The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is recruiting to fill the following positions:
1.) Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Advisor
2.) Senior Finance Manager
3.) Project Director
See job details and how to apply below.
1.) Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Advisor
Requisition ID: req27977
Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Advisor
Sector: Monitoring & Evaluation
Employment Category: Proposal
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: Yes
Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Job Description
This position is contingent on IRC being awarded funding and is anticipated to begin in September 2022.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian relief and development organizations. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people survive, recover and regain control over their lives. Working in more than 40 countries, the IRC is helping to restore hope and opportunity to millions of people.
At the height of the civil war in 1999, the IRC began implementing emergency interventions in Sierra Leone and supported the country throughout its 2014 Ebola outbreak which affected more than 14,000 individuals, by providing protective equipment to frontline workers, developing public health plans with local officials, and conducting community sensitization on hand washing and other safety measures. The IRC continues to assist vulnerable communities throughout the country to this day. Current programs support the rebuilding of health and education services while actively promoting women and girls’ empowerment. Since the start of its implementation in Sierra Leone, the IRC has reached over two million beneficiaries.
Project scope and objectives:
The project “Civic Engagement in Local Governance for Accountability (CELGA) in Sierra Leone” funded by USAID aims to foster the social contract between local governments and citizens in through scaling up successful initiatives that support local governments and relevant national government institutions, civil society, and citizenry to 1) increase citizens’ participation in local government and political processes, and 2) bolster the provision of critical services by local governance institutions through processes that are transparent and accountable to citizens. The project will work directly with local government entities and the citizenry, especially women and youth engagement, local CSOs, and government entities working on decentralization, local governance, and elections with an anticipated $3.5M budget.
The monitoring, evaluation, and learning advisor position:
The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Advisor will be responsible for developing and implementing the project’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning strategy, in accordance with IRC, USAID, and international best practice. S/he will work closely with the Project Director and technical staff to ensure that relevant data is collected, analyzed, and used to inform management and design decision, and to provide project updates, as required.
Main Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership and Partnership
• Develop, manage and implement a monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning strategy for the project, including a system across all project components that leverages qualitative and quantitative methods, and draws from a variety of data sources to measure progress and evaluate impact, as well as support collaboration, learning, and adaptation.
• Participate and provide input to program strategy, including necessary adjustments or refinements to the work plan.
• Develop, coordinate and strengthen capacity sharing partnerships with MEAL counterparts of partner agencies, local organizations and government;
• Represent the project on MEAL at internal and external meetings, forums, and other events;
• Champion design, access and use of data by leaders and partners for shared learning and evidence-based decision-making;
• Shape and implement MEAL systems and approaches that meet USAID and IRC standards and practices, that meet project and program needs, enable accountability to clients, partners, and donors, and foster program learning;
• Reinforce integration of cross-sectoral priorities in MEAL, including gender, protection, safeguarding, disaster risk reduction, Diversity-Equality-Inclusion and Do No Harm.
• Develop and ensure compliance with procedures for collection and reporting of program performance data to provide quality and timely data.
Technical Oversight
• Provide technical leadership for a strong monitoring system and processes throughout the project cycle from the design, implementation to close-out and learning including:
o Using learning and evidence from internal and external sources including previous projects to inform proposal design and Theory of Change;
o Developing and operationalizing, logical framework, MEAL plan, data collection tools, processes for data management, clients feedback approaches, quality checks and audits, and data visualization;
o Conduct regular visits to project sites to provide on-site technical assistance and ensure proper monitoring of project activities.
o Develop and advocate for adequate MEAL budget and staffing structure for the project;
o Producing high-quality data, analysis, reports, presentations, and dashboard of key findings that foster learning and decision-making and share in key meetings such as project cycle meetings and strategic senior management team meetings.
o Communicate information obtained through MEAL activities to program staff, and external stakeholders, including USAID, to enable informed decision making.
