Iraq Deputy Director Operations

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Scope: The Deputy Director of Operations plays a key role in the leadership and management of IRC Iraq’s program support departments, including Safety and Security, Human Resources, Administration & Logistics and Information Technology. He/she is responsible for ensuring quality program support services according to IRC principles and donor guidelines and that these services are completed in a timely manner and within budget.

Reporting to the Country Director and serving as member of the senior management team (SMT), the Deputy Director Operations is expected to contribute to organizational strategic thinking, planning, and overall coordination efforts. This position has close working relations with the Senior Program Coordinator, Finance Controller and Grants Manager as well as other program and region-based staff.

Responsibilities: Program Design • Support the program staff in developing high-quality project proposals and budgets that include operational realities and requirements. Human Resources • Verify that human resources policies and procedures are documented, disseminated and consistently applied across the country program. Ensure that compliance monitoring processes are developed and effectively implemented. • Through collaboration with program staff, ensure that each team is staffed appropriately according to need and funding availability. • Ensure that IRC Iraq’s staff recruitment is executed efficiently, through transparent, rigorous and soundly-justified procedures; and in compliance to national labor law and IRC policy. • Work with the country and field offices to implement effective orientation, staff training programs, and initiatives related to staff retention and nationalization strategies to maximize use of staff capacity and resources. Administration & Logistics • Verify that admin & logistics policies and procedures are documented, disseminated and consistently applied across the country program. Verify that relevant donor logistics and procurement policies are consistently applied. Ensure that compliance monitoring processes are developed and effectively implemented. • Assist the Admin & Logistics staff in developing and managing appropriate coordination mechanisms to ensure that all operational units are interacting well with each other, at the Country Office, across different field sites and with the Regional Unit, GPU, and other support entities. • Assist logistics staff in working effectively with other units to improve planning and resource utilization. • In collaboration with the Finance Controller and Deputy Director Programs, ensure systems are streamlined between HR, Admin & Logistics, Finance and Programs. • Provide input to the Country Director on potential areas of concern related to operations spending and effectiveness of in-country reporting and planning systems. • Ensure full proactive involvement of key processes with the finance department including budget versus actual report input and necessary information for operational budget accuracy.

Information Technology • Verify that information technology (e.g. Security and Communications Policy, IRC Blogging Policy) policies and procedures are documented, disseminated and consistently applied across the country program. Ensure that compliance monitoring processes are developed and effectively implemented. • Ensure the provision of effective IT services to the Country Office and across different field sites. Personnel Management • Provide supportive guidance and supervision to the Security, HR, Admin & Logistics and IT staff. Provide appropriate and timely feedback regarding their performance, including timely implementation of the annual staff performance management system. • Clearly define the training needs of direct reports and ensure they are able to access training and personnel development resources appropriate to their needs. Safety and Security • By delegation of the CD, exercise authority over safety and security in the field based on the IRC Global Security Policy (article 14). • Manage all aspects of the management of safety and security for the IRC in Iraq, including ensuring that the program has current, adequate and effective security management plans and that they are revised regularly. • Collaborate with the Regional Safety and Security Advisor in assessing country program safety and security requirements and monitor security conditions, advise/inform the CD, staff, the RSSA on security phase changes, response measures, procedures and contingency planning. • Review all reports related to safety and security incidents and conducts analysis of all incidents. • In collaboration with the HR/Admin department in country, ensure that all IRC personnel, dependants, IRC and non-IRC visitors receive an orientation on security from their respective Security Manager within the first 72 hours of arrival in the country program. • Serves as the IRC lead on liaison with other agencies NGO, UN agencies, and national authorities as necessary on matters regarding security and safety of staff. Coordination & Representation • Serve as an active member of the country program’s Senior Management Team and occasionally deputize for the Country Director when he/she is out of the country or on leave. • Ensure proactive communication with the Regional Unit, NY and UK offices as appropriate.

Qualifications: • Master degree in Business Management or relevant technical field preferred with a minimum of five years progressive management and leadership experience • Experience managing a large country team with a diverse portfolio; knowledge of major donors (including USAID/OFDA/PRM, ECHO/EC, DFID, UN Agencies) • Excellent leadership, people management, interpersonal and negotiation skills and a demonstrated ability to develop harmonious teams in cross cultural context. • Strong diplomacy skills. Ability to establish good working relationships with partners, donors and other stakeholders in a sensitive environment. • Sense of humor, discretion, flexibility and patience. The position is based in Erbil with 50% travel to Baghdad. Movement is restricted in Baghdad but not in Erbil; housing is shared with senior staff.

How to apply:

Please apply online: www.ircjobs.org or http://tbe.taleo.net/NA2/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1&rid=7507 .