Senior Urban Resilience Manager at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND

The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict affected populations. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri and Monguno of Borno state and Damatru of Yobe State. Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods

Job Overview/Summary

The IRC is seeking an Urban Resilience Senior Manager to lead its From Response to Resilience project in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Through the project, we will build the resilience of the people, neighborhoods, and governmental systems of urban Maiduguri to address the risks the city currently faces. We will implement this project while supporting the local integration of internally displaced persons wishing to reside within Maiduguri permanently. As Senior Manager, you will provide overall strategic direction and oversight while ensuring the project is effectively implemented on schedule and to maximum benefit for Maiduguri's residents, in tune with their needs and preferences. You will lead the implementation of the three-year Area Based Approach project, including leading project staff and schedule and representing the project to our partners and Maiduguri's communities and government officials. 

Working closely with the Deputy Director for Programs, Senior Program Coordinator/s, and sector leads, you will communicate regularly with project partners, local and regional authorities, and local community leaders. You will ensure the delivery of project activities in the city and that activities align with other sectors as much as possible. The position has a strong emphasis on program coordination, management and implementation, team management, capacity building of national staff, and technical support to partners to ensure successful and high quality implementation of programmatic activities

Major Responsibilities

Project Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy

• Lead the project team and be responsible for the of the successful delivery project.
• Provide technical and management oversight to all project partners.
• Ensure smooth management and integration of project work plans and budgets (budget forecasting, development of spending plans and budget follow-up), timely recruitment, and accurate reporting.
• Liaise with IRC Nigeria technical coordinators and the Urban Technical Advisor to ensure relevant support, tools and resources are being provided and integrated into project activities.
• Ensure activities are in line with the principles of social accountability, urban resilience, and community led development.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

• Hire, oversee, and grow the capacity of project staff. Communicate clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with direct reports and project partners on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and mentorship to support successful staff performance.
• Follow the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Coordination & Representation

• As needed and in coordination with other project sector leads and country program management, represents IRC in inter-agency forums and discussions.
• Regularly communicate with internal program and operational partners, the Protection/Rule of Law, Women’s Protection and Empowerment, Children’s Protection, Economic Recovery and Development, Education and other IRC colleagues.
• Attend relevant donor meetings and present on project activities

Key Working Relationships

• Position Reports to:  Sr. Program Coordinator
• Indirect/Technical Reporting: Deputy Director of Programs
• Position directly Supervises: Community Engagement Officers
• Key External Contacts:  From Response to Resilience is a consortium with ACTED and IMPACT Initiatives. The Senior Urban Resilience Manager will ensure the coordination of activities with consortium partners.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, economics, international affairs or related field required. Master's degree in international development, urban planning, or public policy related field a plus.

Work Experience:

• Over five years of professional humanitarian/development experience; Experience with neighborhood-based projects highly desirable.
• Experience with displacement response or disaster risk reduction projects required. Knowledge of urban resilience concepts a plus.
• Strong presentation skills and writing ability
• Able to solve complex problems through a reciprocal and consultative approach
• Prior experience working with government actors and/or community leaders is required.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Strong program/technical and budget management skills, planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation skills.
• Strong technical and operational understanding of urban development programming in a marginalized context.

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

• You have a solid work ethic and desire to work every single day for the improvement of the lives of the people we serve.
• Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively represent IRC at forums and with donors.
• Strong negotiation skills essential with experience in conflict resolution desirable.
• Ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external partners.
• You have a positive attitude towards work, and are a self-starter, highly motivated, inspired, and collaborative.
• You promote teamwork, thrive in a multi-cultural environment, are flexible, and handle pressure with professional grace.
• You don't shy away from a challenge and are excited by the idea of piloting a new way of working in humanitarian contexts.

Languages: 

Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

Computer/Other Tech Requirements: 

Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.  Add position-specific (e.g. accounting software, statistical software, etc.).

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.

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.