The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees delivers lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
The IRC began planning to reopen an oPt country program in mid-2022 and launched an emergency response in Gaza in October 2023. The organization is currently supporting a network of local partners in both Gaza and the West Bank to sustain critical health, protection, food security, cash, education, and early childhood development interventions. The IRC is also deploying emergency medical teams to provide surge clinical capacity in hospitals and other health facilities.
The IRC is working to scale its emergency response while building a longer-term oPt country program in parallel. This effort is being jointly managed by the Emergencies and Humanitarian Action Unit (EHAU) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with a view to eventually transition the country program fully under the MENA region.
Job Overview
The Deputy Director for Operations (DDO) for occupied Palestinian territory provides leadership, decision-making and coordination on the country program’s critical support functions. You will ensure that programs are supported and that all necessary systems are in place and consistently implemented in all needed locations.
The position reports to the Country Director (CD) and is a country program Senior Management Team member. The DDO oversees Supply Chain, IT and Administration and supports field operations and human resources as agreed with the Country Director, according to the development of the country program. This position has close working relationships with the Deputy Director of Programs, Deputy Director of Finance, and members of the EHAU and regional support teams.
Major Responsibilities
Strategy, Planning, and Business Development
• Lead the implementation of the OPT strategy and implementation plans as they relate to Operations
• Supervise staff, manage the office premises, and contribute to program design and implementation
• Participate in strategic and project design and planning, ensuring appropriate support costs and activities are budgeted and planned for
• Supervise the Supply Chain and IT functions and support HR, field management and/or operations as agreed with the Country Director and responsive to the evolving needs of the emergency response and country program
• Lead the development and implementation of coordination mechanisms to guarantee that all operational units are interacting well with each other and ensure functional leads support area leadership as required
Supply Chain and Compliance
• Supervise the Supply Chain function and provide indirect oversight and support to the Administration team
• Ensure that the Supply Chain team provide efficient support to IRC programs and does so following IRC and donors policies and procedures
• Verify that Administration and Supply Chain policies and procedures are documented, disseminated, and consistently applied across the country program
• Drive development and utilization of effective compliance monitoring processes
• Work with appropriate units to ensure timely and appropriate follow-up to allegations or violations of IRC’s Code of Conduct
• Develop a comprehensive dashboard to ensure follow-up and analysis is updated monthly in all operational and program areas (i.e., Finance, Administration, Human Resources, Supply Chain, IT, Security, etc.)
Field Operations Support
• Provide overall support and guidance to field operations, with a focus on supply chain, logistics, and administration, including providing support to ensure field offices and program centers are functioning efficiently and transparently and in compliance with IRC policies.
• In cooperation with the CD and HR Coordinator, ensure the risks IRC field staff face in their work environment are mitigated against to the degree feasible given the context
• Ensure field leadership competency in budgeting functions, contributing to proposal and operating budgets, and leading on field budget vs actual oversight.
• Ensure coordination and cooperation between and within the various program and operational departments in the field locations
• Ensure Security Management Plan, SOPs and Contingency Plans are kept up to date, ensuring that staff are aware of and supported in following these documents
Information Technology
• Verify that information technology policies and procedures are documented, disseminated and consistently applied
• Ensure that IT develops and effectively implements compliance monitoring processes
• Support the IT staff to provide effective IT services and support to the Country Office and across all field sites
Staff Leadership and Development
• Ensure implementation of HR policies and procedures at all times
• Provide supportive mentorship, leadership, and clear performance objectives to team members
• Ensure that regular and quality staff evaluations are conducted for all program staff
• Set regular meetings with staff members to prioritize information-sharing and team building
• Ensure that all reports develop and implement Capacity Building Plans for their teams
Representation and Coordination
• Represent IRC through the Logs cluster
• Serve as an active Senior Management Team member
• Serve as a focal point and maintain communication with HQ operations staff, and Emergency Unit and Regional Support
Requirements
• You should have excellent leadership, people management, interpersonal and negotiation skills, and a demonstrated ability to develop collaborative teams in a multi-ethnic context that requires cultural sensitivity. We are looking for someone with good team-building skills and knowledge of participatory approaches; you should display flexibility, adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and a sense of humor.
• Graduate degree in business, management, administrative science or equivalent
• Excellent professional track record with 6-8 years of humanitarian management experience, preferably in a conflict/post-conflict environment with leadership responsibilities
• Experience managing country program teams with a diverse portfolio
• Proven ability to think strategically, prioritize, and meet deadlines in a complex and challenging environment
• Proven experience in transitional organisational structures, change projects and development of policies and procedures in complex environments a strong advantage
• Knowledge and experience of sanctions and related law, regulations and compliance a strong advantage
• Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Capable of working and living in an emergency environment while maintaining a healthy outlook. Willing to travel in remote and conflict affected areas
Languages:
• Fluency in English. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Working knowledge of Arabic is strongly preferred
Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.