Senior Economic Recovery and Development Officer 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 the safety, health, education, economic well-being and power of people in crisis affected places. IRC’s Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) 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.

More than 3.6 million people have fled across borders to seek safety in the 1st month since the escalation of conflict in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and over 6.5 million Ukrainians are reported to be displaced. As the vast majority of the displaced are women, girls, and boys, this could become the worst humanitarian crisis Europe has seen in decades.

Between February 7-23, 2022, an IRC team undertook a scoping mission covering Poland and Ukraine to better understand the context, humanitarian and civil society landscape, and anticipated service gaps in the event of an escalation of conflict in Ukraine and consequent displacement into neighbouring Poland. As of February 24th, the IRC has pivoted to an emergency response, and have identified partner agencies in Ukraine and Poland to facilitate immediate assistance that can be used where it is the most needed. Simultaneously, the IRC is establishing operations across Ukraine and Poland to complement partner response services either in breadth or scale.

This position will be based in Warsaw, with frequent travel to other locations as necessary.

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior ERD Officer will support on day to day operations of the economic recovery and development programming and lead when necessary. They will be responsible for the operationalization of the CVA programming working wih the Cash and Basic Needs (CBN) Manager to ensure timely and quality programming. The Senior ERD Officer will further act as the data focal point for the program, collaborating with the MEAL team, and assist the CVA programming as well as LLH and PSE if need-be.

RESPONSABILITIES:

Under the supervision of the CBN Manager, the Senior ERD Officer will be responsible for:

Program Quality and implementation

• Support the ERD Managers in designing and implementing the programs, specifically the Cash and Voucher programming.
• Lead on certain aspects of the programming, such as the planning, outreach and implementation logistics.
• Support the learning process from pilot phases and prior programming to improve the quality of long-term designed program.
• Support on the integration of cash and voucher assistance activities across outcomes, including protection (including activities provided by partners).
• Support in the creation of key programming, including the Cash Relief Operating Procedures (CROPs), Program Controls Checklist (PCC), and Program Implementation Note (PIN); targeting mechanism tools, methodology, client data management tools.
• Support the development of PDMs, assessments and studies in a collaboration with MEAL team
• Lead on data cleaning and analysis with data from IRC’s financial service provider and information management system.
• Participate on all client selection for ERD programming based on provided criteria.
• Act as the ERD focal point for the infoline team to ensure the follow-up of all cases referred to the ERD department through the beneficiary feedback mechanism.
• Ensure the smooth process of collaboration with ERD Financial Service Provider systems including the creation of beneficiary groups for payment, payment process, process of pre-paid card delivery, and lead the process on the cash-out rates with support of the remaining ERD team.
• Support the ERD Manager in cash forecasting and monthly reconciliation of cash advance, as well as advance payment processes and invoice payment.
• Deliver capacity building and training sessions for CVA implementation to registration enumerators.
• Work closely with the MEAL team to support analysis of program outcomes and findings through timely and accurate data visualizations and insight for ad-hoc needs and project reflection meetings.
• Submit accurate and timely 5W and activity info reports to relevant Sectors and Working Groups.
• Support in regular reporting for donors and internal reports.
• Support the program and partner staff with the use of the new technology systems and tools.
• Work closely with the ERD Coordinator, ERD Managers and partners on conducting regular data reviews for specific projects

Partnerships and Representation

• Identify and strengthen supportive and constructive relations with partner organizations, local authorities, and humanitarian actors.
• Attend coordination meetings when required and provide detailed reports to the Cash and Basic Needs manager if required.
• Represent IRC at events and working groups if required.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

• Support in data collection and information management systems are used for projects in-line with MEAL collaboration.
• Support in the establishment of strong databases for client data and other programmatic information.
• Support in mitigating the main risks associated with MEAL while implementing the programs and document them along with the followed/recommended mitigation measures to enhance the quality of the program.
• Support written program evaluations and reviews, ensuring documentation of lessons learned, informing reporting and program development.
• Support the Client Responsiveness Officers in addressing feedback from clients and partners.

Reporting

• Assist in writing ERD program narrative reports for review by ERD Coordinator and Grants team.
• Support the provision of up-to-date information on success stories to Comms and Advocacy team.

Professional Standards

• Complete 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.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: CBN Manager
  Position directly supervises: n/a
• Works closely with:
• Internal: Other ERD team members, IRC Protection, Education, Partnerships and MEAL staff, Finance, Supply Chain.
• *External:*IRC’s partner organizations, local municipalities and CSOs, and other community stakeholders; other practitioners in the field as needed.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education: minimum university degree in International Development, Business Administration, Economics, Humanitarian Response, Social Science preferred.

Demonstrated Skills and COMPETENCIES:

• At least 1 year of relevant work experience in cash and voucher assistance, social protection, project management/administration or other humanitarian and development programmes.
• Knowledge and experience in implementing humanitarian or development projects, especially in conflict contexts is preffered.
• Robust excel skills including data manipulation and analytics
• Fluency in English required, Polish and/or Ukrainian strongly preferred.
• IRC experience preferred.
• Proven ability to work well in and promote teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure with professional grace.
• Willingness to travel to different cities within Poland
• 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

Must have right to work in Poland.

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.

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.