Senior Program Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a prominent international humanitarian non-governmental organization (INGO) founded in 1933 at the behest of Albert Einstein. The IRC operates in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities, focusing on restoring health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and empowerment to individuals affected by conflict and disaster. With a mission to help people survive, reclaim control of their futures, and strengthen their communities, the IRC has been active in South Sudan since 1989, delivering multi-sectoral programming across various states and administrative areas. The organization is committed to making a lasting impact by restoring dignity and hope to millions of people worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Senior Program Manager role at IRC Sudan is pivotal in providing strategic leadership and oversight of the organization's program portfolio in South Sudan. This position is responsible for ensuring that the programming is of high quality, integrated, and compliant with both IRC global standards and donor expectations. The Senior Program Manager will lead the development of program strategy, design, fundraising efforts, grants management, and external representation. Additionally, this role emphasizes the importance of team development, strengthening partnerships, and making evidence-based decisions. The Senior Program Manager will also oversee the quick start and management of IRC's emergency response initiatives in South Sudan, ensuring that the organization can effectively address the needs of crisis-affected populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Program Manager will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including but not limited to: leading the operationalization of the IRC Sudan response strategy, contributing to long-term strategic planning, ensuring project designs meet IRC program quality standards, and implementing fundraising strategies for sustainable program growth. The role involves providing leadership and technical oversight for developing competitive funding proposals, ensuring program choices are based on robust needs assessments and community input, and formulating integrated programming approaches that promote collaboration and gender-responsive design. The Senior Program Manager will also oversee grants and financial management, ensuring compliance with donor and IRC requirements, preparing high-quality donor reports, and conducting regular field monitoring visits. Furthermore, the role includes leading program implementation, emergency response, and monitoring and learning efforts, ensuring strategic coherence and quality implementation across the program portfolio. The Senior Program Manager will represent IRC Sudan with donors and government stakeholders, support donor engagement and advocacy initiatives, and manage a team of Program Coordinators and staff, fostering a high-performing team culture.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Senior Program Manager position must possess a Master's degree in Development Studies, International Relations, Social Sciences, or a related field. They should have a strong knowledge of humanitarian and development programming standards and best practices, along with demonstrated expertise in program design, fundraising, grants management, and donor compliance. Strong leadership, team management, communication, negotiation, and analytical skills are essential. The ability to manage complexity, competing priorities, and high-pressure environments is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree in a relevant field such as Development Studies, International Relations, or Social Sciences. This advanced degree is crucial for understanding the complexities of humanitarian work and the skills necessary for effective program management.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of senior management experience in humanitarian or development contexts. Candidates should have proven experience managing multi-sector programs, with a preference for those who have worked in health and protection programming. Additionally, experience in developing successful proposals for public and private donors, as well as prior management of grants funded by major organizations such as the World Bank, FCDO, EU, and UN agencies, is highly desirable. The ability to deliver projects on time and within budget, while achieving measurable results, is also essential.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the international nature of the organization and its operations. Knowledge of local languages in South Sudan may be advantageous but is not explicitly stated as a requirement.

Additional Notes:
The job posting does not specify the contract duration, seniority level, or whether the position is full-time or part-time. However, given the nature of the role and the responsibilities outlined, it is likely a full-time position. The IRC is known for its commitment to recruiting both nationally and internationally, and it emphasizes the importance of staff well-being and healthy work-life practices. Compensation and benefits details are not provided in the job description.