Senior Program Officer

Position description

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.

Job Overview: 

The IRC serves as “replacement designee” for Kansas, administering benefits outlined in ORR regulations through a newly created Kansas Office for Refugees (KSOR), based in Wichita. The Senior Program Officer is responsibility for maintaining program quality and ensuring client access for KSOR-funded partners in the implementation of ORR-funded Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Refugee Support Services (RSS), including set- aside programs. The Senior Program Officer supervises staff who support these activities through quality assurance activities, training, policy interpretation, monitoring, evaluation, and the provision of technical assistance. In addition, the Senior Program Officer is responsible for overseeing the design and implementation of the Wilson Fish TANF project, including supervision of the staff.  This position develops and manages relevant KSOR communication with private and public sector stakeholders.  The Officer is also responsible for facilitating connections between the program team and other departments within KSOR to ensure a streamlined approach to program-led projects and tasks.

Major Responsibilities:

Program Development:

• Lead the strategic planning and design of ORR‐funded integration programs to meet the needs of refugees in Kansas.
• Develop the KSOR Annual Outcomes Goal Plan and KSOR Annual Service Plan for submission to ORR.
• Develop content for funding applications, as appropriate.
• Contribute to the preparation and review of KSOR funding opportunities, partner plans of operations, proposed outcomes, and budgets.
• Coordinate with KSOR team to make fiscal year funding allocation decisions.
• Remain current on all federal regulations related to the program portfolio and ensure that all programs operate within corresponding federal regulations and guidelines.
• Oversee the design phase of the Wilson Fish TANF project for Kansas.

Program Monitoring, Analysis and Evaluation:

• Ensure program quality and client access to RCA and RSS (including all set-aside) programs in Kansas.
• Ensure that the RCA and RSS programs operate within federal and state regulations.
• Ensure that KSOR program activities are monitored monthly; share analysis with KSOR managers and partners on a regular basis.
• Oversee desk monitoring and quality control of sub-grantee activities.
• Actively participate in annual onsite and/or remote monitoring activities including case file review, activity and service observations, staff and client interviews, and exit meeting preparation for CMA and RSS (including all set-aside).
• Manage the KSOR client grievance process in collaboration with the Senior Partnership Officer and the Director and meet with clients to address concerns brought to KSOR related to the services received from partners.
• Collaborate with the Partnership department to ensure effective communication and resource sharing in underserved communities.

Partner Training and Capacity:

• Manage program implementation through regular, systematic review and update of procedural manuals and forms.
• Identify training needs related to the delivery of RCA and RSS programs in the state. Coordinate and facilitate training designed to improve program quality and service delivery.
• Provide technical assistance and troubleshooting related to CMA and RSS programs to partners throughout the development and life cycle of the contract.
• Meet regularly with partners to discuss progress and challenges related to meeting program goals

Reporting:

• Collect, organize, and analyze data on statistics and trends related to contract deliverables for reporting purposes and to determine the need for technical assistance to partners.
• Support the development of all program reports and take the lead in writing semi-annual report narratives.

Community Engagement:

• Participate in preparation and implementation of annual outreach plan for engaging with program- related partners.
• Develop and maintain relationships with relevant State offices and private stakeholders, staying up to date on key funding streams from federal government to state agencies.

Leadership and People Management:

• Closely coordinating with IRC’s HR department, manage recruitment, hiring and training of direct reports.
• Meet on a weekly basis with direct reports, providing coaching, feedback and learning opportunities to encourage their professional growth.

General:

• Support office-wide administrative and critical initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications

Education: 

• 4year college degree in relevant field required. Graduate degree in management, international relations or social work preferred.

Work Experience: 

• 4/5 years of experience with federal program oversight (preferably ORR programs), monitoring, compliance, and reporting. 1-2 years of prior people management experience desired.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Experience with refugee populations or other similarly vulnerable populations strongly preferred.
• Excellent diplomatic and cross‐cultural skills, with the ability to work together with a variety of stakeholders across multiple teams.
• Program development and implementation skills desired.
• Excellent analytical skills; experience analyzing and interpreting data for program development and reporting purposes.
• Self‐starter with excellent problem‐solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi‐task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); Experience with databases and applications preferred.

Language Skills:

• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Working Environment:

• Standard work environment. Expectation to travel within local community for partner meetings and events. Expectation to occasionally travel and participate in meetings throughout the state.

Compensation: 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.

Application instructions

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