Description
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.
Program Strategy, Design, and Business Development
- Lead efforts for sustainable program growth, proactively identifying opportunities for new programming initiatives and prioritizing multi-year funding opportunities to support them.
- Implement the IRC's business development strategy in Colombia, identifying donors and funding opportunities, and expanding and strengthening the IRC's donor base.
- Coordinate with the regional team, technical advisors, Colombia staff, and partners to submit innovative, high-quality proposals; lead the drafting of technical proposals and budgets.
- Collaborate with Communications, MEAL, and Grants to implement the IRC's positioning strategy, sharing the impact of the IRC's work with clients in Colombia and Ecuador.
- Ensure that project design reflects the IRC's program quality standards and industry best practices.
Program Management – Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation
- Provide overall leadership and management of the IRC's program portfolio in Colombia and Ecuador, ensuring strategically coherent program direction, well-managed growth, and compliance with IRC and donor regulations.
- Support the Country Director in designing, implementing, and updating the Strategic Action Plan (SAP) for Colombia.
- Continuously seek ways to strengthen the capacities of program team members, both individually and collectively.
- Ensure that detailed, realistic, and feasible project implementation plans are developed, and adapted as needed to better respond to changing contextual needs.
Grants Management
- Ensure quality grants management, compliance with donor requirements, and quality information management related to programs and grants.
- Oversee all internal and external reports with the program and finance teams, ensuring high-quality, well-written, and timely reports that meet donor, IRC, and partner requirements.
External Representation and Advocacy
- Develop a solid understanding of IRC programs in order to professionally represent the IRC to implementing partners, government, and donors;
- Support the Country Director in developing strong relationships with donors, collaborating on visits and on the development of appropriate advocacy actions;
Staff Management and Development
- Identify, recruit, and onboard new IRC staff, including operations, programs, compliance, finance, and partnerships management.
- Lead or support recruitment for key program positions, including developing terms of reference and technical tests, as well as participating in interview panels.
- Create a supervisory environment that places clients at the center of our work; that focuses on both team and individual results; that views mistakes as learning opportunities; and that emphasizes the importance of collaboration, accountability, and recognition as key elements of a successful work environment.