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.

The Operations Specialist will report directly to the Operations Supervisor and collaborate closely with the Development Coordinator and Resettlement Manager. This role is responsible for the collection, management, and distribution of in-kind resources to refugee and immigrant populations resettled by the IRC, as well as other eligible clients. Key responsibilities include maintaining storage facilities, supporting procurement activities, and ensuring accurate recordkeeping and compliance with reporting requirements.

Major Responsibilities:

• Manage the on- and off-site storage of household goods and personal effects intended for distribution to IRC clients. Label, organize, and track items, and ensure storage facilities are well-secured, clean, and properly maintained. Carry out physical inventory counts as needed, recording timely and accurate data within IRC’s data management systems.

• Coordinate the daily operations of donation storage areas by stocking and supporting the distribution of in-kind goods in an organized manner. Observe correct stacking and turnover by implementing (FIFO or FEFO) procedures. Collaborate with colleagues and members of the community to safely load, unload, and disburse goods in strict accordance with IRC and donor requirements.

• Ensure accurate recordkeeping to account for and track incoming and outgoing inventory by preparing forms and maintaining thorough records within IRC’s data management systems. Provide accurate and up-to-date digital and physical inventory records for regular reporting purposes.

• Support procurement efforts by managing supply lists and tracking and communicating market prices. Inform management team of inventory-related needs.

• Required to follow up on all open items with Staff in a timely manner.

• Order supplies, equipment etc. in accordance with supply chain and financial compliance guidelines and coordinate servicing and repairs as needed.

• Manage and maintain digital and physical files.

• Support office inventory needs, including cash-in-kind (CIK), via day-to-day storage, tracking, and reporting.

• Support vendor billing/invoices in partnership with Finance team.

• Use personal, insured vehicles, IRC vehicles, and/or public transportation (where available) to travel and transport materials as needed throughout the service delivery area.

• May train and lead the activities of volunteers, interns and staff.

• Serves as back-up to Front Desk Reception, covering staff lunch hour and on an as needed basis.

• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Work Experience:

• Undergraduate degree or combination of related education and experience may be substituted.

• 2+ years of related experience; preferably in a not-for-profit or other social services environment.

• Strong relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships.

• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.

• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.

• Attention to detail and accuracy in work product.

• Proficient in English, both spoken and written; proficiency in language(s) spoken by client group is desired.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research, and problem-solving purposes.

• Ability to lift 35+ lbs. safely.

• Valid driver’s license: current insurance and access to reliable vehicle and willingness to use it in performance of job duties

Working Environment:

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.

• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

**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 requirement.

**US Benefits:**We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $120 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

**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.

How to apply

https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/job/req54528/Operations-Specialist

Organization

 

  • International Rescue Committee

 

 

Posted

 

 

 

Closing date

 

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.

More than 12 years since the Syrian crisis began, 15.3 million people inside Syria – more than 70% of the country’s population – are currently in need of humanitarian assistance. Syria continues to suffer from insecurity, active conflict, and a spiraling economic crisis that are all deepening humanitarian needs across the country. Basic goods, including food, are increasingly unaffordable as currency depreciation and inflation drive up their price. Economic and climatic threats are further undermining the country’s capacity to cope with new shocks. While the highest levels of conflict in the past four years threaten to drive needs still higher.

The IRC has been working in Syria since 2012 in the northwest and northeast of the country. With more than 1,200 staff our response is delivered both directly and through local partner organizations with a focus on health, protection, early childhood development and economic recovery. In 2022 the IRC and its partners supported more than 1.1 million people inside Syria. Beyond direct program implementation, the IRC also makes a significant contribution to policy, advocacy and coordination across the Syria response. The IRC Syria Country Director sits on the Humanitarian Country Team for Turkiye and the Syria Strategic Steering Group, as well as being a board member for the Syria INGO Regional Forum (SIRF). The Syria PAC Director role sits on the SIRF Policy and Advocacy Working Group to support sector wide advocacy efforts, as well as the advocacy working groups for the northeast and northwest forums.

