Job Vacancies at The International Rescue Committee

The Boko Haram insurgency has created nearly 1.9 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northeast Nigeria. Up to 40% of children aged 6-11 in the region are out of school. Factors impeding school attendance include children providing labor at home and on farms, widespread poverty and inability to afford fees, and cultural bias against formal education from parents, particularly for female students. The armed conflict has greatly exacerbated challenges in accessing education as Boko Haram deliberately targeted and destroyed education facilities, leaving communities without functioning schools and with no teaching or learning materials. Intensive violence, including violence targeted towards teachers and students, has created much fear of attending school among children. There is a shortage of teachers trained to deal with the psychosocial effects of the insurgency and even children with the desire and resources to attend school may opt to remain at home due to security concerns. IDP children are particularly affected. 

SCOPE OF WORK

The IRC Nigeria is currently expanding its education portfolio in the northeast of the country in line with its five-year Strategic Action Plan (SAP). A priority outcome for the country program is that girls and boys enroll in and attend safe, functioning, responsive education services. The IRC aims to both rebuild, reequip, and staff damaged school infrastructure and enhance the quality of education through curriculum improvements in formal and non-formal institutions, with a particular focus on building literacy, numeracy and social and emotional skills.

In May 2019 IRC will begin implementation of a two year project entitled: Adamawa State school-based education strengthening project (ASSESS) with the aim of ensuring education services are high quality, safe, functioning and responsive.  ASSESS will work with over 2,000 teachers, building their capacity to deliver high quality education developing their subject knowledge and pedagogical practices. It will also work with 50 School Based Management Committees to help ensure that schools are safe and functional.

The Education Manager will be responsible for the overall management of ASSESS education activities in Adamawa state. S/he will ensure that project activities are delivered on time, contribute to strategic objectives of the program, and meet global and IRC technical standards for education in emergencies. The Education Manager will supervise a team of education officers, providing supervision and guidance in line with agreed performance objectives. This position reports to the Education Coordinator. 

This position is contingent on funding. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Development and Management

• Oversee the implementation of all education activities in Adamawa state, related to the ASSESS project.  
• Ensure that the identification of schools, teachers and SBMC members is conducted in a responsible manner, adhering to relevant policies and standards.
• In collaboration with Education Officers, develop actionable work plans to ensure the timely implementation of project activities. 
• Monitor progress towards the objectives and intended outputs of projects using routine data, spot checks, observation, and other methodologies. 
• Contribute to the development of robust data collection systems to ensure that the education program is data-driven and that programmatic decisions are grounded in evidence. 
• Keep abreast of the changing operational environment, including organization of assessments and identification of changing beneficiary needs. 
• Provide regular written and verbal reports on education activities to supervisor, senior management, project partners and donors.
• In collaboration with the supervisor, review Budget vs. Actual expenditures on a monthly basis, providing relevant feedback to the finance department and adjusting activities as required. 
• Enforce stewardship and accountability by ensuring that resources are efficiently and effectively utilized within the project for the intended purpose

Technical Quality

• Under the guidance of the Education Coordinator, provide technical supervision and guidance to Education Officers and implementing partners as required.
• Ensure that all education activities adhere to agreed technical standards, protocols, policies and guidelines, as outlined by the IRC, the Federal Ministry of Education and related State Ministries, Agencies and Departments. 
• Promote the quality of education activities by setting up quality assurance mechanisms and checks in collaboration with other staff. 
• Oversee training, coaching and on-going support of teachers in order to improve instructional. 
• Ensure that training materials and curricula are of high quality. 

HR & Team Management

• Provide supportive supervision to Education Officers
• Lead the development of performance plans for all Education Officers based on job descriptions, project objectives/work plans and past performance reviews. Review performance evaluation of direct reports on a bi-annual basis and oversee the performance review cycle for all direct reports.
• Actively build the capacity of education program staff, ensuring each staff member has a specific capacity development plan, receives opportunities for training, mentoring and on-the-job learning opportunities.  

