Economy Recovery and Development Coordinator

In Burkina Faso, IRC launched its first phase of emergency response programming in the city of Djibo in April 2019, mainly with WASH activities. The IRC has more recently launched health and nutrition programs in Djibo and has also expanded its interventions in the protection and health sectors in the health districts of Djibo (Sahel), Titao, Gourcy and Yako (North), mainly in community health, reproductive Health and the response to the COVID 19 pandemic. IRC also conducts economic recovery programs and wishes to develop a program for the empowerment of women in the regions of the North, the Sahel and the Mouhoun loop, which is part of a multisectoral approach strategy to meet the needs of populations affected by conflicts and travel.

Job overview

Under the supervision of the Deputy Director of program in Burkina Faso, the ERD coordinator will lead and oversee all the livelihoods components of IRC Burkina’s program portfolio, including directing strategic planning, decision making, and supervision of staff. The ERD Coordinator will identify specific growth opportunities for livelihoods programs including cash and voucher programming, agriculture and livestock, micro and small business development and access to informal and formal financial institutions. The ERD Coordinator will also support the development of a long-term strategic vision for ERD programming in Burkina within the 2033, IRC Burkina Strategic Action Plan. He/she will serve as the key liaison with local and international implementing partners, Food Security Cluster, Cash and Voucher Working Group, Nexus working group and the Government of Burkina, the Private Sector and other stakeholders.

Duties and responsibilities

Main responsibilities

• Design, Development and Management of the ERD Program

• Support the startup phase of SIDA, HCR, BPRM and SDC projects

• Develop country strategies in line with SAP.

• Direct Supervision and management of ERD team in close collaboration with DDP and field coordinators.

• Maintain strong relations and collaboration with other sectors namely WPE, Child protection, health, nutrition, Wash.

Specific responsibilities

1. Program quality / implémentation

• Provide direction and monitor staff in their implementation of project work plans and quality of technical activities, including program budget oversight.

• Ensure alignment of cash/ voucher and livelihoods programming (e.g. cash and voucher assistance, VSLAs, agricultural and livestock and micro enterprise support) with IRC global standards and respective theories of change and indicators by working with IRC’s ERD Technical Advisors

• Ensure the technical quality of needs and market assessments.

• Identify opportunities for growth of ERD programming portfolio through mapping of existing gaps/beneficiary needs and market assessments.

• Contribute to Country Program Strategic Action Plan (SAP) and its Implementation Plan.

• Support the implementation and monitoring of good and great standards (IRC best practices) in line with IRC strategic objectives to reinforce program quality.

• Ensure that gender, protection, and environmental stewardship are mainstreamed in all programming under direct responsibility.

• Ensure best possible client responsiveness (feedback mechanism) and regular monitoring and modification of ongoing programming as required.

2. Team management/Staff Supervision & Development

• Oversee project implementation team and ensure that all staff are following work plans and ERD projects deliverables are completed as planned.

• Oversee the development and implementation of staff technical capacity building plans that promotes a culture of learning through systematic analysis and reflection of program data and lessons learned and ensure staffs receive training accordingly.

• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.

• Assist ERD staffs in identifying professional development needs and opportunities.

• Provide continuous performance feedback to staff; identify performance issues and work with staff and Human Resources to document and address issues in a timely manner.

• Assist with and as necessary lead the recruitment of ERD staffs, in coordination with IRC Burkina Faso’s human resources and senior management, and headquarters’ technical units.

3. Business Development

• Collaborate with key staff and senior members of other technical sectors to prepare strategic work-plans with clear objectives and achievement benchmarks, long-term and short-term priorities, implementation plans, financial projections, and tools for evaluation.

• Identify gaps and needs in current programming areas of VSLA, social protection/CVAs, agriculture and livestock and micro enterprise programming.

• Facilitate co-design sessions that involve potential partners and are responsive to client needs.

• Develop concept notes and proposals related to ERD programming expansion and continuation.

• Ensure the integration of cash and voucher assistance activities across outcomes mainly with health, protection, and WASH.

4. Coordination & Representation

• Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors, in consultation with the Deputy Director Programs.

• Regularly attend relevant cluster and working group meetings at appropriate levels to feed in IRC priorities from the field.

• Seek out donor opportunities in line with livelihoods strategy and priorities.

• Develop partnership with local private sector and value chain actors.

5. Monitoring, Evaluation Accountability, and learning

• Maintain an effective monitoring, evaluation, and planning system.

• Analyze all relevant data and share information with the MEAL Coordinator, DDP and relevant stakeholders.

• Coordinate program evaluations and reviews ensure documentation of lessons learned informing reporting and program development.

• Support the MEAL Coordinator and client responsiveness officers in addressing complaint and feedback from clients and partners.

6. Partnerships

• Identify and develop partnerships with local and international implementing partners as appropriate for program design and service to beneficiaries.

• Strengthen relationships with national bodies such as Early Warning System (SAP), the Safety Nets National Program, universities etc.

• Identify private sector partners and linkages to support youth employment, VSLA, cash and voucher assistance, agriculture and livestock, and micro enterprise- related interventions.

7. Reporting

• Collect, compile and revise ERD program narrative reports and ensure timely submission.

• In collaboration with grants assure quality of reports to be submitted to donors

• Provide up-to-date information on success stories to Comms and Advocacy team

Job requirements

• Advanced degree in International Development, Business Administration, Economics, Management, Agriculture, Livestock, women empowerment, or others similar areas,

• At least 5-7 years of relevant work experience in cash and voucher assistance, social protection, agriculture, livestock and/or other humanitarian and development programmes with demonstrated experience leading a team to achieve results.

• Knowledge and experience of cash and voucher assistance, market and value chain analysis, private sector engagement, livelihoods mapping, rural livelihoods, access to finance and micro enterprise support

• Fluency in French and English required.

• Previous experience managing programming in complex emergencies as well as ability to manage, supervise, coach and mentor staff/team teams remotely.

• Proven leadership and strategic planning capabilities with demonstrated budget management ability.

• Demonstrated knowledge of gender and proficiency in managing development projects that mainstream gender.

• Demonstrated effectiveness in developing and maintaining unbiased and professional working relationships with government officials, civil society partners, and other counterparts and clients.

• Proven ability to work well in and promote teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure with professional grace.

• Willingness to travel to the field and occasionally at field sites with rustic conditions and various levels of privacy.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, and Outlook

• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills in French and English, effective in representation and advocacy with external parties.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Equality, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.