Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 16 Jun 2017
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 International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organisation established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the Movement). 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.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. 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; directing and coordinating international relief operations, resource mobilization, technical support including 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: (i) Partnerships, including Movement and Membership; (ii) Programmes and Operations; and (iii) Management Services. The Director of the Health and Care Department reports directly to the Under Secretary General, Programmes and Operations. The position is located in the IFRC Secretariat headquarters in Geneva. Through a matrix management approach, the incumbent will provide guidance and support to IFRC staff throughout the organization who share responsibility for implementing IFRC strategies in the area of health.
Job Purpose
Under the overall direction of the Under Secretary General, Programmes and Operations, the Direcor of the Health and Care Department is responsible for overall management of the design, planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of the health programme in support of the work of National Societies and IFRC efforts to contribute to safer and more resilient communities, to address the needs of the most vulnerable, and to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.
The Director of the Health and Care Department leads the Federation’s global health team and is responsible for providing effective technical leadership, clear management guidance and innovative programme support for the development, adaptation and implementation of IFRC policies and strategies in the area of health.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Under the guidance of the Under Secretary General, Programmes and Operations, the Director of the Health and Care Department has the following duties and responsibilities:
• Provide leadership and strategic direction for results and linkages along the full continuum of health-related activities – from development, volunteer and community preparedness and mobilization, risk reduction and health systems strengthening, to emergency health and epidemic response -- including in the areas of public health, maternal and child health, communicable and non-communicable diseases; nutrition and food security; first aid; voluntary non-remunerated blood donation; water and sanitation; prevention of violence including gender-based violence; and social services, consistent with the priorities of Governance and the Secretary General.
• Lead and facilitate the provision of technical leadership and expertise in health and related areas to inform evidence-based sectorial policies, strategies, guidance and planning, situation analyses, programme goals and design, programme implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Promote innovative approaches relevant to the specific portfolios within the department in order to provide National societies with state-of-the-art, effective and efficient tools for the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of their respective sectorial programmes.
• Lead the development and implementation of a strategic operational plan for supporting National Societies in the implementation of IFRC Strategy 2020 and in contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.
• Ensure coherent linkages and coordination with IFRC Reference Centres working on specific health priorities (e.g., psychosocial support, climate change and health), and represent the Secretariat in steering committees and other bodies, and provide strategic guidance and promote innovative approaches within the network.
• Advise senior management on measures to ensure overall organizational coherence and coordination in the various sectors and portfolios and support the organization’s results based management systems.
• Ensure effective strategic support to Governance bodies and follow-up on Governance resolutions and decisions.
• Act as a dynamic advocate and champion of health and related sectors as a core function of the IFRC and its membership, including representation of the organisation in high level forums, engaging with and expanding strategic partnerships, and mobilizing resources.
• Collaborate with colleagues in disaster and crisis response to ensure that the Federation has the appropriate capacity for assisting National Societies in responding to public health crises and emergencies.
• Support the development of resilience based approaches and holistic health approaches.
Key tasks:
• Lead the Secretariat’s global health team, including line management and oversight within the department, matrix management with sectorial coordinators and colleagues in regional and country offices, and engagement with Global Reference Centres and expert groups.
• Manage the department in a professional manner with clear objectives, targets, results and timelines, and ensure staff growth, motivation and satisfaction, contributing to effective organizational talent management and overall institutional discipline.
• Foster and contribute to an ethos of learning, accountability and transparency within the department and in broader organizational relations.
• Lead the global work planning and budgeting processes for the sectors and portfolios within the department.
• Work continuously to bring the Secretariat closer to National Societies and to foster Movement coordination and collaboration in related areas of work.
• Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the Secretary General or Under Secretary General.
Education
Required:
Post-graduate (i.e., Master’s or Ph.D. degree or equivalent) in public health /community health.
University degree or professional qualification in medicine, nursing, or other medical field.
Experience
Required:
- Minimum 10 years of work experience, at management level, in health, social or economic development, epidemic response, or related field.
- Relevant experience at field level in health, social or economic development, epidemic response, or related field.
- 5 years of work experience including management in a Red Cross/Red Crescent National Society, IFRC or ICRC, or a relevant international organization - preferred.
Knowledge, skills and languages
Required:
- Knowledge of public health or other relevant sector, and experience in practically applying this knowledge.
- Strategic planning in a complex organizational environment and ability to formulate policies at a senior level.
- Ability to formulate policies at a senior level.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and networking skills.
- Fluently spoken and written English.
- Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic) - preferred
Competencies and values
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
How to apply:
Please submit your application using the following link: http://www.ifrc.org/who-we-are/working-with-us/current-vacancies/