IRC has been working in Pakistan for nearly 45 years and manages and delivers large complex programs to meet the needs in health, education, protection, environmental health and livelihoods for displaced, poor and disaster affected communities. IRC works in partnership with local government and non-governmental organizations and currently works in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Baluchistan and Sindh provinces.
Job Overview/Summary:
The Deputy Director – Programs (DDP) is a key member of the IRC Pakistan Senior Management Team (SMT) and provides strategic leadership and oversight to all programmatic aspects of the country program. The DDP ensures the design, quality, and implementation of IRC’s program portfolio is aligned with organizational priorities, donor requirements, and national development goals. The DDP works closely with technical coordinators, field teams, Grants, and MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) to ensure impact, accountability, and sustainability of IRC’s interventions in Pakistan.
The Deputy Director Programs provides a leadership, decision-making and coordinating role on programmatic issues, both in the development of quality proposals as well as the effective implementation of IRC’s emergency and long-term development projects across Pakistan. With a focus on refugees, internally displaced populations and host communities, and crisis affected communities, IRC is currently implementing programs in Health, Education, Safety, Protection and Economic Wellbeing.
Major Responsibilities:
Strategic Planning & Implementation
Provide leadership and supervisory management to the programs department, as a key member of the SMT, including stewardship of resources, budget management, program delivery and performance management.Support the implementation of the IRC Pakistan’s long-range organizational goals as laid out in Strategic Action Plan, in line with IRC’s Strategy Architecture. In coordination with the CD and other colleagues, annually update country program, and sector strategies while remaining relevant to evolving contexts and operational effectiveness. Lead roll-out of all strategic programming initiatives; including but not limited to IRC’s costing & monitoring systems, Research and Development, Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Response.Support the development of donor and program sector strategies, including the integration of cross-cutting functions of gender, monitoring & evaluation, cash programming, partnership, disaster risk reduction and advocacy.Together with other SMT members, ensure IRC Pakistan’s Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) and of IRC Pakistan’s CET’s (Country Emergency Team) capacity and readiness to respond within 48 hours of the onset of emergency, as appropriate to regional context, needs and operational capacity. Identify new funding opportunities and lead proposal development in collaboration with technical and grants teams.Ensure alignment of programming with IRC’s global strategy, local context, and community needs.Program Quality & Development
Provide overall guidance and leadership in the rollout and use of IRC’s Program Framework, Theories of Change and Strategic Action Implementation Plan and Exemplar work plan.In coordination with the Country Director, pro-actively design and implement fundraising strategies, incorporating donor mapping and communication plans, to ensure program sectors are adequately financed.Support the Grants and MEAL Unit to ensure that high quality, evidence and needs-based project proposals are developed, according to the Proposal Flowchart and in compliance with IRC and donor regulations as well as within the parameters of the Country Program Strategic Plan.Program Implementation
Ensure timely capacity assessments, due diligence processes, and partner support in line with IRC’s PEERS framework.
Support the Provincial /Sector Coordinators to ensure that program implementation is managed closely through the development of structured work-plans, and approved monitoring plans based on project proposals and that expenditures are monitored monthly; with well-structured corrective action is initiated and tracked where required.Support program teams and program support teams in achievement of IRC Pakistan’s SAP outcome priorities and programmatic commitments.Provide the Country Director with accurate and up to date advice of developments and opportunities in program and project implementation together with any necessary recommendations for action.Support the MEAL Coordinator in developing, rolling out and monitoring the use of a country-wide MEAL strategy and tools for the collection and analysis of program information (qualitative and quantitative) to inform all stages of the project cycle to increased shared learning internally and externally.Work with technical teams, especially Gender and Cash/Livelihood to develop and implement strategies on Narrowing the Gender Gap and Integration of Cash First.Oversee the development of timely and high quality reporting by the grants team and program staff for submission, per IRC and donor guidelines.Coordinate donor visits, and support field staff in preparing and conducting these visits as necessary.Support the Partnership Manager in the development of a Partnership Strategy, development of required strategy implementation tools and identification of potential national civil society organization partners.Strengthen collaboration and compliance with national partners through structured partnership management systems, joint planning, and adaptive learning mechanisms.
Ensure the provision of appropriate technical assistance from IRC’s Technical Units, external consultants or partner agencies as necessary.Human Resources and Staff Development
Provide supportive guidance and supervision to direct reports including sector coordinator and other direct reports. Provide appropriate and timely feedback to staff regarding their performance, including timely implementation of the annual staff performance management system.Create a supervisory environment focused on the achievement of team and individual results that emphasizes the importance of learning, productivity, accountability and opennessFor sector coordinators, set clear and smart objectives aligned to SAP commitments and clear Exemplar deliverablesEnsure all relevant existing program and technical staff are knowledgeable on the SAP, Exemplar and associated processes and initiatives including onboarding of new program/technical staff as necessary.Identify and support targeted professional development plans for senior staff.Assist in developing job descriptions and in the recruitment of senior program staff. Ensure that regular and quality staff evaluations are conducted for all staff.Promote an open, diverse and participatory work environment.Ensure staff is properly oriented to IRC global, regional and Pakistan level prior to commencement of their work.Deliver and execute a plan to hire, train and build capacity of staff to transition role to a national staff by conclusion of assignment.Lead with commitment, integrity and accountability to the “IRC Way” – Global Standards for Professional ConductPartnership
Develop strong partnerships and support IRC’s goal to localization and improved program delivery through forging sectoral, strategic and project partnerships.Others
Command a sound understanding of IRC’s programs. To be able to professionally represent the IRC and the IRC’s interests with implementing partners, government, donor s and other stakeholders.Assist the Country Director in establishing, developing and sustaining a strong relationships with donors / Govt counterparts to ensure sustainable programs in the portfolio sectors.Encourage and support improved program cohesion through coordination initiatives and information sharing with and between all key country program staff.Promote the IRC Pakistan vision and mission amongst all staff.Serve as an active member of the country program’s Senior Management Team and deputize for the Country Director as necessary.
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: Country Director
Position directly supervises: This position will supervise Team leads and Technical Coordinators,
Job Requirements:
Education:
Post-graduate degree in International Development, International Relations, relevant social sciences or equivalent demonstrable experience in relevant fields.Work Experience:
Excellent professional track record with 8-10 years of experience, preferably in a complex and dynamic humanitarian and development environment.At least 5-6 years of experience at programmatic leadership level.Successful experience working within a complex security environment is preferred.Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
Effective communication and presentation skills.Strong understanding of donor regulations (e.g., USAID, ECHO, FCDO, UN).Demonstrated ability to think strategically, prioritize and meet deadlines in a complex and challenging environment; must be culturally sensitiveExcellent leadership, people management, interpersonal and negotiation skills and a demonstrated ability to develop harmonious and high-performing teams in a multi-ethnic context.Strong diplomacy skills; ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with partners, donors and other stakeholders in a sensitive environment.Others:
Strong computer skills: must be competent in the use of Windows, MS office programs, email programs, etc.Willingness to travel outside Islamabad to field sites under demanding conditions.Gender Equality:
IRC recognizes that gender equality is fundamental to the achievement of our organizational mission. As such, IRC is committed to the promotion of gender equality in all aspects of our operations and programs. Our organizational policies, procedures and actions demonstrate this commitment. Women candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
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.