SPRM Senior Officer

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

Job Purpose

Reporting directly to the Partnerships and Resource Development SPRM, and as part of the regional SPRM team, the Senior Officer, Partnerships & Resource Development MENA RO is responsible for coordinating and strengthening relationships with donors and partners supporting Red Cross Red Crescent response. This includes a consistent effort to build trust with partners and generate resources.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Partnerships and Relations Management

Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships across different income streams, including the following:

• Coordination of resourcing/fundraising efforts for the response including development and implementation of fundraising strategy for the emergency response.
• Work with the Head of SPRM on partner engagement and in close coordination with Head of Country Delegation and Operations manager/Head of Emergency Operations (HEOPs), ensure accountability to donors.
• Develop strategies, establish, maintain and advance Governments partnerships – in cooperation with respective partner National Societies; European Union including DG ECHO other EU institutions;
• Develop strategies, establish, maintain and expand private sector partnerships including global corporate partnerships and foundations in the region.
• Develop strategies, establish and maintain partnerships with Multilateral partners: Development Banks, UN Agencies, etc, in coordination with thematical units.
• Design analysis of key trends in individual donor policies and priorities and support the match between IFRC MENA regional delegations priorities and donor priorities.
• Represent the Head of Country Delegations when delegated to do so in donors’ meetings and other relevant meetings with partners.
• Act as partnerships focal point for IFRC MENA and lead on the coordination and channeling of support to the national society and the IFRC Country Delegations
• Contribute to the design and development of partnerships strategy for the IFRC MENA delegation.

Pledge and data management, including financial overview:

• Ensure effective coordination between the Country Delegations and regional SPRM and technical teams to ensure compliance with donor requirements, and that agreed earmarking criteria are understood and adhered to.
• Negotiation of pledges and contributions with partners, ensuring that earmarking and other requirements are in line with operational priorities.
• Manage all information/data related to partnerships/funding in Emergencies, keeping it fully up to date in accordance with MENA ERP practice.
• Coordinate among different stakeholders to ensure that all pledges are properly and timely registered and the same shared with the partners, pledge managers and relevant colleagues.
• Ensure that relevant updates in the Apple system and ERP are included, and pledges and grants reflecting agreed criteria are shared with donors and understood by relevant budget holders.
• Ensure that budget holders and Finance team are aware and receive information on MoUs and donor requirements in due course.
• In close cooperation with budget holders ensure that renegotiation of pledge requirements takes place on time as and when required.
• Ensure timely follow up on the pledge payment arrangements and follow up on any overdue pledge payments.
• Ensure that all prospect funding and hard pledges are duly registered on the IFRC systems.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders to ensure thorough understanding of amendments of grants and grants related contracts/agreements.
• Review and ensure quality check of all reports towards donors and partners.
• Effective and thorough grant/pledge management in close coordination with operational leads and budget holder(s) and facilitate a consistent income tracking and risk assessment process.
• Provide regular reporting and analysis of partner and funding landscape including trends, gaps, income and expenditure and quality and nature of contributions.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Resource Mobilisation

Resource mobilisation for the IFRC MENA Emergency Appeals & Operational Plans, including:

• Propose and coordinate actions to increase funding coverage, advising colleagues in the country delegations and operational leads on fundraising strategies and approaches to partners.
• Coordination of the proposal development and submission process, in close liaison with operational and technical leads as well as relevant partners
• Facilitation of external relations, both within the RCRC Movement and with non-RCRC partners, including in proactively coordinating donor field visits, planning partnership meetings and conference calls.
• Close coordination with SPRM counterparts in host NS as needed.
• Collection of fundraising data and analysis from the RC movement.
• Draft concept notes as needed to secure and cultivate opportunities with donors; work closely with technical and office leads to develop full proposals.
• Risk management: working closely with Finance to follow up on the grant implementation, identify risks and mitigation actions, and resolve any procedural or financial issues regarding grants.
• Business development: actively seek and support MENA country offices in the development of proposals and concept notes – coordinate with donors on behalf of MENA country offices – Coordinate and organize regional meetings. 
• Contribute to the strategy and planning development and roll out for SPRM MENA including identifying, researching and suggesting ways for IFRC to diversify funding streams (private, donors, Trust, Foundations, IFIs)
• Develop strategies and materials for marketing and advocacy for Emergency Appeals and operational plans.
• Develop Funding Plans with the teams in close coordination with Finance.

Education

• University degree in relevant discipline (international relations, humanitarian affairs, business administration, economics, finance) - Required
• Relevant professional training courses (Red Cross Red Crescent related, humanitarian and development sector, management) -Preferred

Experience

• At least 6 years work experience out of which 5 years relevant experience in managing relations with donors and partners - Required
• Experience of development and implementation of funding plans - Required
• Experience managing or using donor-related data to develop a fundraising strategy - Required
• Experience advocating/asking for funds for humanitarian and development programs - Required
• Experience of developing funding proposals for international donors, monitoring and reporting - Required
• 3 years relevant experience with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and knowledge of IFRC systems and processes in pledge management, planning, project proposals development, reporting systems and financial management -Preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Knowledge of and skills in tracking open calls for proposals from key donor institutions - Required
• Expertise in proposal writing - Required
• Highly organised, with ability to work as a strong team player - Required
• Excellent communications skills - Required
• Excellent networking and relationship building skills - Required
• Strong budgeting and finance management skills - Preferred
• Demonstrated skills in analytical and strategic thinking - Required

Languages

• Fluently spoken and written English and Arabic - Required
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French or Spanish) -Preferred
  

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Meticulous attention to details; Accountability, Integrity, Professionalism
• Communication
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Judgement and decision-making
• National Society and customer relations
• Creativity and innovation
• Building trust