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.

IRC is establishing a presence in Canada and aims to strengthen its global mission through expanding its engagement with Canadian partners. 

Job Overview / Summary

IRC Canada is seeking an experienced humanitarian leader with an entrepreneurial mindset to drive IRC Canada's market entry and establish its presence in Canada. The Director of IRC Canada is a senior leadership role and the primary driver of IRC Canada’s operational delivery, advocacy, and thought leadership agenda.  Reporting to the President of IRC Canada, the Director leads day-to-day operations, external engagement, and strategy execution. The Director works closely with the Director of Donor Engagement, Senior Director of USA Philanthropy, and VP for Policy and Advocacy to advance IRC Canada's fundraising, advocacy, and communications agenda.  

Major Responsibilities

Strategy and Management

  • Lead IRC Canada's day-to-day operations and overall strategy, ensuring coherence with IRC's global priorities; report on delivery against key performance indicators to the President.
  • Lead the day-to-day operations of IRC Canada, including the entity set-up and start-up workplan across legal, finance, people and culture, governance, and operations workstreams and project cycle management.
  • Oversee IRC Canada people management and office operations; support recruitment and implement performance standards in coordination with People and Culture
  • Maintain cross-functional coordination between IRC inc departments: e.g. AMU, Finance, Technical Excellence, and country and regional teams to mobilize IRC's global resources behind Canada priorities.

Public and Institutional Fundraising

  • In collaboration with IRC HQ departments, develop a cohesive IRC Canada’s whole-of-Canada institutional engagement strategy including public and private donors.
  • Support development of the GAC donor engagement strategy and high-value and private fundraising strategy in coordination with IRC HQ department leads.
  • Works in close collaboration with the Senior GAC Framework Advisor and Senior Director of USA Philanthropy to ensure coherence, inform targets, and collaborate on ongoing relationship management.
  • Supports growing the pipeline of donors for IRC Canada.

Stakeholder Engagement and External Representation

  • Serve as a credible and compelling advocate for IRC’s programming to Canadian audiences, including donors, policymakers and media.
  • Leads IRC Canada's Ottawa advocacy and thought leadership, serving as the primary institutional voice with GAC and policy platforms, engaging as a technical peer on program quality, evidence, and sector reform.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with the Canadian NGO community, government counterparts, and relevant networks, including peer INGO Canada offices, Cooperation Canada, and the Humanitarian Coalition ecosystem.

Governance and Accountability

  • Support the President in ensuring IRC Canada meets its statutory, regulatory, and governance obligations, including CRA requirements.
  • Establish IRC Canada's HR systems and processes for the Canadian context, ensuring compliance with Canadian employment law in coordination with People and Culture and external counsel.
  • Ensures effective financial and operational controls and oversees IRC Canada's operational risk management.
  • Reviews financial reporting to track progress against objectives; escalates issues to the President and adapts delivery plans.
  • Support IRC Canada Board engagement.

Job Requirements

Essential Experience

  • Self starter with 15 + years leadership experience in an international NGO, humanitarian organisation, government, or equivalent institution, with direct exposure to humanitarian programming, policy, and operations.
  • Entrepreneurial mindset with a demonstrated ability to deliver in conditions of ambiguity and limited resources. Proven ability to drive operational delivery and execute complex cross-functional workplan
  • Demonstrated experience winning and stewarding large public and private grants and influencing policy change.
  • Track record of institutional engagement and business development in the Canadian donor landscape.
  • Experience in policy, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement at senior levels in the Canadian context. Able to hold peer-level conversations on programming quality, cost-effectiveness, evidence, and policy.

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications

  • Deep substantive knowledge of humanitarian programming. Is able to engage credibly on sector reform, cost-effectiveness, localisation, evidence, and IRC’s programmatic offer across health, protection, economic recovery, and related areas.
  • Strong understanding of the Canadian institutional donor landscape, including GAC’s humanitarian and development bureaus, and the broader Canadian NGO ecosystem.
  • Bilingual in French and English. Working proficiency in both languages required; able to engage across government, civil society, media, and donor audiences in either language.
  • Demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performing teams in lean, entrepreneurial environments.
  • Deep, demonstrable commitment to IRC’s mission and values, including diversity, equality and inclusion.

Desirable

  • Existing senior relationships across GAC, Canadian government, and the Canadian humanitarian and development ecosystem.
  • Experience working within or alongside IRC; familiarity with IRC’s global structure, programs, and internal navigation is an advantage.
  • Understanding of Quebec dynamics and the francophone Canadian context.
  • Experience as a board member or in a governance role within a registered Canadian charity.

Compensation: (150,000-185,000 CAD). 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. 

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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