Program Coordinator

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Program Coordinator will be based in Peshawar and will report to the Deputy Director Programs based in Islamabad. The incumbent will provide strategic and operational leadership for IRC’s program in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and will be responsible for oversight of program implementation. S/he will be responsible for overall management of the response, supportive supervision for the partners and teams, and for providing inputs in program development. The position is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) at the country office and leads the Provincial Senior Management Team (PSMT).

A key priority for this position is to strengthen and institutionalize IRC’s relationships with local authorities and institutions. This includes provincial and district government departments, provincial and district regulatory bodies and authorities, local institutions, universities and academia, and UN agencies.

The job holder is expected to make decisions at strategic and operational level with a high degree of judgment, based on specific problem-solving skills and experience, while drawing on a range of external and internal factors. S/he will work closely with other support departments at provincial and country office level in IRC for smooth operational management and program delivery.

Major Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Engagement, Representation and Relationship Building:

The Program Coordinator will strengthen and institutionalize IRC’s relationships with local authorities and institutions in KP.

• Strengthen and institutionalize IRC’s relationships with local authorities and institutions, so that they continue beyond individual staff and projects. Use tools such as MoUs, regular coordination meetings and joint planning where appropriate. Develop and lead a stakeholder engagement plan for KP. Map key stakeholders, set priorities, assign focal points and review progress regularly.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with provincial and district government departments and authorities, for example in health, education, social welfare and disaster management, and with provincial regulatory bodies and authorities, to support approvals, access and smooth program delivery.
• Build partnerships with local institutions, universities and academia in KP, for example for research, learning, technical exchange and internships.
• Represent IRC in UN-led, district and provincial level forums and working groups, and share learning and best practices. Maintain long-term relationships with fellow agencies and NGOs, community-based organizations, partners and donors, and facilitate visits to project sites by donors and other stakeholders.
• Lead provincial level advocacy with government departments, partners and other stakeholders. Keep the Deputy Director Programs and country management informed about key relationships, agreements and changes in the KP context.

Leadership and Management Teams:

• Be a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) at the country office, and participate in and contribute to SMT discussions and decisions as required by the role.
• Lead the Provincial Senior Management Team (PSMT), including chairing the fortnightly or other scheduled PSMT meetings.

Program Management and Coordination:

• Provide strategic oversight of overall program management in KP, including IRC’s inter and intra department coordination, team building and partnership management.
• Lead the management and quality implementation of projects assigned to the KP Program Coordinator, and support programs managed by the country office in an administrative and provincial lead capacity.
• Support and strengthen partners. Ensure that partner activities follow agreed workplans and spending plans, hold regular progress meetings, and resolve project challenges.
• Support program teams in direct IRC emergency response and in partner-implemented response. Coordinate technical needs assessments and serve as the link between field response teams and country management.
• Work closely with the supervisor, and Team Leads and Project Managers to ensure grant utilization and compliance with donor requirements.
• Work closely with and support the MEAL team in the province, so that monitoring is done effectively, reports are developed on time, corrective actions are taken, and programs remain compliant, on track and in line with IRC standards and protocols.
• Promote gender equality, diversity and inclusive practice across programming and ways of working.

Business Development and Grants Management:

• Provide inputs to program development, design and need analysis for new programming in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)
• Contribute to development of country office’s sector-relevant strategic direction and plans including ongoing development of emergency programming, staffing and management structures at provincial level
• Assist in review of proposals in coordination with technical coordinators and Award Management Unit
• Contribute to and provide regular updates/ inputs in the SAP IP and SAP quarterly progress.

Human Resources Management:

• Conduct performance appraisals for direct reports in the province, and ensure regular constructive feedback and mentoring on individual performance is provided
• Timely hiring of new/ replacement positions
• Seek opportunities for capacity building of IRC team members and partner staff where and when needed
• Ensure understanding and compliance with IRC Way including but not limited to child safeguarding, GEDI, protection, PSEA and ensure the same among the provincial teams.

