Director, Global Services Centre (GSC)

In preparation for  the impending retirement  of the incumbent Director, Global Services Center (GSC), which is based in Budapest, Hungary, IFRC has embarked on a process to identify a high-performing, seasoned and suitable individual who will provide global strategic leadership and direction to the GSC, covering related staff and services, leading the effort to build solid relationships  with key internal  and external stakeholders, and maintaining accountability in the spirit of  the Agenda for Renewal.  

SRI Executive, a reputable executive search firm with global reach, has been selected to help identify a suitable candidate for the position.

Interested candidates can find additional information on this position and on how to apply via the following link:

Please apply through SRI Executive Link

The deadline for receipt of application is 05 December 2022.

Applications from underrepresented groups are particularly welcome.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of 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.” 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 (NSDOC); (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization (GRHDD); and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services (MPSCS).

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.

The Under-Secretary General, Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services (USG-MPSCS), reports directly to the Secretary General, and leads the MPSCS Division. This Division consists of the Financial and Administrative Management Department (FAMD); the Global Humanitarian Services and Supply Chain Management Department (GHSSCMD); the Global Services Centre (GSC), which is based in Budapest (Hungary); and the Human Resources Management Department (HRMD).

The Directors of FAMD, GHSSCMD, GSC and HRMD report to the USG-MPSCS.

This position is based at the IFRC Global Services Centre in Budapest, Hungary.

Under the overall direction of the Under Secretary General, MPSCS, the Director, GSC: (i) provides global strategic leadership and direction to the GSC covering related staff and services; (ii) implements the new GSC long-term plans (5+ years); (iii) leads and manages the GSC Team to ensure successful delivery of global support services; (iv) maintains close cooperation with the Regional Director for Europe, ensuring harmonized representation of the IFRC in Hungary from both global and regional perspectives; (v) leads on relationship building with key internal partners and external representations of IFRC and GSC to the Hungarian Government, the Diplomatic Community accredited to Hungary, the United Nations Global Shared Services Centres in Budapest and other relevant stakeholders; and (vi) leads special projects and work, as assigned by the USG-MPSCS.

Under the supervision of the USG-MPSCS, the Director, GSC, undertakes the following specific duties and responsibilities:

Global Strategic and Operational Planning

• Is responsible for developing and implementing, in cooperation with relevant stakeholders, the five-year GSC strategy aligned with Strategy 2030 and the Agenda for Renewal, and which includes new areas of global services and innovative structures based on trend analyses and maximization of the potential of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.
• Contributes to the IFRC global strategic planning and budgeting processes to enhance global organisational effectiveness and accountability.
• Is responsible for the GSC Plan of Action, budgeting, project implementation, monitoring, and reporting in accordance with the MPSCS business model, Plan of Action, and related priorities.
• Leads a new model of harmonised relations with the Europe Regional Office, including the unique arrangement of common Corporate Services functions (FAMD, HRMD, GHSSCMD, Digital Transformation Department, Legal, and Global Security) for more efficiency and effectiveness.
• Supervises the provision and maintenance of shared services, which strive to scale up efficiency and effectiveness by looking continuously for solutions that will enhance delivery and improve the Federation’s reputation across all partners, in the spirit of the ForeSEE initiative.

Leadership, Management, and Accountability

• Leads GSC staff directly reporting to the position as well as those whose defined functions are located within GSC.
• Ensures that strategies and priorities for the IFRC support services, especially the newly identified functions, are clearly articulated, optimally resourced, further developed, and optimised.
• Coordinates and liaises with relevant directors in Geneva who have functions based in GSC, ensure strategic discussions, makes regular contacts, and facilitates dialogue between technical staff and technical directors, and acts as the glue for strong relationship building and a good understanding of diverse contexts and realities.
• Is accountable for financial management of the GSC in accordance with IFRC requirements and standards.
• Ensures accountability for GSC’s security services, in accordance with relevant legislation, liaising closely with the Security Team at Headquarters and in the region.
• Leads appropriate risk management strategies. In this connection, liaises, as appropriate, with the Office of Internal Audit and Investigation (OIAI) and refers to OIAI cases of non-compliance and accountability failures.
• Supervises the daily management of the GSC Complex. This includes negotiation with the authorities of Hungary to meet evolving needs and provide adequate working space, furniture, equipment, local procurement of goods and services, reception services, management and preparation of rooms, mail distribution as well as accommodation of staff and delegates.

• Provides line management and mentoring for the various teams to promote the professional growth, motivation and satisfaction of staff while ensuring appropriate personal development, PSS accompaniment and succession planning.
• Promotes and facilitates staff mobility within key positions to minimize risk and support career development in line with best practice.
• Ensures skills sharing with relevant GSC staff in other regions and in Headquarters.

Representation and Networking

• Is responsible for high-level liaison and networking with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as well as with the Landlord’s representative for any building issues.
• Represents IFRC from the GSC perspective to the Government of Hungary, the Diplomatic Community accredited to Hungary and other relevant stakeholders within the international and business community.
• Represents the IFRC GSC at the Inter-agency meeting of directors of shared services centres of the United Nations and other international organisations based in Budapest.
• Develops external relationships and networking with corporate partners, Hungarian authorities, and other relevant stakeholders for purposes of accessing trends analyses, positioning the IFRC and receiving donations in cash or in kind.
• Represents IFRC externally in matters related to the GSC such as universities, Budapest Municipality, and relevant technical services (e.g., fire brigade, building authorities, environmental services, etc.), in coordination with the Head of Corporate Services.

Support to the Secretary-General and the USG-MPSCS on Designated Global Initiatives

• Undertakes any other special tasks or global projects and processes at the request of the USG-MPSCS. Special tasks or projects may vary, but they currently include support for the implementation of projects such as the ForeSEE Initiative, the development of the IFRC Alumni Association, and representation of the USG-MPSCS at designated high-level forums.

• Advanced relevant university degree (e.g., master’s in business administration or equivalent).
• IMPACT training for international RC/RC Movement staff.
• Certification or related qualification in Project Management.

• Minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience in a senior management position.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in an international organization, International non-governmental organization and/or a government development agency.
• Experience working with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
• Experience working under remote management and with virtual, multi-cultural teams.
• Experience in both strategic and operational planning and budgeting, financial management, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Very strong people management skills with a creative approach to ensure credibility and trust between staff and director.
• Strong representation, negotiation, networking, and communications skills.
• Self-driven, ability to multi-task, manage priorities, and deliver to deadlines.
• Well organized, able to work under pressure and manage priorities in a complex environment.
• Result-oriented, ability to lead transitions within a matrix management structure.
• Focused on quality, standards, results, and accountability.
• Good strategic and operational planning skills.
• Proven good judgement and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality, acting as a role model of highest integrity in personal capacity and within a team.
• Proven interpersonal skills, ability to coordinate with stakeholders across different teams (internal or external).
• Ability to manage situations under tight timelines, well organized with a collaborative and an open-minded attitude.
• Ability to drive positive solutions in difficult and complex situations.
• High degree of discretion, tact, and sensitivity with internal and external stakeholders.
• Skilled in computer applications, particularly Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and WORD.
• Financial management skills.

Languages

• Fluent in spoken and written English.
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).

• Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.
• Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgment 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.

Please apply through SRI Executive link