Program Officer, Performance

Project Cycle Meetings

The IRC is preparing to introduce new standardized approaches to managing grant-funded projects, called Project Cycle Meetings (PCM). By strengthening the routines we use to manage the project lifecycle our programming will become more nimble and responsive, with benefits for our clients, partners and IRC staff. Project Cycle Meetings have been field-tested and are in the final stages of development, with global introduction planned for early 2020. 

The key shifts PCM will bring about include:

• More efficient use of meeting time focused on key project management decisions;

• Increased use of data in making these project management decisions;

• Clearer roles & responsibilities for teams; and

• Greater collaboration across departments.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Program Officer for Performance will be responsible for managing communications, training programs and other routines to ensure successful adoption of Project Cycle Meetings across IRC’s country programs. The Program Officer, Performance will report to the Senior Director, Strategy & Performance and will work collaboratively with other colleagues in the Awards Management Unit, Strategy Unit, Technical Units, Operations departments and regional program delivery support teams.

Length of Assignment: 2 years, potential to extend

Location: Preferrably New York, but open to remote location.

KEY ACCOUNTABLITIES AND MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support regional and country teams to develop PCM adoption plans;

• Track progress towards global adoption and problem solve where adoption is off track;

• Support the scheduling of training and, when needed, facilitate on-boarding;

• Provide helpdesk support for the use of PCM guidance and tools;

• Develop organizational communications and presentations for all levels of the organization, including for the Steering Committee that governs this effort;

• Oversee the change management process and ensure learning from the introduction phase informs continuous improvement of the guidance and trainings;

• Work collaboratively and with a spirit of kindness and humility, especially with country program colleagues

• Provide in-country on-boarding support on an ad hoc basis; and

• As with any change management initiative, the responsibilities may change according to need. 

Skills, Experience, and Qualifications:

• Degree in a relevant field;

• Excellent project management skills, including managing competing priorities while ensuring attention to detail;

• Experience in change management, strategic planning, grants management, and/or monitoring & evaluation

• Demonstrated passion for humanitarian work;

• Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to effectively manage a variety of multi-level relationships in a multicultural environment;

• Excellent written communications and ability to develop simple and accessible communications materials;

• The ability to work productively and accurately in a fast-paced, demanding environment;

• Ability to prioritize effectively; and

• Mastery of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

  Desirable:

  Skills, Experience, and Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in a relevant field;

• Previous experience with a humanitarian or development INGO;

• Ability to travel internationally;

• Enhanced skills in Information Technology software/applications that are widely used among INGOs;

• The ability to work (read and write) in French, Spanish or Arabic is desirable, but not a requirement.

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