Background/IRC Summary:  

The International Rescue Committee 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, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home. 

Contextual background 

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Inside Syria, 7.6 million people are internally displaced and 12.2 million are in need of humanitarian assistance, with 4.8 million in hard- to-reach areas. There are 4 million Syrian refugees in neighboring countries. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair. 

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis. With an annual budget in excess of $140 million and a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1,250 staff in the region, IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, education, 

Women's protection and empowerment, NFI and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination. 

Job Overview/Summary:

The Basic Needs Manager will support the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of basic needs program activities. This includes cash and vouchers, cash for protection ,  and emergency food and NFI distributions. The Manager will play a key role in the oversight and quality implementation of the economic recovery and development portfolio.  

Responsibilities:

Manage the implementation of cash, voucher, and in-kind programming across multiple sites, ensuring programs achieve their objectives within the allotted time and budget and to quality. Provide technical and management support to cash and voucher distribution teams with a specific focus on voucher and market systems development. Assess the appropriateness of different programming options and ensure implementation modalities best respond to the needs and context. Support emergency preparedness and rapid response to onset displacement, through field teams and implementing partners. Work with beneficiaries, vendors, finance, and operations teams to identify optimal transfer amounts and payment mechanisms for cash and voucher assistance. Work alongside the Snr Basic Needs, Economic Recovery and Development Coordinator to develop the country sector strategic direction and plans including expanding economic programming based on needs of target populations in northeastern Syria.

Other:

Other duties as assigned by the ERD coordinator to enable and develop IRC programs.All IRC staff are required to adhere to The IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies

Grant Planning, Program Implementation & Business Development

Works alongside the Senior Basic Needs manager and ERD Coordinator to anticipate, plan and manage programmatic and structural transitions. The Basic Needs Manager will have significant operational budget oversight and develop spending plans, and procurement plans to ensure grants are spent accordingly. Ensure the IRC submits donor reports as per set schedules (monthly, quarterly and annually) on grant activities, indicators, and achievements are produced in quality. Assist with program development, including the writing and preparation of proposals, reports, or other outputs as needed in support of expanding cash and voucher programming in Syria.

Partner Identification & Management :

Ensure regular performance monitoring of partners to achieve the set project’s objectives; provide technical support and guidance. Where possible identify new partners (including private sector) to support economic recovery and development program activities. Where relevant, support the Snr Basic Needs Manager and ERD Coordinator in external representation and technical coordination with other stakeholders, including INGOs, CBOs, clusters and working groups .

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and project management competencies, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing professional development guidanceAssist with the recruitment of Child Protection Staff, in coordination with the Senior Child Protection Manager.Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths the teams in Syria. 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 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, minimally on a monthly basis.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.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.