Latest Vacancies at The International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Job Description

• The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian agencies, provides relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict reconstruction support to victims of natural disaster, oppression and violent conflict in 42 countries.
• The IRC is committed to bold leadership, innovation and creative partnerships. Active in public health, education, livelihoods, women's empowerment, youth development, and protection and promotion of rights, IRC assists people from harm to home.

Background

• IRC entered Nigeria in October 2012 in response to a widespread flood disaster. Since then, the IRC has expanded its scope and size of the programs as new areas became accessible after prolonged conflict and insecurity, in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.
• The IRC’s response to the humanitarian situation includes integrated health and nutrition services, reproductive health care and women protection services, Environmental Health, Child Protection, Education and General Protection. In 2015, IRC Nigeria developed a five-year long term Strategy Action Plan.
• The plan has Health, Education and Economic Wellbeing as high priority program areas.

Scope Of Work

• The Grants Coordinator will lead grant management for the IRC in Nigeria.
• The position reports to the Deputy Director for Programs (DDP) and supervises the Grants Managers.
• This position is based in Maiduguri with trips to other field sites where The IRC has operations as needed.
• The Grants Coordinator will work collaboratively with the IRC’s Senior Management Team, the technical coordinators, M&E team, operations team, and the finance team.

Major Resposbilities
Proposal Development:

• Lead coordination of proposal development working with program staff and ensuring proper review at the HQ level, gathering input from technical coordinators, technical advisors, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation staff, and the Regional Unit. Tasks include:
• Analyzing requests for proposals
• Writing budget narratives, edit proposals, and ensure proper proposal and grant management procedures are followed.
• Organizing and managing the use of timelines, templates and guidelines for proposals
• Liaising with programs and finance staff regarding proposal writing and budgeting
• Writing or compiling and managing review of proposals
• Packaging proposals for submission.
• Maintain a track record of lessons learned from proposal development and donor responses.
• Liaise with NY and UK grant units in order to ensure proposals meet internal standards, apply IRC’s Outcome Evidence Framework (OEF) and are donor compliant.
• Monitor and support the use of management tools such as FM01 and Budget vs. Actual (BVA) for the proper monitoring and the successful implementation of programs and early warning in case of obstacles or challenges.

Reporting:

• Support the Grants Managers in the reporting processes with in-country staff for updates and HQ for approvals before submission to the donor.
• Ensure that reports to donors are submitted on time; that reports are coherent and accurate (quarterly, interim or final reports).
• Play a key role in Grants Operational Meetings i.e. Grant Opening, Grants Review and Grants Closing meetings, as well as monthly/regular grants management meetings which include representation from each unit (finance, programs, M&E and Supply Chain) and ensure proper follow up of issues raised.

Donor Compliance:

• Maintain contact and coordinate with donors regarding grant implementation, compliance and other requirements, in coordination with senior management.
• Actively participate in relevant donor meetings and coordinate meetings as necessary.
• Review donor agreements and coordinate their review with the relevant IRC HQ office.
• Provide technical guidance on IRC and donor regulations to ensure compliance within operations, program implementation and reporting, in coordination with IRC’s HQ and IRC UK, when necessary. Raise compliance issues proactively with senior management as necessary.
• Ensure quality information management through regular maintenance of grant files, reporting calendars, timely submission and updating of internal IRC documentation and other Grant Unit tools, including coordination and preparation of documents and files for internal and external audits.
• Ensure that partnership and sub-grant related administrative processes and procedures are consistently implemented throughout the program, including pre-award compliance checks, agreements, and disbursements and reporting and that they are Sub Partnership Management System compliant
• Respond to donor, auditor and external requests as needed.

Staff Management and Development:

• Coach, train, and mentor staff with the aim of strengthening their technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing professional development guidance.
• Supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely performance feedback, and leading documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Provide constructive feedback and counsel on appropriate career paths and professional development.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being; approve and manage all leave requests to ensure adequate coverage.
• Build grant management capacity of field staff by facilitating training, and providing one on one follow up support in report writing, proposal development and other related topics.

Other:

• Undertake other key grants management, program development, monitoring and evaluation, communications and external relations activities as requested

Key Working Relationships

• Position Reports to:  Deputy Director for Programs
• Position directly supervises: Grants Managers
• Other internal and/or external contacts: project and M&E staff; finance, HR and supply chain departments

Professional Standards:

• The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional 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, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Job Requirements

• Masters degree or equivalent in international affairs, development or related subject, or Bachelors Degree with significant grants management experience and superior writing skills
• At least three years of experience working in projects and/or grants management, proposal/business development/design, in various contexts
• Strong understanding and knowledge of USG (USAID/OFDA/FFP), European (ECHO, SV, Europe Aid), DFID, UN and other donor rules and regulations
• Proven competency with program design, M&E, proposal writing (including logical frameworks) and building budgets using MS Excel
• Excellent writing skills and experience in writing proposals/concept notes
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to determine priorities and meet multiple deadlines;
• Detail-oriented with good multi-tasking abilities and communication skills, both oral and written; and
• Able to work well both within a team and independently, in a challenging and fast-moving multicultural environment
• Familiarity with international IRC systems and processes a plus;

