Director of International Programs

DEPARTMENT:  International Programs – Minneapolis, MN

RESPONSIBLE TO:  Senior Vice President of International Programs

SUPERVISORY CAPACITY:  Country Directors and Program Management Unit

VISION AND DESCRIPTION OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

We like to think we’re different – or at least getting there.

The American Refugee Committee is all about people…the refugees we serve and the donors who make our work possible. In our eyes, they’re equal, and we work to give them both a voice.

We don’t bring the solutions. People suffering through the most difficult times of their lives know better than anyone what they need. We work with them and our donors to make it happen.

We’re looking for an exceptional manager, innovator and creative thinker to lead our International Programs Team, which includes more than 1,800 people in nine countries, Minneapolis and Washington, D.C. The team delivers high-quality programs with lasting impact through innovative program design and rigorous attention to outcomes, while always collaborating with the people we serve.

Experience is needed – and appreciated. But it’s not just about putting your experience to work. It’s about taking your experience and using it in a new and unique way. It’s about lending your voice and shaping the future of ARC.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Director of International Programs is part of ARC’s Senior Management Team and provides strategic leadership and operational management of our programs and operations in Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, Pakistan, Thailand, Uganda, Rwanda and Liberia. The Director will also oversee new country programs, including one in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The position, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, requires close collaboration with and capacity building of country management teams, as well as regular travel to field sites.

The Director also supervises the Program Management Team, which supports the development of country strategies, tracks project delivery and budgets, reviews proposal budgets, develops management reports and a dashboard of key indicators, facilitates organizational learning and capacity building, provides operations support to country teams and maintains good communication between headquarters and country offices.

Beyond filling the duties of the job, the Director also needs to have a clear vision – and a desire to move the organization forward. Here at ARC, you won’t find a lot of red tape. Have a great idea? We’ll let you run with it. Feel free to color outside the lines. In fact, it’s encouraged.

If we should be talking to you about this position, please send your letter of interest and resume to .

MAJOR AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES  

LEADERSHIP

• Lead the development of international programs and country strategies, ensuring close collaboration with Program Development, Technical Advisors and Government Affairs to ensure agreed program outcomes are achieved.
• Manage the development and execution of operational plans consistent with ARC’s program framework, global strategy, and program quality standards.
• Proactively drive and support the development and effectiveness of Senior Management Teams in country offices.
• Develop and maintain high level of rapport, mutual confidence and open cooperation with field teams in order to sustain a culture of accountability to refugees and donors.
• Advise the Senior Vice President on strategic regional and global humanitarian trends, needs and opportunities.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Ensure program targets and quality standards are achieved, maintaining frequent communication with Country Directors to promptly identify and resolve the challenges they face.
• Lead the development of program management standards and tools, based on best practices, to ensure program effectiveness, quality and innovation.
• Monitor and support implementation of effective monitoring and evaluation processes, capabilities and culture in collaboration with the Technical Team.
• Conduct site visits to country programs to ensure program delivery and team effectiveness.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

• Supervise and support Country Directors to ensure proactive proposal development in country offices, with the support of Program Development and Technical Teams, so that proposals are strategically aligned, technically strong, achievable and realistically budgeted. 
• Support country team in designing and implementing innovative programs that tangibly serve the needs of displaced people and host communities.
• Work in concert with the Program Development Unit to provide guidance and support to country teams in proactively engaging donors, analyzing the funding environment and trends, and developing strong revenue projections.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• Provide oversight of country program budgets and management of program spending.  Anticipate potential funding gaps, develop contingency plans, and closely monitor cost over-runs and uncovered program costs.
• Ensure timely management by country teams of financial reporting, audit compliance, and cash flow.
• Develop and monitor the annual Program Management Unit budget. Make recommendations and develop business case for investments in organization and country program capacity building.

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING

• Select, hire, orient and mentor professional and productive Country Directors, Program Management staff.
• Develop and implement organizational learning and capacity building processes to ensure effective functioning of country management teams.
• Conduct annual performance reviews, support staff in their ongoing professional development, and recommend adjustments in responsibilities and compensation as appropriate.
• Provide counsel, support and corrective action plans for employee and work environment issues. Manage grievance processes and staff terminations.

ACCOUNTABILITY

• Manage reporting systems to ensure transparency of program outcomes as well as strategic and timely response to opportunities and gaps.
• Manage teams to ensure operating policies, procedures, and communication protocols are clear and consistent.
• Review and adjust department structure and job descriptions as needed to provide clear work expectations and adequate resources for achieving program goals.

EXTERNAL REPRESENTATION

• Represent ARC and the needs of refugees, IDPs and vulnerable populations with domestic and international donors and communities. Speak to the general public, as required.
• Initiate, develop and maintain contacts with key donors, US government, and UN agency officials.
• Support development of new technical and institutional partnerships and strategic alliances.

EDUCATION, TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

• Minimum 10 years work experience in the humanitarian and international development field.  Deep knowledge of the principal players, issues, policies and trends in the international humanitarian arena.

• 5 or more years of country and program management experience with an international NGO, demonstrating a collaborative, results-oriented management style.
• Experience managing humanitarian operations and budgets, and providing leadership and guidance to team members.

• Solid experience working with major donors such as USAID and UNHCR. Experience with the Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance and the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration highly desired.
• Demonstrated capacity to secure program funding from private and public sources.
• Broad working knowledge of global relief, transitional, and development programming, strategic and operational planning, proposal writing, budgeting, participatory methods, and monitoring and evaluation.

KEY BEHAVIORS & ABILITIES

• Commitment to personally champion ARC’s program vision and mission and the ability to inspire others to do the same.
• Exceptional leadership skills and ability to coach and mentor others.  Proven track record in building and managing culturally diverse teams, which work together to reach shared goals.
• Proven strategic thinking, problem solving and conflict management skills.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Initiative, resourcefulness and innovation.
• Availability for frequent international and domestic travel, sometimes at short notice.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

For consideration, please submit your Cover Letter and CV/resume to .