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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 40 countries and 29 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 been working in Uganda since 1998 supporting refugees, vulnerable host communities and various institutions in the country. Currently, the IRC in Uganda has presence across six sub-regions and five refugee settlements, implementing programming in the sectors of health, protection, education, and economic recovery and development (ERD). The IRC works closely with local actors, including civil society organizations, local non-governmental organizations, local and national governments, and the private sector. The IRC’s ERD programs in Uganda aim to find high quality durable solutions that build economic self-reliance and mitigate against risks of climate change such as food insecurity, laying the building blocks for long-term stability and development. The IRC designs and implements livelihoods programs to address context specific challenges faced by people affected by conflict and crisis, targeting displaced populations and vulnerable communities. Our ERD programs focus on four signature activities: financial inclusion and cash transfers, enterprise and business development, agriculture with market linkages, and private sector engagement for employment opportunities.
Job Overview
The IRC Uganda is currently seeking an Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) Coordinator to provide strategic direction, leadership, quality assurance and oversight of the livelihoods portfolio in Uganda in line with the country program Strategic Action Plan. The role is pivotal in shaping and advancing IRC’s economic recovery vision in Uganda, ensuring programming adheres to global technical standards, embodies “fit-for-future” thinking, and delivers high-quality, evidence-driven, and market-relevant interventions that strengthen the resilience and economic well-being of crisis-affected populations and vulnerable host communities.
The ERD Coordinator is responsible for overall management of the livelihoods portfolio, providing all support necessary to ensure successful implementation of ERD livelihoods assistance programming. The ERD Coordinator coordinates and oversees the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of IRC’s livelihoods programs, with major focus on the urban refugee livelihoods Re:Build project funded by IKEA Foundation, the 2-generation education and livelihoods Kulea Watoto project funded by the Hilton Foundation, and other current and future economic recovery programs. The ERD Coordinator liaises with other technical coordinators within IRC (particularly to increase collaboration and integration of ERD programming within other sectors); fellow agency, government, private sector, and community partners; as well as the Livelihoods and Cash Working Groups within the interagency coordination structure. The ERD Coordinator also closely liaises with IRC’s headquarter and regional-based ERD Technical Advisors to ensure coordination and complementarily of programming, as well as appropriate technical rigor in project design and implementation. A key part of the role is growing IRC’s livelihoods programming portfolio in Uganda through proactive business development including stakeholder engagement, proposal development/project design for prospective projects, and development of strategic partnerships. Key technical areas of focus include enterprise development and employment initiatives, vocational and business skilling, financial inclusion, value chain development, agro-pastoralism/rural/climate-adaptive livelihoods, cash/voucher programming, and other emerging livelihoods interventions.
Based in Kampala, the ERD Coordinator reports to the Deputy Director of Programs (DDP) with matrix management of ERD Managers. This position has close working relationships with the other sectoral technical coordinators, Project Leads, Senior Program Development and Quality Coordinator, Grants and Partnerships Coordinator, MEAL Coordinator, Field Coordinators, finance and operations staff, and members of the ERD Technical Unit.
Major Responsibilities:
Strategy and Program Development
• Provide strategic technical leadership for the ERD portfolio in Uganda, ensuring that all livelihoods programming aligns with IRC’s global ERD standards, global strategy, country Strategic Action Plan, and relevant theories of change, while integrating emerging trends that shape the future of economic recovery and livelihoods programming
• Develop and manage IRC Uganda’s livelihoods strategy and contribute to the development of the country office strategic action plan
• Identify opportunities for growth of the livelihoods programming portfolio including areas for integration, innovation and expansion as well as development of new context-responsive livelihoods programming models/interventions, in line with country program priorities
• Lead livelihoods business development initiatives including stakeholder engagement, capture, and concept notes and proposals, working closely with the grants and partnerships, MEAL and finance teams and relevant ERD technical advisor(s)
Technical Leadership
• Ensure all ERD programming is market-driven, inclusive, climate-smart, gender-responsive, and grounded in evidence, incorporating robust needs assessments, market analyses, risk assessments, and client-centered design Along with program staff and the Technical Unit/Advisors, support the development of Standard Operating Procedures and Guidance Notes for livelihoods program activities
• Promote data-driven and research-informed programming, including the use of client feedback mechanisms, routine monitoring data, MEL findings, and lessons from operational research to drive continuous improvement.
