Equal Research Programme Coordinator

Requisition ID: req42994
Job Title: EQUAL Research Programme Coordinator
Sector: Program Administration
Employment Category: Regular
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: USD 70,000.00 - 90,000.00 Salary
Location: New York, NY HQ USA

The IRC’s Airbel Impact Lab designs, tests, and scales life-changing, cost-effective solutions for people affected by conflict and disaster. By applying deep technical expertise and field experience with a range of skills from the behavioural sciences, human-centered design, research, and multi-disciplinary problem-solving in humanitarian contexts, we work to develop breakthrough solutions that combine creativity and precision, flexibility and expertise, and a desire to think afresh with the experience and reputation of a large-scale implementing organisation.
IRC is the lead organisation in the FCDO-funded “Ensuring Quality Access and Learning (EQUAL) for Mothers and Newborns in Conflict-Affected Contexts Consortium”, which runs until April 2026. The objective of the project is to produce rigorous, operationally relevant research and evidence to improve Maternal and Neonatal Health (MNH) in low-income, conflict-affected contexts. The project aims to produce evidence that is accessible to decision-makers influencing strategic investment, policy and programming to improve MNH, at the national and global level. EQUAL is conducting research in Nigeria, DRC, South Sudan and Somalia.
Major Responsibilities
The EQUAL Research Programme Coordinator supports overall contract management and sub-contractor management for the EQUAL project, working closely with the Project Management Team, Research Directors, and consortium partners to deliver an ambitious programme of research, research uptake and capacity sharing activities. The role involves liaising with multiple research and programme specialist units within IRC, as well as IRC country offices, consortium partners, and FCDO to deliver the project in a high-quality, effective, and efficient manner. A significant focus of the position is to ensure that the project meets the high standards and requirements of FCDO commercial contracts by supporting IRC and the consortium partners to meet their compliance and reporting requirements.
Project Management

• Maintain the project risk register and systems to assess risks throughout project lifecycle.
• Develop and/or refine project management systems and guidance documents to ensure efficiency, transparency and accountability across consortium activities; regularly assess the use of project tools and processes to adapt and improve as needed.
• Work closely with others in the EQUAL PMU to track consortium progress on key deliverables using workplans and financial forecasts; develop and communicate mitigations for areas that are off track.
• Maintain comprehensive and standardized electronic files for the project, and ensure project team and partners have access to relevant records.
• Manage and update the partner-specific and consortium-level workplans; meet with key stakeholders from IRC and partners to ensure programme quality controls are in place, and provide analyses for senior management decision-making.

EQUAL consortium partner subcontract management, coordination and compliance

• Collaborate with partners to develop workplans and monitoring plans.
• Manage communication with partners for issues related to implementation against workplans, subcontracts, reporting, and regular meetings.
• Work with IRC’s Awards Management Unit to ensure that partners’ responsibilities for donor compliance are tracked and evaluated and that updates on contract performance are communicated in a timely and professional manner to appropriate stakeholders.
• Identify partner capacity strengthening needs and help to address these needs, which could include areas such as FCDO commercial contract compliance, project management, and risk management.
• Coordinate due diligence, compliance checks, subcontract amendments, and other subcontract management processes according to guidance from IRC’s Awards Management Unit.
• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of FCDO policies and support partners on contractual compliance.

Reporting

• Lead coordination for FCDO quarterly reports, including but not limited to developing report templates, communicating deadlines, and providing timely feedback for IRC and partner teams.
• Prepare annual reports and documents according to contract requirements for submission to FCDO; coordinate response to other donor inquiries as needed.
• Identify, document and communicate areas of improvement for donor reporting.
• Support the EQUAL Finance Controller to obtain additional financial report inputs and documents from consortium partners, as needed.

Key Working Relationships

• Position reports to: EQUAL Deputy Project Director
• External contacts: Researchers, finance and grants teams from partner organisations in the consortium.
• Internal contacts: EQUAL consortium staff, Research and Innovation department teams, Health Technical Unit teams, Awards Management Unit staff, and IRC country office staff.
• Position directly supervises: N/A

Minimum Requirements

• Excellent digital literacy: MS Word, Excel, and web-based project management tools (e.g., Asana). Proficiency in Excel strongly preferred.
• Dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion and a passion for IRC’s mission.
• Excellent written English, including the ability to synthesise information and draft high-quality reports.
• Excellent critical thinking skills to problem-solve independently.
• Demonstrated experience of partnership management.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: the ability to effectively collaborate with and motivate a variety of people in a multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent organizational skills: the ability to multi-task, learn quickly, and work independently and productively in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional fluency in French is preferred.
• Working knowledge of FCDO commercial contract T&Cs and compliance requirements is preferred.
• At least 5 years of professional experience with demonstrated project management skills, including developing project management documents and tools such as workplans.

Working environment: There is likely to be some project-related travel, including to the EQUAL focus countries.
The IRC is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are 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, and Anti-Retaliation.
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 requirements.
Commitment To Diversity And Inclusivity
IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
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 $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), 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.