• Provide technical leadership for the design, method, and conduct of surveys such as baseline and endline, and the commission of evaluations and surveys as required in coordination with program coordinators, technical advisors, and external partners where vital;
• Lead and advocate for the expansion of standard mobile data technology and online dashboard to enhance timeliness and quality of data collection, analysis and visualization;
• Provide technical leadership to project efforts in meeting its internal and external accountability commitments through the implementation of sound accountability, client feedback, and response mechanisms.
Human Resources
• Promote the growth and development of others in the project team and partners: Assess proficiencies; develop and lead targeted learning and training strategy. In particular, coach, mentor and support M&E/MEAL staff, provide vital tools and resources, as well as on the job training;
• Supervise medium to large sized MEAL team across multiple sectors and geographical areas: Set clear performance objectives; manage staff work plans; establish regular performance reviews; champion a positive working environment for professional development; foster an inclusive and respectful team climate, where all staff are valued and respected and can contribute to their maximum potential;
• Lead the recruitment of country MEAL staff, TTA’s, consultants and, support their onboarding.
Job Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
• Advanced degree (PhD or MA) from an accredited university in social science, international development, evaluation research, statistics, or a related discipline required; equivalent experience may be substituted for graduate degree.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in MEAL experience on multi-million-dollar humanitarian or development projects in crisis contexts.
• Significant previous experience carrying out MEAL activities in conflict or crisis situations, preferably for USAID.
• Experience with USAID’s collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) approach preferred
• Leadership experience and proven technical skills in setting up quality M&E/MEAL system that leads to evidence-based decision-making for multi-sectorial and multi-donor funded programs;
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and non-formal methods together with strong presentation and reporting skills;
• Strong management and social skills and proven track record to work with diverse groups of people in a multicultural environment;
• Self-motivated with excellent organization, planning, and analytical skills - able to work without close supervision, including prioritizing work and multi-tasking;
• Proficiency and experience with mobile data collection such as Kobo, CommCare, ODK Collect are crucial as well as proficiency with Microsoft Excel; SPSS, SATA or other similar software;
• Knowledge of Tableau, PowerBi or GIS software are additional assets;
• (If CR/Accountability is under MEAL) A strong understanding of accountability and proven ability to build Client Feedback Systems is a distinct advantage;
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with a wide network of partners and stakeholders.
• Experience working to incorporate issues of government accountability, transparency, and equity in education programs, including gender, ethnicity, and disability inclusion.
• Demonstrated experience in policy dialogue and education reform working with government and civil society organizations.
• Capacity to work well under pressure, and the ability to communicate appropriately and effectively cross‐culturally is critical.
• The candidate must be fluent in English.
The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
2.) Senior Finance Manager
Requisition ID: req27975
Job Title: Senior Finance Manager
Sector: Finance
Employment Category: Proposal
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: Yes
Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Job Description
This position is contingent on IRC being awarded funding and is anticipated to begin in September 2022.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian relief and development organizations. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people survive, recover and regain control over their lives. Working in more than 40 countries, the IRC is helping to restore hope and opportunity to millions of people.
At the height of the civil war in 1999, the IRC began implementing emergency interventions in Sierra Leone and supported the country throughout its 2014 Ebola outbreak which affected more than 14,000 individuals, by providing protective equipment to frontline workers, developing public health plans with local officials, and conducting community sensitization on hand washing and other safety measures. The IRC continues to assist vulnerable communities throughout the country to this day. Current programs support the rebuilding of health and education services while actively promoting women and girls’ empowerment. Since the start of its implementation in Sierra Leone, the IRC has reached over two million beneficiaries.
Project scope and objectives:
The project “Civic Engagement in Local Governance for Accountability (CELGA) in Sierra Leone” funded by USAID aims to foster the social contract between local governments and citizens in through scaling up successful initiatives that support local governments and relevant national government institutions, civil society, and citizenry to 1) increase citizens’ participation in local government and political processes, and 2) bolster the provision of critical services by local governance institutions through processes that are transparent and accountable to citizens. The project will work directly with local government entities and the citizenry, especially women and youth engagement, local CSOs, and government entities working on decentralization, local governance, and elections with an anticipated $3.5M budget.