Working Enviroenment

• North East Nigeria is security phase 3 (ORANGE) so the Grants Coordinator will be expected to respect the various security protocols in place in country.  Phase 3 requires clear contingency planning in place with staff prepared should hibernation or evacuation be called. The situation in the North-East Nigeria remains tense and unpredictable; concerns include criminality, presence of armed groups, and suicide bombers. This position is unaccompanied
• The position is based in Maiduguri. Lodging is a private bedroom in a shared IRC guest house - with electricity, internet and cable TV. Food is the individual’s responsibility.
• The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional 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, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

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Location: Maiduguri, Borno

Scope Of Work

• The HR Coordinator will be providing technical support and capacity building for HR team across field sites and will be working closely with Senior HR Manager to facilitate the development of a highly effective, strategic HR function in the country that ensures the country program has the structure, culture and talent needed to deliver HR services effectively.
• This position reports directly to the Deputy Director for Operations.

Responsibilities

• Work with Senior HR Manager to ensue staff understand and apply HR best practices and IRC policy, and engaging staff to foster and implement a creative and productive workplace that actively promotes learning and staff development.
• Assess capacity of HR staff across IRC offices in Nigeria in their ability to appropriately and adequately manage all HR issues and work with Senior Manager to conduct training to address the gab.
• Work with Senior HR Manager to update orientation/onboarding materials for new staff orientation and conduct training for all HR staff to carry out orientations effectively.
• Work with Senior HR Manager to conduct training sessions specifically aimed at compliance, transparent recruitment process, contract management, HR reporting, staff personnel files management and effective orientation.
• Review contracts, employee data & records, leave administration and compliance to HR policies and procedures and work with Senior HR Manager to conduct training aimed at all HR staff.
• Review all personnel files and related HR documents country wide and work with Senior HR Manager to ensure all files are up to date and in compliance with IRC policy.
• Work with Senior HR Manager to develop and execute capacity building plan aimed at Human Resources staff across IRC Nigeria to enable them deliver timely and accurate HR services.
• Support and provide guidance to Senior HR Manager and HR staff to effectively implement Performance Management Program and link it to staff development/capacity building and training.
• Serve as a mentor for and build the capacity of HR team to ensure sustainable and reliable HR services in all field offices.
• Ensure standardization of HR forms across offices and ensure use and sharing of best practices between field locations.
• The candidate will ensure smooth transition of HR Coordinator responsibilities outlined above to the Senior HR Manager.
• Perform other tasks as requested by supervisor.

Qualifications
Education:

• Master degree or equivalent education

Experience:

• 8 years of progressive HR professional experience with a minimum of 5 years as a head of HR department or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated success as an HR generalist supporting employee groups of 200+ employees in multiple locations within the country required.
• Demonstrated success in supporting senior management and building relationships.
• Broad knowledge and experience in employment law, compensation, organizational planning, organization development, employee relations, and training and development
• Strong collaborator with effective interpersonal and analytical skills
• Demonstrated ability to work, manage, and meet competing deadlines in a fast-paced.
• Aptitude for problem solving and decision making needed
• Superb written and verbal communication skills required.
• Capable of managing conflict and conflicting views.
• Good knowledge of HRIS systems and fluency in English, both written and spoken.

Specific Security Situation/Housing

• Abuja is security phase 3 (Orange) so the HR Coordinator will be expected to respect the various security protocols in place in country. Phase 4 requires clear contingency planning in place with staff prepared should hibernation or evacuation be called.
• A government curfew exists and remains 9pm to 6am, meaning expatriate staff have to be at the hotel/guesthouse in Maiduguri no later than 8:00pm.
• There is one shared guesthouses in Maiduguri with similar accommodation available in the other field offices.

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Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Sector: Compliance
Employment Category: Regular

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 Compliance Coordinator will support the Country Director to oversee internal controls and compliance functions across the country program, including support to the grants team to ensure that sub-grantees/partners are compliant with IRC’s and its donors’ rules and regulations.
• The Compliance Coordinator will report to the Country Director (CD), and, in the cases of investigations, to the Ethics and Compliance Unit’s Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer (CECO) or Senior Director of Investigations (SDI).
• The Compliance Coordinator’s primary responsibility will be to work across functions to ensure that an appropriate control environment is in place and that standard operating procedures and IRC policies are followed.
• In circumstances where country staff is charged with implementing control policies and processes that are under the authority of the central owners of these controls (for example, GSC, AMU, HR, Finance, IT), the role of this position is to coordinate the implementation of these controls within the country in a risk-based, comprehensive and coordinated manner, not to exercise superseding authority over the interpretation and enforcement of these policies and procedures.
• Where weaknesses in controls or application of controls are identified, the Compliance Coordinator will recommend action to remedy the situation to the CD and will also ensure appropriate reporting to central risk owners to ensure central support for country level remediation and also to support enterprise risk management.
• In collaboration with country leadership and the Ethics and Compliance Unit (ECU) as needed, the Compliance Coordinator will work with colleagues and field offices to create a culture reflecting the high ethical standards of IRC.
• The Compliance Coordinator will ensure that EthicsPoint is an effective complaint mechanism, accessible and known to all staff and partners.
• If an allegation of fraud or unethical behavior is made to the Compliance Coordinator, he/she will inform and report accordingly to the ECU immediately – and act as the main liaison for the country program with the ECU, keeping the CD fully informed.
• In the case of an investigation, ECU will partner with the Compliance Coordinator to provide clarity of roles in the investigation on a case by case basis.
• This could include providing documentation, access, or if so directed, conducting the investigation under ECU’s guidance and according to ECU’s standards and protocols.
• The Compliance Coordinator will be directed by the ECU but will keep country management fully informed unless country management is implicated and confidentiality concerns call for non-disclosure of information pertaining to the investigation to the country leadership. In such a case, the Regional Director will be kept fully informed.

