Head of Emergency and Resilience Program

Responsibilities & Context

Department: Emergency Preparedness and Response

Contract length: 1 year (with possibility of extension subject to funding, program needs and performance of incumbent)

Work Location: IRC-Bangladesh, Dhaka Office (50% in Cox’s Bazar Office)

Reporting to: Deputy Director of Program (DDP), Management in Partnership (Technical reporting: Regional Emergency Director, Asia)

Expected Start Date: At Earliest

Program Brief

Founded in 1933, 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 has been present in Bangladesh since 2017 and obtained registration with the NGOAB in March 2018. Since the IRC obtained registration in March 2018, it has moved quickly to expand its integrated emergency health and protection response through both direct and partner-based programming focused on primary healthcare, women’s protection and empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence and child protection. Through 2018, the IRC’s response strategy will primarily target Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, while meeting the significant needs in both refugee and host populations, as already existing vulnerabilities are compounded with cyclical monsoon and cyclone seasons that impose additional threats to the lives and protection of those refugees as well as vulnerable host populations. IRC Bangladesh’s strategic vision is to protect, empower and meet the needs of the most vulnerable women, children and youth through technical expertise and partnerships in the areas of integrated protection, health, education and economic wellbeing before, during, and after displacement caused by conflict and climate-induced disaster. IRC will grow over time its geographic coverage within Cox bazar and to other parts of the country, thus expand its’ networks and partnerships around emergency preparedness and response work, reach beyond the Rohingya refugees, also targeting the vulnerable host communities in Cox Bazar and Southern parts of Bangladesh.

Purpose

IRC Bangladesh seeks an experienced, dynamic individual for the role of Head of Emergency and Resilience Program to lead emergency preparedness, disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change initiatives, and provide key cross-sector, cross-functional support to the country program and it’s implementing partners. S/he will be responsible for ensuring quality, coordinated, rapid emergency response, with an emphasis on timeliness and the best use of resources; leading and building staff and partners’ capacity on preparedness initiatives; and supporting the integration of DRR into program development and implementation. S/he will lead IRC Bangladesh climate change work, including building climate change related ideas with the business development team, identifying potential partners with partnership team, mainstreaming climate change into the existing sectors: Health, Protection, Education, and Economic Recovery and Development (ERD), and climate change related coordination with the external stakeholders. The responsibilities of this position will also include assessment and information gathering on early warning and emergency impacts; representation at various relevant coordination fora; and liaison both internally with IRC Asia Regional Emergency Director, technical units, and externally with the government, and international and local NGOs.