Deputy Director of Operations at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

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 people affected by 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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Deputy Director of Operations

Requisition ID: req5154
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Sector: Program Administration
Employment Category: Fixed Term
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: Yes

Job Description

• The Deputy Director of Operations (DDO) is a member of the senior management team (SMT) (along with the deputy Director of Programs (DDP), Deputy Director of Field Management (DDFM) and Financial Controller (FC)).
• She/he is responsible for leading and managing the operations teams in the Country Program ensuring they are fit-for-purpose and respond to the needs of IRC’s programs.
• The DDO is expected to contribute to high levels of teamwork and inter-departmental and cross-sectoral collaboration. 
• Through her/his leadership, operations teams will be supportive of program delivery, results driven and guided by data analysis, problem identification and problem solving. The position is based in Abuja with frequent travel to all field locations.

Major Responsibilities
Ethics and Integrity:

• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Way (code of conduct) and other Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Management and Strategy:

• Actively contribute to and participate in management and leadership platforms such as the senior management team, the country leadership team and the country management team. Be a champion for the implementation of the Nigeria Strategic Action Plan and ensure quality and meaningful participation of operations teams in strategy related activities.

Security:

• Ensure the highest possible standard of security management through participatory threat and risk analysis and the development and implementation of standard operating procedures.
• Guarantee widespread and cross-departmental understanding and ownership of security management.
• Oversee ongoing contextual and risk analysis ensuring all necessary teams have access to relevant security information.

Human Resources and Administration:

• Provide leadership to the human resources and administration team and ensuring the application of best practices and adherence to national and state level NGO and other relevant compliance regulations.
• Ensure proper functioning of the HR department and necessary support to all sectors and teams. Oversee the development/review of HR policies, guidelines and processes.
• Ensure recruitment, staff planning, training needs assessments and plans are carried out to meet the needs of all departments. Oversee the administration functions especially as they relate to rental agreements, visas and registration.

Supply Chain and Warehousing:

• Lead an efficient and responsive supply chain system that meets the needs of program teams. Ensure that all processes from procurement to warehousing meet IRC and donor compliance requirements.
• Working closely with the DDP and DDFM, ensure that program and field staff are jointly preparing, implementing and monitoring appropriate tools such as procurement and distribution plans.

Information Communications Technology:

• Based on comprehensive needs assessments ensure that all digital data and information needs of operations and program teams are catered for. This will involve the provisioning hardware, software and ongoing training.
• Given the remote and insecure location of field sites, particular attention should be paid to ensuring robust connectivity and communication channels both between field teams and offices and between offices.

Fleet Management:

• Ensure the adequate provision of reliable and safe transport for all departments and particularly programs to allow the effective and efficient delivery of programs in sometimes remote locations with varied terrain.
• Lead assessments of fleet capacity and ensure proper fleet management including servicing, driver training etc.

Finance and Compliance:

• In close collaboration with the FC and the DDP, ensure operating costs are included in operating budgets and funding proposals and that programmatic growth or scale downs are factored into operations planning.
• In cooperation with the Compliance Coordinator, ensure that all support systems and operations teams are operating in accordance with IRC and donor compliance regulations and have necessary risk mitigation strategies in place.

Qualifications

• Masters degree required (management-related or general operations preferred);
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience managing operations and/or projects in fragile and insecure locations, preferably in Africa;
• Demonstrated ability to manage field staff and remote field offices;
• Experience in logistics, HR/Admin, and security management
• Experience having managed operations (including security)  in conflict-impacted setting
• Excellent cross-cultural communication skills
• Excellent staff capacity building and training skills
• Strong problem-solving, analytical and decision-making skills;
• Strong computer skills;
• Flexibility, ability to work independently and meet deadlines

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online