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 50 countries and more than 25 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.

The number of refugees remaining in Poland can be estimated at around 960 thousand. More than 40 percent of refugees from Ukraine in Poland are children and 65 percent are female. According to the latest protection profiling findings from Poland, 64 percent of the respondents plan to stay in Poland mainly due to safety reasons. To provide the best support to them, we work in different locations in Poland through diverse approaches: partner-led and joint IRC-partner interventions and activities led by the IRC in the frame of three programs: Economic Empowerment, Protection and Education.

JOB OVERVIEW:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Economic Empowerment Program Quality and Implementation

• Prepare and maintain detailed annual and monthly work-plan(s) that support the achievement of the overall grant objectives, with clear objectives and achievement benchmarks, long-term and short-term priorities, implementation plans, to support the timely achievement and reporting of the desired impact
• Provide direction and monitor staff in their implementation of the work plans, project milestones, and quality of technical activities, share relevant information and direction to improve quality and achieve timelines
• Use effective monitoring & evaluation systems and adaptive management principles to reach desired impacts
• Oversee regular program review and evaluation and ensure documentation of lessons learned informs reporting and program development.
• Support the Economic Empowerment Team in addressing feedback from clients and partners
• Develop and update strategies and SOPs for implementing Economic Empowerment initiatives,
• Regularly update existing Economic Empowerment program offerings to align with the strategy

Program Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Undertake regular monitoring to assess progress and identify technical quality issues and/or other implementation issues, provide solutions and implement modifications as required
• In coordination Economic Empowerment Coordinator, MEAL team, and the technical unit, ensure proper data collection, accurate entry into information management systems, including coordinating any adjustments to data fields as programs grow and diversify
• Ensure all monitoring activities are fully documented, including systematic and timely data collection as required and for IRC M&E purposes
• Produce/contribute to IRC and donor reports as per set schedules (monthly, quarterly, and annually) on grant activities, indicators, and achievements
• Prepare regular report for IRC donors on grant activities, progress, indicators, and achievements as specified in grant agreements and reporting schedules
• Document lessons learnt during implementation to inform future projects as well as to advise on improvements to be made in current project implementation

Planning and Budget Management

• Approve expenditures to designated level; manage/monitor monthly expenditures and track budgets to ensure that all spending is in line with approved budgets and timelines, including developing procurement plans, monthly program spending plan and cash forecasts
• Review partner financial and narrative submissions, including M&E data; provide advice and guidance to improve accuracy and quality as required.
• Participate in annual budget forecasting ensuring its accurate and realistic,
• Ensure cost-efficiency of all Economic Empowerment activities implemented and that budget spending is in line with grant contracts and budget forecasts
• Conduct BVA reviews every month and raise issues with the ERD Coordinator
• Ensure effective budget utilization (value for money).
• Train staff and monitor the utilization of all applicable modules
• Staff Learning and Performance Management
• Provide input to the EE Coordinator during the process of identifying and hiring Program Managers and senior Officers
• Provide direction and monitor staff in their implementation of the work-plan and quality of technical activities, share relevant information and direction to improve quality and achieve timelines
• Directly supervises Economic Empowerment Managers, Senior Officers and office based administrative staff depending on the scope of the program.
• 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.
• Ensure timely completion and submission of monthly timesheets, probations reviews and annual performance reviews.
• Plan/coordinate and oversee work and vacation schedules and staff training and development activities
• If/as required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies
• Directly supervises Economic Empowerment Managers and office based administrative staff
• Review JDs, set PMOs, & conduct PMEs for ERD Managers, and senior Officers
• Support ERD Staff to set and monitor the monthly targets for Community Volunteers
• Develop and execute on-job coaching plans for each of the direct reports
• Ensure cohesion, policy compliance, and professionalism within the team

Partner Management

• Regularly monitor performance of the partner beneficiaries to achieve the set project’s objectives; provide technical support and guidance; share relevant information and direction to improve quality and achieve timelines
• Serve as the main focal person in the field for the IRC’s implementing partners; maintain respectful and constructive relations, and ensure regular meetings and ongoing coordination
• Regularly monitor performance of the Partner to achieve the set project’s objectives; provide technical support and guidance; share relevant information and direction to improve quality and achieve timeline
• Undertake/participate in liaison, coordination, and information sharing activities with national NGOs, international organizations, donors and government

Coordination and Representation

• Work closely and coordinate with IRC logistics, finance and grant staff to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures; including active participation in grant opening/closing and review meetings
• Represent the IRC in sectoral and technical coordination bodies, and take the lead on inter-agency cooperation and information sharing with national NGOs, international organizations, donors and government
• Serve as the main focal person in Warsaw and Katowice for the IRC’s implementing staff and partners; maintain respectful and constructive relations, and attend regular meetings for Livelihoods and Cash
• Maintain cordial working relationships with sub-county and district production/marketing and commercial departments,
• Maintain good working relationships with livelihoods-support service providers.
• Serve as a focal person in the field for the IRC’s beneficiaries, Donors, OPM, UNHCR; maintain respectful and constructive relations, and ensure regular meetings and ongoing coordination.

Program Development

• Assist in the collection of data, assessments and proposal development for the sector, as needed.
• Support EE Coordinator in work with the grants department in the development of sector concept notes and project proposal

Other Duties

• Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of the team; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for IRC programs
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs

Professional Standards:

• Complete other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs.
• Adhere to the IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies.
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection at team level to strengthen safeguarding, wellbeing and duty of care, and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.
• Lead by example and support IRC’s commitment to taking all necessary preventive measures and creating an environment where people feel safe and can report misconduct.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education: minimum Bachelor university degree in International Development, Business Administration, Economics, Social Science, Humanitarian Response, or related areas. Advanced degree is a plus – or equivalent work experience.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience as a program manager overseeing a complex portfolio of grants and deliverables
• At least 2 years of relevant work experience in livelihoods work, particularly providing direct business development, entrepreneurship and self-employment support to clients
• At least one year experience managing projects funded by EU social funds and /or public donors and a strong understating of procurement procedures

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Native level of Polish, English Intermediate level. Ukrainian/Russian abilities are an asset
• Knowledge and experience in implementing humanitarian or development projects, especially in conflict contexts, is preferred.
• Strong interest in supporting refugees and vulnerable populations.
• Demonstrated understanding and ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for the beneficiaries and partners.
• Proven ability to work well in and promote teamwork, with high levels of comfort in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure with professional grace.
• Willingness to travel within Poland and Europe, based on the project needs and project exchange schedules.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Demonstrated dedication to an anti-racist and “Do No Harm” approach, gender equality and inclusion.
• Must have the right to work in Poland.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Economic Empowerment Coordinator

Works closely with:

Internal: Other ERD team members, IRC Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) staff, Technical Unit, Senior Management Team, as well as Finance and Supply Chain.

External: IRC’s partner organizations, local municipalities and CSOs, and other community stakeholders; other practitioners in the field as needed.

Apply now and be a part of IRC’s mission to restore safety, dignity, and hope to those who need it the most.

If you encounter any difficulties during the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

Standard of Professional Conduct: IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. 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.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, caste, sexual orientation, differently abled, geographic origin, marital status, veteran status and cultural background (or any other characteristic protected by law). We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.