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 40 countries and 29 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 International Rescue Committee (IRC) began its operations in Afghanistan in 1988, launching relief programs for individuals displaced by the Soviet invasion. Currently, the IRC is active in eleven provinces, providing essential life-saving services as well as long-term development and resilience programs. These efforts focus on several key areas: Education, Economic Recovery and Development (ERD), Emergency Response, Health and Nutrition, Integrated Protection, and Environmental Health.
IRC’s Education programmes have benefited over 77,000 learners in 2023. The organization is strategically positioned within the education sector in Afghanistan, where it coordinates and co-leads several strategic technical working groups, participates in the EdSTWG, and implements for key donors including GPE.
Scope of work
The IRC is seeking a Team Lead (TL) for an upcoming FCDO Education activity in Afghanistan titled ‘Health and Education in Afghanistan – Response and Transition (HEART)’. This recruitment focuses on the Education component, which aims to protect and enhance access to quality and equitable primary education (including both public education and CBE), as well as to improve teaching and learning outcomes, particularly in foundational skills.
The Team Lead will oversee the delivery of program outcomes and interventions, as well as the daily operations of the program. This involves direct management of key personnel roles and leadership of the program staff. The Team Lead is tasked with ensuring a strong working relationship with FCDO and the program consortium delivery partners. They will ensure that appropriate performance management capabilities are in place to meet program deliverables, and they will also be responsible for the program’s overall contract and budget management. The Team Lead is expected to possess extensive skills in complex project implementation, advocacy, and networking with government authorities, the Ministry of Education, and international and national institutions and development agencies. Additional responsibilities include supporting project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that fosters teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers them to achieve project targets.
The Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the programme, and selection of final applicant is subject to FCDO’s approval.
Responsibilities
• Provide strategic and administrative leadership and guidance,
• Supervise the development, review, and monitoring of annual work plans, project strategy documents, implementation measures, knowledge management, and sustainability efforts to realise both long-term and short-term impact goals.
• Manage consortium partnerships and uphold collaborative relations with partners, ensuring all are aware of the project’s expectations and actively engaged in achieving the objectives while utilising the project management tools developed or adapted for the consortium.
• Support the Finance Lead by providing financial and operational assistance that maximises resources through sound budgeting, consistent financial tracking, and timely report submissions to the donor.
• Report to FCDO through both formal and informal debriefings and annual as well as semi-annual reports, ensuring the timely submission of high-quality content.
• Maintain active and cooperative relationships with all key stakeholders, including government officials, project partners, other implementing agencies, and related institutions.
• Represent the project and the organisation at national, regional, and international forums, including technical conferences and policy briefings as well as sharing information about project achievements and lessons learned within the organisation and the broader development community.
• Ensure that contract, finance, and grants administration functions comply fully with IRC and FCDO compliance requirements, supported by effective systems and procedures.
• Lead efforts for comprehensive consortium management, ensuring oversight and support align with partner-specific needs, donor compliance, and implementation plans.
• As the programme’s primary focal point, manage key relationships with all levels of relevant stakeholders as required by the project aims.
Requirements
• A minimum advanced degree (master’s) in Education or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant and progressive experience managing high-value, complex, multi-year, multi-partner projects implemented in international development and/or humanitarian settings, including at least 7 years in a senior-level position providing technical assistance and managerial oversight.
• Previous program implementation experience in Afghanistan is highly preferred.
• Experience and ability to provide leadership and direction and harness the multi-disciplinary skills of the technical personnel and consortium partners.
• Experience and ability to work with and build effective partnerships between a broad range of stakeholders, including government, civil society, the private sector, multilaterals, and other donors.
• Prior experience in operating effectively within complex and high-risk environments and managing the needs of multiple stakeholders.
• Strong analytical communication and writing skills, with the ability to articulate complex information backed with evidence to promote and persuade influential stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written. Knowledge of local languages (Pashto, Dari) a plus.
• Willingness and ability to travel to project sites, including traveling to insecure environments, is required.
• Qualified women and/or national candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
Please note that the JD is high level and indicative only at this stage and may be subject to change once the Terms of Reference for the programme is released and as the opportunity develops. This position will be contingent on the outcome of the bid.