Project Manager, METAL

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.

Background: 

We aim to make our programs a model for the highest global standards and to cultivate power and lasting change not just for our clients but for all people affected by humanitarian crises. To achieve that vision, the IRC’s Technical Excellence (TE) group, located within the Crisis Response, Recovery and Development (CRRD) Department, provides technical assistance to IRC’s country program staff and shares what we learn to influence policy and practice.

IRC’s Technical Excellence team is comprised of seven teams which have deep expertise in their respective fields: Education, Economic Wellbeing, Governance, Health, Violence Prevention and Response, MEAL/Programs Technology, and Grants & Operations.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Technology, Accountability, and Learning at the IRC

The METAL Unit is responsible for supporting CRRD to have a culture of strong data and evidence use through stewardship of the Data & Performance Ecosystem, and for coordinating successful piloting and uptake of innovative technology solutions. The METAL Unit provides specialized support across four pillars to strengthen program effectiveness, improve decision-making, and enhance organizational learning:

• Global MEAL Practice: Global MEAL Practice works with the Technical Units to set and maintain the highest standards for measurement, analysis, and data use, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and learning.
• Program Technology Innovation: The Program Technology Innovation pillar drives the identification and testing of cutting-edge technology for IRC’s programming areas, by focusing on advancing digital solutions that enhance program reach and impact. Leads program technology innovation for CRRD and coordinates between CRRD/IT/Signpost/Airbel.
• Program Technology at Scale: The Program Technology at Scale pillar ensures the widespread iteration, adoption, and sustainability of program technology and data systems, facilitating the integration of digital tools across CRRD country programs and other teams. Leads data governance for CRRD and coordinates between IT/others at an org level.
• Regional METAL Support: The Regional METAL Support team provides direct technical assistance to IRC Programs, ensuring programs meet MEAL maturity benchmarks and optimize data utilization. They also provide strategic support implementing and generating learning from MEAL systems and activities, providing regional leadership with data insights and informing global practice.

Job Overview: 

The METAL Project Manager will be part of the METAL team which is responsible for delivering products that support day-to-day implementation of CRRD Programs as well as the collection, management and visualization of KPIs relevant to higher-level decision-making.

In this role, the Project Manager is charged with coordinating all METAL software development projects. This position will be expected to implement Agile Project Management procedures to efficiently manage program workstreams. This includes supporting proper product backlog management, sprint planning, task management, etc. They will help coordinate the planning and execution of requirements gathering, analysis, solution design, development and testing.

The Project Manager will play a crucial role in ensuring that METAL is a reliable partner for other business units by establishing clear project scopes, goals, timelines, resourcing, risks and sharing regular status reports.

This role reports to the Program Technology at Scale Lead. The PM will work closely with METAL Product Managers and Developers. They will have a technical line to the Associate Director IT Projects & Portfolio Mgt and maintain regular contact with the project management team to ensure that METAL is following the best practices of the wider organization.

Major Responsibilities:

• Creates and Maintains and Integrated Project Plan: Develops, and continually updates, detailed program management plans. Develops work breakdown structures based on the project objectives and scope. Ensures the implementation methodology is adhered to.
• Manages Project Status Reporting: Prepares status reports to communicate project scope, goals, achievements, budget, risk, status, change requests, and critical issues to the client and project team.
• Performs Project Resource Management: Provides work direction and leadership to assigned projects, including scheduling, assignment of work and review of project efforts. Identifies project resource requirements and staff assignments. Checks for staff availability. Updates the project plan with work assignments.
• Conducts Risk Management: Maintains documentation for identified risks and mitigation strategies. Proactively gathers and updates risk status and documentation as needed.
• Provides Overall Project Administration: Participates in program team meetings, proactively documents meeting minutes, track issues, decisions and action items, and follow-up between meetings to drive issues to closure.
• Conducts Other Tasks as Needed: Performs other duties or special projects as required or as assigned 

Key Working Relationships 

• Position Reports to: Program Technology at Scale Lead
• Direct Reports: None
• Management in Partnership: Associate Director IT Projects & Portfolio Mgt

Key Internal Relationships: 

• METAL Product Managers
• METAL Technology Development Lead
• METAL Developers

Desired Experience and Skills:

• Successfully managed complex programs with technology components.
• Six or more years of project management experience in IT or software, ideally related to humanitarian service delivery or information systems.
• Experience working in Jira preferred.
• International NGO/Global Humanitarian Organization experience in a developing country preferred. 

Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Project and/or program management certification (PMP, CSM, etc.) preferred. 

Working Environment: 

• While we support flexible working, UK-based colleagues are expected to work from our central London office one day each week.

Compensation: Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

• UK Pay Range: £51,470 - £60,048

Standard of Professional Conduct: IRC and 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.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

IRC is dedicated to reducing the gender gap in leadership roles and has implemented supportive measures like parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other benefits to create an inclusive environment for women.

Applicants with varied career paths are welcomed, recognizing that employment gaps don't define potential. IRC values transferrable skills and is committed to investing in the growth and development of its team members.

The organization strives to offer competitive and equitable Compensation and Benefits programs to attract, motivate, and retain employees who adhere to the IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct.

IRC is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity and inclusion.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnicity or tribe, gender, age, religion, caste, sexual orientation, differently abled, geographic origin, marital status, veteran status and cultural background (or any other characteristic protected by law). We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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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