Myanmar: Program Manager

BACKGROUND

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading agencies working in post-conflict and development contexts, supporting communities in over 40 fragile, failed and developing states. In this capacity, we work to restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted, struggling to endure and wishing to advance on a path of development. The IRC works to aid in the development of societies in which people have the opportunity to realize their full potential and are supported by institutions and practices that are just, transparent, accountable, inclusive, and which promote and protect rights.

The IRC has been working in Myanmar since May 2008, initially supporting emergency response and early recovery interventions for communities affected by Cyclone Nargis. Since then, IRC has responded to natural emergencies and ethnic violence in a number of states. Over the years, IRC has broadened its portfolio to include health, water and sanitation, livelihoods, and social development programs. The IRC is committed to a long-term presence in-country with the aim of improving the well-being of vulnerable populations living the hard-to-reach areas, focusing on Rakhine, Chin, Kayah and Kayin States.

The IRC has embarked on a new phase of investment in its governance and protection-related work and is looking to bring new skills and expertise into the Myanmar Country Office. In this context, the IRC is seeking a skilled, dynamic and experienced Program Manager,working under the supervision of the Senior Governance & Rights Coordinator, based in Hpan-An, Myanmar.

The ideal candidate for this position should have strong knowledge and experience in local governance and peacebuilding along with a demonstrated capacity to work with and strengthen decentralized government structures and civil society actors. The candidate should also have previous experience in protection of rights, advocacy and rule of law programming.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Program Manager will be responsible for providing guidance, coordination and technical support on peacebuilding, governance and protection of rights within South-East Myanmar, in addition to advising senior management on strategy and direction concerning these themes. In particular, the position will have the primary oversight and management responsibility for the implementation of the USAID/CMM funded project “Building Community Participation in Southeast Burma”. The Program Coordinator will be further required to work in collaboration with other IRC teams/sectors operating in the area, the Grants unit and field teams.

Program Development, Management and Coordination:

• Together with the Senior G&R Coordinator, lead proposal development within the Governance & Rights sector for the South East, including through designing and writing quality proposals, while supporting program development within other sectors by integrating governance and protection approaches in proposals and projects where relevant;
• Oversee and provide management support to the implementation of the “Building Community Participation in Southeast Burma” as well as all governance and rights activities according to implementation strategies, procedures, work plans and donor requirements in order to achieve project deliverables.
• Work with Project teams and M&E staff to integrate M&E into ongoing project planning and implementation systems;
• Work as part of a broader team to design, facilitate and support data collection and analysis systems including baseline, annual, and end line surveys, regular monitoring, data collection and analysis, feedback and reporting

• Manage and provide technical support to G&R program staff, including through regular field visits, and develop their capacity through adequate mentoring, performance management (setting of objectives, appraisals and development plans) and training as required.

• Assist in the development of program budgets and revisions; Ensure implementation of G&R related activities in line with approved budgets and spending plans; work with the Grants Unit to ensure all program activities are implemented in compliance with IRC and donor requirements.

• Represent IRC Myanmar in external G&R related forums; actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders in South East Myanmar including government actors, donors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs;

• Establish relationships and coordination mechanisms with other IRC projects and sectors operating in the state and across the border, with special attention to PLE and LAC

Technical Leadership and Support Governance:

• Support the various IRC Myanmar programs in conducting context and conflict analysis to identify promising entry points and better inform program design and implementation.
• Provide technical support to the design and implementation of peacebuilding, governance, Civil Society and community driven development projects.
• Contribute to development of knowledge and capacity in the country office around decentralization, social accountability, institution strengthening and other related governance themes and support the integration of those themes into other sectoral programs.

Technical Leadership and Support Rights:

• Contribute to development of knowledge and capacity in the country office around protection of rights, rule of law, access to justice and other related themes and support the integration of those themes into other sectoral programs
• Provide technical leadership to assess protection needs in existing programs/sectors or new geographical locations as well as advice on relevant adaptations aimed at improving access, safety, and dignity of beneficiaries.
• Oversee protection related interventions in the South East including refugee and returnee protection programs, including in areas of protection monitoring and legal support.

Technical Leadership and Support Advocacy:

• Identify governance and protection related advocacy issues in consultation with the country management and feedback generated from community engagement
• Support and guide the development of advocacy/communications strategies within the IRC G&R projects/components and partners.
• Develop evidence based advocacy messages and support the development of advocacy and communication material for key target groups.
• Support capacity building on advocacy for IRC staff and key partners

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• University Degree in Development, Economics, Public Administration, Business Administration, Law or Social Science. Masters Degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in developing, managing and coordinating peace building, community driven development and governance programs in developing countries and / or post-conflict settings.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in Protection & Rule of Law and/or Advocacy programs in developing countries, post-conflict, and/or refugee settings.
• Experience in participatory approaches, strengthening local institutions and communications/advocacy on protection of rights especially desirable along with knowledge of gender and inclusion strategies;
• Knowledge and capacity to conduct Context and Protection Analysis.
• Must be comfortable working as part of a large team in a complex, fluid and demanding management environment.
• Ability to travel frequently to project sites for monitoring visits, including very remote and sometimes insecure (weather and conflict) areas.
• Strong program management skills, including assessment, planning, budgeting and monitoring skills.
• Good organizational, interpersonal, and people management skills.
• Strong communication, presentation and training skills.
• Demonstrated proposal and report writing skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Desirable previous working experience in Myanmar, especially the South East.

Please follow this link to apply: http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=a2F0cmluYW1pbGxlci40NDk3NS4zODMwQGlyYy5hcGxpdHJhay5jb20