Information Management

• Contribute to the development and review and approve sitreps on the emergency response and development programs
• Prepare and disseminate the situation reports to relevant quarters internally and externally
• Ensure that all internal and external reports are submitted on time and to a high-quality standard.
• Participate in project cycle meetings (PCMs) and present programmatic and progress and challenges
• Assist DDP and country teams in regular monitoring and monthly reporting on all grant management aspects, budget, workplan progress and updating, procurement plans, data collection and analysis and monitoring

Program Quality, Monitoring and Learning:

• Work closely with operations (supply chain, IT, HR), finance and grants to coordinate quality and timely implementation and development of programs, including providing oversight over BVA analysis, indicator tracking tools, and other grant management tools used by the IRC
• Participate in monthly grant review meetings and regular monitoring of internal program.
• Undertake regular field monitoring visits to assess progress and identify technical quality issues and/or other implementation issues, provide solutions and implement modifications as required.
• Participate in quarterly and annual reviews of the projects and partnerships at the provincial level
• Through the established MEAL system, deliver results-based programming mechanisms across all project sites.
• Ensure to bring quality standards into practice across the project cycle and spending of projects remains on track
• With support of communication team, lead identification, documentation and sharing of knowledge and emerging practices, case studies, best practices etc. Share the findings and learning internally and externally, with the wider stakeholder audience as appropriate
• Foster an integrated approach by coordinating and cooperating with all the IRC thematic areas

Other:

Other relevant duties as assigned by supervisor to further IRC programs.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position is a member of the country office SMT and leads the PSMT
• Position directly supervises: provincial department leads and project leads (PSMT members)
• Internal coordination: Senior Management team, Technical coordinators, emergency response team members, AMU, Field Response Managers, Provincial Head of Offices, MEAL, Partnership, Safety and Security.
• External coordination: Provincial and district government authorities, provincial regulatory bodies, local institutions and universities, UN agencies, donors, NGOs and partners.

Job Requirements:

A. Education

Master’s degree in Management, Social Sciences, Human Development, Disaster Management or other equivalent.

B. Work experience

• Prior experience of managing a provincial team, or of working in a similar position, with INGOs or UN agencies in Pakistan.
• Minimum of five years of experience managing development and humanitarian programs in complex operating environments.
• Overall total experience of ten years or more, with at least five years with INGOs.
• Proven experience of building and maintaining relationships with government authorities, regulatory bodies, UN agencies and academic or local institutions.
• Previous experience leading multi-sector responses required.
• Experience in Disaster Risk Reduction and vulnerability analysis preferred.
• Solid understanding of the humanitarian and development architecture in Pakistan, and good knowledge of the KP context.
• Experience of managing local partners and large teams desired.
• Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate relevance, competency and are from KP, with a good understanding of the local context, operational environment, languages and culture.

Competencies and Skills:

• Strong relationship building and networking skills, with the ability to engage senior government officials, regulatory authorities, UN representatives and academic leaders with respect and confidence.
• Good understanding of the local culture, customs and sensitivities of KP.
• Strong cross-cultural communication skills and comfortable working as part of a diverse team. Sensitive to interpersonal differences and a range of viewpoints.
• Highly diplomatic with excellent situational awareness and advanced negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated advance planning and organizational skills. Able to effectively prioritize and follow multiple activities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Flexible and innovative. Able to adapt plans and pivot approaches in response to changes in context.
• Proactive, reliable, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• A sound understanding of the importance of Gender equality, diversity and inclusion in program work.
• Excellent project management and reporting skills.
• Well versed in the knowledge and use of information technology platforms and tools such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, and aware of other digital tools used for collaboration and virtual interactions. Good working knowledge of software such as Microsoft Windows, Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the confidence to present and speak in large and senior gatherings.

Language Skills: English, Urdu, Pashto and other local languages of KP. Excellent spoken and written skills in English are required. Good command of Pashto or other local languages is strongly preferred.

Women candidates and persons with disabilities are highly encourages to apply.

Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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