NGO JOBS

Deadline for applications: Monday, November 15, 2012.Estimated start date: December 1, 2012.This position is contingent upon funding.

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.

BACKGROUNDThe IRC has been working in Myanmar since 2008 and is committed to implementing quality programming to improve the well being of the most vulnerable populations in the areas of livelihoods, water and sanitation, and health. IRC programming reflects a commitment to sustainable solutions, and believes this is achieved through participatory approaches such as community driven development, community disaster risk reduction, and capacity building of local partners. In Myanmar, as well as globally, IRC also maintains a commitment to responding to emergencies. In 2010, IRC responded to Cyclone Giri, and since has directly implemented four livelihoods restoration programmes in the Giri-affected Rakhine townships of Minbya and Myebon. These interventions have reflected the immediate and medium-term needs of the population, aimed at increasing food security and access to direct income and income generating assets. Through this work, IRC has developed a strong relationship with the local community, township authorities, and increasingly with the Rakhine State government.

SCOPEThe IRC is seeking a Project Director who will be responsible for the overall management of a $20 million LIFT-funded multi-year food security and livelihoods project, the Tat Lan Programme. The Project Director will provide strategic and operational leadership and assume the overall responsibility for the development and implementation of a tactical approach and effective strategy for this large-scale project. The Tat Lan Programme has the purpose of equitably and sustainably improving the food security and livelihoods of 214 severely and moderately cyclone-affected communities in the Rakhine State townships of Myebon, Pauktaw, Kyaukpyu and Minbya. IRC will implement the programme in partnership with Save the Children and Oxfam, as well as local partner Better Life Organisation. The Livelihoods and Food Security Trust (LIFT) is multi-donor trust fund supported by Australia, the European Union, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

The Project Director will be a member of IRC’s Country Office Senior Management Team, reporting directly to the Country Director. S/he will supervise the project team and technical members and will lead the Project Implementation Committee constituted of members of the implementation partners. S/he will be accountable for ensuring that the programme objectives are met and that the project is implemented in compliance with IRC and donor regulations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Direction, Programme Implementation• Provide overall strategic and operational leadership for the Tat Lan Programme, overseeing the technical, administrative, financial and management aspects to ensure successful and timely implementation of planned activities and appropriate expenditure of funds;• Serve as IRC’s key liaison with LIFT’s contracting and technical support staff;• Serve as the coordinator between consortium members, external and internal technical advisors, and key programme stakeholders;• Facilitate Project’s quarterly Senior Management Team Advisory Committee to discuss policy and implementation issues, and provide input to LIFT Board meetings;• Coordinate all annual work planning, project reviews/evaluation activities and project implementation activities with team members and stakeholders.• Oversee consortium partners in leading respective technical components, and implementing community based livelihood, food security, acquaculture and agriculture programme in the designated four townships, encompassing over 200 villages;• Ensure that efficient systems to support all aspects of the programme (including sub-grant management, financial, and performance monitoring and reporting) are in place and support the effective use of programme resources in compliance with LIFT regulations and IRC policies;• Directly supervise three staff, (one expatriate Agriculture/Livelihoods Coordinator, one national Project Coordinator, one national M&E Officer ), with oversight of the entire IRC project team (approximately 27 additional staff); • Fully inform IRC head office on all matters relating to the project, and maintain appropriate links with partner head/field offices.

Representation and Networking• Foster and manage relationships with representatives of the Government of Myanmar, state-level authorities in Rakhine State, and relevant line ministries (engagement with local authorities and government is a key output of the Tat Lan Programme);• Work closely with LIFT office in Yangon, and local and international partners (Pyoe Pin, Rahkine Thahaya), technical advisors (NACA, NAG, CARE, CDN, AIT, FAO, World Fish Center, VFRDC, IRRI, and Corin-Asia). • Ensure strong communication and coordination with other IRC projects, and with other livelihood initiatives in country in order to maximize the use of resources and achieve multi-sector programme integration;• Ensure identification of advocacy issues, development of advocacy and influencing plan, and its proper implementation with government as well as with other stakeholders.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Research• Oversee project monitoring and evaluation, working closely with the M&E Technical Advisor (CARE Myanmar);• Ensure that the project uses evidence from Tat Lan as well as other relevant experiences to affect state-level regional and national policy changes; • Identify and coordinate key research areas that can be developed into issue papers used for advocacy and to contribute to best practice;• Identify and manage consultants, both national and international for the purpose of meeting objectives and deliverables;• Monitor expenditure of the project in relation to project activities and budget.

Reporting and Documentation• Ensure the timely submission of all deliverables to LIFT, including annual work plans and project monitoring and evaluation plans;
• Ensure that all reports required by LIFT, IRC and government are produced on time and are of a consistently high quality.• Oversee the development and updating of project informational materials such as brochures, fact sheets, articles, posters etc. to promote the project achievements externally and within IRC.

Security, Health & Safety• Ensure implementation and adherence to the IRC Myanmar security & safety policies addressing specific local conditions.
• Coordinate security planning and systems with relevant stakeholders in the area of implementation to address security & safety concerns and adjust policies as appropriate.

REQUIREMENTS• Advanced degree in management, public administration, international development or related field plus a minimum 8-10 years experience managing overseas, multi-partner development projects, related to community-based livelihood, food security and agriculture initiatives.• Experience fostering and managing relationships with various levels (township to national, local authorities and ministries) of government, especially in Myanmar or countries in similar phases of transition. • Extensive experience implementing complex programmes in sensitive developing countries in areas such as agriculture; infrastructure; improving quality and access to financial services; development of community participation in the improvement of livelihoods and food security; and M&E of livelihood projects.
• Demonstrated skills in strategic and project planning; previous employment with or extensive knowledge of NGOs; and excellent oral and written communication skills in English. • Familiarity with LIFT regulations and policies (or similar donor) as well as significant experience interacting with international donor agencies is important.
• Proven ability in promoting and collaborating closely with multi-level stakeholders.• Knowledge or prior work experience in country preferred.• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations.
• Sensitivity of South East Asian cultures, capacity to work well under pressure, and the ability to communicate cross-culturally is critical. • Experience in conflict affected or post conflict areas plus the ability to travel extensively are important.

SPECIFIC SECURITY SITUATION/HOUSINGThis position will be based in Sittwe, Myanmar on the Bay of Bengal, with frequent travel to Yangon (1 hour flight from Sittwe) and the field sites (Myebon, Minbya, Pauktaw, and Kyaukpyu – approximately 4 - 8 hours by boat from Sittwe). The candidate should be prepared to implement programming in remote environments, accessibly solely by boat. This is a non-accompanied position, and housing is provided. Candidate should be aware that currently there is a humanitarian crisis in Sittwe, and there may be need to move housing/base location within the first year.