Deputy Team Leader - Assisted Passage Program

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.

Program Brief

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 positively impacting the lives of millions of people worldwide for a better future.

Since 2017, IRC has supported Rohingya Refugees and Bangladeshi nationalities communities in Cox's Bazar, Khulna, Barisal, and Chittagong with integrated services. The organization also addresses climate change impacts by building resilience and promoting economic recovery, education, and protection

Purpose of this Role

The Deputy Team Leader, Assisted Passage Program (APP) supports the Team Lead in delivering the Assisted Passage program, with primary responsibility for ensuring that external conditions and coordination mechanisms enable effective and consistent implementation.

This role leads to engagement with government counterparts and key stakeholders to facilitate coordination, and resolve constraints impacting delivery, while ensuring external requirements are reflected in program planning and execution.

The Deputy Team Leader also contributes to strengthening coordination systems to improve predictability, efficiency, and alignment between external engagement and operational delivery.

Highlights of Key Responsibilities

Government Engagement, Access & External Representation

Lead engagement with Government of Bangladesh counterparts at national, district, and camp levels in support of APP implementation.
Build and maintain strong working relationships that enable coordination, and timely decision-making.
Support coordination of immigration-related procedures, including exit permits and required clearances, ensuring timely processing and alignment with program timelines.
Represent IRC in meetings with government counterparts and external stakeholders, ensuring consistent positioning and messaging.
Coordinate with partners (including UN agencies and service providers) to ensure alignment in APP planning and implementation.
Monitor the external operating environment and advise the Team Lead on emerging risks, changes, or opportunities.

Program & Operational Alignment

Support continuity of APP implementation in a dynamic and sensitive operating context, addressing delays or disruptions linked to access or coordination challenges.
Work closely with the Senior Program and Movement Operations Managers to align external conditions with operational delivery.
Support translation of access requirements into practical and feasible implementation plans.
Ensure coordination and effective information flow across departments.
Promote consistent application of coordination approaches across Cox’s Bazar, Ukhiya, Teknaf, and Dhaka.
Drive coordination with the IRC Safety, Security, and Access (SSA) team on operational functions, including the development and application of SOPs and context-specific guidelines, ensuring processes are clearly defined, consistently applied, and support effective program implementation.

Risk Management, Compliance & Reporting

Monitor risks related to access, regulatory changes, and external dynamics affecting APP delivery.
Support development and implementation of mitigation strategies.
Ensure adherence to IRC policies, donor requirements, and contractual obligations, in coordination with ECU and Operations teams.
Ensure safeguarding standards are upheld across APP activities, including staff compliance with IRC and donor safeguarding requirements.
Ensure donor commitments (timelines, documentation, reporting) are reflected in implementation and flag compliance risks or gaps.
Contribute to internal and external reporting, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with program progress.

Others

Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]
Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.
Any additional duty as delegated by the Team Leader
Act as Officer-in-Charge (OIC) for APP in the absence of the Team Leader.

Experience (Including sector/industry)

Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in humanitarian, development, resettlement or migration programming, preferably in complex or refugee settings nationally or internationally
Candidates with experience in defense/LEA, cross government, public safety, or interagency environments will be viewed favorably, and individuals from such backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Proven experience engaging with government authorities at multiple levels (national and sub-national). Demonstrated experience in access, coordination, external relations, or program operations.
Experience working with UN agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders in a multi-partner environment.
Strong understanding of government regulatory processes, compliance requirements, and risk management in humanitarian operations.
Experience supporting program implementation in dynamic and sensitive operational contexts.
Prior experience in movement operations, migration programs, or similar large-scale coordination initiatives is an asset.
Strong interpersonal skills with ability to drive alignment across technical and operational teams without direct authority

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

Strong Communication Skills: Strong/advance level verbal and written communication skills in English and Bangla, with the ability to represent the organization effectively.
Stakeholder Engagement & Representation: Ability to build, manage, and sustain effective relationships with government and external stakeholders.
Access & Negotiation Skills: Strong ability to navigate administrative systems, secure permissions, and resolve access-related constraints.
Coordination & Collaboration: Proven ability to align multiple actors and ensure smooth information flow across teams and partners.
Risk Awareness & Problem Solving: Ability to anticipate risks, propose mitigation strategies, and respond effectively to changing environments.
Planning & Organization: Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail.
Cultural & Contextual Sensitivity: Deep understanding of the humanitarian context in Bangladesh, particularly Rohingya response dynamics.
Integrity & Compliance: Commitment to humanitarian principles, donor compliance, and organizational policies.

Language and Computer Skills

Fluency in English required
Knowledge of Rohingya is an asset
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Specific Educational Qualification

Postgraduate degree in International Relations, Public Administration, Humanitarian Affairs, or a related field. Equivalent professional experience may be considered.

Professional degree / Certification

Additional training or certification in safety, security, and government relations is considered an asset.

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. In accordance with these values the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding (including PSEAH, Adult Safeguarding and Child Safeguarding), Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti Retaliation.

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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