Job Openings at International Rescue Committee

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Innovation

• Lead the evolution from MEAL to METAL, embedding technology and innovation at the core of IRC Kenya’s evidence and learning systems.
• Ensure the country program’s measurement and learning agenda aligns with IRC’s Strategy100 and Kenya’s Strategic Action Plan (SAP).
• Champion the use of data-driven and technology-enabled decision-making, ensuring that insights from data are translated into adaptive programming.
• Champion client centered design approaches into our sectoral strategies and critical proposals
• Lead and enhance outcome level analysis for the purposes of evidence driven programming throughout the strategic plan cycle
• Lead independent research, learning and evaluation to position IRC as a thought leader in its core sectors
• Cultivate and manage strategic research and learning partnerships with universities, research institutions, and innovation labs to enhance evidence generation and thought leadership.
• Represent IRC Kenya in national and regional research, M&E, and innovation forums.
• Embed client accountability, inclusivity, and data ethics across all technology and learning initiatives.

Technological Leadership and Data Systems

• Lead the design and deployment of digital data systems and ensure interoperability across programs and platforms.
• Promote advanced analytics and data visualization (using Power BI, Tableau, and GIS) to strengthen strategic insights, outcome-level analysis, and operational efficiency.
• Integrate AI and automation tools into data collection, cleaning, and interpretation processes where appropriate and ethical.
• Oversee data quality assurance and lead data audits to ensure validity, reliability, and compliance with IRC standards.
• Strengthen the use of digital feedback and client-responsive systems to ensure accountability and real-time program adaptation.

Research, Evidence, and Learning

• Lead the country program’s research and learning agenda, ensuring all studies and evaluations meet high methodological standards.
• Commission and manage independent and collaborative studies that assess program outcomes and explore emerging humanitarian and development questions.
• Translate research and evaluation findings into strategic recommendations, publications, and advocacy products.
• Facilitate learning events, brown-bag discussions, and peer-to-peer exchanges to ensure knowledge sharing and institutional learning.
• Ensure evidence is systematically used to inform proposal development, strategy updates, and innovation design.

Capacity Strengthening and Team Leadership

• Provide strategic direction and mentorship to the national MEAL teams, fostering a culture of curiosity, innovation, and excellence.
• Conduct regular capacity assessments and develop learning pathways for IRC and partner MEAL staff.
• Build technical capacity in digital data systems, statistical analysis, AI-supported analytics, and visualization.
• Lead recruitment, supervision, and professional development of METAL team members, ensuring a diverse and high-performing unit.

Key Working Relationships

• Reports to: Deputy Director for Grants and Accountability (DDGA)
• Direct Supervision: MEAL Technology Manager, Client Responsiveness Manager
• Internal: Program Coordinators and Managers, Regional Measurement Advisors, Grants, Finance, and Technical Coordinators
• External: Universities, research institutions, government counterparts, partner NGOs, and innovation collaborators

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree in data science, statistics, public health, social sciences, information systems, or a related field.
• Minimum 6–8 years of experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning in humanitarian or development contexts, including at least 3 years in a leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated experience in research design, implementation, and dissemination, including collaboration with academic or research institutions.
• Proven expertise in data management systems, mobile data collection platforms (CommCare, ODK), and data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau).
• Understanding and experience with AI, machine learning, or digital transformation tools applied to M&E, learning, or operational efficiency is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of client accountability mechanisms and participatory approaches.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and leadership skills, with the ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and cross-sector collaboration.
• Ability and willingness to travel to field locations as needed.
• Fluency in English required; Kiswahili proficiency is an asset.

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Major Responsibilities

• Lead the P&C Operations unit, overseeing global processes and systems that support employees, managers, and P&C teams throughout the employee lifecycle. The unit includes HR Operations, P&C Operations Transformation & Digital Delivery, and Global Contracts, ensuring data integrity, compliance, and efficient operational delivery across all employment activities.
• Align IRC’s Strategy 100 priorities with P&C processes and systems to create a multi-facet global workforce support strategy that enhances process efficiency, ensures data security, and positions the organization for future trends, including global HRIS implementation and long-term solutions
• Partner in the strategic planning, deployment, and optimization of Workday across global offices, ensuring seamless integration to support P&C operations and strategic goals.
• Accelerate the transition to a scalable P&C Shared Services model, designing and deploying a multi-functional approach that provides operational and system support throughout the employee lifecycle, ensuring effective change management and sustained adoption at global and regional levels.
• Ensure exceptional client service and resolution of P&C inquiries and issues, implementing strategies to enhance service quality, reduce response times, and deliver a positive employee experience through efficient service and solution management.
• Lead, empower and mentor a highly diverse team of direct reports, including communicating clear expectations, co-creating performance objectives, providing regular and timely constructive performance feedback, and supporting their overall well-being and professional aspirations.
• Partner with IT to ensure confidentiality, security, and compliance of sensitive workforce data, adhering to IRC system, data and security architecture and standards.
• Partner with the P&C Technology team in the identification, selection, and management of P&C technology vendors and solutions, ensuring alignment between operational processes and technology strategies to drive automation, efficiency, and scalability across global P&C systems. 

Key Working Relationships

• Position Reports to:  Chief People & Culture Officer
• Direct Reports: approximately 17 staff on the Global P&C Operations Teams
• Position works in collaboration with: IT, Finance, Global P&C Partners, P&C Global Practices, and key external partners

Job Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of experience in HR operations across key systems administration functions such as compensation, benefits, and payroll, combined with demonstrated expertise in business systems operations, process optimization, data management, project leadership, and strategic communication.
• At least 5 years of leadership experience managing large, cross-functional teams within matrixed, global, complex environments.
• Experience leading successful global deployment and integration of Workday in a 1000+ user environment, optimizing HR operations and aligning with strategic goals across international offices.
• Substantial experience in shared services and Workday
• Excellent management and leadership skills including coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Ability to work, manage, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment; exceptional problem solving and decision-making skills needed.
• Superb inter-personal, written, and verbal communication skills with ability to collaborate across countries, cultures, and departments required.
• Must possess a highly collaborative, inclusive, consultative, and resourceful workstyle that balances required compliance/policy enforcement with a steadfast commitment to client service and support.
• The ability to communicate at all levels of an organization in relevant, non-technical language.