The senior finance manager position:
The Senior Finance Manager will be responsible for supporting the Project Director in management of staff, capacity building and stakeholder engagement. S/he will coordinate the development, implementation and reporting on detailed management plans that may include implementation plans, deliverable tracking, etc., in assigned area of responsibility. S/he will manage implementing partners and oversee operations. As Senior Finance Manager, S/he will have responsibility for all aspects of strategic and operational finance, acting as the principal finance business partner to the Project Director and other Senior Management team members.
Main Responsibilities:
• Ensures that all policies and procedures are in compliance with IRC and USAID policies, procedures, and requirements.
• Establishes project’s finance and supporting function policies, systems and procedures, and directs or performs their development, documentation, and implementation.
• Manages project finance activities and schedules to meet the financial reporting requirements and deadlines specified by New York HQ and USAID. Prepares quarterly accrual reports, expenditure reporting, and burn rate projections.
• Provides project management and program staff with monthly actual-to-budget expenditure reports and analysis for project funds and facilitate the review and discussion.
• Ensures balance sheet reconciliations are completed monthly and on a timely basis and review final reconciliations and trial balances with the Project Director.
• Closely monitors all financial activities, and keeps the Project Director advised of all situations which have the potential for a negative impact on internal controls or financial performance.
• Directs the preparation of and approval of all USAID financial reports in respect to accounting, legal and contractual requirements and ensures the review of such reports by the Project Director and HQ prior to submission.
• Enforces internal control policies and procedures with utmost integrity.
• Maintains current knowledge of local government requirements related to financial matters and ensures compliance with tax regulations and other legal requirements.
• Establishes project finance roles and responsibilities matrix; ensures job descriptions are current; recruits and maintains qualified staff to perform finance functions.
• Develops and implements a training program for the project’s finance staff.
• Ensures constructive performance reviews are completed on a timely basis and facilitates discussion of performance and career options with project finance staff.
• Supervises all project office bank relations and bank account activities including negotiation of fees, interest and currency exchange rates.
• In compliance with IRC policy, establishes policies regarding cash holding limits, cash movements and foreign currency holdings of the project.
• Oversees the timely preparation, review and approval of all monthly bank account and cash reconciliations.
• Designs, implements, and monitors systems, procedures and reporting necessary to maintain on current basis accurate forecasts of cash requirements for meeting future spending, including commitments entered into and which obligate IRC to future spending.
• Supervises the preparation of Cash Transfer Requests to New York and ensures that appropriate cash balances are maintained to facilitate project implementation.
• Assists with the preparation and revision of project budgets.
• Prepares the annual and monthly cash budgets based on approved funding.
Job Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce or Finance with a recognized professional certificate in accounting such as CPA, or a master’s degree in Accounting.
• Minimum of 5 years in similar financial, compliance, or operational role supporting USAID and/or international donor projects in similar contexts.
• Experience with budgeting and financial reporting requirements on multimillion-dollar USAID and/or international donor funded projects.
• Experience with financial management and reporting on projects with substantial sub-award components.
• Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting practices, financial reporting standards, financial management processes and procedures.
• Familiarity with USAID rules and regulations preferred.
• Extensive experience in working with computerized accounting systems, standard spreadsheet and database programs (SUN System).
• Good written and verbal skills in English and Arabic.
• Must have a proven track record of proactively identifying and communicating potential problems and proposing solutions.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and professional patience and be able to interact, partner and thrive in a diverse environment.
• Committed to staff training and development and effective at facilitation.
