Deputy Director, Programs

The Deputy Director, Programs (DDP) provides leadership, decision-making, and oversight of the IRC Cameroon-CAR’s program portfolio, ensuring strategic coherence and compliance with IRC and donor regulations. The DDP leads program implementation, strategic planning, grants and partnership development, human resources, and external liaison, reporting directly to the Country Director.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and ensure programs are implemented to high-quality standards and on time, supporting Program and Technical Coordinators with project management tools.
• Closely monitor budgets, spending, and program progress to ensure grants are run within budget and closed on time.
• Assure clear accountability, roles and responsibilities, and effective communication and coordination within the Programs Department.
• Guide implementation of the IRC Cameroon-CAR Partnership Strategy and sectoral partnership plans to ensure localization commitments and high-quality services.
• Provide the Country Director with accurate advice on program developments and opportunities.
• Support the MEAL Coordinator in delivering the MEAL strategy and ensuring use of information and client feedback informs project cycles.
• Ensure development of new opportunities related to IRC Mission and Strategic Action Plan.
• Ensure high-quality, timely donor reporting per IRC and donor guidelines.
• Ensure provision of appropriate technical assistance from IRC Technical Units, consultants, or partners.
• Lead development, review, and implementation of the Country Strategy Action Plan (SAP) and ensure programming alignment with SAP priorities and IRC Outcomes and Evidence Framework.
• Annually update country program and sector strategies in coordination with the Country Director.
• Lead strategic initiatives including partnership model expansion, research, innovation, and integration of cross-cutting issues such as gender, partnership, climate change, and disaster risk reduction.
• Provide guidance and leadership to Grants and Program Development teams ensuring sound business development strategy and adequate financing.
• Oversee program design and proposal strategy for new funding opportunities including need-based design, technical and operational engagement, and budgeting.
• Ensure production of high-quality financial and narrative donor reports with contributions from program and MEAL teams.
• Grow IRC programming impact by ensuring excellent program delivery and strengthening donor and partner trust.
• Lead integration of program design with stakeholder analysis and foster strategic partnerships for locally led decision-making and service delivery.
• Lead implementation of IRC’s PEERS framework ensuring cross-departmental collaboration, partnership risk management, and partner feedback systems.
• Lead engagement with consortium partners on strategic direction and program coordination.
• Coordinate with Human Resources to ensure quality staffing and retention in the Program.
• Ensure team collaboration, clear mutual expectations, and support for field teams.
• Establish and evaluate performance standards and behaviors of team members.
• Lead and support geographically dispersed teams through effective remote management practices.
• Manage and develop performance of Program teams including monitoring and evaluation of individual performance and professional development plans.
• Represent IRC externally with sound understanding of programs.
• Assist Country Director in sustaining strong relationships with donors and government counterparts.
• Support program cohesion through coordination and information sharing among country program staff.
• Contribute to advocacy initiatives and platforms to strengthen protection of beneficiary rights.
• Serve in Senior Management Team and deputize for the Country Director as necessary.
• Engage proactively in external coordination and advocacy forums.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in International Development, International Relations, relevant social sciences or equivalent experience in relevant fields.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Over 10 years of experience including 5 years at programmatic leadership level, preferably in a refugee context or complex humanitarian and development environment.
• Excellent leadership, people management, interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop gender balanced, harmonious and impactful teams.
• Ability to think strategically, prioritize and meet deadlines in a challenging environment.
• Flexible to adapt to changing needs.
• Must work effectively and efficiently with a culturally diverse team.
• Excellent budget management skills and experience of diverse donor contract management.
• Experience managing large-scale programs with high-value budgets.
• Experience leading programs through direct operational approach and partnerships with local NGOs.
• Strong diplomacy skills; ability to establish and maintain good collaboration with partners, donors, and peers in sensitive environments.
• Excellent command of English.
• Strong proficiency in English and French, spoken and written.
• Committed to IRC’s core values: Integrity, Equality, Accountability, and Service.

Skills

• Programmatic Leadership
• Refugee and IDP Program Management
• Humanitarian Programme Management
• Development Project Management
• People Management
• Negotiation Skills
• Team Building
• Strategic Planning
• Budget Management
• Donor Agreement Management
• Large Scale Program Management
• Operational Program Management
• Partnership Development
• Diplomacy Skills
• Bilingual: English/French
• Grant Management
• Cultural Competence
• Compliance Management

Languages

English, French