Senior Governance Manager – SUIDAC

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 50 countries and more than 25 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 IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

Job Overview

Background and Objectives of the SUIDAC

The increase in displacement of people and migration has put considerable pressure on cities, cities in developing countries that are already struggling to meet the needs of their populations. The situation is especially acute in the Horn of Africa, which hosts approximately one fifth of the world’s refugees and 30 percent of all displaced people worldwide. Demographic, economic, political, and environmental pressures all intersect in the Horn of Africa, driving popular unrest and resource competition. These pressures also destabilize migration patterns, which exacerbates tensions within and between states.

Hence, the EU is planning to fund an Action “Sustainable Urban Integration of Displacement Affected Communities”, which will focus on governance, citizenship, environment, economic realities, and services that lie at the nexus between forced displacement and urban development. The Action will target Assossa and Jigjiga, Ethiopia, among other countries. The target beneficiaries of the Action are Displacement-Affected Communities (DACs) and their hosting cities. This Action defines DACs as both the forcibly displaced populations (refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees) and host communities. The Action’s approach intends to avoid setting up of parallel systems for assistance to urban DACs, and instead strengthen existing national and regional policy and regulatory frameworks where those exist.

Scope of Work

The Senior Governance Manager will be responsible for the overall lead for the Analytical and Diagnostic phase of the action. S/he will be responsible for the facilitation, management and coordination of the first phase supported by a Social and Community Engagement Officer. S/he will get the required technical and leadership support from the country office and field office leadership.

Job Overview:

IRC will recruit a Senior Governance Manager to lead and coordinate the Analytical and Diagnostic Phase of the action based on funding availability/selection. This position will be supervised by the Director of Programs or a delegate and supported by a Social and Community Engagement Officer (also to be recruited) to ensure effective implementation of the first phase. The full organizational structure for the Implementation Phase will be determined based on the findings, scope, and proposal from the detailed Feasibility Study. The incumbent will be supported by RC’s sectoral and support team – including the MEAL Coordinator, WASH Coordinator, Health and Nutrition Coordinator, Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) Coordinator, Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) Assistant Coordinator, and Child Protection (CP) Coordinator – will provide technical support throughout both phases to ensure quality and successful implementation of planned actions. At the field level, the Assosa Field Coordinator will be responsible for logistics and leadership, facilitating networking and coordination with key partners and stakeholders.

Major Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee the overall diagnostic and feasibility study for the SUIDAC action in Assossa town and its peripheries.to be conducted by Assossa University in Assossa town.
• Collaborate with Assossa Field Coordinator to ensure smooth partnership and engagement of key stakeholders in the diagnostic and feasibility study process to be conducted by Assossa University (research firm)
• Closely partner and engage with Assossa town Administration and Cities Alliance to ensure successful accomplishment of the feasibility study
• Lead and guide the timely accomplishment of community and stakeholder engagement activities to ensure identification of needs and possible interventions for proposal for the implementation phase of the action.
• Communicate and negotiate with key partners at federal, regional and local level to ensure successful accomplishment of the diagnostic and feasibility study.
• Provide orientation, training and consultation, as needed, on feasibility study for multisectoral intervention.
• Lead the establishment of a steering committee for the SUIDAC in collaboration with Cities Alliance.
• Coordinate with IRC technical units/leads to ensure technical input for the feasibility study and proposed interventions.
• Ensure quality of the data collection process for diagnostic and feasibility study.
• Willingness to travel to Assosa field-level office (40%).
• Organize validation meetings with key stakeholders to disseminate the findings of the feasibility study.
• Conduct regular visits to the sites, as possible, to provide technical assistance and support in diagnostic and feasibility study.
• Lead learning agenda for the diagnostic and feasibility study.

Human Resources

• Position Reports directly to the Director of Programs/Delegate and linked in dotted line to the Assossa Field Coordinator.
• Position directly supervises: Social Work and Community Engagement Officers

Other Internal And/or External Contacts:

• Internal: Technical Coordinators at country program and Assosa field office
• External: Federal, regional and Assosa town bureaus; Assosa University (research firm); Cities Alliance, DAC and host community representatives etc

Safeguarding Responsibilities: –

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.

Minimum Qualifications:

Job Requirements:

Educational Requirements:

• MBA/MSc graduate in Social Science, project management, development studies, statistics or a related field)

Preferred Experience And Skill:

• Four years of relevant experience with the first degree and three years of relevant experience plus post graduate degree.
• Advanced degree (master’s or doctorate) from an accredited university in social science, international development, evaluation research, statistics, or a related discipline required; equivalent experience may be substituted for a graduate degree.
• Proven knowledge of project design, management, research and studies
• A strong understanding of accountability and proven ability in community engagement and Rapid Rural Appraisal.
• Demonstrated analytical, systematic-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability on presentation and reporting skills are a strong asset.
• Confirmed ability to lead, negotiate and communicate with multiple stakeholders including community groups.
• Self-motivated with good organization, planning skills, including prioritizing work and multi-tasking.

Language Skills:

• Proficient in English writing and speaking skills and the ability to speak the local language is advantageous.

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.