Deputy Director of Programs

About the Organization

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading global humanitarian organization founded in 1933, dedicated to responding to the most severe humanitarian crises worldwide. Operating across over 40 countries and multiple US cities, IRC focuses on restoring essential services such as health, safety, education, and economic resilience to communities affected by conflict and disaster. In Nigeria, IRC began operations in 2012 and has continuously expanded its programs addressing health, nutrition, women’s protection, child protection, economic recovery, education, and environmental health across Northeast and Northwest regions.

Role Overview

The Deputy Director of Programs (DDP) serves as a key member of Nigeria’s Senior Management Team, collaborating with senior leadership to oversee program technical teams, grant management, and monitoring and evaluation functions nationwide. Located in Abuja, this role involves frequent travel to field offices. The DDP champions cross-sectoral cooperation and ensures program quality through data-driven analysis, strategic planning, and results-based management.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Uphold IRC’s core ethical standards and policies, ensuring safeguarding and integrity are integral to program design and client engagement.
• Contribute to security risk management by integrating safety considerations in program delivery and organizational planning.
• Participate actively in leadership platforms, driving the development, review, and deployment of the country’s strategic action plan with inclusive engagement across departments.
• Lead program design with thorough context assessment, evidence-based strategies, and strong monitoring frameworks that foster continuous learning and improvement.
• Support program delivery effectiveness by coordinating management tools such as procurement and budgeting alongside operational leaders.
• Steer business development efforts and manage grant compliance to align funding with strategic priorities and donor standards.
• Represent IRC externally, advocate on program needs, and oversee communication initiatives highlighting organizational impact.
• Collaborate with Human Resources and Administration to provide adequate staffing and operational support for the program teams while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

Key Relationships

Reporting directly to the Country Director, the position supervises senior coordinators across M&E, grants, consortium partnerships, programs, and technical health and nutrition staff. Management responsibilities often follow the IRC's matrix approach involving cross-functional team collaboration. Internal coordination extends to senior management, security, supply chain, and HR units, as well as regional leadership and technical advisors.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least seven years of international humanitarian experience, including a minimum of two years overseeing emergency, post-conflict, or development initiatives.
• Proven expertise in program lifecycle management, including proposal development and delivery.
• Strong leadership skills encompassing staff oversight, multitasking, time management, and diplomatic communication.
• Exceptional presentation abilities and adeptness in advocacy and interpersonal relations.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and collaborative skills, effective within diverse multicultural teams.
• Proficiency in English is essential.

Professional Standards

All IRC employees commit to the IRC Way values of integrity, service, equality, and accountability, adhering strictly to related safeguarding, conflict of interest, fiscal integrity, and misconduct reporting policies. The organization promotes a safe working environment encouraging power sharing, critical reflection, and open dialogue to optimize service delivery.