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International Rescue Committee

Global humanitarian nonprofit delivering emergency relief

Deputy Director for Program

Community Outreach & ProgramsPosted on Nov 12
Full-timeOuagadougou, Burkina FasoNo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

  • A Master's degree in program management, project management, international development, policy, international relations, or a related field is required.
  • At least seven years of experience in humanitarian or development work is required, with a strong understanding of the West African context or work experience in Burkina Faso or the subregion.
  • Strong knowledge of team management, leadership, communication, and interpersonal relations is required.
  • Practical experience working with IRC's principal U.S., European, United Nations, and private donors is required.
  • Proven skills and experience in program design and implementation, including proposal development and compliance in emergency settings, are required.
  • Ability to manage staff and communicate effectively and diplomatically with internal and external stakeholders is required.
  • Fluency in French and English is required.
  • Ability to innovate and solve problems creatively, and collaborate with multicultural teams, is required.
  • Ability to work under pressure with a heavy workload and organize work and time independently is required.
  • Ability to quickly understand complex operational contexts, organizational models, systems, processes, tools, structures, and decision-making processes is required.
  • Excellent command of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and artificial intelligence tools is required.

Responsibilities

  • Lead strategic planning, development, and implementation of IRC program initiatives with sector coordinators, aligned with strategic plans and current contextual analysis.
  • Lead a multi-year strategy prioritizing localization, financial resource mobilization, gender, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Coordinate development, formulation, and drafting of project ideas, concept notes, and proposals with national and regional technical teams.
  • Ensure effective and high-quality management of the program cycle and programmatic learning across programs and projects.
  • Lead strategic development, action plans with clear objectives and evaluation milestones, long- and short-term priorities, implementation plans, financial projections, and assessment tools.
  • Work with national technical teams and field coordinators to provide implementation staff with adequate support and help sector coordinators maintain monitoring, work, expenditure, and recruitment plans with Operations, Finance, and Grants teams.
  • Provide local offices ongoing problem-solving guidance on program issues, planning, and challenges with local authorities and partners.
  • Formulate and develop programs that promote beneficiary participation, capacity building, partnership, advocacy, and rights.
  • Develop new opportunities aligned with Burkina Faso's Strategic Action Plan.
  • Ensure interventions comply with IRC policies, donor requirements, accepted humanitarian and development standards, and national protocols.
  • Assist teams with collecting, analyzing, presenting, and maintaining data; achieving program indicators; and using analyzed data for programmatic decisions.
  • Lead, guide, and support program-quality tools and initiatives.
  • Identify assessment needs and opportunities with technical coordinators and advise on assessment design, implementation, and reporting.
  • Organize and chair regular program coordination meetings with relevant staff.
  • Define strategic direction for programming and fundraising efforts with the Country Director.
  • Guide high-quality proposal and concept-note development with the Grants department and national and regional technical teams.
  • Support the partnerships team in developing and implementing a partnership strategy aligned with IRC's partnership ambitions.
  • Conduct regular program-site visits to monitor quality and provide actionable feedback and recommendations, coordinating with the HASS Manager and Country Director.
  • Promote learning by creating or strengthening collaboration and knowledge-sharing spaces, including communities of practice.
  • Ensure appropriate design is incorporated into all proposals.
  • Develop actions that promote beneficiary participation and feedback.
  • Coordinate with Human Resources to ensure the program team is staffed with qualified personnel who embody organizational values; participate in recruitment, development, and retention; and manage sector coordinators, the Senior Grants Manager, and the monitoring and evaluation team through objectives, work plans, coaching, and periodic assessments.
  • Build a cohesive program team, establish mutual expectations and collaboration, prioritize field-team support, set and assess team performance standards and behaviors, foster a productive professional environment, and facilitate effective relationships between program and operations staff.
  • Manage and develop program-team performance nationwide, including monitoring individual performance and professional-development plans according to organizational standards.
  • Oversee coordination, consolidation, analysis, and submission of program and project budgets in accordance with IRC and donor guidance.
  • Coordinate preparation and submission of quality program, project, and internal IRC reports on time, and follow up on implementation of report actions and recommendations.
  • Provide regular input to grant-management processes and ensure compliance with IRC and donor rules and requirements.
  • Monitor grant budgets for compliance, review budget realignment and extension requests, develop new-proposal budgets with teams, monitor spending, ensure expenditure compliance, report on grant budgets, and contribute programmatic input to the operational budget.
  • Ensure compliance with program rules, organize grant and project meetings, and ensure teams develop and implement corresponding action plans.
  • Ensure systems and processes are in place to identify, assess, and mitigate programmatic risks.
  • Represent IRC and its interests with government representatives, donors, United Nations agencies, and operational and implementing partners as needed.
  • Help the Country Director build strong donor relationships to sustain program funding.
  • Represent IRC on behalf of the Country Director when required.
  • Support sector coordinators in representing IRC at technical meetings.
  • Carry out other activities and responsibilities requested by the Country Director, Deputy Regional Director, or program-related headquarters staff.

Desired Qualifications

  • International experience, including in an emergency context, is an asset.
  • National candidates or nationals returning to Burkina Faso are strongly encouraged to apply. Nationals currently outside their home country with more than two years of international work experience may be eligible for attractive remuneration.

About the Company

International Rescue Committee

Global humanitarian nonprofit delivering emergency relief

Emergency relief and long-term support provider active in 40+ countries and 26 U.S. cities, offering health, education, safety, economic, and protection services to people affected by conflict, displacement, or disasters. It runs refugee resettlement, mental health care, primary healthcare, vocational training, and protection programs, with operations that combine direct services and advocacy. Its distinct approach comes from a large global footprint, extensive field experience, a focus on dignity and resilience, and evidence-based programs supported by initiatives like the Airbel Impact Lab. The goal is to lessen suffering, protect human rights, and help communities recover and thrive through inclusive, long-term strategies that empower those affected by crises.

Company size
10,001+
Company stage
Grant
Total funding
$500K
Headquarters
New York City, New York
Founded
1933

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