Consortium Team Leader at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Consortium Team Leader – MMC / Jere BHA Project

Requisition ID: req24246
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Employment Type: Full Time
Sector: Program Administration
Employment Category: Fixed Term
Open to Expatriates: Yes
Position Reports to: Deputy Director of Programs

Project Overview

The Consortium Team Leader will oversee the “Integrated Emergency, Recovery and Resilience Response for Crisis- Affected Persons in MMC and Jere” project, funded by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), and implemented from March 2022 through February 2024 by a consortium led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in partnership with Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
Through this project, the consortium aims to leverage the expertise of each partner to deliver an integrated emergency, recovery and resilience area-based response in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere local government areas (LGAs) in Borno State, Nigeria by providing integrated services to conflict affected persons across the following sectors: Health, Water, e (MPCA), Economic Recovery and Market Systems (ERMS), Protection and Shelter and SettSanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Nutrition, Food Assistance, Multi-purpose Cash Assistanc
The consortium aims to meet the most immediate and lifesaving needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs), host communities and returnees in MMC and Jere, as well as addressing ongoing, protracted needs, and supporting early recovery through capacity-building, the strengthening of existing health systems and community-based structures, and increasing the ownership of lifesaving, life-sustaining, and life-building services by local authorities, service providers, and local communities to ensure sustainability.

Job Overview / Summary

The Consortium Team Leader will provide overall leadership, management, and the strategic vision to the implementation for the “Integrated Emergency, Recovery and Resilience Response for Crisis-affected Persons in MMC and Jere LGAs, Borno State, Nigeria” project and ensure effective collaboration with all consortium members implementing the project over the 24 month project period, during all phases of the project, providing the necessary guidance and monitoring to guarantee that the implementation of the program is carried out in accordance with the agreed action plan and IRC and donor regulations.
S/he will provide high quality coordination, analysis, and strategic directions to the implementation of the project to the Consortium Management Team, Steering Committee, Government Stakeholders, and other partners in ensuring the delivery of the project objectives, on time delivery and targets within budget and high-level accountability to beneficiaries.
The Consortium Team Leader will work closely with and under the supervision of the IRC Deputy Director of Programs (DDP), as well as in close coordination and collaboration with the Consortium Management Committee composed of heads of programs from IRC, NRC and DRC, IRC Country Director, IRC Deputy Director Field Management (DDFM), IRC Senior Program Coordinators, IRC MEAL Coordinator and IRC Senior Grants Coordinator.
S/he will supervise key consortium program team members (as detailed further below) to ensure accountability for the project and donor rules and regulations. S/he will effectively manage project processes and systems according to IRC and donor standards in coordination with relevant teams and organizations.

Major Responsibilities
Technical Quality Assurance and Strategic Oversight:

Provide overall technical leadership, financial oversight, strategic vision of implementation and operational management of the program
Provide high quality leadership, coordination and strategic vision to the consortium, with hands on management ensuring program activities achieve the greatest coverage and impact possible, coordinated inputs and technical/managerial quality and programming that is data driven and adapts and changes with the context
In coordination and collaboration with IRC MEAL Coordinator work with the consortium to develop and ensure a strong MEAL system in place for the consortium that adheres to program quality standards and procedures
Ensure that through area-based approach there is optimal delivery of a comprehensive package of essential cross sectoral services to the targeted beneficiaries
Lead the harmonization of approach by the consortium, e.g case management referrals, registration, modality selection, referrals, etc.
Lead the strategic coordination with government services and systems
Mobilize and ensure transparent and constructive communication with Consortium partners and IRC management in responding to donor requests
Support the implementation of IRC’s Partnership (PEER) system across all areas of sub-award management of consortium partners.

