Officer, Research & Innovation At International Rescue Committee

Background:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from crises and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. 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 International Rescue Committee’s Airbel Impact Lab designs, IRC’s Research and Innovation (R&I) Unit, tests, and scales life-changing, cost-effective solutions for people affected by conflict and disaster. By applying the IRC’s deep technical expertise and field experience with a range of skills from the behavioral sciences, human-centered design, research, and strategy in humanitarian contexts, we work to develop breakthrough solutions that combine creativity and thoroughness, and a desire to think afresh with the experience of a large-scale implementing organization.

Job Overview:

Working closely with Airbel Impact Lab leadership and staff, the Officer Research & Innovation will lead management of:

The IRC’s Innovation Fund – created to invest in new solutions that address pressing global challenges and have high potential for breakthrough impact; as well, the incumbent will be leading special project and initiatives including fellowship programs with The New School’s Zolberg Institutes and Georg Eckert Institute.

This is a highly facilitative role in a fast-paced and multifaceted environment, and will require outstanding interpersonal and project management skills. This role requires someone who is adept at working and collaborating across a large organization and growing team; who is flexible in leading multiple tasks; and can generate initiatives and grow the team engagement.

In this role, you will be a key project manager at the departmental level to independently run initiatives and develop systems that serve the entire Research & Innovation Unit.

Major Responsibilities:

Innovation Fund Management

• Run the monthly application process from start to finish, including quality assurance for applications, coordinating and facilitating decision-making meetings, and sharing final decisions and feedback with applicants.
• Lead the development of the annual report for the Innovation Fund in coordination with grant writer and graphic designer.
• Manage investment opening, quarterly check-in, and close out process, ensuring project leads have a clear understanding of investment expectations and that IRC is collecting comprehensive social return on investment data and project output.
• Coordinate the preparation for and facilitation of the Innovation Fund biannual strategic review to help the decision making process for the Leadership Teams.
• Design initiatives and processes to expand the Fund by providing additional transparency to those opportunities across the IRC and with innovation partners.
• Prepare agenda and lead monthly Innovation Fund coordinating meetings.
• Continuously seek opportunities to enhance and streamline Fund processes and systems.

Fellowship Management

• Serve as project manager and IRC focal point on two fellowship programs with: (i) the New School’s Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility (New York, NY, USA), and (ii) the Georg Eckert Institute (Braunschweig, Germany).
• Ensure consistent and clear communication and coordination with partners.
• Lead recruitment of fellows. This includes identification of projects and supervisors for fellows, development of job descriptions, coordination of interviews, and onboarding.
• Manage the budget for the Georg Eckert Institute fellowship program.
• Coordinate sessions at the annual Georg Arnhold Summer Conference. Sessions introduce Airbel’s multi-disciplinary approach to research and design and include hands-on learning in user-centered design.
• Write annual report for the Georg Eckert Institute partnership, including report out on both conference and fellowship outcomes.

Special Projects & Initiatives

• Independently lead the project management of special initiatives with oversight from the Director of Policy & Planning and Senior Advisor, Organisational Change and Strategic Initiatives, including scoping, gathering inputs, engaging key leaders, and developing strategies.
• Manage projects relate to team and departmental objectives and needs, including but not limited to:
• Harmonization of standards and quality assurance across the Research & Innovation portfolio
• Socialization of data reporting requirements across innovation projects and the creation of systems to collect and catalog this data to facilitate decision making.
• Development of coordination mechanisms that drive toward greater performance, focused prioritization, and open and clear decision-making
• Development of systems for soliciting team feedback and monitoring engagement
• Identification of opportunities to nurture a positive team environment and ongoing learning
• Development of slide decks, briefing documents, talking points, and agendas for high profile meetings

Job Requirements:

Minimum Requirements

• At least 3-6 years professional experience in project management and internal communications or equivalent
• Outstanding attention to detail
• Strong oral and written communications skills (English), with ability to convey sophisticated messages both visually and in writing.
• Ability to handle ambitious demands, stick to timelines, and follow through
• Flexible work demeanor, proactive and demonstrated creativity and problem-solving ability with minimal guidance
• Proficient in all standard PC office software such as Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint

Preferred Requirements

• Experience in humanitarian setting or development contexts
• Experience/familiarity with NGO professional setting
• Fluency in Arabic, French, or Spanish is a plus

Working Environment: Standard office work environment. This role may require working remotely full or part time and part time remote employees may be required to share workspace.

The IRC is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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.

IRC et les employés de IRC doivent adhérer aux valeurs et principes contenus dans le IRC WAY (normes de conduite professionnelle). Ce sont l’Intégrité, le Service, et la Responsabilité. En conformité avec ces valeurs, IRC opère et fait respecter les politiques sur la protection des bénéficiaires contre l’exploitation et les abus, la protection de l’enfant, le harcèlement sur les lieux de travail, l’intégrité financière, et les représailles.