Coordination

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders including government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors. 
• Closely collaborate with all project partners
• Develop strategic partnerships with local organizations 
• Represent IRC to local communities, government departments, international agencies, and local partners as required.
• Coordinate education program activities with other IRC sectors, particularly water & sanitation and child protection. 

Other

• Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs.

 KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Position Reports to:  Education Coordinator. 
• Position directly supervises:  Education Officers
• Other internal and/or external contacts: grants unit; 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.

Qualifications

• University degree in education; advanced degree preferred. 
• At least three years of relevant professional experience with an international or civil society organization, including direct implementation of education programming
• Experience in teaching and teacher professional development preferred
• At least one year of experience in a managerial position and demonstrated capacity in team leadership and capacity building
• Experience working with displaced or otherwise marginalized communities required
• Demonstrated experience in project management, including financial, HR, and grants management
• Strong verbal communication skills and effective in representation and liaison with external actors
• Excellent spoken and technical writing ability in English, including report writing 
• Excellent computer skills in programs including MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook
• Ability to work under pressure in challenging working and living conditions
• Willingness to travel extensively in northeast Nigeria, including to remote and/or insecure locations

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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.

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Job Overview/Summary:

The Procurement Assistant will assist the Procurement Officer in Mubi field office to coordinate all of the purchasing activities in his field site. He/She should focus on a customer-oriented service to Program Managers and other end users within the IRC structure. He/She should be aware that his/her role is critical to the success of the project cycle and as such should wherever possible deliver a high quality product in the shortest time possible and in a completely transparent and accountable way.  

Major Responsibilities:

 Specific responsibilities include:

• Ensuring that she/he assists the procurement Officer in carrying out Procurement in accordance to IRC and donor-specific polices.
• Support the procurement officer in attending  all the procurement committee meetings when the procurement officer is unavailable or as mandated by the management
• Support in coordination with Finance, Admin and program departments to ensure integrated internal controls, timely payment of vendors and full, auditable support documentation.
• Ensuring that a transparent and responsive procurement process is implemented and maintained.
• Routine communication, coordination and planning with the relevant requesting staff / programs regarding the order and delivery of supplies.
• She/he will assist in ensuring that all Supplies, services and equipment’s required are delivered in time.
• Support in Establishment and maintenance of ethical, professional working relationships with suppliers.
• Maintain supplier information for regularly purchased items, and be informed of current local market conditions.
• Any other duties or tasked delegated by senior supply chain Manager

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to:  Procurement officer
• Position directly supervises:  None
• Indirect Reporting:

• Internal: Field coordinator, senior supply chain manager, procurement officer/ Assistant, Logistics Manager, Programs Managers, warehouse and asset officer, Administration and Finance Asst., Program staff, etc
• External:  Suppliers, Business Leaders in the community

Qualifications

Job Requirements:

• Knowledge of generic procurement procedures and practices (IRC or NGO experience advantageous).
• Familiarity with major donor and local regulations / laws advantageous.
• Previous experience working within the management team of a large organization
• 1 year work experience in procurement.
• Holder of a valid driving license
• Competent in spoken and written English
• Good mathematical skills.
• Ability to organize task, and identify priorities.
• Honest, responsible and in good physical condition to meet the demands of job.
• Competent use of PC especially spreadsheets  & Microsoft words

 Education:

• OND/HND and Bachelor degree in a relevant field.
• supply chain / Procurement  qualifications highly desirable
• One year Relevant experience in related field is highly desirable 

Tips to Consider:

• Assist in maintaining an IRC Pre-qualified Vendor database.
• Assist in maintaining a comprehensive price list for goods, services and equipment’s purchased by IRC.
• Produce routine cash / payment projections for Procurement Officer   and Finance. 

Working Environment:  The position will work in the Mubi Field Office.