ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR

Purpose of the post

In a global environment perceived as increasingly complex, competitive and rapidly-changing, the ICRC has managed to maintain an outstanding ability to respond to both emerging and protracted crises, providing a relevant humanitarian response to communities affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. The organization has transformed core services and programs to enable it to respond effectively and efficiently to growing humanitarian needs and ensure its continuing relevance. A number of far-reaching projects and initiatives have been launched to enable the organization to adapt rapidly to developments in its operating environment, when needed, and to work better together, both within and across teams. These efforts need to continue to further improve the organizational effectiveness and to respond to the necessities of the next institutional strategy (2019-22), which is under development. 

The Organizational Change sector and the Project Management Office (PMO) will play important roles in developing and implementing the ICRC Strategy 2019-22. They will ensure that organizational development perspectives underpin new projects and initiatives, maintaining an overview of ongoing and planned adaptations and guiding their implementation to ensure alignment and proper sequencing among them.

The Organizational Development Advisor will play a key role within both teams, leading specific work-streams related to adapting the ICRC’s organizational model and supporting the implementation of projects with a strong impact on the ICRC’s culture and working practices. He/she will work in tandem with the Directorate of Operations to ensure that related changes are developed and implemented in a coordinated and coherent manner.

Main responsibilities

• Lead in close cooperation with the Directorate of Operations the ongoing analysis of ICRC’s organizational model informing the Institutional Strategy 2019-22 and associated projects. Develop and maintain an overview of ongoing and planned projects and initiatives, connecting them with institutional and departmental strategies and liaising with departments as needed to ensure effective coordination.
• On this basis, compile an overarching implementation plan that sets out the time-frame and sequencing of required critical steps; monitor related progress and propose required corrective actions.
• In a longer-term perspective, based on the Institutional Strategy 2019-22, develop and analyze options to further adapt the ICRC’s organizational model, drawing on internal lessons learned and benchmarking ICRC processes and structures against the practice of other organizations.
• Support departments (mainly at headquarters) in implementing ongoing and planned adaptations to their own organizational model (métier transformations) and in introducing other measures to optimize functioning and simplify processes, as relevant.
• Upon request lead initiatives implementing transversal organizational changes.
• Monitor the implementation of business plans related to the delocalization and outsourcing of selected headquarters services, together with the Finance and Administration Division, verifying that commitments are being met and proposing required corrective actions; track the capacity of delocalized/ outsourced services to meet the requirements of clients and agreed levels of quality at lower costs.
• In framing and overseeing adaptations to the ICRC’s organizational model, bring issues to the Organization and Management Platform/Project Board or the Directorate for decision, as appropriate.
• Establish an internal network among those colleagues managing organizational development in different locations to identify lessons learned in setting up, refine working processes, and facilitate exchanges of good practice.
• Use relevant change management processes and techniques to accompany the transition from the “as is” to the “to be” organizational model, minimizing the disruptive impact of changes, cultivating support for them among staff members, and preserving business continuity.
• Contribute to ensure that appropriate frameworks are in place to inform, accompany and support affected colleagues, together with the HR Operations Division. 
• Contribute relevant and timely internal communication on adaptations to the organizational model, tailoring messages to the information needs of different stakeholders and using appropriate channels; organize the flow of communication and report on progress.  
• Identify and assess risks that could affect the achievement of planned objectives and mitigate their impact.
• Cultivate external network among other colleagues implementing adaptations to the organizational model to identify lessons learned, refine working processes, and facilitate exchanges of good practice.

Education and experience required

• Advanced university degree
• Minimum 10 years of experience in a large scale and international organization, including confirmed experience in managerial functions
• Specialized training in project management (PMP, Prince2 or Hermes) and/or change management (PROSCI) and organisational development
• Experienced in process design and improvement
• Proven track record in managing transformation processes
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (in English and French)

Desired profile and skills

• Understanding of humanitarian sector, ideally within ICRC
• Solid understanding of organizational processes and roles/responsibilities in an international matrix management system.
• Inspiring and inclusive leader
• Demonstrated capacity to lead complex change and to influence management practice
• Solid analytical and organizational skills; adept at solving problems; results-oriented
• Ability to translate complex questions into practical, actionable strategies and to present information in a clear and concise manner
• Excellent listening and interpersonal skills; demonstrated “coaching” and relationship-building capacity
• Working and communicating well under pressure, ability to convince and represent institutional interests under controversial circumstances
• Sense of initiative and ability to work autonomously; assertiveness
• Solid team player; confirmed capacity to work transversally

Additional information

Reporting line:                    Head of Organizational Change, and in collaboration with the Project Management Office, both within the Office of the Directorate-General

Type of role:                       Resident　

Type of contract:               Open-ended　

Working rate:                     100%　

Starting date:                     ASAP

Application deadline:       Sunday 24th September 2017