The Regional Program Delivery Advisor plays a key role in strengthening the quality and effectiveness of program delivery across the West and Central Africa Region (WACAR) for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). This position provides strategic support to country programs and multi-country project leads, ensures robust project management systems, and bridges headquarters guidance with field-level realities to enhance adaptive management and project implementation excellence.
What You'll Do
- Serve as the primary focal point for program delivery support across the region, working closely with the Regional Vice President (RVP), Deputy Regional Director (DRD), and Director of Awards Management (DAM)
- Coordinate with the Delivery Support Deputy Director at HQ to ensure regional alignment with global program delivery standards, systems, and innovations
- Champion adaptive management approaches across the region, ensuring programs remain responsive to changing contexts and emerging needs
- Provide targeted technical support to Senior Program Coordinators, Project Leads of high complex projects or projects at risk in implementing project management best practices, including PCM routines and data & performance systems
- Work with country teams to strengthen their project management capacity through assessment of staffing structures, skills gaps, use of tools, and performance routines
- Support country teams in implementing Data & Performance Routines for large-scale/complex projects, including quarterly status monitoring and bi-annual HQ PIMs
- Provide hands-on advice, convene learning workshops, and direct mentorship to country program teams on adaptive project management approaches
- Help country teams analyze and use data for learning and adapting, particularly through Project Cycle Management (PCM) routines
- In collaboration with regional functional leads, support country program teams (re)structuring discussions to optimize delivery capacity and effectiveness
- Foster a culture of learning, accountability, and continuous improvement among project leadership
- Participate in / be member of Project Steering Committees for any high value / highly complex / sub-regional award
- Collaborate with the Regional Finance Director and regional finance team to ensure strong financial management across priority projects
- Support project teams in addressing financial risks, by close monitoring of financial performance and implementing corrective actions together with regional finance team
- Participate in Regional Finance Reviews, providing program delivery perspectives on financial performance
- Work with awards management and finance teams to streamline financial processes and resolve implementation challenges
- Design and pilot innovative project management approaches, tools, and systems in coordination with HQ Program Delivery team
- Lead pilot initiatives on adaptive management practices, partnership approaches, and delivery models
- Document and share lessons learned from pilots to inform regional and global rollout
- Support the uptake of Project Learning Meetings (PLM) as part of wider PCM approach, identifying barriers and opportunities to expand good practice
- Work closely with Regional Technical Leads across all technical sectors to ensure technical quality and program delivery excellence are mutually reinforcing
- Facilitate coordination between project management systems and technical quality assurance processes
- Support integration of technical expertise and lessons learned into project design, implementation, and learning processes
- Participate in Regional Program Quality Reviews and other technical coordination mechanisms as appropriate and requested
- Ensure priority projects maintain quarterly status updates using standardized templates and dashboards (OTIS Portfolio Dashboard, Program Indicator Dashboard)
- Facilitate embedded priority project updates in Regional Finance Reviews, Regional Roundtables, Regional Leadership Team meetings, and Regional Program Quality Reviews
- Monitor operational, financial, reputational, and strategic risks across priority projects, escalating concerns as needed
- Support preparation of quarterly reports for HQ-level Project Implementation Meetings (PIMs) for strategic projects
- Develop and deliver training programs for regional and country teams on good/adaptive project management practices
- Enhance existing training packages and guidance on strategy development and project cycle processes with adaptive management lens
- Identify capacity gaps in project management skills and develop targeted interventions
- Create and maintain guidance materials on organizational design for optimal delivery
- Build capacity of country teams in data analysis, performance monitoring, and evidence-based decision-making
- Foster a regional community of practice on project management excellence
What We're Looking For
- Master's Degree in a relevant field
- Minimum 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience within the humanitarian and/or development sector, including significant experience working at the regional level
- Demonstrated expertise in project management best practices, including Project Cycle Management, adaptive management approaches, and data-driven decision-making
- Strong experience in program delivery support, including systems strengthening, capacity building, and quality assurance
- Experience working with financial management systems, budget monitoring, and donor compliance requirements
- Strong experience providing technical capacity building support to frontline implementation teams
- Proven experience developing and delivering training programs and guidance materials
- Demonstrated ability to lead collaborative initiatives with stakeholders from various departments and levels
- Strong analytical skills with ability to use data for performance management and strategic decision-making
- Experience with program monitoring systems and dashboards (OTIS, Power BI, or similar platforms preferred)
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively manage multiple stakeholder relationships in a multicultural environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French, with ability to develop clear, accessible communications materials
- Ability to work productively and accurately under pressure in a fast-paced, demanding environment
- Flexible work attitude, with ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality work
- Ability to travel within the region (up to 20-30%)
Technical Stack
- OTIS
- Power BI
- Program Indicator Dashboard
- OTIS Portfolio Dashboard
Team & Environment
Reports to WACAR Deputy Regional Director (DRD); dotted line to Senior Program Coordinators and Delivery Support Deputy Director at HQ level; works closely with Director of Awards Management, Regional Technical Leads, RPAS team, Regional Finance Director and regional finance team, Country Program leadership, HQ Program Delivery team, Technical Excellence teams, and Emergencies Unit
Benefits & Compensation
- Opportunity to work with one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations
- Work in a multicultural environment with diverse teams across multiple countries
- Professional development through training and capacity building
- Participation in innovative pilot initiatives and adaptive management practices
- Access to global systems, standards, and innovations in program delivery
- Contribution to lasting impact in restoring safety, dignity, and hope to millions affected by conflict and disaster
- Support for travel within the region (up to 20-30%)
- Commitment to safeguarding, equality, integrity, service, and accountability
- Environment that promotes critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity
Work Mode
Local country position with presence in one of the following: Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, CAR, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Niger, Nigeria. Up to 20-30% travel within the region required.
All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation.