• Champion the use of cash programming, as appropriate, within the ERD and non-ERD sectors
• Foster collaborative, multi-sectoral approaches, ensuring ERD programming is effectively linked with Protection, Health, Education, and other sectors to maximize client outcomes and resilience
• Regularly engage with the ERD Technical Advisors and other Technical Unit Advisors and Specialists to benchmark programming to IRC standards and ensure application of best practices
• Ensure regular gathering, review and sharing of evidence and learning from livelihoods initiatives to promote project success and best practice, and inform business development, program design and advocacy initiatives
Project Management and Implementation
• Closely work with Project Leads to ensure high quality implementation of livelihoods activities on existing projects, including directly implementing specific livelihoods activities assigned to the ERD Coordinator role (e.g. technical assistance, strategic engagement with partners, leadership of technical focus areas etc.)
• Provide oversight, direction, and technical support to project teams across all stages of the program cycle, including assessment, design, start-up, implementation, monitoring, adaptation, and close-out. This includes effective delivery of workplans, high-quality technical activities, and strong adherence to
Project Cycle Management processes.
• Prepare relevant and quality IRC and donor reports as per agreed-upon schedules (monthly, quarterly and/or annually) on grant activities, indicators and achievements
• Work closely and coordinate with IRC logistics, finance and grant staff to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures; including active participation in procurement, supply chain, grant and other meetings.
• Provide program budget oversight, with budget authority to pre-approved limits and responsibility for budget development and compliance under the direction of the DDP
Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination
• Develop and maintain effective coordination and long-term relationships with external stakeholders including fellow agencies/NGOs, government departments and ministries, private sector, community-based organizations and partners, donors, and others to accurately and professionally represent IRC’s work, develop long-term opportunities and strategies, and resolve problems/conflicts
• Actively advance IRC’s connections to economic actors/private sector at a local, regional and national level, seeking avenues for collaboration to identify mutual opportunities, advance innovation and ensure sustainability of interventions
• Oversee the IRC’s relationship with livelihoods consortia and implementing partners, develop and manage livelihoods strategic partnerships, and support the identification of new partners as it relates to new programming
• Participate in IRC and external working groups and communities of practice around livelihoods to advance livelihoods strategies, disseminate research and program successes, discuss implementation challenges, and share best practices
• Support the sharing of information and learning across livelihoods-related programs based in Uganda and throughout the East Africa region
Human Resources Management
• Provide technical direction and managerial oversight of livelihoods staff
• Build technical capacity of the livelihoods team in livelihoods focus areas, as well as management capacity, both individually and through conducting/coordinating staff training exercises
• Contribute to the development of livelihoods programming staffing and management structures, helping to recruit and screen livelihoods project staff as the team grows
• 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
• Ensure timely completion and submission of interim and annual employee performance reviews
• If/as required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies
• Responsible for adhering to IRC’s Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures
Key Working Relationships
Internal:
Position Reports To: Deputy Director, Programs
Direct reporting: ERD Managers
Indirect reporting to: N/A
Other internal contacts: Technical Coordinators in WPE, Health, PRoL and Education; Project Leads; Senior Program Development and Quality Coordinator; MEAL Coordinator; Grants and Partnerships Coordinator; Communications and Advocacy Coordinator; Senior Management Team (Country Director; Deputy Director, Finance; Deputy Director, Operations; Deputy Director, HR and Administration); Field Coordinators; ERD Technical Unit
Requirements
The ERD Coordinator will need to meet the requirements below:
• Minimum of 6-8 years professional experience in livelihoods programming, with specific experience in livelihoods approaches including enterprise development, workforce development, financial inclusion, and climate-smart agriculture; experience with cash/voucher assistance and research also preferred
• BA/BS Degree in international development, economics, and/or related certification required; MA/MS/MBA a plus
• Demonstrated experience working in partnership with private sector, civil society and government
• Prior experience working with an INGO on both humanitarian and development programs; experience working on refugee programming preferred
• Demonstrated business development experience, including examples of growing livelihoods programming, designing new projects, and writing concept notes and proposals
• Experience applying skills and knowledge in a range of capacities, including direct implementation, advisory functions, training, and the transfer of technical knowledge and management skills to others
• Experience managing diverse teams and being able to navigate interpersonal and inter-departmental organizational dynamics to keep focus on goals and products
Competencies
• Highly developed leadership abilities, including the ability to coach, motivate, and support effective teams.
• Strong project management skills including program design and planning, budget development and management, reporting, monitoring and evaluation
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, demonstrating effective relationship building with a wide range of external actors
• Ability to handle administrative and operational pressures, ensuring donor compliance and timely completion of program deliverables
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and comfort with external representation at a senior level are essential
• Analytical, flexible and innovative – able to proactively develop solutions to complex challenges and changing contexts
Working Environment
Current security level is yellow across all IRC operating areas in Uganda, with the exception of Karamoja region which is orange. The security situation across the country is generally calm with main concerns related to petty crime.
The position is based in Kampala, with expected travel to ERD programming field locations.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.
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