Back Knowledge, Learning and Development Officer, Human Leadership

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.

Background

The Humanitarian Action section of the Emergency and Humanitarian Action Unit (EHAU) is implementing a project to support and strengthen humanitarian leadership at the IRC, funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). The first year of the project defined humanitarian leadership through a synthesis of a literature review and field-oriented action learning groups with country directors, field coordinators and other humanitarian leaders across IRC functions and teams. The second year of the project, June 2024 to May 2025, will take the definition of humanitarian leadership for the IRC and roll it out across multiple channels to strengthen and support its practice. For example, these channels may include learning and development programs, peer-to-peer exchanges, mentoring and coaching, training, and practical action in selected country programs. Finally, we will review the success of the project and chart a path forward to sustain high-performing humanitarian leadership at the IRC.

Job Role

This role will support both general and technical knowledge, learning and development activities in support of humanitarian leadership capacity development. This includes technical writing, instructional design and facilitation of peer-to-peer and instructional learning activities for humanitarian leadership and related competencies, including access and negotiation. The role will also support business and administrative aspects of the project such as grant management and donor engagement to ensure effective and timely delivery.

Responsibilities

The core responsibilities and deliverables, subject to iteration, are:

• Support the Project Lead, Humanitarian Leadership in mapping existing and new learning pathways for humanitarian leadership and in the design, development and production of training, learning and instructional materials.

• Support the Project Lead, Humanitarian Leadership in working with subject matter experts and developing and facilitating peer-to-peer and instructional learning activities for the humanitarian leadership concept, principles and practices.

• Support the Humanitarian Access and Negotiation team to revise and update instructional material and practical guidance for humanitarian access to include leadership-specific elements and including engagement with armed actors, negotiation and other technical competencies as agreed.

• Lead on facilitation, documentation and follow up of key peer-to-peer learning activities for humanitarian issues raised by management and leadership teams in IRC country programs, including cross-border operations, humanitarian notification, peace operation drawdowns, engaging armed actors and risk sharing with partners.

• Support grant management and donor relations as requested.

• Support stakeholder engagement, consultant contributors and communications related to the project.

• Additional duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

**• Position Reports to:**Project Lead, Humanitarian Leadership.

**• Position Directly Supervises:**Internal/external contributors if/as assigned.

• Key Internal Stakeholders: IRC’s Learning & Development team, Humanitarian Access advisors, EHAU P&C team, IRC Country Programs, Global Safety and Security.

Competencies

• Proven knowledge of adult learning and development methods and approaches.

• Excellent technical writing and instructional design skills across multiple competencies.

• Deep cultural sensitivity and understanding of how to design for users with varying contextual needs and across multiple stakeholders.

• Excellent facilitation and project/product management skills.

• Sound understanding of instructional learning, user-centred design and (online) peer-to-peer approaches.

• Ability to effectively engage and utilise subject matter experts and external consultants and advisors as needed.

• Knowledge and experience of IRC’s people & culture, learning and development and program delivery structures and approaches.

• Ability to work independently and with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams across different time zones.

• Knowledge of humanitarian leadership competencies in a complex organization is a plus.

• English fluency required, knowledge of French, Arabic or Spanish preferred.

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.

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.