Deputy Director, Programs (DDP)

Deputy Director, Programs (DDP)

International Rescue Committee (IRC)

October 7, 2026October 31, 2026Central African Republic
Job Description
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 provide humanitarian aid and support, the IRC employs a diverse workforce dedicated to making a lasting impact on the lives of millions worldwide. The organization emphasizes core values such as Integrity, Accountability, Service, and Equality, striving to create a better future for those in need.

Job Overview:
The director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director, Programs (DDP) for IRC CAR & Cameroon is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the program portfolio of the newly merged Country Program. The DDP will ensure strategic coherence and compliance with IRC and donor regulations while fostering collaboration across departments and with external stakeholders. This position requires a dynamic leader who can drive success, motivate a diverse team, and implement high-quality programs that align with the IRC's mission. The DDP will report directly to the Country Director and will play a crucial role in the development and execution of the Country Strategy Action Plan (SAP), focusing on impactful programming for vulnerable populations affected by humanitarian crises.

Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Program Implementation: The DDP will oversee the implementation of programs to ensure they meet high-quality standards and are delivered on time. This includes supporting Program Coordinators and Technical Coordinators in utilizing structured project management tools, monitoring budgets and program progress, and ensuring accountability and effective communication across teams. The DDP will guide the implementation of the IRC Cameroon-CAR Partnership Strategy and ensure compliance with localization commitments while maintaining service quality.
  • Strategic Planning & Implementation: The DDP will lead the development and execution of the Country SAP, ensuring alignment with IRC priorities and the Outcomes and Evidence Framework. This involves updating strategies annually, driving ownership of the strategy across departments, and integrating cross-cutting issues such as gender and climate change into programming.
  • Grants, Partnership, and Business Development: The DDP will provide leadership to the Grants and Program Development teams, ensuring sound business development strategies are in place. This includes overseeing design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and proposal strategies, ensuring high-quality reporting to donors, and fostering long-term partnerships with local civil society and government actors.
  • Human Resources and Staff Development: The DDP will ensure the recruitment and retention of quality staff, promote team cohesion, and manage performance standards. This includes leading geographically dispersed teams through effective remote management practices and supporting individual development plans.
  • Liaison/Representation and Coordination: The DDP will represent the IRC externally, establishing strong relationships with donors and government counterparts. This role involves contributing to advocacy initiatives and ensuring effective coordination among key program staff.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in International Development, International Relations, relevant social sciences, or equivalent experience, with a preference for those holding a Master’s degree. A minimum of 10 years of experience is required, including at least 5 years in programmatic leadership roles, preferably in refugee or complex humanitarian contexts. Candidates should demonstrate excellent leadership, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, with a proven ability to develop gender-balanced and impactful teams. Strong budget management skills and experience with donor contract management are essential, along with the ability to work effectively in a culturally diverse environment.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree is required, with a preference for candidates holding a Master’s degree in relevant fields such as International Development or International Relations. Equivalent experience in related areas may also be considered.

Experience:
Candidates should have over 10 years of relevant experience, including at least 5 years in a programmatic leadership position. Experience in both direct operational approaches and partnerships with local NGOs is highly desirable, particularly in complex humanitarian and development environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with strong proficiency in French being highly desirable. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both languages, both spoken and written.

Additional Notes:
The Deputy Director, Programs will be based in Bangui, with frequent travel required throughout Cameroon and the Central African Republic. The security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security situation in CAR is noted to be volatile, particularly in the northeastern region. This position is full-time and may involve remote work dynamics, requiring effective management of geographically dispersed teams.
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