People and Culture Director

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.

Sudan is facing one of the most complex and devastating humanitarian crises in the world today and has remained at the top of IRC’s watchlist for two consecutive years. Since the outbreak of war in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the country has spiraled into relentless violence, institutional collapse, and mass displacement. Despite multiple ceasefire announcements, violence has continued for nearly two and a half years, displacing over 12 million people across all 18 states.

The crisis has devastated health services nationwide with over 70% of health facilities are non-functional or overwhelmed, and 30.4 million people now require humanitarian assistance. Around 25 million people face acute food insecurity, including 770,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Damage to health infrastructure, supply shortages, and restricted humanitarian access continue to severely hinder the response.

In response to increasing needs, the IRC has scaled up its humanitarian efforts despite immense challenges. We are supporting Sudanese communities, both within the country and across national borders and now seeking a senior-level Country Director to lead this operation.

Role Overview

The Deputy Director, People & Culture (P&C) leads the P&C function in Sudan, ensuring the right talent, structures, and culture are in place to deliver high-quality humanitarian programming. As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), the role acts as a strategic advisor to the Country Director, drives organizational culture and staff wellbeing, and ensures that P&C systems and policies are aligned with IRC’s global standards, values, and commitments (GEDI, Safeguarding, and Duty of Care).

The position partners closely with the Regional P&C Director and supports SMT members to embed inclusive, safe, and high-performing people practices across all levels of the program.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Advise the Country Director and SMT on workforce planning, succession, leadership transitions, and organizational design.
• Lead the P&C team, ensuring delivery of high-quality services and continuous staff development.
• Drive employee engagement, inclusion, and team cohesion initiatives, fostering a positive and safe workplace culture.
• Serve as a champion for Duty of Care, GEDI, and Safeguarding priorities at SMT level.

P&C Operations

• Oversee core P&C processes: recruitment, onboarding, compensation & benefits, performance management, contracts, employee relations, and payroll.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, policies, and donor requirements.
• Monitor workforce data and HR metrics to inform decision-making and reporting.
• Guide managers on performance, disciplinary matters, and staff wellbeing.

GEDI & Safeguarding

• Implement GEDI strategies and action plans, embedding inclusive, anti-discriminatory practices in all HR processes.
• Ensure safeguarding standards are integrated into recruitment, onboarding, and staff training.
• Promote a culture of safety and accountability, leading or supporting investigations as needed.

Duty of Care & Wellbeing

• Provide guidance and support on staff wellbeing and safety, including responses to critical incidents.
• Partner with global/regional teams to strengthen wellbeing initiatives and workplace support systems.
• Build a healthy and inclusive work environment through regular check-ins, team-building, and open communication.

Other

• Organize all-staff communications and monthly meetings.
• Support the Country Director with occasional cross-cutting tasks.
• Escalate and resolve Code of Conduct issues in collaboration with SMT and Ethics & Compliance.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in HR, Organizational Development, Business Administration, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and progressive experience.
• Significant progressive HR/P&C experience (typically 10+ years), including senior leadership roles in complex humanitarian or international settings.
• Strong knowledge of HR operations, labor law, and organizational development.
• Demonstrated experience in leading GEDI, Safeguarding, and Duty of Care initiatives.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and interpersonal skills with proven ability to influence senior leadership.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound, well-considered decisions collaboratively in fast-changing and demanding environments.
• Fluent in English (Arabic an advantage).

Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: Country Director and Regional P&C Director – Management in Partnership (MIP)

Direct Reports: 5+ staff

Key Internal Relationships:

• Country Senior Management Team
• Regional Teams and Colleagues
• Global P&C Functional Leads

Key External Relationships: INGO counterparts; legal counsel; P&C associations and networks

Job Requirements

Language/Travel:

• English a must and Arabic desired
• Travel: minimum travel is required – not to exceed 30%.

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based, are currently located outside your home country, and possess over 4 years of international work experience, the IRC has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing, and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate, and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work. We particularly encourage qualified women to apply for this role, and are committed to supporting them through flexible working arrangements, safety and duty of care planning tailored to the Sudan context, and a workplace culture that values the leadership women bring to humanitarian response.

In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and 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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