Senior Director and Head of Health

About this role

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.

As Senior Director and Head of Health, you will lead the IRC’s largest programming portfolio, shaping how we deliver health care to people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster, including the climate crisis, so they can survive, recover and gain control of their future.

You will provide strategic leadership for a portfolio of more than $200 million in program funding across 35 country offices, spanning Primary Health Care, Nutrition, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, Environmental and Climate Health, and Immunization. You will set the global standard for the quality and technical soundness of our health programming, represent the IRC in the global arena, help shape the industry, raise funds and strengthen our standing.

As a key member of the Technical Excellence (TechEx) Leadership Team and the Senior Leadership Group (SLG), you will play a pivotal role in advancing the IRC’s vision for health outcomes across crisis, recovery and post-crisis development contexts. You will bring strategic direction, technical authority and influential representation to our global health portfolio, driving innovation, integration and impact at scale across programs, policy and partnerships.

Position overview

You will lead the Health Technical Unit and a globally dispersed, high impact team of approximately 60 technical experts, sector leaders, specialists and advocates working across global and regional positions, with reach into health roles and professionals in our country programs. You will directly supervise the Health leadership team, including the Deputy Director and Global Practice Leads for Nutrition, Primary Healthcare, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, Environmental and Climate Health, Policy and Advocacy, Immunization and MEAL, alongside other key roles.

As a senior leader, you will: • Partner with senior leaders across the organization to position health as an organizational priority and ensure adequate investment is made to achieve the highest impact.

• Lead the IRC’s Health Impact at Scale agenda, identifying and scaling high impact health interventions and ensuring strategic alignment, operational excellence and measurable outcomes.

• Set a clear strategic vision for the Health Technical Unit that aligns with organizational priorities, promotes innovation, expands funding opportunities and positions the IRC as a global thought leader and partner of choice in health for crisis-affected and fragile settings.

What you will do:

Strategic and thought leadership • Define and communicate a compelling strategic vision for the IRC’s health portfolio, identifying and prioritizing high impact health interventions, core competencies, emerging trends, competitive advantages and new opportunities for influence and growth.

• Serve as the IRC’s principal technical authority and thought leader in the global health space, internally and externally, shaping global influence on public health.

• Serve as strategic advisor to the IRC President and CEO, supporting engagement in external health-related strategic forums.

• Partner with the Senior Director, Impact at Scale to identify and scale high impact health interventions, ensuring strategic alignment, operational excellence and measurable outcomes.

• Work with the Research and Innovation team to advance evidence-based practice, fostering rigorous research, learning and innovation that position the IRC as a recognized global authority in health programming for crisis-affected populations.

• Anticipate and respond to shifts in the humanitarian and development landscape, keeping the IRC at the forefront of policy, practice and partnership.

External representation, influence and fundraising • Represent the IRC at the highest levels, engaging with donors, governments, policy makers and peer agencies to influence global agendas and promote evidence-based solutions.

• Develop policy positions on global health issues and support the Health Policy Director in bringing health policy solutions to market.

• Lead strategic fundraising efforts, cultivating and managing high-value partnerships across bilateral, multilateral and private sectors.

• Position the IRC as a trusted partner and go-to organization for effective and scalable health interventions through strategic communications, publications and global forums.

• Champion the IRC’s advocacy priorities in collaboration with Policy and Advocacy teams to advance systemic change for people’s health and survival.

Organizational leadership and change management • Act as a visible and values-driven member of the department’s Extended Senior Management Team and the IRC’s Senior Leadership Group, contributing to accountable leadership, cross-departmental collaboration and organizational decision-making.

• As a member of the TechEx leadership team, drive organizational change across TechEx and within the Health Technical Unit, ensuring structure, systems and culture are fit for the future and responsive to evolving strategic, industry and financial realities.

• Cultivate a high-performance, inclusive culture that values innovation, accountability and professional growth.

• Lead change and transition pro

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