Coordinator, Programs and Operations

This is a national staff position open to nationals and others who are legally eligible to work in countries where IFRC has legal presence: San José (Costa Rica), Guatemala City (Guatemala), Tegucigalpa (Honduras), Managua (Nicaragua), Panama City (Panama), San Salvador (El Salvador). Candidates must be able to provide proof of their eligibility to work in those countries during application phase

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. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies 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.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

The 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 the 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.

The IFRC counts with different subregional delegations one regional office for the Americas based in Panama. One of the subregional delegations corresponds to Central America, which has staff present in each of the central American countries and the Head of Country Cluster Delegation based in Honduras. The Coordinator of Programs and Operations requires a strategic and operational approach to facilitating technical excellence in longer term development and capacity building context which includes differentiated participatory approaches with urban and rural constituencies, but also an increased role of National Societies served by the Country Cluster Delegation office and its partnering RC/RC.

The Country Cluster Delegation for Central America is responsible for ensuring the provision of effective technical support services to its membership, representational activities and operational oversight, while promoting membership adherence to strategies, policies, and agreements which will maintain and uphold the image and integrity of the Federation and Movement. This requires that effective coordination mechanisms be established in all stages of the programme management cycle and includes information management and external relations coordination.

The requested Coordinator of Programs and Operations position will respond to the Head of the Country cluster Delegation Central America and will also be responsible for the adequate coordination and follow up of Programs and Operations in all Central America Countries. It is expected that his/her contribution will be crucial to ensure programme coordination, quality control and compliance. The position will be based in any of Central America countries and travel in this area is foreseen.

At the operational level, this position is required to support a technical standard setting, integrated strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation approach within both a Movement Coordination Framework and within a shifting external political and donor stakeholder environment geared to more effectively advocate for and provide services to affected populations, engage in short and long term planning, and to support the Central American NS’ in relevant and sustainable  operational capacity in close coordination  National Society Development related initiatives.

Under the direction of the HoCCD, this position is responsible for implementing, through the Central America’s RC, and with a team, programs, emergency appeals, DREF (anticipatory pillar and response pillar) and country plans.

Experience shows that technical sector coordination and leadership in defining program quality standards within the Movement and with external actors must be a priority to ensuring a well organised and effective RC/RC Movement response., It becomes imperative for the IFRC to provide the highest level of technical leadership and convening power.

The Coordinator of Programs and Operations, serves as acting for the Head of Country Cluster Delegation when needed, ensuring implementation of technical operational and program quality.  

Strategic and operational Relationship Management and program development

• Support the development of technical partnerships with the NS, technical government agency and technical inter-agency cluster working groups, Movement partners and the international and local private sector.
• Strengthen cooperation with multilateral and bilateral donors and the private sector including overseeing proposal writing.
• Support the Head of Country Cluster Delegation in the Sevilla 2.0 process with Movements partners.
• Provide regular strategic overview to the IFRC management (ARO and Head of CCD)
• Engage with SPRM department for guidance on donor relationship
• Provide update to the management of the NS when required
• Lead the identification, development and management of IFRC’s strategic and operational inclusive partnerships and programs in the cluster delegation in collaboration with regional office’s departments.
• Support the CCD in mapping and outreaching to membership and stakeholders in close collaboration with relevant colleagues in ARO.
• Develop and expand cooperation mechanisms with Movement partners to maximize coordinate program development, fundraising and advocacy potential and develop synergies and complementarities with regards to ECHO funding and programs (i.e. GTPP).
• Promote knowledge sharing of program development expertise amongst National Societies in the CCD and that links are facilitated with regional networks.

Programs and Operations oversight

• Ensure the sound and effective implementation of strategic projects and/or initiatives: with governments, international agencies, non-governmental organisations and civil society.
• Outline the support, tools, and networks that will assist National Society and Secretariat units to engage in Humanitarian Diplomacy more effectively at the national level.
• Foster a greater willingness to engage in collective advocacy amongst National Society and Secretariat programs.

• Ensure effective management (inclusive finance and implementation oversight - Budget Holder) ongoing at IFRC technical teams regarding operations (DREF anticipatory pillar and response pillar) and implementation of projects and programs in Central America. Programmatic and functional areas of importance include health, water-sanitation and hygiene promotion, protection gender and inclusion, migration, livelihoods, disaster risk management (anticipatory action, preparedness and response).
• Ensure effective management in planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of programs and operations.
• Coordinate and ensure effective integration of transversal areas as information management, logistics, accountability, national societies development, communication and learning within programs and operations.
• Along with the HoCCD, build alliances and partnerships with other emergency actors to enhance the implementation of the ongoing programs and operations.
• Provide operational and strategic guidance to NS and Secretariat technical and management teams, and inform, alert, and propose solutions and ideas to the leadership as needed.
• Regarding the Global Thematic Programmatic Partnership promote with EUNs the development of programme approaches that strengthen and develop the National Societies’ structure, capacity and performance; analyse and understand their current strengths and weaknesses and ensure provision of necessary technical and material support in line with the National Societies Strategic Plans and NSD development goals.

Deputy Head of CCD Responsibilities

• Deputize for the Head of Country Cluster Delegation in his/her absence ensuring representation of the International Federation and liaising with counterparts from National Society, Participating National Societies, the ICRC and external partners, such as the UN agencies, NGOs, donors, bilateral and multilateral organizations, and missions active in the country, within the mandate of the key tasks and responsibilities set in this job description.
• Provide management oversight of and support to all staff, including direct report lines of the Head of Country Office during his/her absence.

Duties Applicable to All Staff

• Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals 
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

Required

Relevant university degree or equivalent qualification

Relevant advanced university degree (Master's or higher) or equivalent qualification

Required

• 7+ years of experience in international coordination and cooperation in disaster response, recovery and development settings 
• Experience of managing programs and projects in complex settings
• Experience in strategic planning and evaluation
• Experience in working for a humanitarian aid organisation in a low-income least-developed country
• Familiarity with Movement and International Federation policies and guidelines - the Seville Agreement and Supplementary Measures and the Code for Good Partnership 
• Previous experience in disaster management
• Experience in high level representation

Required

• Excellent organizational skills
• A high degree of competence in leadership, planning and coordination of projects
• Furthermore, networking, negotiation and communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills in general are essential in coordinating the overall operation
• Good analytical skills and solution focused person 
• Excellent stress management skills
  
• Required advanced English and Spanish

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;

MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES: Managing Staff Performance; Managing Staff Development

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: Strategic Orientation, Building Alliances; Leadership; Empowering others