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 40 countries and 29 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.
Sudan is facing one of the most complex and devastating humanitarian crises in the world today and has remained at the top of IRCโs watchlist for two consecutive years. Since the outbreak of war in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the country has spiraled into relentless violence, institutional collapse, and mass displacement. Despite multiple ceasefire announcements, violence has continued for nearly two and a half years, displacing over 12 million people across all 18 states.
The crisis has devastated health services nationwide with over 70% of health facilities are non-functional or overwhelmed, and 30.4 million people now require humanitarian assistance. Around 25 million people face acute food insecurity, including 770,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Damage to health infrastructure, supply shortages, and restricted humanitarian access continue to severely hinder the response.
In response to increasing needs, the IRC has scaled up its humanitarian efforts despite immense challenges. We are supporting Sudanese communities, both within the country and across national borders and now seeking a senior-level Country Director to lead this operation.
Scope of Work
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is seeking two Directors - East & West to provide strategic and operational leadership for our programs in East Sudan and West Sudan. Each Director will be the most senior IRC leader based in their respective location, responsible for driving quality program delivery, operational excellence, and engagement with local authorities. They will ensure alignment with the Country Directorโs overall vision for programming in Sudan as well as with IRCโs organizational strategy, while also playing a leading role in the development and execution of the emerging OneSudan strategy, which will be shaped with their input.
As IRC transitions from an emergency response to a full country program, the Directors - East & West will play a critical role in guiding this evolution. Each Director will be accountable for the success of their designated region and jointly responsible for the overall success of IRCโs Sudan country program response. Within their regions, the Directors will oversee the coordination and implementation of programming, manage resources effectively, and represent IRC with local government officials, civil society, and other key stakeholders.
Success in this role requires a strategic and resilient leader with strong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building, empowering, and motivating teams in complex, insecure, and high-pressure environments. The ideal candidate will bring sharp analytical skills to assess and respond to shifting geopolitical dynamics, a collaborative mindset to build strong partnerships, and a commitment to operational excellence and compliance. They will be expected to guide senior managers, ensure the delivery of high-impact programs, and maintain rigorous financial and grant management systems.
This position reports to the Sudan Country Director and works closely with the Senior Management Team, the East Africa Deputy Regional Director, and regional support teams.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Representation
โข Provide leadership and strategic oversight for IRCโs programs in East or West Sudan, ensuring effective mobilization and stewardship of resources, delivery of high-impact programming with strong inbuilt accountability and performance management systems.
โข Represent IRC with donors, government officials, civil society, and humanitarian actors in East and West programs, advocating for IRCโs mission and ensuring strong visibility and influence in coordination platforms as delegated by the Country Director.
โข Participate actively in country program management, coordination, and strategy meetings with other members of the senior management team.
โข Remain abreast of ongoing humanitarian response and funding trends in the region and provide regular updates on these trends and analysis of how they may affect IRC programming in the short and long term.
โข Actively liaise with IRC counterparts in the East Africa Region (CDโs) and the regional team to maximize synergies and application of best practice across the region.
โข Serve as the primary delegate of the Country Director within your designated region, assuming high-level representation responsibilities and contributing to national-level leadership as needed.
Program Delivery & Quality
โข In line with the CDโs strategic direction and vision, lead the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programs to ensure high-quality delivery aligned with strategic objectives and donor commitments.
โข Act as a champion for the Strategic Action Plan (SAP), ensure that all operations and program activities are oriented towards meeting SAP objectives, and participate fully in SAP reporting and revisions. Represent the IRC alongside the leadership of partner organizations, as agreed upon with the Country Director.
โข Oversee program integration and coherence across sectors to achieve maximum impact.
โข Ensure compliance with internal policies, external regulations, and contractual obligations.
โข Foster innovation and adaptive programming based on context analysis and client feedback.
โข Support donor engagement strategies, including proposal development, reporting, and relationship management.
โข Build and maintain partnerships that enhance program reach, quality, and sustainability.
Safety and Security Management
โข Take primary responsibility for overall management of safety and security for the country program within their designate areas, including appropriate responses to emergency situations as they arise.
