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Tat Lan Project Director – Food Security & Livelihoods

2:33:00 PM
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.
BACKGROUND The IRC has been working in Myanmar since 2008 and is committed to implementing quality programming to improve the well being of the most vulnerable populations in the areas of livelihoods, water and sanitation, and health. IRC programming reflects a commitment to sustainable solutions, and believes this is achieved through participatory approaches such as community driven development, community disaster risk reduction, and capacity building of local partners. In Myanmar, as well as globally, IRC also maintains a commitment to responding to emergencies. In 2010, IRC responded to Cyclone Giri, and since has directly implemented four livelihoods restoration Programs in the Giri-affected Rakhine townships of Minbya and Myebon. These interventions have reflected the immediate and medium-term needs of the population, aimed at increasing food security and access to direct income and income generating assets. Through this work, IRC has developed a strong relationship with the local community, township authorities, and increasingly with the Rakhine State government.
SCOPE The IRC is seeking a Project Director who will be responsible for the overall management of a $22 million donor funded multi-year food security and livelihoods project. The Project Director will provide strategic and operational leadership and assume the overall responsibility for the development and implementation of a tactical approach and effective strategy for this large-scale project. The project has the purpose of equitably and sustainably improving the food security and livelihoods of 214 severely and moderately cyclone-affected communities in the Rakhine State townships of Myebon, Pauktaw, Kyaukpyu and Minbya. IRC will implement the project in partnership with a consortium of international, as well as local, partners.
The Project Director will be a member of IRC’s Country Office Senior Management Team, reporting directly to the Country Director. S/he will supervise the project team and technical members and will lead the Project Implementation Committee constituted of members of the implementation partners. S/he will be accountable for ensuring that the project objectives are met and that the project is implemented in compliance with IRC and donor regulations.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Direction, Program Implementation • Provide overall strategic and operational leadership for the project, overseeing the technical, administrative, financial and management aspects to ensure successful and timely implementation of planned activities and appropriate expenditure of funds; • Serve as IRC’s key liaison with the donor’s contracting and technical support staff; • Serve as the coordinator between consortium members, external and internal technical advisors, and key program stakeholders; • Facilitate Project’s management and coordination meetings to discuss policy and implementation issues, and provide input to donor meetings; • Coordinate all annual work planning, project reviews/evaluation activities and project implementation activities with team members and stakeholders. • Oversee consortium partners in leading respective technical components, and implementing community based livelihood, food security, aquaculture and agriculture Program in the designated four townships, encompassing over 200 villages; • Ensure that efficient systems to support all aspects of the Program (including sub-grant management, financial, and performance monitoring and reporting) are in place and support the effective use of Program resources in compliance with donor regulations and IRC policies; • Directly supervise four staff, (one expatriate Agriculture/Livelihoods Coordinator, one national Project Coordinator, one Sub Grant Compliance Manager, one national M&E Officer), with oversight of the entire IRC project team (approximately 27 additional staff); • Fully inform IRC head office on all matters relating to the project, and maintain appropriate links with partner head/field offices.
Representation and Networking • Foster and manage relationships with representatives of the Government of Myanmar, state-level authorities in Rakhine State, and relevant line ministries (engagement with local authorities and government is a key output of the project); • Work closely with the donor in Yangon, and local and international partners. • Ensure strong communication and coordination with other IRC projects, and with other livelihood initiatives in country in order to maximize the use of resources and achieve multi-sector Program integration; • Ensure identification of advocacy issues, development of advocacy and influencing plan, and its proper implementation with government as well as with other stakeholders.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Research • Oversee project monitoring and evaluation, working closely with the M&E Technical Advisor; • Ensure that the project benefits from evidence collected in this project, as well as other relevant experiences to affect state-level regional and national policy changes; • Identify and coordinate key research areas that can be developed into issue papers used for advocacy and to contribute to best practice; • Identify and manage consultants, both national and international for the purpose of meeting objectives and deliverables; • Monitor expenditure of the project in relation to project activities and budget.
Reporting and Documentation • Ensure the timely submission of all deliverables to the donor, including annual work plans and project monitoring and evaluation plans;
• Ensure that all reports required by the donor, IRC and government are produced on time and are of a consistently high quality. • Oversee the development and updating of project informational materials such as brochures, fact sheets, articles, posters etc. to promote the project achievements externally and within IRC.
Security, Health & Safety • Ensure implementation and adherence to the IRC Myanmar security & safety policies addressing specific local conditions.
• Coordinate security planning and systems with relevant stakeholders in the area of implementation to address security & safety concerns and adjust policies as appropriate.
REQUIREMENTS • Advanced degree in management, public administration, international development or related field plus a minimum 8-10 years experience managing overseas, multi-partner development projects, related to community-based livelihood, food security and agriculture initiatives. • Experience fostering and managing relationships with various levels (township to national, local authorities and ministries) of government, especially in Myanmar or countries in similar phases of transition. • Extensive experience implementing complex Programs in sensitive developing countries in areas such as agriculture; infrastructure; improving quality and access to financial services; development of community participation in the improvement of livelihoods and food security; and M&E of livelihood projects.
• Demonstrated skills in strategic and project planning; previous employment with or extensive knowledge of NGOs; and excellent oral and written communication skills in English. • Familiarity with international donors’ regulations and policies, as well as significant experience interacting with donor agencies is important.
• Proven ability in promoting and collaborating closely with multi-level stakeholders. • Knowledge or prior work experience in country preferred. • Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations.
• Sensitivity of South East Asian cultures, capacity to work well under pressure, and the ability to communicate cross-culturally is critical. • Experience in conflict affected or post conflict areas plus the ability to travel extensively are important.
SPECIFIC SECURITY SITUATION/HOUSING This position will be based in Sittwe, Myanmar on the Bay of Bengal, with frequent travel to Yangon (1 hour flight from Sittwe) and the field sites (Myebon, Minbya, Pauktaw, and Kyaukpyu – approximately 4 - 8 hours by boat from Sittwe). The candidate should be prepared to implement programming in remote environments, accessibly solely by boat. This is a non-accompanied position, and housing is provided. Candidate should be aware that currently there is a humanitarian crisis in Sittwe, and there may be need to move housing/base location within the first year.
How to apply:

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