🇸🇱 Job Vacancies @ International Rescue Committee (IRC) – 2 Positions

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.

Description Of The Organization

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.

IRC SIERRA LEONE

The IRC has been in Sierra Leone since 1999 at the height of the civil war and provided critical support during the Ebola outbreak between 2014 and 2016, which had a direct impact on more than 14,000 individuals. Since its start, the IRC Sierra Leone has reached millions of clients and continues to provide support to the country’s most vulnerable communities. The IRC Sierra Leone has a country office in Freetown and field offices in Bo and Kailahun districts but implements currently in 5 districts of Bo, Falaba, Karene, Kailahun & Western Urban Area. Currently IRC Sierra Leone programming aims at governance and system strengthening for access to quality healthcare services and improving the education, livelihoods, and well-being of women and girls.

Job Overview

The Women and Girl’s Protection and Empowerment (WGPE) Coordinator is responsible for providing overall leadership, guidance, management, coordination, and technical support to IRC’s WGPE programming throughout Sierra Leone. The position reports into the Deputy Director of Programs (DDP), with technical support from the regional Technical Advisor on Women Protection and Empowerment (WPE). The WGPE Coordinator supervises four staff: 2 x Senior Program Managers, 1 x Program Manager and 1 x Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) Manager (focused on economic recovery and development of women and girls). The WGPE Coordinator will provide technical guidance and advice for all WGPE projects, contribute to external coordination efforts and initiatives to develop IRC’s leadership in-country and lead the development of strategies and proposals for the country program.

In support of these objectives, the WGPE Coordinator provides essential technical assistance including capacity sharing, one-on-one mentoring, supervision, and training to WGPE staff at IRC. The WGPE Coordinator will also provide technical guidance, capacity sharing and oversight of local partners in designs, quality implementing, reporting and management of quality WPE program in Sierra Leone Country Program. The WGPE Coordinator will conduct frequent field visits (up to 40% of time) to ensure the highest standards of quality WPE service delivery to both IRC and partners.

OBJECTIVES OF THE POST

• Oversee the quality design, development, and management of IRC Sierra Leone’s WGPE program
• Develop the country program’s WGPE strategy in conjunction with the Strategy Action Plan (SAP)
• Direct supervision and management of the WGPE team in close collaboration with the DDP and Field Coordinators.
• Maintain close links and collaboration with other sectors, in particular health, nutrition, child protection and livelihoods.
• Ensure regular communication with Technical Advisors and integrate technical unit priorities, where possible, into program design.

Main Responsibilities

Technical Oversight and Support

• Provide technical support and guidance on all programming to a range of partners, stakeholders and the WGPE team working in the communities, on the following broad areas:
• Safe spaces - spaces for women and girls to find support, learn, self-organise and develop their activism.
• Strengthening women and girls' solidarity, network and movement building, enabling them to use their individual and collective power to confront violence, demand social justice, and transform their lives.
• Enhancing women and girls leadership, voice and participation, especially rural women and girls; opening up opportunities and supporting them to take part in, and lead on, joint advocacy addressing issues that affect their lives.
• Opening up and nurturing in/formal education, learning, and social and economic empowerment initiatives opportunities for women and girls that are tied to activities that aim to reduce and prevent violence, specifically IPV.
• Supporting communities to strengthen their engagement on protection and violence prevention and to enhance respect and value for women and girls human rights and gender equality.
• Provide technical and management support to key national organisation partners.
• Provide technical support and guidance on VAWG/GBV and WGPE to other IRC led initiatives.
• Monitoring and quality assurance mechanisms to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of interventions.

Program Management and Business Development

• Coordinate and support all WGPE programs and components within IRC Sierra Leone to ensure timely, effective and quality activity set-up, implementation, and monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Provide leadership on program development and strategic planning; and actively pursue new program funding opportunities in-line with the program framework and the country program's strategic outcomes.
• Identify gaps in the WGPE programs and work with the team to develop innovative approaches and mechanisms to address them.
• Facilitate regular reviews of program performance and incorporate lessons learned to improve program quality and effectiveness.
• Conduct regular field visits to assess program quality and progress toward objectives and facilitate collective problem solving with staff and other stakeholders to address challenges identified.
• Develop and maintain a monitoring & evaluation plan and framework for current and new WGPE programming, ensuring ethical and systematic processes of data collection, analysis and information sharing.
• Collaborate with the Grants team to ensure that programs are implemented in line with donor rules and that reporting standards are met.
• Ensure programs and activities are locally led and owned by the individuals and communities who the IRC serve.
• Actively identify, build and promote partnerships with INGOs, UN agencies, local and national women' groups, organisations and networks working on VAWG and GPE issues, with the objective of facilitating strong coordination and collaboration.
• Proactively work with other IRC programs to identify areas and opportunities for collaboration, design integrated proposals, and collectively implement projects that multiply positive outcomes for the people we serve.

