TTA - Strategic Operations Coordinator, SRHR/MNH Research and Innovation

The position is remote eligible and open to candidates in other IRC registered locations (with preference for staff residing between East Africa Time Zone, UTC 3, and U.S. East Coast Time Zone, UTC-5), given the locations of the projects and staff that will be supported by this role.

The IRC’s Airbel Impact Lab designs, tests, and scales life-changing, cost-effective solutions for people affected by conflict and disaster. By applying deep technical expertise and field experience with a range of skills from the behavioral sciences, human-centered design, research, and multi-disciplinary problem-solving in humanitarian contexts, we work to develop breakthrough solutions that combine creativity and precision, flexibility and expertise, and a desire to think afresh with the experience and reputation of a large-scale implementing organization.

Job Overview:

We are seeking a TTA for 3 months (May-Jul) to serve in the role of a multifaceted and experienced Strategic Operations Lead to coordinate the operational, strategic, and financial aspects of our Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal & Newborn Health Global Research & Innovation projects. The Strategic Operations Lead will play a key role in ensuring the effective management of a diverse portfolio, valued at approximately $5 million, focused on maternal and newborn health, contraception, and abortion. This position requires a candidate with strong financial competence, business development skills, workforce planning and managerial oversight experience.

Major Responsibilities:

Financial management

Create a functional financial management system to map the financial health of the SRHR / MNH research and innovation portfolio and lead, in consultation with the SRMNH GRIP leads, the calculation and management of financial risk, such as donor timelines, burn rate, and financial cliffs. 

As management in partnership with Airbel’s grants and partnerships coordinator, oversee relevant grants managers (two anticipated), with particular attention to ensuring smooth processes of managing complex project budgets and non-traditional funding (e.g. less restricted funding sources, multiple funding sources supporting one project, staged funding where funding is allocated before the project is fully designed)

Lead on developing processes for forecasting both short-term and long-term financial resource needs / fundraising goals for two main GRIP portfolios overseen by two different leads (one on maternal and newborn health, one on contraception and abortion) and relevant country programs implicated in GRIP activities

Workforce planning/HR support

• Analyze, forecast, and plan SRMNH GRIP workforce needs and outputs, collaborating closely with relevant counterparts within or outside of the department

1. Lead workforce planning for a team of 15
2. Work with operations staff of EQUAL, a large FCDO commercial contract sitting under the GRIP portfolio, as needed to plan for shared staff
3. Lead on “go/no go” processes for new hires, including budgeting for salary allocation, assessment of financial risk, and checking on value of position
4. Support consultancies

Support on accountability, strategic vision, and team management

• Build, socialize and reinforce best practices on project and team management to a diverse and remote team, including unified use of specific software / systems as relevant
• Lead on management, and enforcement of accountability of Objectives and Key Results for the SRHR/MNH research and innovation team and use them as a performance driver for team
• Own routine team meetings to ensure teambuilding and positive information sharing
• Lead knowledge management efforts to improve information transparency and exchange within the department and across the organization

Business Development and Partnerships

• Support, as needed in consultation with Airbel, Health Unit, and AMU, active business development opportunities

Preference for:

• Understanding / technical background in public health, especially in SRHR / MNH
• Familiarity and experience with project management software tools, methodologies and standard processes, such as scrum and agile methodology