Deputy Operations Manager (Morocco EQ Response)

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.

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Morocco on September 8, killing and injuring thousands of people and causing widespread destruction. The Moroccan Red Crescent Society (MRCS) responded immediately, providing first aid and psychosocial support, helping transport the injured to hospitals, evacuating people from damaged buildings and providing dignified burial management. Through this appeal, the IFRC is supporting MRCS to meet the immediate and early recovery needs of 500,000 affected people. Priorities include providing food and safe water, essential household items, shelter support, health and mental health services, and cash assistance.

Job Purpose

Reporting to Operations Manager, the Deputy Operations Manager is responsible for the coordination of the programmatic strategy development and implementation of the response in close collaboration with MRCS’s Operations team and other partners.

The Deputy Operations Manager effectively leads, coordinates, and manages the programmatic or sectoral members, and will be responsible for the support, guidance and quality control in planning, implementation and reporting by ensuring objectives are met according to Federation standards, policies and procedures.

The Deputy Operations Manager’s focus areas of responsibility will entail project proposal development, grants/pledge management and donor reporting in coordination with sector leads and PMER. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Programme Management and Coordination:

• Provide technical support to assess, plan, implement, monitor and report the IFRC-supported programmes and operations together with MRCS.
• Define with sector leads the initial sectoral approaches, activities, and operational strategies with all programs, ensure that operational planning is in line with the NS long-term strategy and capacity.
• Take the lead in joint programmatic planning between sectors and across Federation wide partners.
• Promote integrated programming approach, including but not limited to shelter, WASH, Disaster Risk Management, health, protection, gender and inclusion, climate, resilience, Food Security & Livelihoods and National Society Development.
• Lead a collaborative and cooperative approach across all the aspects of the(technical) support, ensuring that all program areas have continuous access to technical advice and guidance to support program implementation, including mobilisation and/or backstopping for technical support as required.
• Ensure adherence to a recovery approach in the operation from an early stage, recognizing the response operation as an opportunity to ‘’build back better’’ and contribute to community resilience.
• Ensure the establishment of technical coordination spaces with MRCS counterparts and other partners to ensure optimal technical support to MRCS’s strategic and operational priorities.
• Oversee the development and follow-up of operational budgets for programmatic sectors.
• Consider the exit strategy for the operation from an early stage and how it might link to and support the NS long-term programmes.
• Develop a good working relationship with ICRC and PNS in Country to provide accurate support to the operation.
• If assigned by Operations Manager, represent the IFRC team in humanitarian fora positioning the RC response within the humanitarian sphere and coordinating areas of intervention.

Proposal development, reporting and communication:

• Lead project proposal development in close collaboration with SPRM, PMER, programme teams and finance.
• Work closely with SPRM and PMER to track donor reporting requirements and deadlines and coordinate inputs from programme team to feed into reporting.
• Provide regular and timely operational reports inclusive of data and relevant statistics and guarantee quality programming in close collaboration with IM and PMER.
• Contribute to internal and external communication about the project and the context in general, including visibility in the project activities where possible.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

National Society Capacity Strengthening and partnership development:

• Support capacity building of the host NS including developing skills and/or provision of training of local staff and volunteers.
• Support NS programme staff counterparts to strengthen the promotion, coordination and management of programming.
• Support coordinated efforts between Federation membership to work in a multisectoral integrated manner.
• Ensure that all team members comply with relevant Federation policies, including the Code of Conduct.
• Champion high quality accountability standards and ensure compliance with relevant policy and procedures.

Duties applicable to all staff

1. Work actively towards the achievement of the IFRC Secretariat’s goals.
2. Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
3. Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Education

• Relevant university degree or equivalent qualification within a relevant field - Required.
• ERU, Ops Management, CAP, FACT, RDRT, IMPACT training or equivalent knowledge - Required. 
• Federation Team Leader Training - Preferred.

Experience

• At least 5-7 years’ experience of working for the RC/RC or for another humanitarian relief organisation - Required.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant field experience within the RC/RC - Preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in managing and supporting staff - Required.
• Minimum 3 years of work experience in project management, project design and donor-based reporting - Required.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Proficient in computers (word processing, spread sheets, Power Point, internet, etc.) - Required.
• Understanding of integrated approaches to disaster response - Required.
• High degree of discretion, tact and sensitivity in dealing with stakeholders at all levels - Required.
• Knowledge of feedback and response mechanism, including appropriate methods of beneficiary communication and channels - Required.
• Ability to transfer knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to staff and volunteers - Required.
• Excellent networking, representational, communication and negotiation skills - Required.
• Valid international driving licence (Manual gears) - Required.
• Ability to work within and lead multi-cultural, multilingual, and multidisciplinary teams - Required.
• Demonstrated track record in innovating, contributing to a learning culture, sharing knowledge and promoting new approaches to engaging partners - Required.
• Good understanding/practice of planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting issues - Required.
• Proven good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality - Required.
• Fluency in spoken and written French and/or Arabic - Required.
• Fluency in spoken and written English - Required.

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.
• Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.
• Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others.
• Managerial competencies: Managing staff performance; Managing staff development.  

We encourage qualified Moroccan nationals to submit their applications, whereby if selected, the contract will be applied as national.