Title:  Deployment Program Manager

Reports To:  Director of International Programs / Geneva Representative

Location:  Cambridge, MA

Classification:  Full time, salaried (exempt)

Purpose of Position

The Deployment Program Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of the Agency’s deployment program. At present, the program includes privately-funded deployments and deployments funded under agreement with UNHCR. Staff are recruited and deployed according to identified needs and opportunities in content areas including: resettlement, child protection, complementary pathways, refugee self-reliance, and other areas. Placement of deployed staff may be at global, regional, national and/or local levels.

In this role, the Deployment Program Manager represents the Agency with UNHCR and other partners. The Manager is responsible for supervising members of the project team and all activities related to planning, implementation, and monitoring/evaluating. This also includes logistical, financial, and administrative oversight.

To ensure adherence with Agency standards and practice, the Deployment Program Manager will work closely with designated leaders working in functional units of RefugePoint across multiple locations (Cambridge, Nairobi, Geneva, and other). These units include: fundraising, communications, finance and administration, and monitoring and evaluation.

The position is based in Cambridge, with travel to Nairobi and Geneva, as well as occasional travel to other international locations. The Manager works with and supervises others on a team, currently including various portions of the Program Officer (in Cambridge) and the Senior Coordinator, Resettlement, and the Senior Manager, HR & Regional Programs (both in Nairobi).

Primary Areas of Responsibility

1. Managing the deployment program:

• In collaboration with UNHCR and other partners, manages the Agency’s annual deployment program, including budgeting, setting targets, monitoring and evaluating outcomes, tracking expenditures versus the budget, reporting, and more.
• Supervises designated staff within the Agency to ensure effective implementation of the deployment program, with particular attention to staffing, onboarding, logistics, data management, reporting, professional development, and maintaining staff welfare and security.  Continuously reviews, maintains, and improves program management systems.
• With direction from the Director of Finance and Administration, ensures an effective recruiting system for program staff, including comprehensive training, orientation, and onboarding.
• Ensures smooth logistical coordination with UNHCR and other partners.
• Leads efforts to develop and maintain effective, efficient data management systems, both for human resources related to the deployment program and also for tracking program outcomes.
• Ensures the completion of timely, accurate program narrative and financial reports both internally and for donors and other stakeholders as required.
• Promotes a sense of connectivity and professional development amongst program staff, as well as a sense of connection between program staff and others within the Agency.
• In coordination with the Director of Finance and Administration, ensures that effective systems are in place at all times to monitor the welfare and security of program staff and respond to any emergencies or other security concerns as they arise.
• In coordination with the Senior Program Officer for Wellbeing and Mental Health, ensures appropriate measures are taken to equip and train deployed staff on self-care and wellbeing.
• Conducts visits to project sites as needed, to ensure effective implementation of program activities.
• In conjunction with others within the Agency, ensures that all contractual requirements are met.  Maintains operational and administrative policies for program staff by developing appropriate handbooks, standard operating procedures, and other guiding documents.  Continuously monitors operational budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and optimal use of resources.
• Engages in regular assessment activities and closely monitors gaps in refugee resettlement systems in order to strengthen the Agency’s advocacy and propose ways to meet emerging needs.
• Supports a culture of learning and dissemination of learning, striving to maximize collaboration for increased impact.
• Ensures, to the greatest degree possible, that the deployment program reflects the Agency’s mission, vision, and values, including that the deployments programs reporting structure remains synced to the Agency’s overall goals and dashboard.
• Ensures the overall high quality and ethical standards of the programs.

2. Representing RefugePoint with partners:

• Develops and maintains strong relationships with partners, including UNHCR, States, and other NGOs.
• On occasion, presents on the Agency’s work at various events such as the UNHCR NGO Consultations, the Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement, and others.
• Ensures the highest quality of written and verbal communication in all interactions with external stakeholders.

3. Liaising and coordinating with all functional units of RefugePoint both at HQ, in Nairobi, and elsewhere:

• Ensure that reporting from the deployment program feeds into the Agency’s senior management discussions.
• As requested and appropriate, contributes to the execution of the Agency’s fundraising, communications, and advocacy initiatives.
• Participates in RefugePoint board meetings and other internal fora as requested.

Qualifications

• University degree in a related field and at least 5 years of refugee-related work experience.
• At least two of the following (and preferably all four):
  • 2 years of experience in a deployment program or other similar secondment program, ideally with UNHCR.
  • 2 years of professional international experience in a refugee-related setting.
  • 2 years of professional supervisory experience.
  • 2 years of refugee resettlement experience.
• Experience managing UN implementing partner agreements desired, including all aspects of project management (recruiting, hiring, training, budgeting, financial tracking, reporting, logistics, monitoring and evaluation, etc.).
• Significant familiarity with UNHCR and its policies and procedures for partners.
• Commitment to RefugePoint’s mission of providing lasting solutions to the world’s most vulnerable refugees.
• Excellent diplomatic and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent English language communication skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening)
• Experience working with refugees in Africa preferred.