Project Director

The IRC is currently preparing a proposal in response to a USAID/OFDA Annual Program Statement (APS) entitled “Enhancing Resilience and Economic Growth in Somalia”. The proposed project will support USAID’s efforts to increase the resilience of Somali households and communities to recurrent shocks by 1) increasing the capacity of households and communities to adapt to recurrent shocks, 2) building on the ecological, social, and economic capital of households and communities, and 3) promoting robust learning of communities, the implementer, USAID, and others.

Summary of Responsibilities:
The Project Director’s primary responsibility will be to provide global technical leadership, coordination and collaboration with all implementing partners, and strategic oversight of all activities to achieve project objectives. He/she will be responsible for ensuring that the proposed project is implemented in accordance with the cooperative agreement, USAID regulations, and internationally recognized quality of assistance standards. The Project Director will be the primary representational link with USAID/OFDA staff. The Project Director will work closely with USAID/OFDA to provide project updates and discuss strategies, obstacles, performance plans, and indicator success. In addition, the Project Director will liaise with government offices and inter-governmental bodies, USAID contracting officers, technical support staff, outside contractors, and implementers of other USAID-funded and donor-funded initiatives as required. The Project Director is the chief representative for the project with all key stakeholders, government officials, and donors at coordination fora and other related seminars and meetings. The Project Director will ensure that project initiatives adequately address the needs of the beneficiary population in the most cost-effective manner. The Project Director will also work closely with the IRC’s Somalia Country Office to identify and take advantage of synergies with IRC’s existing projects and activities and to coordinate program implementation as appropriate.

Specific responsibility

Provide strategic leadership and direction, define and implement activities to achieve the greatest coverage and impact possible;

Review, in coordination with key project staff, yearly work and performance plans to ensure that long-term and short-term priorities are on track;

Manage the overall project by planning, monitoring, and evaluating project activities in accordance with the cooperative agreement;  

Manage relations with partners and a wide range of key stakeholders;

Work with all key staff to identify technical assistance needs and arrange for the provision of assistance;

Oversee project management team, including direct reports, and evaluate project staff performance;

Maintain an ongoing dialogue with USAID, including reporting to USAID through both formal and informal debriefings, as well as periodic reports;

Maintain solid cooperation with partner organizations and government officials;

Manage external relations by representing the project and the organization at public fora and ensuring the appropriate distribution of information about project achievements and lessons learned;

Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility, thus enabling an environment for high performance.

Required Qualification/Experience & Competencies:

Advanced degree in social sciences, international development, political science, environmental sciences or other related field;

Minimum five (5) years of relevant professional experience managing and implementing resiliency or disaster-risk reduction projects with experience in Somalia strongly preferred;

Demonstrated ability to effectively manage staff working in multiple, remote locations affected by conflict;

Demonstrated ability to successfully negotiate and partner with communities, government representatives, donors, and other stakeholders;

Demonstrated exemplary diplomatic, management, and interpersonal skills;

Previous experience in a leadership role of USAID-funded programs preferred;

Demonstrated innovation and success in staff capacity-building and in participatory, flexible, and conflict-sensitive programming and implementation;  

Strong track record in working in partnership with diverse organizational stakeholders, developing and implementing appropriate and targeted learning and capacity development activities in support of programmatic partnerships;

Strong management, interpersonal, communication and facilitation skills; and

Ability to network and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders.

Strong communication skills, both oral and written;

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing. Ability to communicate in Somali preferred.

IRC leading the way from harm to home. 

IRC is an Equal 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, veteran status or disability.

   

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