Consortium Deputy Team Leader - Northwest BHA Project 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 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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consortium Deputy Team Leader - Northwest BHA Project

Location: Nigeria
Requisition ID: req41754
Sector: Program Administration
Employment Category: Regular
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: No

Project Overview

• The IRC is receiving a potential funding, from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) for a project, Integrated Emergency Response to the displaced population In Zamfara, Sokoto, And Katsina States, Northwest Nigeria, effective from Mid of May 2023 through to May 2024 by a consortium led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in partnership with Alliance for International Medical Action (Alima), Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI), and Life Helpers Initiative (LHI).
• Through this project, the consortium aims to leverage each partner's expertise to provide an integrated immediate emergency response to internally displaced populations through area-based approach in the NW.
• The Consortium partners will provide an integrated multisectoral intervention in Health, Nutrition, WASH, Protection, and Multi-purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) activities in Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto states in collaboration with state governments, UN organizations and other key actors in Northwest Nigeria.
• The project will be implemented by a dedicated consortium coordination and management team based in the NW with governance structures that includes a steering committee (SC), and program technical working groups (PTWG).
• The technical working group will be established to foster coordination and to improve operational, technical collaboration and learning as well as to promote appropriate, timely, and quality program implementation

Job Overview / Summary

• The Deputy Team Leader (DTL) will be responsible for directly working with the technical coordinators of the project consortium members (IRC, COOPI, Alima and LHI) with particular focus on program quality and reporting as well as for ensuring an aligned approach across the consortium and relevant MDAs authorities to deliver “Integrated Emergency Response to The Displaced Population in Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina States, Northwest Nigeria.”
• The Deputy Team Lead (DTL) will play a central role in providing technical guidance, coordinate the day-to-day activities across all the consortium partners. In addition, the DTL will provide mentorship and capacity development to program technical working groups.

Major Responsibilities
Management:

• Work closely with the TL to ensure timely and high-quality implementation of program in katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto in Northwest
• Ona a day-to-day basis, manage financial and operational support to optimize resources through sound budgets and consistent financial tracking (i.e., through tracking spending plans, item forecast, Power Bi/Integral management and reporting etc).
• Develop, review, and monitor in coordination with key project staff, annual work, and performance plans to ensure long-term and short-term priorities are on track.
• Coordination with technical leads of the 3 consortium partners (technical program reporting) plan and organized regular technical working groups and consortium management team meetings.
• Manage the reporting process, including coordination with internal and external stakeholders in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Maintain active and cooperative relationships with all key stakeholders, including government officials, project partners, other implementing agencies, and related institutions, including development of case-by-case memorandum of understanding (MOUs).
• Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility; Matrix manages a core project team to ensure that the project deliverables are met.
• In consultation with the TL Contribute to the development of field staff through training, mentoring, and assisting with professional advancement.
• Support the TL in project implementation, follow up and effective monitoring of IRC and partners’ Program work, expenditure, MEAL, and procurement plans, organizing, among others, joint and regular monitoring and review meetings, assessing progress and proactively identifying challenges and solutions in order to attain program outcomes. 
• Actively contributes to the development and review of program approaches, making concrete recommendations for changes in partners' activities, approaches, and areas of action as appropriate. 
• In consultation with the TL ensure that programs and partnerships are implemented in compliance with BHA regulations as well as IRC internal policies and procedures.   
• Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites for monitoring, quality control and program staff mentoring and coaching.
• Work closely with the TL to produce quality monthly report, situational reports, donor reports, both narrative and financial, by the consortium 
• Work with the MEAL Senior manager to support the use of learning and reflection that uses data to design and adapt programs.
• Work with MEAL Senior manager to conduct all relevant assessments and survey as well as harmonization e.g REAL time evaluation, Baseline, Midterm and endline survey.

Program Management, Implementation, Quality, Operational support, Coordination and Reporting:

• Responsible for program planning, monitoring and achievement of activities output and outcome. for IRC component of project implementation in Zamfara and Katsina
• Ensure that budgets are drawn up for all activities and that costs are kept within the budgets, providing monthly financial summary (BVA) and trends and ensure that corrective measures are taken timely to ensure budget is spent as per approved budget
• Continuously assess context and propose adaptation of the program as required by the context.
• Conduct frequent field visits support to the various IRC and consortium partners implementation! sites and provide input and guidance on quality and efficiency.
• Ensure knowledge management including documentation of all learnings and accountability practices.
• Ensure all safeguarding policy and practices are properly in place in coordination with the
• Safeguarding Manager and make sure all staff, partners, vendors are well oriented on the policy
• Assist the TL with project all reporting – monthly, quarterly and end of projects and ensure quality and timeliness of submissions.