โข Oversee the management of all safety and security issues, ensuring a proactive approach to incident prevention, preparedness, and response.
โข Maintain a strong culture of safety and security throughout the country program, including regular trainings and briefings to prepare staff for potential threats and incidents.
โข Keep security, evacuation, and contingency plans up to date, relevant, and accessible to all country program staff.
โข Escalate safety and security concerns and evolving issues that could adversely affect IRC staff or operations directly to the Country Director, while maintaining close coordination and communication with the Country Safety and Security Coordinator.
Operational Oversight
โข In working in close collaboration with MT leads, Finance, Supply Chain, HR, IT, Safety & Security) provide operational support and ensure they enable and support program delivery.
โข Ensure operational systems, policies, and procedures are efficient, cost-effective, and fit-for-purpose.
โข Monitor budget implementation in coordination with Finance, ensuring alignment with approved plans and donor requirements.
โข Oversee risk management, compliance, and internal control systems to safeguard organizational resources.
Safeguarding
โข Dedicate and facilitate a bi-annual country review of Safeguarding Minimum Standards progress, barriers, enablers and culture, to plan for action and investment needed.
โข Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.
โข Hold all leaders accountable to their roles and areas of responsibilities for delivery in the Safeguarding Minimum Standards.
โข Model accountability and commitment to safeguarding all staff, partners, clients and others with whom we work; build a culture of safeguarding -- where our clients and staff trust IRC, feel safe raising concerns.
People Management
โข Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance management to senior managers under their line. Ensure the team has clear objectives and expectations
โข Champion organizational values, diversity, and inclusion in leadership and decision-making.
โข Support staff development plans to strengthen capacity for program excellence and operational effectiveness.
โข As part of a succession plan, identify, train, and develop the capability and capacity of staff to successfully transition roles and responsibilities by the end of the assignment. Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices.
Communications
โข Model and encourage active practice of the principles of the โIRC Way โ Global Standards for Professional Conductโ throughout the East or West Sudan Programs country program.
โข Maintain a healthy and empowering office environment that encourages open, honest, and productive communication among IRC staff and with partner organizations.
โข Maintain open communication with regional management staff and technical advisors, and HQ departmental staff.
Advocacy
โข Assist in developing and implementing an advocacy and communications strategy and ensure timely revisions as the context evolves.
โข Ensure that field priorities are integrated into appropriate strategy documents and plans
โข Work closely with advocacy and communications staff in Nairobi, Washington DC, New York, London, Brussels and Geneva, sharing the strategy and other information.
โข Develop advocacy messages for stakeholders and policy-makers in-country
โข Closely monitor policy debates in-country and ensure relevant information is disseminated to advocates throughout the IRC.
โข Act as IRC spokesperson on advocacy issues where appropriate and take part in relevant country and international policy/advocacy fora as guided by key stakeholders.
Acting Country Director
โข Serve as Acting Country Director during the CDโs absence, maintaining continuity of leadership, decision-making, and external representation.
Job Requirements
Education/Work Experience: A university degree in a relevant field and/or 7 years of progressively responsible international work experience, including leadership at the Country level of multi-site, multi-sectoral operations in a complex operating environment. Experience working in conflict/post-conflict or disaster response situations
Skills & Competencies
โข Strong strategic thinking, planning, and problem-solving skills.
โข Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
โข Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams and drive performance in challenging environments.
โข Solid understanding of donor compliance, operational management, and risk mitigation.
โข Experience in managing security in a complex and rapidly changing security context.
โข Proven ability to negotiate and work with partner organizations.
โข Strong budget and fiscal oversight capacities.
โข Extensive representation and fundraising success, including prior experience with European, US, and other international donors.
โข Established capacity to handle stressful situations in a healthy, constructive manner.
โข Ability to respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner, producing high-quality outcomes.
โข Prior experience of working in fragile states preferred.
Languages Required/Preferred:
โข Professional fluency in written and spoken English.
โข Arabic and local language skills are an advantage.
Key working relationships:
โข Positions report to the Country Director
Working Environment: IRCโs office in East or West Sudan Programs, with 50% local travel to field and partner project sites as security and access permit.
Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way โ our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
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