Talent Pipeline - Head of Delegation

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; (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 delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

The Head of Delegation (HoD) is the senior representative of the Secretariat and the director of operations (if any) with clear authority for management and accountability.  Under thedirection and guidance of the Regional Director, he/she will facilitate coordination and technical assistance within IFRC as regards the delegation and between IFRC and the respective National Society (NS) in the country.

The Head of Delegation (HoD) is the senior Secretariat representative and business manager with delegated authority and responsibility from the Secretary general whose main purpose is to lead IFRC support to the relevant National Society (NS) with a strong focus on the delivery of results and impact, as framed by Strategy 2030 and its enablers (engagement, accountability, and trust), and as reflected in the IFRC’s Agenda for Renewal.

In this connection, the HoD is expected to uphold the Red Cross Red Crescent Fundamental Principles in all activities at the country level, and possesses country-level responsibility for strategic and operational coordination, humanitarian diplomacy, national society development and membership services, safeguarding community-centered development, capacity strengthening, climate actions, disasters and crisis preparedness, response and recovery coordination as well as partnership and resource development etc.

Under the leadership and guidance of the Regional Director, the HoD is also responsible for ensuring a One IFRC approach linking strategic and operational objectives at the country level. Accordingly, the HoD helps to reinforce the NS’s auxiliary role and supports its efforts to coordinate technical programs and humanitarian diplomacy activities at both the regional and global levels. In this connection, the HoD is accountable for developing the Secretariat’s strategy to support the NS.

Every HoD will receive Mission Instructions for their information and guidance before assuming the role.

Ensure delivery of the Five Strategic Priorities of Strategy 2030

• Ensure the five strategic priorities of Strategy 2030 are integrated into the strategic plan of the Delegation and delivered. These include climate and environmental crises, evolving crises and disasters, growing gaps in health and wellbeing, migration and identity and values, power, and inclusion.
• Responsible for ensuring the NS is at the centre of all IFRC activities and operational plans, while considering accountability and agility requirements, community perspectives, the interests of beneficiaries, principles and conduct issues, partnership with donors, statutory instruments, and General Assembly resolutions.
• Provide effective support to ensure appropriate preparedness and response mechanisms are established in each NS and IFRC offices and have an impact.
• Ensure national resources from the country are made available rapidly and efficiently to support IFRC operations.

Conduct Strategic and Operational Coordination

• Responsible for coordination with:
  • The Red Cross Red Crescent Membership, including IFRC and its member NSs.
  • Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, including IFRC, its member NSs and the ICRC.
  • External partners, governments, international organizations, civil society organizations, NGOs, private sector entities and other stakeholders involved in humanitarian work.
• Ensure IFRC policies, procedures, guidelines, and quality standards are accepted, disseminated, and adhered to.
• Facilitate cooperation and coordination in all programmes and operations among all Movement components to ensure the most effective and efficient mobilisation and utilisation of resources.
• Build effective cooperation and partnerships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders in government, civil society, academia, and the private sector.

Lead Effective Humanitarian Diplomacy

• Support NSs in fulfilling their auxiliary role to governments and in serving as partners of choice.
• In close consultation with the NS and local Government, build broad alliances and develop interest in and support for the global work of IFRC.
• Implement the humanitarian priorities set by IFRC in the country, support the NS to develop and partnerships with national and global actors as well as achieve humanitarian diplomacy objectives.
• Formulate policy objectives for advocacy, communications, and external relations for the country in line with the IFRC Strategy. In this connection, continuously support IFRC-wide efforts to upgrade the digital platform shared with NSs to make it better fit for the future as regards humanitarian work.

Support and Strengthen National Society Development and Membership Services

• Strengthen the NS’s legal status and auxiliary role as well as support its strategic and operational plans so that it can be more effective, efficient, engaged, accountable and trusted.
• Establish and maintain close working relations with the leadership of the country NS for overall cooperation and coordination.
• Ensure the Secretariat delivers and provides quality support to the NS; the requisite policies are developed and implemented; core programmes are properly planned, managed, and monitored; and capacity strengthening opportunities relating to people as well as systems are fully exploited.
• Lead resource mobilisation for the NS in country and for global activities.
• Support NS on volunteering, youth, and human resource development initiatives.

