Program Quality Standards Officer

The Strategy, Learning, & Innovation team sits alongside the TUs and works directly with them to support strategic initiatives focused on (1) improving the quality of our programs to achieve better outcomes for the people we serve, (2) facilitating more collaborative, effective, and data-driven ways of working, and (3) advancing innovation strategies and new strategic projects for the CRRD department. The team currently consists of a Senior Director, a Deputy Director (who will manage this position), and a Policy and Budget Officer split 50/50 between the Strategy, Learning & Innovation team and the CCRD Finance & Administration team. The “SLI” team works very closely with another CRRD team, the Strategy and Performance team, which sits alongside regional management of our field programs. Together the Strategy, Learning & Innovation team and the Strategy and Performance team coordinate and collaborate to ensure that strategic initiatives – including the program quality Standards – result in improved performance in our country programs.

The Purpose of the Role

As part of IRC’s strategic plan, the organization has identified the need for, articulated, and rolled out a set of internal program quality Standards that advance our Strategic Objectives. These Standards are expected to be applied across programming in all sectors and country programs. The Officer will lead efforts to enable (1) Technical Units & other colleagues to support on, and (2) country program staff to directly apply, these Standards. The Officer will have consistent support from and strategic engagement with the Deputy Director, Strategy, Learning & Innovation.

Length of Assignment: 12 months, potential to extend

KEY ACCOUNTABLITIES AND MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the full portfolio of workstreams focused on maintaining and advancing IRC’s program quality Standards

• Contribute to and support the strategic shaping of the future of the Standards

• Develop/adapt communications and training materials and coordinate translation and dissemination across Country Programs and Technical Units

• Coordinate working group of Technical Specialists responsible for each Standard by facilitating collaboration and leading monthly meetings

• Work with the Deputy Director to define a process for updating tools and resources, and coordinate feedback and changes across a wide range of stakeholders

• Manage a process to update the Standards based on internal feedback and data collection

• Work with the Deputy Director to define and manage an approach for sharing learning across the organization, include Peer-to-Peer learning for Country Program staff

• Serve as the organizational focal point for the program quality Standards, and offer key strategic insights to challenges facing the successful advancement of the Standards

Skills, Experience, and Qualifications:

• Degree (minimum BA) and 3-5 years’ experience in a field relevant to IRC’s work;

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

• Excellent project management skills, including organization and attention to detail;

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

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

• Comfort understanding when to handle problems independently and when they should be flagged to leadership;

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate equally effectively with colleagues in ‘remote’ and diverse teams, ideally as project leader without managerial authority;

• A flexible work attitude, meaning the ability to work in a team environment or independently, and the ability to meet unexpected demands;

• Ability to prioritize effectively;

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

  Desirable:

• Master’s degree valued but not required

• Ability to travel internationally (possible but not guaranteed in this role)

• Long-term career interest in nonprofit management and/or strategy

• Previous experience with an INGO

• Strong familiarity with IRC processes a plus

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

Standards of Professional Conduct

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

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