Finance, Budget and Grant Management

• Overall responsible for WGPE program budgets. Monitor budget spending in line with the spending plans, budget vs actual analyses, and develop remedial plans where necessary to ensure budgets are optimally utilized.
• Work with the field teams in the development of GPE program budgets, cash projections and spending plans and any other grants as may be required, and to ensure diligence in grants utilization.
• Work with the Grants Manager to ensure all WGPE grants are in compliance with donor guidelines and contracts agreements including budget flexibility and reporting requirements.
• Ensure high-quality and timeliness of IRC and donor reports on activities, indicators and achievements.

Partner Management

• Explore and develop a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, and technical departments at national and district levels including development of MoUs contributing to quality and scaling up of program.
• Intentionally develop strategic partnerships with local organizations and women led organizations in line with the country strategic ambition.
• Ensure that all business development and fundraising efforts meaningfully include the local partners that we intend to transition programs to.
• In collaboration with the partnership unit, identify implementing partners when necessary and oversee the IRC-partner technical relations.
• Ensure regular performance monitoring of partners to achieve the set projects objectives and provide technical support and guidance.
• Conduct partner assessments to understand and plan for the technical capacity-sharing support and design capacity strengthening plans for the partners.
• Ensure regular capacity-sharing activities for partner organizations along with close monitoring of performance improvement and training uptake.
• Arrange regular meetings with implementing partners to discuss the program implementation cycle and understand the challenges and barriers that might delay the progress.

HR Management and Staff Capacity Building

• Supervise and provide ongoing support, capacity development and mentoring to WGPE team, including (but not limited to):
• Budgeting and grants management.
• Project and HR management.
• Leadership, delegation, decision-making, problem solving, strategic planning, and conflict management.
• Technical performance management support (setting of objectives, appraisals and professional development action plans and follow up).
• When required, lead on the recruitment of new WGPE program staff, consultants or other external support, in coordination with HR.
• Ensure effective team communication and support between team members based in Freetown and the two field sites, including opportunities for debriefing and staff well-being and care.

Coordination, Representation and Advocacy

• Proactively build strong working alliances with other international and national actors/organisations working on VAWG-related advocacy and women's empowerment in Sierra Leone.
• Proactively develop and maintain effective working relationships with other key stakeholders, including donors, government actors, UN agencies (including UNFPA, UN Women, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors; maintaining IRC as a key contributor to addressing VAWG and WGPE issues in Sierra Leone.
• Activity participate in national level coordination meetings and working groups.

Minimum Qualifications

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Advanced degree in social sciences, humanities, human rights, gender, or other relevant field or the equivalent in professional work.
• Five years' experience in gender or GBV/VAWG programming, with a specific focus on women and girls.
• Demonstrated coordination, networking and relationship building skills with key partners including government, donors, INGOs, national and local organisations, UN agencies.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully leading, building and strengthening a program team of 10+ staff in a dynamic, challenging and changing context.
• Experience working in integrated programs that combine gender, health, education, economic recovery, or child protection sectors to address intersectional needs is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in supervising, mentoring and building capacity of staff.
• Strong experience, knowledge and skills in participatory methods, community development and partnership.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating practical workshops and educating others on issues including - violence against women and girls, GBV, adolescent girls protection and empowerment, GBV response and service provision, women's networking and movement building, leadership, advocacy, psychosocial support.
• Strong ability to respect differences of culture, opinion and lived experiences while upholding rights-based principles and women's protection and empowerment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, positive and professional attitude, ability to lead and work well in a team setting and with multiple partners.
• Strengths in listening, empathy, flexibility, and creativity.
• Fluency in English and Krio languages is essential. Knowledge of other Sierra Leone languages will be plus.

Working Environment

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. 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.

IRC is equal opportunity employer, considered all the candidates on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran or disability.

Interested persons should submit their application letter, updated CV, labor card and all other supporting documents on the application platform as well as send a copy of all application document to the NGO Desk Officer, Ministry of Labour - New England or to the nearest Ministry of Labour office nationwide.

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

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.

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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.

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND

The IRC has worked in Sierra Leone since 1999. The IRC currently has programs across three core sectors: 1) Health 2) Women and Girls’ Protection and Empowerment (WGPE), and 3) Education. The IRC is committed to supporting the Government of Sierra Leone in the strengthening of the country. We seek to build upon our programming experience and introduce new programs that are adaptive, collaborative and evidence-driven, leading to a more educated, safe, healthy and empowered Sierra Leone.

