Switzerland: Director, Policy, Strategy and Knowledge

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 190 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Organizational Context

The Federation is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat is led by the IFRC Secretary General and provides the central capacity of the International Federation to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. The Secretariat’s focus includes providing support to the IFRC governance mechanisms; setting norms and standards; providing guidance; ensuring consistency, coordination, and accountability for performance; knowledge sharing; promoting collaboration within and respect for the RCRC Movement; and expanding engagement with partners. The Secretariat’s headquarters is organized in three main business groups:

1. Partnerships, including Movement and Membership;
2. Programmes and Operations;
3. Management Services.

The Director, Policy, Strategy and Knowledge reports directly to the Under Secretary General, Partnerships. The position is located in the IFRC Secretariat headquarters in Geneva.

Job Purpose

Under the overall direction of the Under Secretary General, Partnerships, the incumbent will provide guidance and leadership for the Secretariat’s work in the areas of policy, strategy and knowledge management, including the specific functions of policy development and positioning; advocacy; strategic planning, budgeting and evaluation; research and analysis; innovation; and knowledge management.

In addition, the incumbent will contribute to the overall development and management of the organization and will play a leadership role in the external representation of the organization.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Director, Policy, Strategy and Knowledge provides strategic leadership and management to ensure the following functions are effectively performed:

• Policy research
• Internal and external policy development and positioning
• Strategic planning and budgeting
• Monitoring, reporting and evaluation
• Advocacy
• Knowledge management

Working in close collaboration with the membership, governance, communications, technical and field teams, the specific responsibilities include:

• Oversee and manage an organization wide, coordinated and focused approach to research and trend analysis leveraging the expertise and data gathering potential of the Movement.
• Galvanize and coordinate innovation initiatives prioritized against strategic ambitions.
• Oversee the design and coordination of organizational policy and positioning, as well as identify and address policy and positioning gaps.
• Advise the executive and senior management on internal policy coherence and positioning, including to ensure continuing relevance and “fitness for purpose”.
• Oversee the strategic planning processes of the organization, including work planning and budgeting, as well as monitoring, reporting and evaluation to enhance organizational effectiveness and accountability.
• Manage and coordinate the development of the organization’s advocacy positions and governmental and legislative advocacy efforts, including providing the strategic oversight over substantive messaging and advocacy priorities in major international policy fora and processes, such as the RCRC International Conference, the World Humanitarian Summit, the post 2015 Sustainable development goals, and the Climate Change Conference of Parties.
• Ensure the effective representation of the organization in the humanitarian policy fora and coordination mechanisms, including the Inter Agency Standing Commission (IASC) mechanisms, Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR), and Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance in Humanitarian Action (ALNAP).
• Coordinate and oversee the organization’s legislative advocacy engagements.
• Liaise with the communications team to ensure the effective external dissemination and marketing of the organization’s policy, advocacy and research agenda.
• In partnership with the information systems development team and relevant stakeholders, oversee the development and ensure the effective implementation of knowledge dissemination systems, as well as platforms for policy development, data gathering and statistical analysis.
• Ensure substantive and strategic input to governance discussions on matters related to strategy and policy.
• Ensure effective coordination and cooperation with the ICRC and support to National Societies in the areas of policy, strategy and knowledge, and galvanize and contribute to coordinated and coherent “Movement” policy, positioning and advocacy.
• Provide line management and mentoring for the teams in the organizational unit and promote the professional growth, motivation and satisfaction of staff.

Education

Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in International Affairs, Political Science, Law, Economics, Public Policy, Social Studies, or other relevant areas of study.

Experience

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in the humanitarian or development sector, with a focus on policy issues and management experience.
• Demonstrated professional experience working in an international or cross-cultural environment in the fields of international relations, humanitarian action, economic and social development, international partnerships, law, community organization and development, or another relevant field.
• Demonstrated professional experience in an organization within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, or in an international organization or NGO.

Knowledge, skills and languages

• Capacity to work with sensitivity in a multi-cultural environment.
• Strong analytic skills and knowledge of research processes and methodologies.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Highly developed diplomatic and negotiation skills.
• Strong management skills to lead, motivate and support teams.
• Outstanding ability to communicate clearly and concisely in spoken and written English
• Good working knowledge of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Competencies and values

Comments

Core competencies: Communication, Collaboration & Teamwork, Judgement & Decision Making, National Society & Customer Relations, Creativity & Innovation, Building Trust

Managerial competencies: Managing Performance, Managing Staff Development

Functional competencies: Strategic Orientation, Building Alliances, Leadership, Empowering Others

The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.

Please apply on the organisation's website: Click Here