Senior Advisor, GAC Framework Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a prominent nonprofit humanitarian relief and development organization that was established in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein. The IRC's mission is to assist individuals whose lives and livelihoods have been disrupted by conflict and disaster, helping them to survive, recover, and regain control over their futures. The organization operates in over 40 countries, providing emergency relief and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of disasters. In addition to its international work, the IRC has 26 regional offices across the United States, where it aids refugees in resettling and achieving self-sufficiency. The IRC is committed to fostering a supportive and inspiring workplace culture that encourages bold leadership, innovation, creative partnerships, and accountability to the communities it serves. With a history of collaboration with Canadian institutional partners, the IRC is expanding its presence in Canada to enhance its global mission and strengthen engagement with Canadian partners.

Job Overview:
The Senior Advisor, GAC Framework Manager plays a crucial role in managing the relationship and engagement between the IRC and Global Affairs Canada (GAC). This position is responsible for overseeing a new three-year humanitarian framework agreement (CFA) between the IRC and GAC. The Senior Advisor will act as the Project Lead for this framework agreement, collaborating closely with regional and technical teams, as well as implementing country programs to ensure effective award management. The role encompasses the entire project lifecycle, ensuring compliant delivery, strong communication, effective financial and narrative reporting, and necessary program adaptations. In addition to managing the humanitarian framework, the Senior Advisor will also account manage the relationship with GAC, working alongside the Director of IRC Canada to develop and execute a multi-year donor engagement strategy that includes support for broader business development, monitoring, innovation, and learning. This position requires extensive internal coordination and guidance across various technical, operational, and global teams, as well as with IRC leadership in Canada and other locations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Advisor, GAC Framework Manager will be responsible for the oversight, coordination, and management of the GAC Canada Framework Agreement (CFA). Key responsibilities include managing the strategic relationship with GAC, building strong working relationships with key individuals within the donor head office and embassies, and acting as the primary internal contact for the CFA. The Senior Advisor will facilitate meetings and engagement for the annual allocation process, provide updates on implementation and grants management issues, and support IRC colleagues in preparing materials for briefing events and meetings. The role involves leading contract negotiations with the donor for new agreements or amendments, coordinating the annual funding allocation process, and advising on strategic development of the partnership. Additionally, the Senior Advisor will maintain continuous monitoring of performance and expenditure of the CFA portfolio, ensuring high-quality, compliant, and timely delivery of contractual requirements, including narrative and financial reports, amendment requests, audits, and evaluations. The position also requires the development of internal processes and guidance documents for effective management of CFA awards, as well as conducting regular lessons learned exercises to improve CFA processes and contribute to organization-wide learning initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Senior Advisor, GAC Framework Manager position must demonstrate a solid understanding of humanitarian aid and development programming. They should possess the ability to work effectively under pressure and build strong working relationships with program and field staff from a distance. The ideal candidate will have proven experience operating within a complex organization, collaborating across functions, and working as part of a diverse team. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines are essential. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required, along with proficiency in IT tools such as Word, Outlook, and Excel. Experience with Global Affairs Canada and other governmental humanitarian and development donors is highly desirable, as is a background in proposal writing and portfolio management.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as International Relations, Refugee or Migration Studies, Economics, Development Studies, or Public Policy is preferred for this position. Equivalent experience in related areas will also be considered. Candidates should have a strong educational foundation that supports their understanding of humanitarian and development work, particularly in the context of NGOs or international organizations.

Experience:
The Senior Advisor should have substantial experience in building and cultivating relationships with institutional donors, as well as a solid understanding of Global Affairs Canada. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in developing, negotiating, or managing framework proposals or multi-region/consortia proposals for development and humanitarian donors. Strong experience in quality assurance, writing, reviewing, and editing narrative and financial reports with excellent attention to detail is also required.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in French is particularly relevant due to the nature of the GAC partnerships. Additional languages such as Spanish, Arabic, or Kiswahili are considered a strength and may enhance the candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
The position offers a competitive compensation range of CAD 105,000 to CAD 145,000 annually, which is determined by various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget considerations. IRC is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and strives to achieve diversity in its workforce. The organization welcomes applications from all candidates, including underrepresented groups and refugees who have the right to work in Canada. IRC is dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments for individuals with disabilities during the job application and interview process, as well as for essential job functions if appointed.