Job Overview/Summary

The Grants Coordinator is a key role for IRC Sierra Leone, will work closely with the Deputy Director of Programs, Country Director and technical leads in reviewing IRC Sierra Leone business development strategy and implementation in line with the country strategic action plan to ensure that the country program, has diversified and quality funding. S/he will lead and facilitate broad engagement on business development and proposal writing processes with colleagues from programs, finance, operations and partners. This will include managing the business development cycles and staying up to date on new trends of donor funding opportunities, partnership opportunities and the operating context of Sierra Leone. S/he will be responsible for conducting the full range of pre and post award activities required to prepare and submit proposals to a broad range of donors. S/he will lead the development of high-quality proposals processes and ensure compliance to donor guidelines and policies. S/he will have direct responsibility for the management and coordination of the grants, partnerships and communications portfolio, including the responsibility of coordinating Project Cycle Meetings (PCMs). The role will have strategic and hands on responsibility for the Grants department.

The Grants Coordinator will report directly to Deputy Director of Programs (DDP), with close working relationship with the Country Director, Senior Management Team (SMT), Program Coordinators, MEAL Coordinator, Partnership, Finance and Operations. At the regional level the role will work closely with the Regional Program and Award Support Team (RPAS)for the West Africa region.

Major Responsibilities

Business and Program Development

• Lead the implementation of the IRC Sierra Leone Business Development Strategy and Workplan, including proactively identifying new opportunities and partnerships, in coordination and collaboration with the DDP and regional business development and private partnerships teams.
• Lead the coordination of the strategic evaluation and drafting of go-no-go decisions and communication with the regional Business Development team to ensure any resourcing and support needs are planned.
• Lead the coordination of proposal development process, from review of solicitation, GNG decision, designs meetings, proposal development to final submission, gathering input from Technical Coordinators (TCs), Measurement staff, Field staff, Senior Management, Operations, Finance, Technical Advisors, and ensuring review/support at the HQ level to ensure high quality design processes and proposals submission.
• Ensure timely planning and management of review process through IRC’s electronic awards database, the Opportunity Tracking and Information System (OTIS) and HQ approvals.
• Lead the drafting of non-technical sections of proposals, including budget narratives, the editing of proposals, and review against solicitation requirements and overall ensure compliance with donor requirements and guidelines.
• In coordination with HQ, ensure proposals meet internal standards, including the use of IRC’s Outcomes Evidence Framework (OEF) and IMPACT Standards, and are in line with the IRC Sierra Leone Strategic Action Plan (SAP).
• With Finance, coordinate the development of proposal budgets and conduct the review of proposal budgets for donor responsiveness and alignment with the technical narrative.
• Act as the focal point with donors in-country for the proposal development process.
• Working closely with the DDP, provide inputs to program development strategy processes through conducting donor mapping, analysis of upcoming opportunities, and IRC’s competitive strategy.
• Ensure that the contractual terms proposed by the donor or Lead Recipient before the start of a project are realistic and applicable, given the local context and IRC internal processes and procedures.
• Work closely with HQ and SMT to provide support and guidance in the negotiation phase before signing grants and partnership agreements
• Contribute to collating lessons learned in relation to past projects, partners and donors and disseminate these within the IRC to support the organisation’s business development processes, ways of working, strategy, and direction.

Grant Management and Compliance

• Lead the coordination, management and implementation of the grant lifecycle, from project opening, to close-out, including ensuring regular Project Cycle meetings and monthly budget versus actual (BVA) meetings are held, in close collaboration with programs, finance and operations. Ensure timely communication to, and follow-up with, SMT on issues raised and ensuring the issues are fully resolved.
• Ensure clear communication and management of reporting requirements inclusive timelines both for IRC and its partners (and in coordination with the Partnership Coordinator).
• Coordinate timely reviews and consolidate reports as necessary to ensure documents are of the highest quality and in line with donor requirements and are submitted timely to the donor.
• Work with the programs, field offices and partners in the management of project cycle and compliance requirements as per donor agreements.
• In coordination with Finance, maintain visibility of spending and forecasts for the proper monitoring and the successful implementation of programs and early warning in case of obstacles or challenges.
• Review donor contracts and agreements, coordinating the review and approval process through the IRC’s internal awards management system, OTIS, in close collaboration with the Regional Program and Award Support Team.
• Ensure all IRC grant files are maintained and filed on IRC Box system and in line with the set archiving system.
• Ensure utilization of the grants management tools such as the snapshot, FM01, BvAs, and OTIS to ensure accurate tracking of opportunities, reporting and adjustments through the project life cycle.
• Ensure that grants are implemented in compliance with IRC and relevant donor regulations, liaising with the IRC Awards Management Unit and Regional Program and Award Support Team counterparts on any identified issues, questions, concerns.
• In collaboration with Finance Leads, follows up on disbursement requests throughout the project life cycle until the final report is accepted by the donor, the final advance payment is made, and the grant is closed.
• Supports the IRC Sierra Leone Country Program compliance with Government of Sierra Leone requirements, such as through the review of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and SLA reports before submission to relevant line ministries.
• Provide training to IRC staff on compliance and donor-specific compliance requirements
• In coordination with the Supply Chain Leads, monitor compliance with IRC and donor asset management rules. Reviews asset registers to ensure internal and external compliance and advises IRC Sierra Leone Country Program colleagues on queries relating to assets in the context of donor compliance.
• Support donor audit preparation, verifications, and spot checks.
• Lead on IRC grant incident reporting (fraud, corruption, security) to the IRC Ethics and Compliance Unit and relevant donor, liaising with HQ, SMT, and donor as per donor and IRC guidelines.

