Deputy Director of Operations

Background/IRC Summary: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The IRC defines operations as those systems and support functions necessary to implement programs effectively and accountably, inclusive of Supply Chain, ICT, Administration, Safety & Security and Human Resources. The Deputy Director of Operations provides leadership of these efforts to ensure quality program delivery by improving the integration, management and planning of country operations. This shall be done in collaboration with Regional Operation Units to ensure alignment in the Region.

The overall security situation in Afghanistan remains dynamic and unpredictable due to reasons of insecurity and political polarization. 

Major Responsibilities:  
Human Resources and Administration Management

• Through collaboration with Operations and Program Coordinators ensure that each team is staffed appropriately according to need and funding availability.  Assure staff hiring is executed efficiently and in compliance to national labor law and IRC policy.
• Work with the country and field offices to implement effective staff training programs, initiatives related to staff retention and nationalization strategies to maximize use of staff capacity and resources.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions including staff development plans.
• Lead with commitment, integrity and accountability to the “IRC Way” –  Global Standards for Professional Conduct
• Verify that human resources policies and procedures are documented, disseminated and consistently applied across the country program.  Ensure that compliance monitoring processes are developed and effectively implemented.
• Ensure that the HR team is working in a harmonized manner and there is consistency among application of policy throughout all offices, and identify and implement mechanisms to ensure cooperation, communication and teamwork.
• Maintain management oversight for country level action plans for the Security Management Plan, “The IRC Way:  Standards for Professional Conduct” etc.
• Work with the country and field offices to implement IRC Connect, staff training programs, and initiatives related to staff retention and nationalization strategies to maximize use of staff capacity and resources.
• Supply Chain & Procurement Management
• Verify that country supply chain policies are appropriate, documented, disseminated and required compliance monitoring processes are effective. This should be achieved through the prioritization of ongoing and systematic field monitoring visits.
• Assist supply chain staff in working effectively with other units to improve planning and resource utilization. Work with program staff to ensure procurement planning, identification of operational support needs and transition planning.
• Financial Planning and Cost Control – in coordination with the Finance Controller
• Provide input to the Country Director on potential areas of concern related to: operations spending; effectiveness of in-country reporting and planning systems; and Field/Program Coordinators oversight of expenditures and adherence to financial requirements.
• Review operating budget and strategy planning as part of the annual fiscal year process prior to HQ submission and periodically throughout the fiscal year;
• As requested by the Country Director, provide input to audit issues and corrective action plans.

Programs Support, Strategy and Business Development

• Work with CD and DDP to identify opportunities for program expansion and support development of funding proposals.
• Work with the CD and DDP on the Country Program Strategic Planning process.
• Provide added support to program coordinators as required.
• Ensure all new proposals have received thorough Operations review and appropriate operations platform is maintained
• In close cooperation with the security advisor ensure and facilitate field program monitoring visits across the country.

Coordination & Representation

• Serve as an active member of the country program’s Senior Management Team and occasionally deputize for the Country Director when he/she is out of the country or on leave.
• Ensure proactive communication within the Regional Safety and Security Advisor, Regional Unit, HQ Support Departments and NY offices as appropriate.
• Field Office Management and Control
• Provide oversight and guidance to Field Coordinators based in seven field offices.  This support should focus upon all aspects of field office control and efficiency.
• Work in collaboration with the Safety and Security Manager to ensure that field staff are well trained and operating in compliance with the Security Management Plan. Provide management support and oversight to the Field Coordinators in implementing security policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain a management information system that effectively captures performance data from country and field offices. Work with Finance Controller, Deputy Director of Programs and Country Director to proactively identify, analyze and respond to trends either through reinforcement or corrective action.
• Participate in the development and/or review of new proposals, operating plans and strategic plans ensuring that the views of field staff are captured and reflected wherever appropriate.

REQUIREMENTS:

• 5-7 years in an operational management role, with several of these being in an international NGOs.
• Bachelor degree is required.
• Prior and successful experience working within an insecure conflict prone environment.
• Regional experience; knowledge of the context (in experience and expertise) and understating of the culture is essential.
• Strong background in Supply Chain, Logistics and HR.
• Strong finance background in financial management, budget development and analysis.
• Strong interpersonal and training skills, ability to work in multi-cultural environments.
• Diverse background in operations, with strong understanding of finance, administration and logistics.
• Strong computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. 

Specific Security Situation/Housing:  The Deputy Director of Operations will be based in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. The security environment in Kabul and across Afghanistan continues to be volatile. The IRC enforces stringent security management protocols to manage the inherent risk of living, traveling and working in Afghanistan. The Deputy Director of Operations will be provided with shared housing.