Coordinator – Innovation Implementation job at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is hiring a Coordinator – Innovation Implementation responsible for day-to-day operational execution of innovations at the country level. This role ensures that innovations move smoothly from design into implementation—on time, on budget, and in full compliance with organizational and donor requirements.

This is a hands-on role for an experienced operator who understands how country programs work and can manage the many small but critical details that determine whether work succeeds in practice.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Country-Level Execution: Coordinate implementation of priority innovations with country programs, ensuring clarity on roles, timelines, and expectations. Serve as the primary operational point of contact between innovation teams and country offices. Identify key operational relationships to drive progress in dynamic programmatic environments.
• Grant & Budget Management: Track country-level budgets and expenditures for innovation grants, ensuring funds are spent appropriately and in line with approved budgets and donor requirements.
• Operational Readiness & Compliance: Ensure all required documentation, approvals, contracts, and compliance processes are in place prior to and during implementation (e.g., MOUs, sub-awards, procurement, ethics or regulatory approvals, reporting requirements).
• Implementation Planning & Coordination: Support the development of practical implementation plans, aligning technical requirements with country capacities, systems, and calendars.
• Problem Solving & Troubleshooting: Identify operational bottlenecks or risks early and work with country and HQ teams to resolve issues quickly and pragmatically.
•  Communication & Alignment: Maintain regular communication with country leadership, technical teams, and HQ stakeholders to ensure shared understanding and smooth execution.
• Monitoring & Reporting Support: Support country teams in tracking implementation progress and contributing to timely, accurate reporting to donors and internal stakeholders.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Strong experience (3-6 years) in country-level program management within humanitarian or development organizations, including experience in senior roles such as Deputy Director of Programs, Senior Program Manager, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of country office operations, including grants management, compliance, procurement, and reporting. Able to execute projects and ensure streamlined delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives and keep many moving pieces aligned.
• Practical, solution-oriented mindset with a strong bias toward execution.
• Excellent organizational and  communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across HQ and country teams.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to country programs.

• Coordinate implementation of priority innovations with country programs, ensuring clarity on roles, timelines, and expectations. Serve as the primary operational point of contact between innovation teams and country offices. Identify key operational relationships to drive progress in dynamic programmatic environments.
• Track country-level budgets and expenditures for innovation grants, ensuring funds are spent appropriately and in line with approved budgets and donor requirements.
• Ensure all required documentation, approvals, contracts, and compliance processes are in place prior to and during implementation (e.g., MOUs, sub-awards, procurement, ethics or regulatory approvals, reporting requirements).
• Support the development of practical implementation plans, aligning technical requirements with country capacities, systems, and calendars.
• Identify operational bottlenecks or risks early and work with country and HQ teams to resolve issues quickly and pragmatically.
• Maintain regular communication with country leadership, technical teams, and HQ stakeholders to ensure shared understanding and smooth execution.
• Support country teams in tracking implementation progress and contributing to timely, accurate reporting to donors and internal stakeholders.

• Strong understanding of country office operations, including grants management, compliance, procurement, and reporting.
• Able to execute projects and ensure streamlined delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives and keep many moving pieces aligned.
• Practical, solution-oriented mindset with a strong bias toward execution.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across HQ and country teams.

• Strong experience (3-6 years) in country-level program management within humanitarian or development organizations, including experience in senior roles such as Deputy Director of Programs, Senior Program Manager, or equivalent.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to country programs.