Early Recovery and Development Manager

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

CONTEXT

Violence in 2006 and 2007 has had disastrous effects on the population of the Central African Republic (CAR), particularly in the northern regions. This comes after ten years of structural crisis, which along with a history of instability, has resulted in the destruction of state institutions, infrastructure, and the economy. Despite positive steps towards stability after elections in 2005, conflict in the north, along with increased insecurity and social instability, pushed one million people across the line from generalized poverty to a humanitarian emergency.

The IRC responded to the deteriorating situation by initiating operations in 2007. Initially in Kaga Bandoro (Nana Gribizi prefecture) and later in Bocaranga (Ouham Pende prefecture), programming has focused on health care, water and sanitation services, and protection (including child protection, gender-based violence). IRC is currently working to develop programs in economic recovery and post conflict development. Although IRC’s initial programs in CAR have been geared towards emergency response, the overarching strategy seeks to develop human capacity and strengthen community and governmental structures in order to establish a foundation for longer-term relief and sustainable development strategies.

SCOPE

The ERD Program Manager will contribute to program development in a new IRC sector in CAR by assisting the ERD Program Coordinator in providing the national NGO, CBOs, partner communities and IRC program staff with technical assistance and managerial support. The duty station is Bocaranga, with frequent travel between the project districts. There is considerable supervisory responsibility over all program staff.  The Program Manager will also work closely with the IRC support team (finance, logistics, administration), functioning as a liaison, providing oversight, and assuring that project goals are being met. The Program Manger will have considerable reporting responsibilities, including quarterly and monthly reports and financial review and oversight in collaboration with IRC support staff. Depending upon continued funding, this will be a field-based two-year posting that among other qualities, will require resourcefulness, acute organizational and management skills, cultural insight and patience.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with the Area Program Coordinator to supervise local partners in the project areas, to assure transparency and performance.
• Establish, through a consultative process, Memoranda of Understanding with local partners
• Assist with the design and implementation of  partners’ training and capacity building on project management and institutional leadership
• Work with IRC technical assistance partners/consultants to coordinate and assist with training on the use of Value Chain Analysis.
• Work closely with local NGOs, CBOs, Village Development Committees (VDCs) and other private sector partners to assure their capacities are being built and they are meeting all the conditions outlined in their Memoranda of Understanding
• Coordinate with  IRC Finance, Logistics and Administration assure that IRC field offices are meeting their reporting responsibilities and receiving the support they require
• Monitor local partners in the field to assure that responsibilities are being met and technical assistance is being provided to partners as needed
• Participate in implementation planning and tracking for project activities
• Assist the Area Program Coordinator to support field-based technical specialists as related to the program objectives.
• Monitor the work in field, including construction oversight, to ensure excellent program implementation.
• Assist Area Program Coordinators to assure that all reporting due in from the field arrives on time and complete.
• Supervise the ERD program staff assigned to field offices.
• Provide statistical information as requested by the IRC Head Office, Program Coordinator and the Country Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

• University level education in a related field, or commensurate work experience
• Minimum two years of experience working with micro-credit/ micro-enterprise/ agribusiness development programs with increasingly responsible positions.
• Fluent in spoken and written French; English proficiency desireable
• Experience with both Business Development and Program Management/ Leadership training a plus
• Experience working with severely vulnerable populations
• Experience managing partnerships with local NGOs and CBOs
• Experience with PRA techniques
• At least three years of supervisory experience (both field and management level)
• Excellent communication (report writing quality)
• Computer literacy (MS word, Excel, internet)

SECURITY/HOUSING

While the field sites are relatively calm and the general situation has improved, some areas remain unstable. This position will be accommodated in an IRC compound shared with other colleagues and equipped with facilities as available (internet access, Vsat, TV etc).

Please apply online: www.ircjobs.org or http://tbe.taleo.net/NA2/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1&rid=7762 .