Capacity Strengthening and Program Development Officer

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 40 countries and 29 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.

This position is open for internal Ukrainian staff only

JOB OVERVIEW

Under the supervision of the Senior Manager, the Capacity Strengthening and Program Development Officer will lead the end-to-end implementation of IRC's Protection and Rule of Law capacity strengthening and program development initiatives—ranging from conceptualization and contextualization to the development and delivery of trainings, awareness sessions, workshops, conferences, and roundtables.

The Officer will also be responsible for developing supporting informational materials—both in print and digital formats—to reinforce learning outcomes and broaden the reach of PRoL activities.

In addition, the Officer will oversee knowledge management and information-sharing processes, ensuring that lessons learned and best practices are systematically captured, documented, and disseminated across all capacity-strengthening efforts.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Capacity Strengthening

Provide operational support in the conceptualization, development and implementation of the Protection and Rule of Law (PRoL) program capacity strengthening process in IRC:

In close collaboration with PRoL technical leads (Legal Affairs Manager, Case Management Manager, and Protection Monitoring and Analysis Manager), continuously develop, review and update capacity-strengthening materials and training programs to ensure they remain relevant, technically sound, and responsive to evolving programmatic needs. Updates will reflect participant feedback, field insights, and any shifts in internal or sector-wide guidance.

Lead knowledge management components of capacity development: document lessons learned, collect promising practices, and maintain knowledge products for use across programs.

Collaborate with IRC technical teams and external advisors to ensure quality, relevance, and innovation in training materials and delivery formats.

Provide operational support in the conceptualization, design, and implementation of capacity strengthening initiatives for PRoL partners and external stakeholders:

In close collaboration with PRoL technical leads and program managers, lead the full process of capacity development or strengthening for PRoL partners and relevant stakeholders—from organizational capacity assessments (OCAs) to implementation and follow-up of tailored development plans.

Design and deliver external training sessions, technical workshops, peer learning events, conferences, roundtables, and study visits for national and local stakeholders, including public institutions and civil society.

Assist partners and state institutions on national and local level etc. (where relevant) in developing or revising SOPs, internal policies, operational guidelines, strategic plans, coordination mechanisms, accountability frameworks, and service delivery protocols—emphasizing localization, inclusion, and sustainability.

Work with IRC's external experts to ensure quality and relevance of all partner-facing capacity-development materials and methods.

Monitoring & Feedback Mechanisms. Evaluate the outcomes of partner capacity-building efforts; incorporate feedback into future programming to ensure continuous learning and responsiveness.

Program Development

Work closely with PRoL team and other departments conceptualize and design high-quality, evidence-based project concept notes, one-pagers, pitch decks / slide decks, funding briefs / donor briefs proposals and initiatives aligned with organizational strategy, donor priorities, and community needs.

Conduct regular analysis of donor portfolios, priorities, and funding landscapes to identify opportunities for strategic engagement and proposal development.

Draft high-quality one-pagers and briefing notes for donors, outlining program ideas, innovations, or emerging needs.

Lead or contribute comprehensive stakeholder analysis to inform program design, partnership development, and advocacy strategies.

Maintain and regularly update stakeholder mapping and analysis tools to reflect changes in the operating context, partnerships, and donor environment.

Coordinate with PRoL team, partnerships team, and advocacy team to ensure stakeholder engagement is strategic and up to date.

Support efforts to co-develop programs with local partners, ensuring inclusion, sustainability, and alignment with the localization agenda.

Facilitate collaborative program design workshops and capacity strengthening sessions with partners and field teams.

Contribute to annual and multi-year strategic planning processes, ensuring alignment of program development with strategic goals and funding trends.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

Information sharing: Regularly share and discuss timely, accurate and relevant information in local languages with communities about: access and eligibility to service; expected staff behaviors and code of conduct; community feedback, safeguarding mechanism and how to use them.

Facilitating participation: Identify and provide communities with opportunities to participate in and guide programs – from assessment and design through to monitoring and evaluation. Talk with communities about how they would like to be involved in decision-making and discuss with management how this can be facilitated.

Feedback collection and reporting: Establish or promote the formal feedback mechanism – aligned with organizational best practice – to capture, monitor, respond to and act on feedback and complaints from communities.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education: Minimum Bachelor's Degree in Social Science, Humanitarian Work, Social Work, Human Rights or a related field is desirable or at least three years of experience with NGOs.

Language: fluent in Ukrainian. Verbal and writing skills in English are an asset.

Experience: experience in facilitating group activities, training and workshops and mentoring others.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to work in fast-paced, multitasking and stressful work
• Proven networking, team building, organizational and communication skills
• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients/beneficiaries
• Excellent communication skills
• Positive and professional attitude, including ability to lead and work well in a team setting
• High degree of flexibility and strong ability to organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail
• Computer literate, including Microsoft Word and Excel

REPORTING STRUCTURE AND TEAM COLLABORATION

Reports to the PRoL Senior Manager.

Collaborates with PRoL managers and PRoL employees in central positions, employees of other structural units at the same level.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

This role requires full-time work in the office or hybrid type of working is possible after probation period

Travel to other locations is needed up to 30% of time

Work in the matrix organization

Fast pace of working, multitasking and stressful work

The organization cares about staff and provides flexible working options (start early-finish early, start later-finish later, remote work)

IRC employees are eligible to the following benefits:

Competitive salary

Purposeful job and development opportunities

English classes and unlimited online training courses

Life Insurance

Medical insurance for staff and family members

Free psychological support to employees and their family members

30 calendar days of annual vacation with flexibility beyond the legally set minimum requirements

Up to 10 days of paid medical leave

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.