ERD Coordinator At International Rescue Committee

BACKGROUND

The International Rescue Committee (IRC), responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people survive, recover and gain control of their future. The IRC is working to improve people’s safety, health, education, economic well-being, and power in crisis-affected places. IRC’s Economic Recovery and Development programming ensures that clients meet both their short- and long-term economic needs through sustainable and ethical programs such as, but not limited to, cash and voucher transfers, food security promotion, climate-smart agro-pastoral production and enterprise development and employment promotion.

Poland is hosting the largest number of refugees from Ukraine; more than 1.5 mil. have registered for Temporary Protection (70% females and 40% children). In the second year of the crisis, more refugees are expected in Poland as the frontlines change and Russia intensifies attacks. The new arrivals are expected to be more vulnerable with increased protection concerns and basic needs. As the needs continue to evolve, the IRC proactively adapts its programming to the context to ensure efficient delivery of assistance. The IRC Poland currently provides Protection, cash, education, and livelihood support to the affected population in Poland.

IRC seeks short term support to provide leadership to the Economy Recovery and Development (ERD) team and ensure program activities remain on track, while the IRC hires a permanent ERD Coordinator. The TTA or deployed individual will lead and oversee current cash and voucher assistance, basic needs, and livelihoods programming implemented by IRC staff and our strategic partners in Poland. All support to the ERD team and partner activities will be in line with the IRC Country Strategy Action Plan and IRC international priorities, frameworks and policies. This will include any needed strategic planning and business development, decision-making, and staff supervision. The ERD TTA will ensure program activities remain on track and provide support and capacity building to staff and partners.

This position will be based in Warsaw, with occasional travel to Krakow, Wroclaw, Lublin and other locations as necessary. As this is a fluid and rapidly changing context, the location of this assignment may change based on the needs of the program. Housing will be in hotels, or shared, IRC accommodation.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Deputy Director of Programmes (DDP) and with technical support from ERD Technical Advisors, the temporary ERD Coordinator will

• Ensure the continued technical quality and effective implementation of a range of IRC Basic Need Assistance and Livelihoods Programming, including: unrestricted and unconditional multipurpose cash programming, emergency cash response to new arrivals at the Polish borders, implementation of employment and entrepreneurship programming in a bundled-service/livelihoods center model; in both partner and direct projects.
• Provide overall managerial oversight and leadership for the ERD department, including overseeing operational functions for achieving the project’s goals, hiring and staff management as needed, and budget management.
• Ensure that staff is supported and motivated to deliver their responsibilities; this includes mentorship, one-to-one and developing an effective feedback mechanism.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program quality/Management and implementation

• Support the cash team in the roll out of new MPCA and emergency cash programming, including adapting program design as needed and ensuring timely and effective implementation and successfully integrating with other sectors.
• Ensure the effective management of FSPs and roll out of new payment delivery mechanisms for CVA, including ensuring CROPs are in place, the program adheres to minimum cash quality standards regarding data protection, separation of duties, record keeping, and anti-fraud/diversion compliance.
• Support Livelihoods partner activities start up in two livelihoods centers, including conducting site visits as needed with the Livelihoods Manager, monitoring program for quality and providing guidance to partner for any adaptive management, and ensuring the program in on track and follows the MEAL plan.
• Lead budget management including spending planning, and ensure responsible fiscal management of the full ERD portfolio.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, with target goals and budget management, using effective monitoring and evaluation systems and adaptive management principles to reach desired impacts
• Ensure program activities adhere to standard operating procedures and exhibit strong quality controls while being responsive to client feedback.

Partnerships

• Working closely with the Partnership team, ensure capacity development of existing partners in ERD programming; conduct any necessary partner mapping; and lead co-design workshops with partners.
• Support the team to continue strong rapport with local and international implementing partners as appropriate for program design and service to clients based on IRC’s PEERS standards of equal and effective partnership
• As needed, support team to identify private sector partners and linkages to support basic needs, livelihoods and employment programming

Team management/Staff Supervision & 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
• Provide continuous performance feedback to staff; identify performance issues and work with staff and Human Resources to document and address issues in a timely manner
• Assist with and as necessary lead the recruitment of ERD personnel

Coordination & Representation

• Regularly attend relevant cluster and working group meetings at appropriate levels, per direction of DDP and ERD TA
• Seek out donor opportunities in line with cash and livelihoods strategy and priorities

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

• Ensure that ethical and sound data collection and information management systems are in place for appropriate program analysis, planning, evaluation, and advocacy; including PDMs.
• Coordinate program evaluations and reviews ensure documentation of lessons learned informing reporting and program development, analyzing and sharing relevant information with the MEAL Coordinator, DDP and other colleagues as relevant
• Support the MEAL Coordinator and client responsiveness officers in addressing feedback from clients and partners, and utilize client feedback to adapt and improve programming.

Business Development

• Develop concept notes and proposals related to ERD programming expansion and continuation, including budgets, logical frameworks, theory of changes, and written narratives

Reporting

• Provide reporting inputs to Grants and MEAL colleagues, and proactive capture program learning and success stories to share with SMT.
• Collect, compile and revise ERD program narrative reports and ensure timely submission

Professional Standards

• Ensure that gender, protection, and environmental stewardship are mainstreamed in all programming under direct responsibility
• Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of the team; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to senior management, and when liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for IRC programs
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs
• Adhere to the IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies as a requirement of the IRC

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education: Minimum university degree in a related field. Advanced degree in International Development, Business Administration, Economics, or Humanitarian Response preferred.

DEMONSTRATED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• At least 3-5 years of relevant work experience in cash and voucher assistance, livelihoods, social protection, and/or other humanitarian and development programmes.
• Knowledge and experience of cash and voucher assistance, market and labour market analysis, private sector engagement, livelihoods mapping, employment and entrepreneurship and access to micro-enterprise support
• Fluency in English required; Polish fluency will be a critical asset
• Previous experience leading similar programming in related refugee contexts is preferred.
• Strong budget management skills
• Proven ability to work well in and promote teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure with professional grace.
• Knowledge of all regulatory, contractual, legal and financial compliance requirements associated with international donor funding
• Willingness to travel to different cities within Poland and Europe.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook
• Demonstrated dedication to an anti-racist and Do No Harm approach, gender equality and inclusion

Female candidates are highly encouraged

Polish nationals and individuals with right to work in Europe are strongly recommended.

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.

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