Capacity Building:

• Work closely with the TL in the harmonization of approach by the consortium, e.g case management referrals, registration, modality selection, referrals, etc.
• Work closely with the MEAL Coordinator and the consortium management team developing and ensure a strong MEAL system in place for the consortium that adheres to program quality standards and procedures.
• Work closely with IRC Technical Coordinators and Consortium partners to ensure quality programming is implemented across the 3 states of the NW.
• Support the implementation of IRC’s Partnership (PEER) system across all areas of sub-award management of consortium partners.
• Provide and coordinate technical and organizational capacity building and sharing among the consortia partners cutting across project management cycles, humanitarian access, safety and security and donor regulations, policies, and standards.

Coordination and Collaboration:

• Provide capacity assessment, capacity-building, monitoring and implementation support to other consortium partners, to ensure equitable access to health services and that spaces for user voice and mechanisms to respond effectively.
• Work in close collaboration with other technical sectors leads to ensure integrated programming.
• As delegated represent the consortium in external relationships with the donor, various relevant government stakeholders, community leaderships, technical agencies and organizations, and key events relating to the project including program clusters, INGO Forum, government services and systems.
• In consultation with the Consortium Management Team, Programs Technical Working Group, and IRC Senior Management Team, assist in organizing donor visits by supporting staff in the smooth design and running of field visits.
• Work with TL to ensure quality of Project Cycle Meetings throughout project period, including ensuring that opening, implementation, learning and close-out meetings are planned and conducted in a timely manner with full participation of the consortium and all relevant stakeholders/staff. 
• Support the TL to organize and conduct all necessary meetings including weekly Consortium management team meetings, monthly Consortium coordination meetings, quarterly steering committee meetings and monthly BHA feedback/Learning calls.
• In collaboration with the stakeholders, technical working groups and partners conduct quarterly joint supportive supervision throughout the project period to all implementation locations for quality assurance.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• 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.
• Encourage and monitor the care and wellbeing of the workers. Set an example of good work-life balance practices. Encourage appropriate responses to identified staff care needs of both domestic and foreign personnel.
• 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.
• 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 each 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.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to:  Consortium Team Lead
• Indirect/Technical Reporting: DDP, Program Technical Working Groups, Consortium Partners Heads of Programs. 
• Position directly Supervises: Sectors Program Managers – Health, Nutrition, WASH, Safety & ERD
• Key Internal Contacts:   SPC, Partnership team, Grants team, Consortium Management Team, MEAL Coordinator, Compliance Coordinator, Program and Technical Coordinators etc.
• Key External Contacts:  Government stakeholders, Technical Line Ministries Department Agencies (MDAs), and Relevant Sectors lead (UN agencies), Humanitarian actors, etc.

Qualifications
Education: 

• Master’s Degree or equivalent experience in Social Science Studies, Law, International Relations, Humanitarian Assistance, Political Sciences, Social Administration, or other relevant Degrees, etc

Work Experience:

• 5-8 years of progressive senior management experience in managing integrated, multisectoral programs in humanitarian and development program 
• Demonstrated experience in Area Based Approach to programming and managed USAID funded program is strongly preferred.
• Should possess minimum 3-5 years of international assignments experiences in humanitarian and development work.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to build and maintain relationships with governments, technical line ministries, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, private sectors and partners.

Demonstrated Managerial / Leadership Competencies and Technical Skills:

• Provide high-quality leadership and strategic vision to the consortium, with hands on management ensuring program activities achieve the greatest coverage and impact possible, coordinated inputs and technical/managerial quality and programming that is data-driven and adapts and changes with the context.
• Demonstrated experience in program management, project design and use of project design tools. 
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills with evidence of ability to build and maintain good relationship with people in wide range and levels of organizations (consortiums, government, private sector, NGOs etc)
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Ability to handle a large and dynamic workload, work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Delivers quality results for clients, partners, and colleagues.

Languages:

• Fluency in English (spoken and written).

Computer / Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Power Bi.

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.                                        

Working Environment:  

• The position will be based in Katsina State with frequent travels to Zamfara State. The security situation in Katsina and Zamfara is relatively stable with periodic tensions. All IRC offices are provided with internet facilities and there is a reliable mobile telecommunication network in both states.
• The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional 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, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online