The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
3.) Project Director
Requisition ID: req27973
Job Title: Project Director
Sector: Program Administration
Employment Category: Proposal
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: Yes
Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Job Description
Sierra Leone nationals are strongly encouraged to apply. This position is contingent on IRC being awarded funding and is anticipated to begin in September 2022.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian relief and development organizations. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people survive, recover and regain control over their lives. Working in more than 40 countries, the IRC is helping to restore hope and opportunity to millions of people.
At the height of the civil war in 1999, the IRC began implementing emergency interventions in Sierra Leone and supported the country throughout its 2014 Ebola outbreak which affected more than 14,000 individuals, by providing protective equipment to frontline workers, developing public health plans with local officials, and conducting community sensitization on hand washing and other safety measures. The IRC continues to assist vulnerable communities throughout the country to this day. Current programs support the rebuilding of health and education services while actively promoting women and girls’ empowerment. Since the start of its implementation in Sierra Leone, the IRC has reached over two million beneficiaries.
Project scope and objectives:
The project “Civic Engagement in Local Governance for Accountability (CELGA) in Sierra Leone” funded by USAID aims to foster the social contract between local governments and citizens through scaling up successful initiatives that support local governments and relevant national government institutions, civil society, and citizenry to 1) increase citizens’ participation in local government and political processes, and 2) bolster the provision of critical services by local governance institutions through processes that are transparent and accountable to citizens. The project will work directly with local government entities and the citizenry, especially women and youth engagement, local CSOs, and government entities working on decentralization, local governance, and elections with an anticipated $3.5M budget.
The project director position:
The IRC is seeking a dynamic Project Director that will provide overall leadership and oversight for the proposed project, for both technical and operational implementation, under the supervision of the Deputy Director for Programs of the IRC Sierra Leone office. She/he will be responsible for ensuring that the proposed project is implemented in accordance with the cooperative agreement, USAID regulations, and internationally recognized quality of assistance standards. The Project Director is the chief representative for the project with all key stakeholders, including local partners, government officials, and donors. She/he will ensure that project initiatives adequately address the needs of the targeted people and communities in the most cost-effective manner. He will also ensure to coordinate and align project activities with other related initiatives in the targeted area. The project Director will also benefit from the support of the IRC’s global Governance Technical Unit and that of the Violence Prevention and Response Technical Unit in order to ensure the effective and contextually adapted design and implementation of the project.
Main Responsibilities:
• Provide strategic leadership and direction, define and implement activities in accordance with the cooperative agreement to achieve the greatest coverage and impact possible;
• Develop and review, in coordination with key project staff, the overall program strategy and the yearly work and performance plans
• Manage the overall project and closely monitor implementation to ensure all activities are delivered according to plans, and that when delays and problems occur remedial actions are identified and undertaken;
• Work with all key staff and partners to identify technical and organizational assistance needs and ensure the adequate planning and effective provision of this assistance;
• Oversee the project management team, including technical and operational staff, and evaluate project staff performance;
• Maintain an ongoing dialogue with USAID, including reporting to USAID through both formal and informal debriefings, as well as periodic reports;
• Maintain solid cooperation with partner organizations, government officials and IRC management and colleagues;
• Manage external relations by representing the project and the organization in public forums and ensure the dissemination of project achievements and lessons learned.
Job Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
• At least 10 years of progressive experience working in areas related to decentralization, governance, service delivery, and elections.
• At least 8 years of progressive experience managing complex donor-funded assistance projects, with strong preference for experience managing USAID-funded projects.
• Strong understanding of, and ability to analyze and impact, political, economic, governance, decentralization, and service delivery environments.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field required; or a bachelor’s degree with 15 or more years of experience managing similar projects.
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with senior government officials; media, civil society, and private sector leaders; international donors; and other stakeholders.
• Proven track record in staff and organizational capacity-building, including of local civil society organizations.
• Solid experience with community empowerment programming, including community driven development, social accountability, or other participatory development processes, especially within service delivery.
• Good diplomatic and negotiation skills.
• Experience with gender-sensitive programming and implementation.
• Strong computer skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Access, Outlook).
• Fluent in English.
The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service , Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
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