Program Management, Implementation Oversight and Compliance:

Lead and ensure quality of Project Cycle Meetings throughout project period, including ensuring that opening, implementation, learning and close-out meetings are planned and conducted in a timely manner with full participation of the consortium and all relevant stakeholders/staff
Provide leadership to the consortium for timely and high-quality implementation of programs, and promote regular reviews of program progress – both internal and external – and budget spending (i.e., through tracking spending plans, BvA meetings, etc).
Responsible for project management, oversees the implementation, follow up and effective monitoring of IRC and partners’ Program work, expenditure, M&E and procurement plans, organizing, among others, joint and regular monitoring and review meetings, assessing progress and proactively identifying challenges and solutions in order to attain program outcomes.
Monitors the use of the budget and ensure sound financial management and the use of funds;
Actively contributes to the development and review of program approaches, making concrete recommendations for changes in partners’ activities, approaches, and areas of action as appropriate.
Ensure that programs and partnerships are implemented in compliance with BHA regulations as well as IRC internal policies and procedures
Work closely with the Grants Managers to ensure that the consortium partners understand key compliance for donors and IRC internal rules and regulations, and any red flags are addressed immediately
Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites for monitoring, quality control and program staff mentoring and coaching
Ensure the production of clear and quality donor reports, both narrative and financial, by the consortium

Promote Project Learning and Analysis:

Create an environment of continued learning, encouraging innovation and auto-critical analysis, capitalizing on lessons learned to inform programmatic and strategic decisions and contributes to the knowledge base of the sectors covered by the program.
Work with the M&E team to build and foster a culture of learning and reflection that uses data to design and adapt programs.
Coordinate with other BHA consortium in MMC/Jere for key assessments and learnings
Take lead to ensure there is harmonization of surveys or assessment by the consortium with other BHA consortium partners in MMC/Jere especially for food assistance (FA) and multipurpose cash assistance (MPCA).
Collaborate with other BHA consortium in MMC/Jere for key learnings and best practices within the consortium and other donor consortiums

Coordination & Representation:

Lead the consortium in developing public messaging and profile of the project
Represent the consortium in external relationships with the donor, various relevant government line ministries, technical agencies and organizations and; key events relating to the project
In coordination with the Consortium Management Committee and DDFM, assist in organizing donor visits by supporting staff in the smooth design and running of field visits

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
Develop and implement management capacity building approaches and plans to strengths of the consortium team
Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
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.
Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
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.
Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
Demonstrated experience in supervision both international and national staff and look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.
Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Deputy Director of Programs
Indirect/Technical Reporting: Consortium Program Management Committee, Consortium Steering Committee and Country Director.
Position directly Supervises: Consortium Senior M&E Manager, Consortium Finance Coordinator and Consortium Grants Manager
Key Internal Contacts:
Country Program: SMT, Senior Program Coordinators, Senior Grants Coordinator, MEAL Coordinator, Compliance Coordinator, Program and Technical Coordinators etc.
Key External Contacts: Government stakeholder, Technical Line Ministries and Relevant Sectors

Job Requirements
Education:

Master or equivalent experience in Development Studies, International Relations, Humanitarian Assistance, Political Sciences, Social Administration, or other relevant degrees etc.

Work Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of progressive senior management experience in managing integrated, multisectoral programs in humanitarian and development program
Demonstrated and strong experience managing a consortium of international NGOs as Team Leader or Project Director level
Demonstrated experience in Area Based Approach to programming
Experience in managing USAID funded program is strongly preferred
Should possess minimum 7 years of international assignments experiences in humanitarian and development work
National candidates are also encouraged to apply and should have minimum of 10 years of experience in senior management role
Demonstrated experience and ability to build and maintain relationships with governments, technical line ministries, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, private sectors and partners
Experience working in Sub Saharan Africa especially in West Africa

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

Provide high quality leadership and strategic vision to the consortium, with hands on management ensuring program activities achieve the greatest coverage and impact possible, coordinated inputs and technical/managerial quality and programming that is data driven and adapts and changes with the context
Demonstrated experience in program management, project design and use of project design tools

Demonstrated Managerial / Leadership Competencies:

Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills with evidence of ability to build and maintain good relationship with people in wide range and levels of organizations (consortiums, government, private sector, NGOs etc).
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures and work independently and cooperatively with team members
Ability to handle a large and dynamic workload, work under pressure and meet deadlines
Delivers quality results for clients, partners and colleagues

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