Economic Recovery and Development Coordinator

BACKGROUND TO IRC

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, 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, the IRC aims to restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure.

In response to the influx of refugees in Greece, The IRC Hellas has been working in Lesvos since June 2015 and started operations in Northern Greece in March 2016, providing support to Middle East and North Africa refugees.

SCOPE OF WORK

The IRC Hellas’ Economic Recovery & Development (ERD) Unit is led by the ERD Coordinator who oversees the management, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of existing cash assistance and livelihoods programming activities, as well as lead assessments to expand new areas of programming and partnerships. The ERD Coordinator will also focus on information gathering to identify what additional entry points will best allow for ERD activities. This will require a great deal of coordination between the ERD Coordinators and the Protection and WASH leads within the IRC Hellas program, to identify mutual interests and possibilities for collaboration.

Working closely with the livelihoods technical advisors and the various sector leads within the IRC Hellas program, the ERD Coordinator will lead the development of partnerships with relevant market actors, local organizations and government offices; develop proposals and planning for program growth; and support the development of new, innovative, and market-based approaches to economic programs. He/she will liaise with senior management, headquarters staff and relevant advocacy and business development staff to ensure livelihoods programming both responds to the needs of the populations IRC serves as well as existing evidence base. The ERD Coordinator will report to the Deputy Director of Programs.

Finally, as the development of the ERD unit is new within the IRC Hellas country program, the existence of the ERD Coordinator position will be results-oriented. This will ensure that opportunities for growth (from a perspective of funding, partnership, and added value of IRC’s ERD programs in-country) continue to exist in order for the ERD Coordinator position to be of relevance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Quality & Program Strategy Development

• Provide technical and management leadership of ERD programming in Greece, in accordance with best practices and IRC policy, focused on implementing cash assistance activities and establishing a strategy towards livelihoods programming through enterprise and workforce development.
• Lead development of country sector strategic plans to feed into the country action plan, including expanding livelihoods programming based on needs of target populations in Greece.
• Ensure that all CTP program activities are implemented, to a high technical quality, in accordance with the IRC CTP Implementation Procedure, and following established minimum standards and/or quality benchmarks; with specific focus on beneficiary targeting and selection, and the distribution of financial assistance, guaranteeing the maximum level of protection towards the beneficiaries.
• Assess the appropriateness of different livelihoods programming and partnership options and activities and ensure implementation modalities best respond to the needs and context. This might include, but is not limited to, financial literacy, VSLA/ROSCAs, workforce development, supporting home based businesses, and other activities contributing to the economic well-being and protection of vulnerable households.
• Liaise with livelihoods advisors within the technical unit to ensure relevant support, tools and resources are being provided.

Grant Planning, Implementation & Business Development

• Responsible for the achievement of the IRC’s cash assistance and other livelihoods program objectives within overall grant timeline.
• Support the identification of opportunities and development of livelihoods programming concepts and proposals in collaboration with country program senior management, business development staff and livelihoods advisors.
• Anticipates, plans and manages programmatic and structural transitions.
• Responsible for budget development and compliance.
• Develop relevant monitoring tools and adapt them to the different program methodologies in collaboration with the M&E Manager.
• Ensure regular field monitoring and modifications as required.
• Ensure the IRC and donor reports as per set schedules (monthly, quarterly and annually) on grant activities, indicators and achievements are produced in quality.
• Work closely and coordinate with IRC technical unit, logistics, finance and grant staff to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures; including active participation in grant opening/closing and review meetings and participation in bids opening and review.

Partner Identification & Management

• Identify and develop partnerships to support implementation of livelihoods programs and activities – specifically local NGOs and private sector.
• Provide relevant capacity building support to partners to support livelihoods programming and sustainability of activities.

Coordination & Representation

• Lead internal communication around ERD programming objectives and practices as well as new livelihoods opportunities as they arise.
• Develop and maintain effective coordination and long-term relationships with external stakeholders, representing IRC positions, promoting long-term strategy and resolving problems/conflicts.
• Participate in and/or lead relevant in country working groups related to cash assistance & livelihoods programing.
• Support the development of key advocacy and communications messaging on livelihoods programming with technical unit and advocacy team for internal and external audiences.

Professional Standards

• All IRC staff are required to adhere to THE IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor degree in international relations, economics, social science, human rights or related field required. Master Degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years professional experience in economic or related programming, applying technical expertise in food security, livelihoods, and economic recovery. Some protection experience preferred.
• Strong managerial experience required.
• Experience with cash transfer programming and market-based emergency responses strongly desired.
• Prior experience working in emergency settings, insecure environments, or remote-management situations preferred.
• Strong program/technical and budget management skills, planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external parties.
• Must be capable of applying their 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.
• Personal qualities: Works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well.
• Fluency in English required, Arabic and Greek a distinct advantage.

WORK ENVIRNOMENT

The position will be based in Athens, Greece with frequent visits to the field sites. The ERD Coordinator will be required to travel to project locations in the country and surrounding region.

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.