Job Overview/Summary

In collaboration with the Syria Country Director, and the Regional Policy, Advocacy and Communication (PAC) Director, the Syria Policy, Advocacy and Communications Director is responsible for leading IRC Syria’s PAC work, including the implementation and continued revision of the IRC Syria PAC Strategy and for developing briefings, key messages, talking points and other advocacy materials to influence decision makers to deliver meaningful change for Syrians in need. This role supervises IRC Syria’s Communications Manager, ensuring that communications is integrated and aligned with advocacy and policy objectives. The Syria PAC Director serves as a member of the IRC Syria Senior Management Team to ensure a strategic approach to advocacy engagement and contributing to the strategic direction of IRC’s work in country. He/she will work closely with the IRC’s MENA Regional PAC team, as well as policy and advocacy colleagues in the U.S and Europe, to ensure that advocacy opportunities are leveraged across the national, regional and global levels.

Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the Syria Country Director and the Regional Director of Policy, Advocacy & Communications, implement the IRC’s Syria PAC Strategy and policy priorities; lead strategy learning and revision in the field and advise and support colleagues in global capitals in implementing Syria related policy with targets in London, Brussels, DC/NY, and the region.

• Serve as a member of the IRC Syria Senior Management Team to ensure a strategic approach to advocacy engagement and contributing to the strategic direction of IRC’s work in country.

• Produce high quality public and private policy and advocacy materials including talking points, letters, briefing notes, position papers, and advocacy reports.

• Regularly liaise with relevant in-country stakeholders on issues of concern, including UN, donor representatives, diplomatic missions, and peer agencies, and grow the IRC’s bilateral relationships with key counterparts.

• Promote a principled approach to advocacy and communications among relevant internal stakeholders and ensure that external messaging is evidence-based and driven by field realities.

• In conjunction with country program staff and the regional PAC team, closely monitor humanitarian policy debates and media pertaining to Syria, ensuring that relevant information is analyzed and disseminated in a timely and effective manner.

• Manage the Syria PAC team including budget, staff and communications outputs. Line-management of the IRC Syria’s Communications Manager supporting the delivery of regular, timely, and high-quality communications content that highlights the needs of our clients and IRC’s successes.

• Provide analysis for Country Director and coordinate inputs from the country program for meetings, as well as key cluster meetings.

• Represent the IRC in humanitarian coordination fora, conferences, lobby meetings, and other events as requested; or provide talking points for other senior representatives, including the Country Director and Regional Vice President.

• Respond to external inquiries on policy issues, including briefing policymakers and media. Act as media spokesperson for the IRC ensuring we spotlight the issues faced by our clients and the solutions necessary to alleviate their needs.

• Provide capacity building on PAC to field staff and partners and develop the capacity of national staff to implement impactful advocacy interventions.

Required Experience/qualification/Skills:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience crafting and delivering policy and advocacy work responding to complex humanitarian crises and/or post-conflict situations;

• Experience of contributing to a Senior Management Team in a country programme setting;

• Experience in advocating on behalf of marginalized groups in conflict settings;

• Demonstrated creativity, ability to apply innovative thinking and problem-solving skills;

• Excellent analytical, presentation, communication and representation skills;

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential, with demonstrated exceptionally strong writing skills;

• Ability to navigate interpersonal and inter-departmental organizational dynamics to keep focus on goals and the delivery of strategy;

• Ability to work well in unstable security environments, and under significant administrative and programmatic pressures;

• Flexible to adapt to changing requirements;

• Culturally sensitive, able and interested in working with a multi-ethnic team;

• Strong commitment to the IRC’s mission, purpose and values;

• Must be able to work independently while being a team player;

• Advanced degree in relevant field desired;

• Middle East regional experience and Arabic language skills preferred.

• Experience with training and staff capacity building preferred;

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.

• Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development

• Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution.

• Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context.

• Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience.

• Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity.

• Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop and a sense of humor is a must.

• Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.

Language/Travel:

• English is required, while Arabic is desired.

• Travel: 20% to field sites in Turkey and Syria as well as attending regional and global workshops and meetings.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal

Position Reports to: Syria Country Director

Management in Partnership with: Regional Director of Policy, Advocacy and Communications

Position directly supervises: Syrian Communications Manager

Close collaboration with: Program Coordinators, Field Coordinators, Access and Security Coordinators, field staff, Global Advocacy and Communications Colleagues.

Key External Contacts: Public and private donor agencies, international and national NGOs, UN agencies, partner organizations, foreign governments. Advocacy Coordinators or similar in other organizations, Policy and Advocacy Working Groups.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

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.

How to apply

https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/job/req51288/Policy-Advocacy-and-Communication-Director

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