BACKGROUND

Over the past 90 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC’s mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. The International Rescue Committee UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its headquarters in New York and London. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. Through 28 regional offices in cities across the United States, the IRC also helps refugees resettle in the US and become self-sufficient. The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.

The Awards Management Unit (AMU) and AMU Compliance & Policy (C&P)

Established in January 2016, the Awards Management Unit (AMU) is a global unit with the responsibility for building, maintaining, and strengthening relationships with public and institutional donors and position IRC as a partner of choice for delivering programs for our clients. This means working to expand IRC’s portfolio and diversify our relationships, as well as supporting the successful and compliant management and implementation of awards, whether directly or through partners. The unit includes: Strategic Partnerships Team (SPT), Program and Award Support (PAS), Compliance and Policy (including Subaward & Partnership), Business Development (BD), Training, Partnership, Strategic Planning & Operations.

AMU Compliance & Policy (C&P) develops and manages donor compliance-related tools, guidance and templates; it tracks and communicates changes in donor regulations and builds knowledge of compliance throughout the IRC. The C&P team offers escalated support in case of complex donor and partnerships compliance questions and to carry out supplementary reviews of agreements where needed. C&P includes Donor Specialists, who have expertise on specific donors’ rules and regulations according to their portfolio, and Subaward & Partnership (S&P) staff, who have expertise on compliance and implementation of IRC’s internal partnership system and the operationalization of IRC’s partnership principles across all donors.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Accountable to Director for EU donors (currently covering UN portfolio as well);
• Close ongoing Coordination with C&P Senior Director, C&P (incl. S&P) colleagues, PAS and SPT colleagues in AMU;
• Established relationship with Business Development (AMU), Training (AMU), Ethics and Compliance Unit, Finance, Office of the General Counsel, Global Supply Chain.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

UN and Multilateral Donors - Overall

• Under the direction, guidance and support of the Director for European Donors, serve as the AMU C&P focal point for UN and Development Banks (WB, AfDB, ADB, etc..) compliance matters, grants and contracts, with a priority/key expertise on UNHCR, UNOCHA, UNICEF and WB;
• Develop and maintain strong relations with key staff and IRC internal stakeholders working on assigned partners/donors: other AMU pillars, Finance, GSC, ECU, and OGC as needed;
• Ensure that appropriate IRC internal stakeholders are advised of any changes made to key assigned donor compliance regulations and that the impact on our programmes is assessed;
• Disseminate assigned key donor’s policy/regulations changes in a timely and user friendly manner throughout the IRC as needed;
• Provide interpretation of assigned donors compliance regulations/policies as needed to field and HQ staff;
• Engage with regional teams as needed to provide input and develop solutions on major compliance matters;
• Work closely with the AMU Compliance and Policy team to assist in the review of and development of IRC policies, tools, templates and guidelines as needed to ensure optimal implementation and understanding of compliance requirements;
• Working with the AMU Compliance and Policy Subaward and Partnership team, serve as a donor expert for the enhancement and development of donor specific subaward and subcontract templates for UN donors and development banks;
• Support PAS (and BD as relevant) in the assessment of new UN and development banks donors, following the new donor assessment policy currently being developed, and inputting in Go/No Go and SOG procedures as relevant;
• Participate in interagency groups dealing with improving donor conditions (e.g. Interaction, ICVA) and/or in any relevant partnership event (e.g. UNHCR Partnership Workshop), in coordination with the UN Senior Advisor for Strategic Partnership;
• Work with AMU PAS Teams as needed to ensure there is a strong understanding of what issues need to be escalated and ensure there is a strong communication flow;
• Serve as the AMU C&P focal point and collaborate with the relevant AMU Strategic Partnerships Senior Advisors on UN and WB portoflios’s Strategic Relationship Management Programme;
• Work with the Director of European donors, the C&P training streams, and the AMU Training Pillar to identify training needs and to Design, communicate, launch and provide training and effective learning material on UN donors rules and regulations. Priority training needs currently identified: UNHCR (particularly once ‘new’ PPA is released for 2024); WB; HACT.
• For key UN donors, ensure that compliance tools (donor matrix, checklists, guidance) are kept up to date as necessary. New tools are developed for emerging UN/multilateral donors such as WB.
• Attend relevant events (interagency groups, partnership workshops) in representation of IRC and internal stakeholders are consulted and informed as necessary. Written reports are produced for key events.

Other responsibilities

Subject to workload and evolving organizational needs:

• Participate in special IRC projects and initiatives, including leading or taking part in C&P workplan streams;
• Act as C&P focal point for and/or support on other statutory donors;
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Director of European Donors, C&P.

PERSON SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• In-depth knowledge of UN entities’ and/or development banks’ rules and regulations for implementing partners is a MUST. Entities of particular interest are UNHCR, UNICEF, OCHA and WB;
• A minimum of 7years relevant expertise;
• Strong interpersonal skills: the ability to work productively both independently and in a team environment;
• An understanding of compliance, risk, and ethics and a keen interest in learning and promoting donor compliance as an effective collaborative risk management tool and a way to create value for the organization;
• Keen attention to detail and solution focused/Problem Solving approach to work;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively convey complex topics in a way that is accessible to non-specialists;
• Experience of, and the ability to, read and analyse complex documents;
• High level of tolerance for change; flexible work attitude and ability to meet unexpected demands;
• Ability to successfully liaise with a range of staff and external stakeholders;
• Experience in reviewing and/or negotiating donor awards and sub-award agreements/sub-contracts;
• Experience in interpreting and applying statutory and regulatory language in awards and contracts from statutory donors;
• Previous experience developing and providing (compliance) training in a multicultural setting and developing policies, guidelines, tools and templates.

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement:

In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity:

IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days (depending on role and tenure), medical insurance starting at $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

Compensation:

Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

How to apply

https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/38421?c=rescue