Strategic Project Manager

Over the past 80 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. 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.

The International Rescue Committee UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its headquarters in New York and London. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. Through over 20 regional offices in cities across the United States, the IRC also helps refugees resettle in the US and become self-sufficient.

The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.

IRC-UK

IRC-UK was established in London in 1997 to support the organisation’s global activities and particularly to diversify its donor base and be able to better advocate with European policy-makers on behalf of the people we serve. Since its establishment IRC-UK has grown rapidly and is now acknowledged for its high quality project management, technical expertise in governance and rights and economic recovery, and innovative thinking on early recovery and gender based violence. IRC-UK comprises approximately 100 staff.

The Awards Management Unit (AMU)

Established in January 2016, the Awards Management Unit (AMU) is a global unit spanning New York, Washington DC, London, Bonn, Berlin, Brussels, Stockholm, Nairobi and Amman. It has responsibility for identifying, securing and managing all funding from statutory donors. The Unit is organized into five pillars: Strategic Partnerships, Programme and Grant Support, Compliance and Policy, Programme Development, and Training & Curriculum Design.

The AMU is a bridge between donors and the field: providing expert technical advice to the field, while maintaining portfolio-level visibility to ensure consistency and compliance, and manage risk. This unit ensures that donor compliance policies and procedures are implemented consistently, and supports all staff working across the grants management cycle for all restricted funding from global government sources.

The Purpose of the Role

Based in the IRC London Office the Strategic Project Manager, AMU will have day-to-day responsibility for the smooth and effective running of AMU projects and initiatives, to ensure the successful and effective management and coordination of related activities. The Strategic Project Manager will work closely with the Deputy Vice President of AMU to support the AMU in driving progress and achieving success against the strategic goals and priorities as outlined in the delivery letters for AMU and Europe while ensuring smooth coordination with other IRC Units in Europe.

Key Working Relationships

Deputy Vice President AMU, Directors of AMU pillars, Head of Finance UK, European Donor Compliance Director, Regional Grants Directors. Line management of Unit Support Manager.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Support Deputy VP and Regional Grants Directors in delivering and managing AMU priority activities outlined in the AMU and Europe delivery letters workplan and priorities
• Oversee and develop operational planning processes, project workplans, budgets and action plans as required including coordinating any inputs across AMU and other pillars
• Manage and support strategic initiatives from inception to completion as agreed with the Deputy VP such as:
  • Communities of Practice including creating briefings, supporting the facilitation of key meetings and workshops to support internal outcomes in order to support the delivery of the AMU strategy
  • PGS Roster in collaboration with RGDs
  • Internal communication and updates

• Work with the Deputy VP to set short and medium term priorities for strategic engagement with internal and external stakeholders
• Identify challenges in the short and longer term, to successfully implement the AMU priorities and works with relevant stakeholders to develop proposed solutions
• Review data and provide analytical overview as required
• Draft and manage inputs for the presentations, bulletins, reports, briefing notes, and talking points at the request of the Deputy VP, such as quarterly meetings with the President, UK Board, SMT Europe, AMU Leaders, etc meetings
• Support the ECHO FPA Transfer process as the changes are rolled out and embedded in current working practices and support as needed activities related to the FPA renewal
• Track and document key strategic internal and external meetings, ensuring that key action points are communicated and follow up occurs
• Manage the senior colleagues’ inputs and feedback to strategic internal discussion with sensitivity and diplomacy
• Oversee and line manage the Unit Support Manager – in collaboration with the Deputy VP
• Drive the high quality operational and travel support services and ensure smooth running of AMU processes in relation to wider UK office initiatives

• Experience of the INGO sector
• Experience of working in a complex matrix organisation
• Proven experience with change management
• Understanding of key European donors
• PMP / PRINCE II certification is a plus
• Humanitarian or development field experience.

The deadline for applications is midnight between Tuesday 4^th February / Wednesday 5^th February 2020

Interviews will take place on Thursday 20^th, Friday 21^st and Tuesday 25^th February 2020. 

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

IRC-UK is committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination for all applicants and employees. IRC-UK seeks to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce regardless of gender, race, religious belief, nationality, ethnic/national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. IRC-UK welcomes applications from all candidates, including refugees who have the right to work in the UK.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the online recruitment process, please contact the UK HR team at applications@rescue-uk.org 

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