Major Responsibilities
Internal controls and compliance:

• Develop a country level adoption of IRC’s risk framework to internal controls monitoring and strengthening aligned with tools and processes in country as well as with Operations, AMU, Finance, Internal Audit and ECU.
• Coordinate the use of a risk register (created pursuant to IRC’s risk framework) for the country program across operations and programs.
• Coordinate and conduct compliance, operational and financial reviews of IRC, partner and sub-partner activities (operation & programs) to assess adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls, risk management and compliance to selected policies, procedures and regulations.
• Produce consolidated internal reports (compliance, operational and financial) with findings and issues identified during these reviews, give appropriate recommendations on improvements to the country program and related partners’ processes, systems and procedures where appropriate.
• Conduct any ad-hoc internal audit assignments as requested by the Country Director or in response to donor specific queries.

Under the direction of ECU, assist in investigations of misconduct, fraud, corruption, as defined below:
Training:

• In coordination with and under the guidance and direction of ECU, act as focal point for IRC- ECU and donor fraud and anti-corruption policies and lead effective communication and training of these policies to staff.
• Coordinate and support training and workshops to IRC staff in collaboration with AMU, ECU and HR on ethics and compliance, in particular IRC Way and IRC Code of Conduct.

Misconduct Allegations and Investigations
Contribute to investigations on a case by case basis under the guidance of the CECO or the SDI. This may include the below:

• Undertake investigations of alleged fraud, waste, financial corruption, misconduct, ensuring objectivity, impartiality and fairness throughout investigative processes in accordance with generally recognized international investigative standards and IRC guidelines;
• Prepare reports and ad hoc briefs pertaining to investigations in coordination with the CECO
• Undertake investigation assignments in the local area at the direction, and in coordination, with ECU, keeping country and regional management fully informed consistent with any investigation confidentiality constraints;

Other:

• Stay informed of and ensure adherence to IRC and donor procedures and policies in relation to Supply Chain, Finance, HR and Programs as set out in relevant IRC manuals and guidelines.
• Review and advise the Country Director in collaboration with AMU on large contracts and MoUs, service agreements and other contractual agreements prior to signing.
• Perform other tasks as requested by the CD from time to time.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Country Director; in case of investigations to the CECO or Senior Director of Investigations on investigations, keeping the CD informed.
• Position directly supervises: None
• Indirect Reporting: Regional Director
• Internal: Regional Director, Regional Supply Chain, Finance and HR Directors, Awards Management Unit - Training and Compliance units, Grants Coordinator, HR Lead, Finance Controller, Deputy Directors of Programs and Operations
• External: Legal counsel

Professional Standards:

• The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional 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, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Working Environment:

• The position will be based in Maiduguri with frequent travel to other field office locations and Abuja. Lodging in Maiduguri is a private bedroom in a shared IRC guesthouse with similar accommodation available in the other field offices.
• Maiduguri is security phase 4 (Red) so the Compliance Coordinator will be expected to respect the various security protocols in place in country. Phase 4 requires clear contingency planning in place with staff prepared should hibernation or evacuation be called. A government curfew exists and remains 10pm to 6am, meaning expatriate staff have to be at the hotel/guesthouse in Maiduguri no later than 8:00pm.

Job Requirements

• A qualified accountant or advanced degree in a relevant discipline.
• At least 5 years combined finance/audit/compliance experience
• Good understanding of Accounting and Internal Control standards (COSO). An understanding of SORP accounting principles is beneficial.
• Familiarity with forensic accounting, and both digital and paper file audits.
• International experience within other NGOs or in the development / humanitarian sector, with knowledge of donor rules and regulation, is desirable.
• Strong planning, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent analytical, presentation, and reporting skills.
• Ability to respond to changing priorities.
• Ability to work independently on own initiative
• Excellent communication skills, verbally and in writing, in English and local regional language.
• Evidence of successful experience in compiling and conducting training workshops is an advantage.
• Excellent IT skills in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel.
• Strong commitment to IRC’s mission, purpose and values.