Partnership Management

• In close coordination with the Partnership Coordinator, support IRC Sierra Leone strategic approach to partnerships and ensure that partnership and sub-grant related administrative processes and procedures are consistently implemented throughout the program, including pre-award compliance checks, agreements, and disbursements and reporting.
• Working closely with the DDP and SMT, lead the development process of Sierra Leone Partnership Plan in line with SAP ambitions and partnership targets
• Increase IRC’s capacity to engage with strategic partners, promoting and modeling effective partnership approaches especially with local actors
• Support the identification of potential implementing partners and oversees due diligence exercises with future implementing partners.
• Provide leadership and guidance to implementing partners in the development of project documents and reports.
• Provide leadership and guidance for developing partnership agreements, coordinating the contracting phase with partners, and ensuring the proper dissemination of contractual obligations to the implementing partners. Also responsible for ensuring that project modifications and amendments to the grant agreements are properly reflected in the partnership agreements and updated on OTIS.
• Where applicable, and in close liaison with the partnership and program teams, oversee the partner capacity building plan at the beginning of each project, and monitors the plan implementation throughout the project cycle.

Communications

• Lead the implementation of the IRC Sierra Leone Communications Workplan, in coordination and collaboration with the DDP and regional communications team.
• Ensure communication requests from donors and/or HQ are actioned (e.g., case studies, blogs, website updates) by program and grants staff as appropriate.
• Ensure that all donor branding and visibility plans are developed and implemented as required.
• Ensure routine updates on program information sheets for use in in-country advocacy and business development efforts.

Coordination & Representation

• Support in-country engagement with donors and key stakeholders, in line with SL’s Business Development Strategy and Workplan
• Ensure participation in project level coordination forums, as relevant.
• Participate in consortium partners coordination, as relevant.
• Work with the DDP to coordinate any donor visits and facilitate any reasonable requests from funding affiliates and governing bodies
• Represent the organizations to donors and to other organizations where applicable and as need arises.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

• Where relevant hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• 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.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs.
• 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.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to: Deputy Director of Programs

Position directly Supervises: Partnership Coordinator

Position indirectly supervises: N/A

Key Internal Contacts

• Country Program: SMT, Technical Coordinators, MEAL Coordinator, Finance Team and Field Operations
• Region/Global: Regional Award Management Unit, Technical Units/Technical Advisers

Key External Contacts: Donors and partners

Job Requirements

Education: A master’s degree or equivalent in international affairs, communications, finance management, development, or related subject

Work Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of international grants management, proposal/business development, program designs experience within the development / humanitarian sector, preferably in Africa.
• Strong experience developing projects, writing quality proposals and reports with rigorous requirements, short period and tight deadlines for range of donors.
• Working knowledge of budget development and management
• Ability to work independently, hands-on and meet deadlines with minimal supervision and support.
• Excellent organizational skills: the ability to multi-task, learn quickly, and work independently and productively in a fast-paced and detail-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work both independently and cooperatively with team members
• Experience and knowledge of donor regulations (USAID, EU, FCDO, Irish Aid, UN Agencies etc)
• Motivated, positive individual who excels at taking initiative and is able to motivate team members to produce results under pressure.
• Strong commitment to IRC’s vision, mission, and core values.
• IRC experience is an asset

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies

• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Strong writing and editing skills with close attention to detail
• Flexibility to adapt to changing requirements
• Excellent inter-personal, cultural and diplomatic skills
• Strong experience in mentorship and capacity building of staff
• Must have good multitasking skills and cope well with pressure and adapts and learns from adversity.
• Problem Solving & Judgment effectively uses critical thinking in solving problems.
• Results Driven: sets challenging and clear expectations to meet organization priorities.

Languages

• Fluent English (Written and Spoken)

Computer/Other Tech Requirements

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent database, data management and data analysis skills, with strong experience using software applications such as Microsoft Excel, Access.

Ability to Travel: 30% of travel time to various program locations.

Standards of Professional Conduct the IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

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 protected by applicable law.

This position is unaccompanied based in Freetown and accommodation will be in individual house.

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.

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