Economic recovery and development (erd) manager

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.

BACKGROUND

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity, and hope to millions uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home. IRC has worked in Jordan since 2007, and since 2012 has met the needs of Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians through integrated health, protection, economic recovery, and early childhood development programming. IRC Jordan began implementing Economic Recovery and Development (ERD) programs in 2015, with an initial focus on women-led entrepreneurship and financial literacy. To date, ERD programming has trained close to 10,000 individuals (51% women) and supported the creation of over 1,000 businesses (83% women-led). For refugees and vulnerable Jordanians, the central constraint is not the absence of economic activity, but the ability to participate in it on stable and sustainable terms. IRC Jordan's ERD programming focuses on building stable, market-linked income opportunities, financial inclusion, and skills development tied to real labor market demand, delivered with and through local and national partners to strengthen the systems clients rely on.

JOB OVERVIEW/SUMMARY

Reporting to the Head of Programs, the ERD Manager leads IRC Jordan's Economic Recovery and Development portfolio, with a strong focus on Market Systems Development (MSD), demand-driven upskilling and vocational/technical training, and systems strengthening. The ERD Manager owns day-to-day program design, quality, and delivery; drives the technical and partnership relationships that anchor the portfolio in Jordan's labor market and vocational training systems (including the Vocational Training Center, Ministry of Youth, Greater Amman Municipality, financial service providers, and private sector actors); and coordinates regularly with the Syria and Lebanon ERD teams to align approaches and share learning across the region. This is a technical leadership role for someone who can translate a systems-strengthening strategy into concrete program design, functioning market linkages, and durable partnerships, not only manage the implementation of existing activities.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Program Design, Technical Quality & Strategic Alignment: Lead the technical design and implementation of ERD programming focused on market systems development and sustainable, market-linked income opportunities for refugees and vulnerable Jordanians. Apply market systems development (MSD/M4P) principles to program design: market and value chain analysis, private sector engagement, and interventions that strengthen the functioning of markets rather than substitute for them. Design and oversee demand-driven upskilling, vocational, and technical training pathways, ensuring curricula are linked to verified labor market demand and lead to recognized certification and employment or self-employment outcomes. Ensure programming addresses access and participation, not just availability of support. Strengthening pathways such as market linkages, financial inclusion, certification, and referral, rather than delivering parallel, short-term assistance. Ensure programs meet international quality standards, IRC's Outcomes and Evidence Framework, and Safe, Inclusive, Transformative (SIT) programming requirements, including application of the GEDI marker. Work closely with technical teams to integrate ERD with other sectors, particularly for women, youth, and other groups facing intersecting barriers.
• Technical Leadership: Ensure the application of best practices and technical standards in all ERD program components Lead assessments, analysis, and market system mapping informing program design Support the integration of cross-cutting issues such as gender equity, protection, and inclusion of marginalized groups into all programs Lead and participate in cross-sectoral and cross-country conversations ensuring enabling knowledge sharing and integrated programming Coordinate regularly with the regional ERD teams to align market systems development and vocational/technical training approaches, share tools and lessons learned, and avoid duplication of technical development effort. Participate in regional ERD/livelihoods technical exchanges and communities of practice, bringing Jordan field experience into regional discussions and adapting relevant regional practice to the Jordan context. Flag opportunities for joint regional positioning or cross-border learning to the Head of Programs and relevant Technical Advisors.
• Market Systems Development, Financial Inclusion & Vocational Training: Lead or commission market assessments and labor market analyses to identify viable value chains, in-demand occupations, and entry points for market-based interventions. Strengthen financial inclusion pathways for clients, including access to formal financial services (savings, credit) through financial service providers and microfinance institutions, and seed financing to start or grow small businesses. Oversee entrepreneurial and business skills training and non-financial business assistance (mentoring, market linkages) for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women and youth. Track and report against key ERD indicators (e.g., financial literacy training completion, access to formal financial services, entrepreneurial/business skills training, non-financial business assistance to business owners), and use the data to adjust program design.
• Systems Strengthening & Institutional Partnerships: Lead IRC Jordan's technical partnership with the local organizations to jointly design market-driven vocational training linked to IRC livelihoods programming. Manage and grow the operational relationship with local strategic partners. Identify and cultivate new partnerships with private sector actors, financial service providers, and civil society organizations that expand market access and financial inclusion for clients. Support the country program's broader localization commitments.
• Grant & Financial Management: Own budget management and compliance for the ERD portfolio, including the operating budget and grant-specific budgets, spending plans, and monitoring of budget versus actuals through implementation and close-out. Contribute to the design of new ERD proposals, including programmatic budgets, narratives, logframes, and technical components, in coordination with the Head of Programs and Grants team. Ensure timely, high-quality internal and donor reporting on ERD grant activities, indicators, and achievements. Coordinate with Supply Chain, Finance, and Grants to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures.
• Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development: Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of ERD team members in market systems development and vocational training competencies (e.g., market assessment, private sector engagement, vocational curriculum design). Coach, train, and mentor direct-report staff: set clear performance objectives, hold regular one-to-one meetings, and provide documented semi-annual performance reviews. Ensure ERD staff work plans and deliverables are on track, and address performance issues promptly and in line with National Staff Employment Policies. Promote a collaborative team culture and model healthy work-life balance practices.
• Advocacy, Coordination & Representation: Represent IRC Jordan's ERD program in the Livelihoods Working Group and other relevant coordination forums, sharing technical developments and learning on market systems approaches. Develop and maintain working relationships with government departments, UN agencies, NGOs, and private sector actors relevant to ERD. Identify advocacy opportunities on systemic barriers to economic participation, in coordination with the Head of Programs and country leadership.
• Other: Other relevant duties as assigned by the supervisor to further IRC Jordan's ERD and broader country program objectives.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

University degree in economics, business, international development, social sciences, or a related field; advanced degree valued but not required. At least 5 years of relevant experience in the humanitarian or development sector, with demonstrated technical grounding in market systems development (MSD/M4P), livelihoods, or private sector engagement approaches; managerial experience required. Demonstrated experience designing or overseeing vocational, technical, or skills training programs linked to labor market demand, ideally including work with vocational training institutions or certification bodies. Experience with financial inclusion programming (savings, credit, seed financing) and engagement with financial service providers or microfinance institutions. Proven track record conducting or commissioning market and value chain assessments, and translating findings into program design. Demonstrated experience managing partnerships with government counterparts, private sector actors, and local or national organizations. Strong budget and grant management skills, including proposal input, reporting, and compliance. Experience or strong interest in cross-country or regional coordination within a multi-country program. Excellent representation, relationship-building, and communication skills, with the ability to engage credibly with government, donors, and private sector counterparts. Strong command of English and Arabic required.

STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way — Standards for Professional Conduct: Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, and Combating Trafficking in Persons.

GENDER EQUALITY

IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce, including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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