Branch and Volunteering Development Senior Officer

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 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.  

The 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 has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  The 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 Branch and Volunteering Development Senior Officer who shall be based in Baku, Azerbaijan will provide support to the National Society of Azerbaijan Red Crescent on Branch and Volunteering development.

The Branch and Volunteer Development Senior Officer provides technical support to the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society and the local civil society organisations for the purpose of operational effectiveness and institutional strengthening.

The Branch and Volunteering Development Senior Officer is  expected to support the NSD Delegate together with the Programme and Operations Manager in achieving targets defined under the EU-funded project implemented by the IFRC in Azerbaijan. The project aims at strengthening institutional capacities of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society (AzRCS) and the civil society organisations (CSOs) in the country.

• Support the development of the National Society Development (NSD) Plan of action with a particular focus on Branch and volunteer development activities implementation and specific support on Branch and Volunteering development aspects.
• Ensure development and implementation of detailed action plan for branch and volunteer development in close collaboration with the AzRCS and Movement partners involved in Branch and Volunteer management development.
• Work with the AzRCS to develop its technical skills and capacity in the areas of branch development and volunteering, establish close collaboration and provide mentoring and coaching to relevant staff members of the National Society involved in branch development and volunteer management processes and activities.

• Support implementation of branch development Plans of actions, Branch Organizational Capacity Analysis /Assessments, facilitate the adaptation of existing tools and other initiatives that contain recommendations and action points for branch development.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of key legal framework including policy documents, branch handbook, procedures, volunteer management, youth engagement, in addition to disaster preparedness for branches.
• Support and provide guidance in fundraising activities development at the branch level with the staff and volunteers.
• Perform and update a detailed mapping of the AzRCS’ branches including their challenges, capabilities and needs in collaboration with National Societies’ staff involved in NSD.
• Support the AzRCS in addressing social and humanitarian needs in a structured manner through branch activities and volunteering initiatives.
• Promote knowledge and build skills in Community Engagement and Accountability and oversee its implementation to be backed up by relevant procedures at the branch level.
• Ensure the integrated approach to branch development and volunteer management program/project is implemented linking with other relevant sectors of development and operation levels at central and branch levels.
• Support the National Society to mainstream branch development and volunteer management within all National Societies’ programs.
• Contribute to the AzRCS branches knowledge sharing and facilitating peer to peer support, promote learning and support piloting and scale up of innovative initiatives.
• Support in development of the applications and project proposals for Capacity Building Fund with focus on youth, volunteering, and branch development

• Ensure IFRC NSD Plan implementation in the part of branch and volunteer development, support progress and regular revision of action plans and budgets.
• Prepare relevant reporting and support the National Society in submitting reports as required in addition to supporting NS in strengthening Planning Monitoring Evaluation and Reporting (PMER) capacities at branch level.
• Support the AzRCS ensure their duty of care towards volunteers.
• Support the AzRCS in the roll out of its digitalization strategy and initiatives.
• Support the National Societies in organization of branch forums, and other relevant meetings, workshops for staff and volunteers at the branch levels.
• Make strong and proactive contribution to further advancing partnership between Movement partners on the collaboration of National Society Branch and Volunteering Development including in situations of conflict.
• Support a mapping exercise that aims at measuring capacities and capabilities of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Azerbaijan through a comprehensive study that aims to identify key civil society actors in the country.
• Ensure that activities implemented to strengthen institutional capacity of the AzRCS is tailored and replicated across the CSO portfolio targeted.
• Support establishing of a small-grant scheme to support strengthening of their response capacities and enhanced their operational (financial, legal and regulatory) sustainability to exercise their roles as independent actors in identifying and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable communities in Azerbaijan.

Respect and act in line with Red Cross Red Crescent values and competencies built on the Red Cross and Red Crescent Fundamental Principles, respect for diversity, and integrity in all we do.

Required:

• Relevant university degree or extensive professional experience in related field
• Background in non-profit management and/or consulting

Required:

• At least three years of proven experience in local capacity building, volunteer management and/or community development in cross-cultural and diversity-sensitive environments
• At least two years of proven experience in programme management 
• At least one year of proven experience in branch development
• Demonstrating capacity to engage effectively at training planning, designing modules, implementation, reporting 
  
  

Preferred:

• Experience of working for the RCRC 
• Experience and/or knowledge in team building and support team members to grow  
• Working knowledge of IFRC’s Organizational Development and volunteer development policies and tools including the NSD Framework, National Society Strategic Planning and National Society Self-Assessment

Required:

• Proven analytical skills and the ability to think strategically
  Sound knowledge in financial management and in project design, budget, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting
• Ability and track record working with and inter-relating to the leadership of the National Societies and supported organizations
• Ability to work with due sensitivity in a multi-cultural environment and virtual or/and dispersed teams
• Excellent negotiation, consulting, and management skills
• Skills in coaching, mentoring, and training
• Teamwork and trust-building for inclusive National Society relations
• Focused on quality and standards, results, and accountabilities
• Fluently spoken and written English

Preferred:

• Good command of Russian is an advantage

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