Requisition ID: req59152 Job Title: RISE Program Manager Sector: Grants Employment Category: Regular Employment Type: Full-Time Open to Expatriates: No Location: Deir ez-Zur, Syria Work Arrangement:In-person Job Description Background/Context: The IRC has operated in Syria since 2012, providing protection, health, economic recovery, and early childhood development programs in Idleb, Aleppo, Ar-Raqqa, Hassakeh, and Deir ez-Zor, with new programs expanding into Hama, rural Damascus, and Homs. With a team of over 350 members, the IRC has established trust and strong community relationships, ensuring access and effective service delivery. Our longstanding experience in the country to date provides a strong foundation for the IRC to further adapt and expand its programming across Syria, in order to respond to the new realities, with a greater focus on resilience and recovery initiatives. Alongside this, the IRC also plays a significant role in Syria’s NGO, donor, and coordination forums, holding key positions and actively engaging in advocacy efforts. Resilient Interventions for Social Cohesion and Empowerment Project IRC is implementing a RISE - Resilient Interventions for Social Cohesion and Empowerment project in Deir-ez-Zor, a 5 million EUR initiative aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence, livelihoods, and integrated protection for IDPs and host communities objectives. Job Overview: The RISE program Manager will oversee the implementation of the RISE - Resilient Interventions for Social Cohesion and Empowerment project in Northeast Syria (Deir-ez-Zor). Working closely with Technical advisors, Program Coordinators ( Health, Intergrated Protection and Economic recovery and Development) support to oversee coordination, harmonization of work plans, and act as a focal person in representation, ensuring the program is on track and ensuring timely reporting. Responsibilities: Program Management, Implementation, and Coordination + Facilitate planning, coordination, and execution of project activities, ensuring alignment with approved proposals, IRC Project Cycle Management (PCM) guidelines, and donor requirements. + Oversee that budgeted resources and implementation plans are in place, coordinate and communicate Ops and programmatic needs + Oversee project performance to ensure targets, objectives, and log-frame indicators are met, with a specific focus on fostering social cohesion and economic integration between IDPs and host communities. + Working closely with PCs, ensure all activities are implemented in full compliance with IRC, government, and donor policies, procedures, and accountability frameworks. + Ensure effective partner engagement and coordination throughout the project lifecycle. This includes: joint planning, implementation, monitoring, and learning. + Conduct regular field, with partners to monitor activities, inspect IRC visibility, and lead project review sessions with MEAL, Grants, Finance, and Operations teams. + Facilitate effective integration of Health, Protection, and ERD programs throughout all project phases, with a focus on cross-sectoral coordination and inclusive programming. + Oversee project performance to ensure targets, objectives, and log-frame indicators are met, with a specific focus on fostering social cohesion and economic integration between IDPs and host communities. + Conduct regular field visits to monitor activities, inspect IRC visibility, and lead project review sessions with MEAL, Grants, Finance, and Operations teams. + Oversee project entry and phase extensions, ensuring a smooth transition and adequate support for Sr. Managers. + Promote community-led solutions by strengthening peacebuilding mechanisms, supporting community-based committees, and ensuring active participation of marginalized groups (e.g., women, youth, persons with disabilities) in decision-making. + Support the design and implementation of conflict-sensitive approaches, ensuring all activities address underlying drivers of tension between IDPs and host communities. + Provide strategic leadership in engaging and managing diverse partnerships, including local/national humanitarian actors, government, private sector, and civil society networks/alliances. Budget Management & Compliance: + Oversee budget utilization, ensuring spending aligns with IRC financial procedures and donor requirements. + Authorize and track expenditures, working closely with Program, Grants, Finance, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to optimize resource allocation. + Ensure PCM tools (Project Cycle Management tools) are in place and effectively utilized. Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development: + Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team membersof team members under the RISE program in relevant technical and management competencies. + Coach, train, supervise, and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews. + 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. + Approve and manage time, attendance, and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission, and carry out probationary reviews. + Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis. + Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team, and providing guidance on career paths. + As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies. + 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. + Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff. + Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. + Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations. Qualifications + Education: Bachelor's Degree in Program Management, Peace Studies, Governance, and other related fields, or equivalent experience in a relevant field. Work Experience: + 6 years of progressively responsible professional experience in managing multi-sectoral and partner-led high-scale projects + At least 2 years in a managerial role, overseeing teams and program implementation + Previous experience in an early recovery or conflict-afflicted setting is required. + Proven experience in designing, implementing, and managing programs focused on resilience, social cohesion, and community integration, particularly in conflict-affected or displacement settings. + Experience working with civil society organizations at both local and national levels, including supporting their organizational development. + Specific and practical expertise in resilience, economic empowerment (particularly for women and youth), community-based development, and civil society strengthening. + Demonstrated Skills and Competencies: + Strong knowledge of various assessment methodologies and analytical frameworks, including conflict analysis and Do No Harm analysis + Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork in a cross-cultural context. + Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities, and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience. + Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior-level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity. + Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop, is a must. Language/Travel: + English and Arabic are mandatory + 40% to field sites in Der Ez Zor as well as attending national workshops and meetings Key Working Relationships: + Position Reports to: Deputy Director of Programs Position directly supervises: None + Indirect Reporting (If applicable): IP, ERD and Health Officers Key Internal Contacts: Technical Advisors, Program Coordinators, Senior Field Manager Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation. Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the country where this position is based and are currently residing outside of your home country, you may be eligible for an attractive relocation package. Eligibility is determined based on IRC's operational needs and specific role requirements. IRC strives to attract, motivate, and retain qualified national staff in our programs. Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.