retain qualified national staff in our programs. We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a national of the country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, an attractive remuneration package would be available. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing, and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic.