Senior Livelihoods and Humanitarian Assistance Manager

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.

Amid ongoing conflict—particularly in Gaza—widespread infrastructure damage and displacement have heightened humanitarian needs. IRC provides assistance across health, nutrition, WASH, education, protection, and economic wellbeing, with Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) identified as a central, flexible modality. Through both direct implementation and partnerships, IRC delivers CVA, in-kind assistance, and livelihoods programming to meet urgent needs, support recovery, and strengthen resilience.

Job Overview
The Senior Livelihoods & Humanitarian Assistance Manager will serve as IRC’s technical lead on livelihoods, Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA), and in-kind assistance in the oPt. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Programs and working closely with the Senior Technical Advisor for Cash and Emergencies, this role provides both strategic direction and technical leadership across Gaza and the West Bank.

The postholder will drive the design and delivery of livelihoods interventions that foster employment, small business recovery, market linkages, and economic empowerment — while ensuring that CVA and in-kind assistance remain effective, safe, and responsive to urgent humanitarian needs. By combining immediate relief with pathways to recovery, the role ensures that households and communities can both meet basic needs and rebuild sustainable livelihoods.
A key focus will be on program quality, innovation, and cross-sectoral integration (health, nutrition, WASH, protection, and education), ensuring that livelihoods and CVA are used strategically and coherently. The role will also strengthen IRC and partner capacity, ensure operational readiness, and engage actively with donors, coordination bodies, and private sector actors to expand impact and scale.

This is a pivotal leadership position that will shape IRC’s ability to deliver humanitarian relief and support long-term economic recovery.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Design & Strategic Leadership
•    Provide strategic leadership on the design and integration of livelihoods, CVA, and in-kind programming across IRC’s portfolio.
•    Develop adaptive models for delivery in diverse market, infrastructure, and access conditions in Gaza and the West Bank.
•    Lead scenario planning, risk management, and contingency frameworks for cash, in-kind, and livelihoods interventions.
•    Ensure alignment with IRC’s country strategy, global standards, and donor priorities.
•    Ensure CVA contributes to both immediate basic needs and longer-term livelihoods, recovery and social protection linkages

2. Technical Support & Cash/In-Kind Operations
•    Develop and maintain SOPs, technical guidance, and tools for safe and effective CVA and in-kind assistance.
•    Oversee financial service provider (FSP) contracting and relationship management with Finance and Supply Chain teams.
•    Monitor contextual and regulatory developments affecting cash and in-kind feasibility.
•    Ensure compliance, quality, and accountability through audit-ready documentation and consistent application of Do No Harm, gender, and protection principles.
•    With MEAL, design and implement monitoring systems for CVA and in-kind activities, ensuring learning is captured and applied.

3. Livelihoods Program Design & Technical Leadership
•    Lead the design and technical oversight of livelihoods interventions, including skills training, youth employment, women’s economic empowerment, small business recovery, and income-generating activities.
•    Promote market systems and value chain approaches, strengthening linkages with private sector actors and local institutions.
•    Ensure livelihoods programming bridges emergency response and long-term economic recovery, building household resilience and reducing aid dependency.
•    Develop tools for labor market analysis, livelihoods assessments, and monitoring of economic outcomes (e.g., income, employment, business viability).
•    Ensure livelihoods interventions are conflict-sensitive, inclusive, and adapted to local market realities.

4. Implementation Support & Capacity Building
•    Provide tailored capacity building, mentoring, and real-time technical advice to IRC and partner staff on CVA, in-kind, and livelihoods.
•    Support safe and high-quality implementation, adapting approaches and tools as needed.
•    Develop and roll out practical guidance on livelihoods assessments, private sector engagement, and employability skills.

5. Partner Engagement & Co-Design
•    Build strong, equitable partnerships with local actors, supporting co-design of livelihoods, CVA, and recovery programs.
•    Provide technical backstopping, targeted training, and ongoing capacity support for partner-led implementation.
•    Identify and cultivate new partnerships with NGOs, community organizations, and private sector actors relevant to livelihoods and recovery.

6. External Representation & Coordination
•    Represent IRC in Cash Working Groups, Food Security Cluster, Shelter/NFI forums, and Livelihoods coordination bodies.
•    Strengthen relationships with local authorities, donors, UN agencies, peer NGOs, and private sector stakeholders.
•    Contribute to advocacy and thought leadership on social protection, livelihoods scale-up, and CVA innovation.

7. Business Development
•    Lead the livelihoods, CVA, and in-kind components of proposal development, ensuring robust design, budgets, and log frames.
•    Identify funding opportunities and cultivate donor engagement on livelihoods and recovery.
•    Support development of future programming for multi-purpose cash, market-based interventions, and sustainable livelihood initiatives.

•    Any other relevant tasks as requested by supervisor

Qualifications

Education:
•    Bachelor’s degree in development, humanitarian affairs, economics, business administration, or related field (Master’s preferred).

Experience:
•    At least 5 years’ experience in managing or advising on livelihoods, CVA, and humanitarian assistance in crisis or recovery contexts.
•    Proven track record in designing, implementing, and monitoring livelihoods and market-based programs.
•    Experience managing safe in-kind assistance and navigating complex access environments (oPt or similar).
•    Strong knowledge of CVA standards, digital payment systems, and social protection approaches.
•    Experience working with FSPs and humanitarian coordination systems.
•    Desirable: Experience in livelihoods and market assessments, social protection systems, and program start-up.

Skills & Competencies:
•    Strong analytical, facilitation, and technical writing skills.
•    Demonstrated ability to support remote and cross-cultural teams.
•    Commitment to gender equality, diversity, inclusion, and safeguarding.
•    Fluency in Arabic and English required.

Working Environment
•    Based in-country or remote depending on access and security.
•    Up to 30–40% travel to field sites, security permitting.
•    Ability to adapt to fast-paced, high-risk, and complex operating environments.

Safeguarding & Confidentiality
The IRC has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. All staff must comply with IRC’s safeguarding policies and report any violations. The role requires handling sensitive data, with strict adherence to confidentiality.
 

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

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