Job Description
Compensation: PLN 11,400-12,500
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 (INGOs), at work in more than 50 countries and more than 25 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 solution-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people worldwide for a better future.
The number of refugees remaining in Poland can be estimated at around 960 thousand. More than 40 percent of refugees from Ukraine in Poland are children and 65 percent are female. According to the latest protection profiling findings from Poland, 64 percent of the respondents plan to stay in Poland mainly due to safety reasons. To provide the best support to them, we work in different locations in Poland through diverse approaches: partner-led and joint IRC-partner interventions and activities led by the IRC in the frame of three programs: Economic Recovery and Development, Protection, and Education.
JOB OVERVIEW:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is seeking an experienced and dynamic Area Manager to lead and expand its presence and programming in Western Poland. Based in Wrocław, this pivotal role is responsible for the strategic development of IRC’s portfolio in the region, including fundraising, positioning, and strengthening IRC’s brand visibility. The Area Manager will cultivate partnerships with local stakeholders, support direct implementation, and contribute to national advocacy efforts.
As the IRC’s most senior representative in Western Poland, the Area Manager will collaborate closely with program, partnerships, advocacy, and operations teams to ensure coordinated, impactful service delivery aligned with the needs of refugee and host communities.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Representation
- Lead the development and expansion of IRC’s programmatic portfolio in Western Poland, ensuring relevance, impact, and alignment with IRC’s country strategy and community needs.
- Represent IRC to local authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, civil society actors, community leaders, and donors.
- Position IRC as a trusted and visible actor in the humanitarian and integration space through strategic outreach and partnerships.
Program Implementation and Fundraising
- Provide strategic and operational oversight of IRC programming in the region, including both direct implementation and partner-led activities.
- Collaborate with technical leads to ensure high-quality, responsive, and accountable program delivery.
- Identify and pursue new funding opportunities based on contextual analysis and IRC’s core competencies.
Partnerships and Localization
- Strengthen IRC’s partnerships with local NGOs, community-based organizations, and government stakeholders in line with the PEER (Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results) approach.
- Facilitate co-design and capacity-sharing initiatives to promote locally led responses.
Advocacy and External Engagement
- Contribute to the design and implementation of IRC Poland’s advocacy strategy by identifying local-level issues and policy gaps.
- Engage in evidence-based advocacy and strategic communication to influence refugee protection and integration policies.
Coordination and Reporting
- Ensure timely and high-quality inputs for donor reporting, proposal development, and internal planning.
- Actively participate in IRC Poland’s Senior Management Team (SMT) to align field operations with national priorities.
As a Member of the Extended Senior Management Team (ESMT)
- Model accountability and commitment to safeguarding all staff, partners, and clients, fostering a culture of prevention and protection.
- Promote staff well-being and uphold IRC’s duty of care principles in all operations.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Public Policy, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in program management, field operations, or humanitarian response, preferably with an international NGO.
- Proven experience in fundraising, donor engagement, and partnership development.
- Demonstrated ability to represent an organization externally with diplomacy and strategic acumen.
- Strong understanding of the refugee context in Poland and/or Central Europe is an asset.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
- Fluency in English; proficiency in Polish (C1 or native level) is required.
Work Environment
This position is based in Wrocław, with regular travel within Western Poland and periodic travel to Warsaw and other IRC offices as needed.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
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.
All IRC employees are encouraged to Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC Poland and to Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.