Ensure Accountability

• Responsible for the Delegation’s overall accountability - including to communities, the Membership, donors, and external partners.
• Ensure IFRC’s duty of care and legal obligations are respected.
• Ensure sound financial management of IFRC’s programming.
• Ensure dissemination of the Code of Conduct to all staff in the delegation.
• Ensure the Office maintains a comprehensive and effective 24/7 security management that will have a positive impact on, and enhance, personnel as well as assets safety and security.
• Ensure all IFRC (and other RCRC) personnel, assets, and operations under IFRC responsibility are adequately protected and identified security risks are mitigated as much as possible.
• Undertake security risk assessment of IFRC operations, as needed, to ensure compliance with IFRC's Minimum-Security Requirements (MSR). This includes Office, Residential and Site security coordination.
• Advise staff on coordinating actions required to deal with security-sensitive situations and if required the management of critical incidents.

Ensure Agility

• Responsible for the delivery of IFRC activities in an agile way to boost effectiveness and impact.
• Provide increased support for developing systems and processes to increase agility and accountability as well as improve the quality of delivery.
• Exercise good judgment, creativity, and flexibility in implementing decisions made by IFRC in relation to coordination with the Membership, the Movement, external stakeholders (including donors, other humanitarian actors, and the private sector.

Promote Safeguarding

All members of the IFRC workforce must contribute individually and collectively towards a working environment where everyone feels safe and empowered to perform their duties. This includes the demonstration of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment (including sexual harassment), sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power of affected populations and/or IFRC personnel.  In this connection, IFRC expects and requires managers, as individuals and managers, to:

• Demonstrate their commitment to providing a safe and respectful work environment by maintaining a high standard of personal conduct; reminding team members of their obligation to demonstrate appropriate behaviour in the workplace; encouraging healthy exchanges; and holding colleagues accountable for contributing to a healthy work environment.
• Actively support and communicate the importance and benefit of a work environment free from any form of harassment and discrimination. This will include but not be limited to taking action to stop inappropriate conduct that others may find offensive or that may contribute to a hostile work environment.
• Make themselves available to those who wish to raise concerns of inappropriate conduct by others in confidence and handle those concerns promptly and effectively in a confidential, victim centered manner.
• Hold all staff who report to them accountable for compliance with IFRC's standards of conduct, including as set out in IFRC policies aimed at combating harassment and protecting staff from sexual exploitation and abuse, and indicate areas of concern and needed improvement in the annual performance appraisal process.
• Monitor staff wellbeing and take action to address any concerns, including ensuring that IFRC personnel are aware of the training, resources and support available.

Required

• Post-graduate (i.e., Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences/development studies, strategic/programme management, management studies or other relevant discipline.

Preferred

• Qualification or certification in project management.
• IMPACT course or equivalent knowledge.

Required

• 10+ years work experience in managing operations for a humanitarian aid organisation and or development cooperation organisation.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience at a senior management level.
• 5 years of work experience including management in a Red Cross/Red Crescent National Society, IFRC or ICRC.
• 5 years’ experience of proven high-level communication skills backed by proven track record in programmes management.
• Proven results-based experience in relationship management and resource mobilisation.
• Proven experience in people management as well as in governance and leadership support.
• Proven record of implementing security regulations. 
• Proven experience of acting in a representational role and maintaining donor and partner relations.

Preferred

• Proven experience of working in one or several of the IFRC regions.

Required

• Strong management and organizational skills, including ability to delegate authority and responsibility.
• Ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment as well as to communicate in such environment.
• Strong financial management skills.
• Computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office tools.
• Excellent interpersonal negotiations skills, including ability to effectively communicate a vision, solve problems and manage conflict.
• Proven people management skills in a multi-cultural environment and strong track record of developing people.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake high-level representational and advocacy role.
• Ability to drive change and improvements as well as to deliver strategies in a challenging environment.
• Understanding of and commitment to IFRC’s mission and values.
• Demonstrated initiative and creativity; substantial experience of strategic thinking, including identifying, analysing, and solving problems; to respond to opportunities and challenges; and the ability to translate these into practical plans of action.
• Fluent 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; 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.

COMMENTS

This is a vacancy notice to join a talent pipeline, and not a specific job opportunity.

When submitting your motivation letter, please include the following: 

• What has motivated you to apply to the Talent Pipeline - Head of Delegation?
• What strengths would you bring to the position?
• Which areas would you need to develop or continue developing related to this role?
• What is your availability?

Your motivation letter should not exceed one page.

Applications should be completed in English.

Candidates will be informed about the outcome of the first recruitment step in April 2023. All candidates will receive written communication, regardless of the outcome of the application.