The International Rescue Committee(IRC) a humanitarian agency that provides relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict reconstruction support to victims of natural disaster, oppression and violent conflict in 42 countries. 

POSITION : Urban Livelihoods Manager

DESCRIPTION

• The project will support male and female youth to undertake  income generation through self employment. Working through employment and business development service providers, the IRC will support access to job counseling, legal counseling, job refer all, life skills, vocational training, on the job training and microenterprise - all coordinated through IRC’s partnerships approach.
• The Urban Livelihoods Manager will be responsible for the day to day implementation and scale up plans for the livelihoods program. S/he will liaise with other technical coordinators within IRC, partners, as relevant interagency coordination structures.
• The Manager is responsible for overall management of livelihoods staff, providing any and all support necessary to ensure successful implementation of ERD livelihoods programming.
• The Livelihoods Manager will be responsible for the technical implementation coordination, monitoring and evaluation of a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) livelihoods programme, called "Rescuing Futures that will support young people" in Adamawa State in Northeastern Nigeria. Supported by Citi EMEA and the IRC, vulnerable host community members are expected to improved livelihoods opportunities, and use those opportunities to contribute to the development goals of their communities. This will be done through training and community engagement sessions, learning events, and start-up grants to successful programme participants. There will also be a focus on stakeholder engagement to the wider business and humanitarian communities.
• The post holder will also be in charge of a two years IGA and VSLA component of the EUTF funded project ongoing in Mubi axis and the he will be expected to manage any future growth/projects in the urban livelihoods sectors.

Responsibilities 

• Ensure regular field monitoring and modifications as required.
• Support the identification of opportunities and development of market integrated assessment in collaboration with the ERD Coordinator and country program senior management staff .
• Ensures appropriate methodologies and technical approaches are implemented working with the ERD Coordinator and IRC’s ERD Technical Advisors to ensure global best practice to programming is applied.
• Works alongside the ERD Coordinator to anticipate, plan and manage programmatic and structural transitions.
• Support ERD M&E staff to develop relevant monitoring tools and adapt them to the different program methodologies.

Proposal Development, Grant Planning & Implementation:

• Provides direction, capacity building and monitors staff in implementation of their work plans and technical quality of activities
• Supervise field team to ensure methodology and procedures are correctly followed.
• Supports/participates in the development of all ERD Livelihoods related proposals.
• Responsibility for livelihoods budget management and compliance.
• Contributes to regular donor and internal reporting. Where necessary ensures the IRC submits donor reports as per set schedules (monthly, quarterly and annually) on grant activities, indicators and achievements are produced in quality.
• Works closely and coordinates with IRC logistics, finance and grant staff to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures; including active participation in procurement, supply chain, grant and other meetings.

Human Resources Management:

• Identifies staff performance issues and works with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Responsible for adhering to IRC’s Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures.
• 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.
• Responsibility for supervisees timesheets, work plans, vacation schedules, and staff training/development activities
• Leads the management of the Urban Livelihoods team.
• Sets specific goals and expectations and provides regular, positive and constructive feedback to staff.
• Builds capacity of the team through the development of staff capacity plans, trainings and regular coaching.
• Maintains an open and professional relation with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Ensures timely completion and submission of interim and annual performance reviews.

Partner Management:

• With the ERD Coordinator, the Urban Livelihoods Manager oversees any partnership with the private sector and community CBOs if any during the period of the project.
• Where possible identify new partners (including private sector) to support urban project activities

Coordination & Representation:

• Develops and maintains effective coordination and long-term relationships with external stakeholders, representing IRC positions, promoting long-term strategy and resolving problems/conflicts. Actively coordinate with local and national government entities such as the Ministry of Economy and Trade and Ministry of Social Affairs on the implementation of the project
• Actively advances IRC’s connections to livelihood actors at national level, seeking avenues for partnership, collaboration and coordination of activities.
• Be an active member of the FSWG and the Cash working group in the project areas.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Support ERD M&E staff to develop relevant monitoring tools and adapt them to the different program methodologies.
• Review and summarize monthly monitoring reports for the ERD Coordinator on the output/impact of the Livelihoods Program
• Follow up on indicator progress and achievement and ensure quality data management for project monitoring and beneficiaries data.

Financial:

• Coordinate with finance team to ensure financial protocols and procedures are followed.
• Analyze budget and attend BVA meetings when requested by the coordinator

Others:

• Participate in regular team meetings and supervision sessions.
• Attend training s and assist in organizing step-down trainings as required .
• Work constructively within the team and take initiative on new tasks.
• Maintain relevant program files.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor and ERD Coordinator to enable and develop IRC programs.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Directly Reports to: ERD Coordinator.
• Position directly supervises: Livelihoods Officers and Livelihoods Assistants
• Other internal and/or external contacts: grants unit; finance, HR and supply chain departments; other sector managers

Requirements

• Strong written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external parties.
• Must be capable of applying their skills and knowledge in a range of capacities, including direct implementation, advisory functions, training and the transfer of technical knowledge and management skills to others.
• Personal qualities: Works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well.
• Fluency in English;
• Bachelor degree in social agriculture, economics, social science, or related field required.
• Minimum of 2 years professional experience in NGO humanitarian program management, preferably with specific experience in livelihoods and enterprise development approaches.
• Demonstrated private sector experience, or experience supporting business and skill development.
• Strong program/technical and budget management skills, planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation skills.
• Previous experience with IRC will be a plus.

Professional Standards:

• The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, 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.

Work Environment:

• Based in Yola, Adamawa State, in the northeast of Nigeria and will be required to travel in project sites.
• The security phase is orange and staff are expected to respect IRC security protocols. Shared housing in a comfortable guesthouse with electricity and internet is provided. This is a non-accompanied position.