Deputy Director of Progams

International Rescue Committee

Job Overview

The Deputy Director for Programs (DDP) provides strategic leadership, decision-making and coordination for program development and delivery, overseeing the effective implementation and technical quality of IRC s programs in oPt. Working under the direction of the Country Director (CD) and a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), the DDP is responsible for overall program direction and quality implementation within the program framework, government policies and strategies, and in compliance with donor regulations, specifically in the areas of a) grant management b) program development, quality and implementation c) day-to-day representation with donor agencies and local and international stakeholders, and d) Monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning.

The DDP will spearhead the development and execution of the Country Strategic Plan and be responsible for supervising the Program Coordinators, including Partnerships and MEAL, Program Managers and Grants Coordinator. This position will work closely and collaboratively with the different departments within the country program. The DDP also has a close working relationship with the MENAU Deputy Regional Director, the Emergency Unit and other MENAU DDPs.

The DDP will be based in Amman initially then transfer to Ramallah once work permit is approved. There will be frequent travel to sites in the West Bank and Gaza, where IRC designs, develops and implements programming.

Major Responsibilities

Program Strategy, Design and Fundraising

• Lead the operationalization of the current IRC oPt response strategy and actively engage in strategic planning processes for the longer term.
• Ensure, with Coordinators, and HQ-based Emergency Unit and Technical Unit staff, that project design reflects IRC program quality standards and industry best practices.
• Lead efforts for sustainable program growth, proactively identifying opportunities for new programming initiatives and emphasizing multi-year funding to support them.
• Provide leadership support to the program and grants teams to develop competitive, evidence-based and cost-effective funding applications.
• Provide guidance, strategies and tools to ensure that program choices are based on needs assessment findings (primary & secondary data) and analysis, input from communities, a thorough understanding of context, technical best practices, and operational viability.
• Formulate integrated program initiatives so that technical sectors complement each other and promote mainstreaming of protection principles and gender-responsive approaches.

Program and Partnership Management - Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Provide overall leadership and management of IRC oPt program portfolio, ensuring strategically coherent client-centered program direction, well-managed growth, and compliance with IRC and donor regulations.
• Continually seek out ways to build the capacities of the program team members, individually and collectively.
• Ensure that detailed, realistic and feasible project implementation plans are developed, and modified as needed, in collaboration with the Program Coordinators and Operations team.
• Coordinate with other members of the Senior Management Team, appropriate management, compliance and performance standards, as well as effective systems for budget management, knowledge management and risk management.
• Support programming staff to collect, document and disseminate lessons learned and best practices, incorporating these into new project designs.
• With program staff, develop effective and appropriate monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plans, including methodologies and tools to strengthen the quality of data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Review M&E and accountability data with program staff to identify and address areas for operational improvement.
• Lead and champion IRC s partner first approach, fostering strategic, respectful, and empowering relationships with local Palestinian organizations. Ensure partners are actively engaged in decision-making, program design, and service delivery, positioning IRC as a partner of choice.
• Ensure high-quality, accountable, and collaborative partnership management, including oversight of partner-led program delivery, adaptive technical support, and consistent application of IRC s PEERS framework and partnership principles across all programming.
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Requirements

Minimum eight years of leadership experience working in emergency and conflict or humanitarian recovery setting with a minimum of five years of NGO program management experience.

Demonstrated ability to think strategically and prioritize effectively under pressure, with a proven capacity for rapid, accurate analysis of complex issues, strong decision-making, and translating programmatic priorities into actionable operational strategies.

Experience in managing: nutrition, protection, water, sanitation and hygiene, sexual and reproductive health, cash, and early childhood development, and experience working in partnership with local organizations, is strongly preferred.

Successful experience delivering programs in a complex security environment strongly preferred.

Proven ability to develop winning proposals to public and private-sector donors;

Demonstrated experience and ability to lead and supervise a cross-cultural team of people, coach for performance and development and create an inclusive organizational climate

Familiarity and experience with major institutional donors including the US and European donors;

Previous experience managing programs financed by US government agencies, FCDO, EU, foundations and private donors a must, with previous experience in competitive environments a plus.

Proven ability to manage projects to completion on time, within budget, and with the anticipated results.

Ability to respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner, producing high-quality outcomes.

Demonstrated successful leadership experience with a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting, including through remote management;. Strong leadership, motivational and team-building skills including active mentoring and coaching;

Proven fluency in English is required and knowledge of Arabic preferred.

Must have ability to travel to/reside in the West Bank and Gaza.

Willingness to travel at least 25% of time, including experience operating in complex security environments.