Deputy Director of Programs Colombia
Local Work Rights Required
This employer does not provide visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the job location.
This opportunity may still be relevant if you already have work authorization, are a permanent resident, citizen, student or dependant with work rights, or are seeking jobs within Africa.
Role Summary
Join the International Rescue Committee as the Deputy Director of Programs in Colombia, leading program strategy and implementation for vital humanitarian initiatives.
About the Organisation
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods have been shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and regain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee war, conflict, and disaster, as well as with the host communities that support them, and with those who remain in their homes and communities. Currently present in almost 40 countries and several U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity, and hope to millions of displaced people who are struggling to survive. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.
As the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela continues, the risk of hyperinflation and mobility restrictions severely limit access to basic goods and services. To date, around 8 million Venezuelans have left the country. The IRC has responded to the crisis by supporting Venezuelans within Colombia, providing health, nutrition, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene), economic recovery, protection, and education services. At the same time, escalating violence and armed conflict have generated serious protection risks in Colombia and Ecuador. This escalation of violence adds to the existing pressures in both countries, which host 2.8 million and 441,000 Venezuelan migrants, respectively. Across the region, escalating violence and conflict are now generating new waves of internal displacement or confinement, directly disrupting access to services, deteriorating health and protection systems, and widening gaps in the provision of care. In this context, the IRC works, together with local organizations, to support communities affected by conflict in both Colombia and Ecuador in accessing basic goods and services, including education, health, and protection.
Key Responsibilities
The Deputy Director of Programs (DDP) position is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and is central to the successful implementation of IRC programs in Colombia. Under the direction of the Country Director (CD), the DDP is responsible for leading program strategy in alignment with local government policies and strategies; guiding sound project management following industry best practices; supporting business development efforts; and ensuring compliance with donor regulations. The Deputy Director of Programs for Colombia will manage all programming in Colombia, as well as partner-led outreach programs in Ecuador, and will provide leadership to all program staff based in, or traveling to, these countries.
The responsibilities of this position are aligned with the IRC’s global strategy and reinforce program excellence, gender equality, and greater client voice and choice. This role requires an innovative and pragmatic individual, willing to take smart risks within contexts constrained by security considerations. The DDP must be able to adapt and adjust programming to new scenarios as the context evolves, in order to ensure both staff safety and effective program delivery. The role must comply with IRC security protocols, designed to protect staff, partner organizations, and clients, and to foster a culture of safety among program staff.
The DDP will lead the development and execution of the Country Strategic Plan and will be responsible for overseeing technical coordinators and project leads based in Colombia. The position will report to the Country Director for Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador, and will coordinate closely with other senior staff based in Caracas or Bogotá; with Regional and Global Technical Advisors in health, protection, economic recovery and development, education, and MEAL; and with the IRC’s Emergency Unit.
The DDP will be based in Colombia and will be required to travel up to 30% of the time.
Minimum Requirements
- Master’s degree in Development Studies, International Relations, Social Sciences, or a related field;
- Minimum 5 years managing teams in Latin America;
- Minimum eight years of management experience working in a humanitarian or development setting, with at least five years of program management experience at international NGOs.
- Demonstrated experience successfully leading multidisciplinary teams in cross-cultural settings, including active mentoring and coaching. Strong leadership, motivation, and team-building skills;
- Experience managing security in complex and rapidly evolving security contexts.
- Demonstrated ability to handle stressful situations in a healthy and constructive manner.
- Experience managing protection, ERD, and/or health programs, a plus.
- Proven ability to negotiate and work with partner organizations. Experience in strengthening organizational capacities and building partnerships is valued.
- Proven ability to develop winning proposals aimed at public and private sector donors.
- Prior experience managing programs funded by U.S. government agencies, DFID, the EU, foundations, and private donors is required; prior experience in competitive environments is valued.
- Proven ability to manage projects through to completion, on time, within budget, and with the expected results.
- Ability to respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner while producing high-quality results.
- Strong budgetary and fiscal oversight capabilities.
- Proven oral and written proficiency in English and Spanish, required.
- Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible candidates must have legal authorization to work in Colombia, as sponsorship is not provided.
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