The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
The Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) is a global open network of members working together within a humanitarian and development framework to ensure all persons the right to quality and safe education in emergencies and post-crisis recovery. INEE serves its members through several key functions: community building, convening, knowledge management, amplifying and advocating, facilitating and learning, and providing tools and resources to support its membership. The INEE Director leads INEE, a global social-impact network of over 22,000 individual members and 4,000 organizations from 190 countries. This role provides thought leadership and representation of the network in key global forums and manages a diverse, global team. In addition, the role successfully mobilizes resources and provide financial oversight of INEE’s global budget. The Director also leads the development of the network’s strategy, which outlines a long-term, bold and ambitious vision.
The Director is responsible for responsible for managing and providing strategic direction to the overall work of INEE, in consultation with the INEE Steering Group. In collaboration with Steering Group members, the Director represents INEE with key stakeholders, policy makers and international and regional bodies, ensuring advocacy, coordination, policy guidance and strategic engagement with key stakeholders to advance the right of all people to safe and quality education opportunities. This work is guided by the Strategic Priorities within the network’s Strategic Framework.
The INEE Director, who is an employee of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is responsible for developing and implementing short- and longer-term strategic plans (in line with the network’s Strategic Framework) and ensuring information-sharing across, coordination between and oversight of all INEE initiatives for coherence and harmonization. The Director provides supervision and management to INEE’s Secretariat. The INEE Secretariat is currently organized around 5 teams (with the potential for further teams) including the Data & Evidence Team, the Thematic Areas Team, the Standards & Practice Team, the Member Services Team and the Partnerships, Operations and Planning Team. This role supervises senior level staff (Team Leads). The Director is also responsible for overseeing internal and external communications and managing the network’s fundraising activities and budgeting process across donors and institutions.
Position Overview
The INEE Director provides visionary leadership in several critical capacities:
● Technical leader: INEE as a global network is supported by a Secretariat. As the leader of a dedicated group of INEE Team Leads, and technical staff, the Director brings vision, cohesion, and authentic intellectual dialogue to cultivate a strong, inclusive and collaborative culture. Opportunities to partner with and support under-represented voices in the network are prioritized. Centering equity for collective action is at the forefront of every decision and action, through thoughtful planning and implementation support for all network activities and services.
● Steward: Develop and implement strategic business development efforts to support the INEE Secretariat to deliver high quality technical assistance, implement a focused research agenda and stay ahead of relevant developments. Ensure responsible management of INEE funds, partnering with technical and finance colleagues to harmonize planning, budgeting, and reporting.
● Manager: This position proactively invests time and care in the support and development of the INEE Secretariat. This role follows through on the recruitment, engagement, and retention of a diverse team of qualified people to fulfill the networks functions in support of the wider membership and sector.
● Thought leadership, policy dialogue and advocacy: As the most senior Secretariat member, this role regularly communicates the needs and priorities of INEE members to donors; participates in high level policy and practice forums; and advocates for appropriate policy and practice shifts with donors, implementing agencies, and government counterparts.
Essential job functions
● Develop and implement short- and long-term priorities as outlined in INEE’s Strategic Framework
● Ensure information-sharing across, coordination between and oversight of all INEE initiatives and activities
● Represent the INEE network and strategically engage as a technical expert and global advocate on behalf of education in emergencies
● Oversee Internal and External Communications
● Manage and Supervise the INEE Secretariat (up to 30 staff, including and not limited to direct line management of 5 senior professionals and a Secretariat numbering 30 professionals
● Manage and provide oversight of all of INEE’s fundraising activities and budgeting processes.
Requirements
● An advanced university degree (Masters or above) in a relevant field: education, international affairs or political science.
● Minimum 15 years directly relevant professional experience.
● Excellent diplomacy and interpersonal communication skills and proven networking and facilitation skills working with multiple stakeholders, including UN agencies, donors, local communities, NGOs and governments.
● Experience and understanding of organizing for collective impact and network principles.
● Excellent knowledge and solid understanding of the INEE network, including its past and current initiatives and processes, the field of education in emergencies and the humanitarian community.
● Expert advocacy and public speaking skills as well as editing and writing skills with a focus on leveraging lessons learnt to improve policy and programming.
● Experience effectively leading, managing and supervising staff and working well under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
● Excellent organizational and coordination skills, including experience managing multiple complex projects and deadlines involving different partners.
● Experience in maintaining and growing donor relations as well as in cross-organisational budgeting and financial reporting.
● Excellent writing, editing and spoken English skills. Working knowledge of French, Spanish or Arabic is highly desirable.
Working Environment: Travel up to 25% of time. Preferably based in Geneva, or one of IRC’s international hubs in New York, Geneva, or Nairobi. Other IRC locations may be possible.
Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.
US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12-month time period.
**Standard of Professional Conduct:**The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.
