Switzerland: Unit Manager, HR Programs and Policies

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 (“the Federation”) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The IFRC Secretariat (“the IFRC”) is based in Geneva and has regional and country offices throughout the world. Under the leadership of the Secretary General, the IFRC provides the central capacity to serve, connect, and represent Red Cross / Red Crescent National Societies. The IFRC focus includes providing support with 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; and expanding engagement with partners.

The IFRC headquarters is organized in three main business groups:
(i) Partnerships, including Movement and Membership,
(ii) Programmes and Operations, and
(iii) Management, each one of them led by an Under-Secretary General.

The Management Division is in turn organised in three Departments: Finance and Administration, Human Resources, and Information Technology, each of them led by a Director.
This position is located in the Human Resources Department and reports directly to the Director of Human Resources.

Job Purpose

To translate the Secretariat’s people strategy into a synergetic set of HR programs, policies and systems that run across a diversified range of HR areas of expertise and consistently aim towards the same desired outcome.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Lead the design of consistent HR programs, policies, and systems to achieve the Secretariat’s people strategy

• Work closely with the global HR team and other stakeholders to elicit HR-related needs and expectations with a view of providing IFRC with best-fit HR solutions
• Assess existing HR programs, policies and systems against people-related strategic objectives and identified needs; map gaps and inconsistencies, and guide the work of the unit towards their revision and optimal alignment
• Ensure coherence and effectiveness of all HR programs, policies and systems by providing strategic oversight over interdependencies and combined outcome
• Develop and formulate HR programs and policies that reflect the changing needs of the organization through detailed researching and benchmarking analysis

Guide and coordinate the work of the HR Programs and Policies Unit towards optimal alignment

• Supervise Unit staff, and oversee the development and the implementation of Staff Development strategy, programs, and actions
• Oversee the maintenance and drive further development of job evaluation and rewards systems as needed
• Sequence the development of new HR programs, policies and systems; coordinate and participate in their delivery; monitor and ensure coherence at all times across existing and new HR programs, policies and systems, by revising them if, and as, necessary
• Liaise with communities of practice and professional associations in order to keep abreast of emerging trends and integrate best practices
• Liaise with and manage external service providers as needed

Work closely with front-end HR stakeholders in order to ensure proper implementation and continuous improvement of meaningful HR programs, policies and systems in all people management and development-related areas

• Support the roll-out of new HR programs, policies, and systems by providing internal training as needed, with a view of empowering relevant HR stakeholders in their day-to-day implementation
• Provide HR colleagues with ad hoc advice and technical support on HR systems-related interpretation and application
• Collect input and feedback from front-end HR stakeholders, and integrate it into HR systems development and improvement actions
• Coordinate efforts to develop HR policies and other HR tools to enable the implementation of the Secretariat’s people strategy; work closely with subject matter experts from other units/departments (e.g. legal affairs, finance and administration dept., insurance unit, etc.) in order to ensure compliance with internal and external systems

Provide leadership and management to the HRPrograms and Policies Unit

• Be a role model; identify and promote value-based behaviors
• Act as performance improvement driver and foster positive change within the unit, and beyond
• Proactively work towards the professional development of the whole team
• Perform the whole range of work supervision and management activities (e.g. set objectives, appraise performance, identify gaps and contribute to the definition of training and development actions as appropriate, etc.)
• Consolidate and oversee the management of the Unit’s budget

Contribute to build an effective, high quality HR Department, by:

• Being a member of the HR Management Team
• Actively work towards the achievement of the HR Programs and Policies Unit’s strategic objectives as set out in the Human Resources Strategic Framework
• Ensure excellent collaboration with HR colleagues and contribute to their professional development
• Participate in the development of a customer service-oriented culture that values proactivity, continuous improvement, innovation, and high performance

Education

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in HR management or another related field. Alternatively, equivalent relevant HR experience can be accepted.
• Professional HR qualification
• Project Management certification or 3-5 years of HR Project Management experience - Preferred

Experience

• At least 10 years working experience, out of which at least 7 years of HR specialized experience (Compensation & Benefits, Talent Management, Programs and Policies) in an international, matrix organization (IO, NGO, corporate)
• Generalist HR experience at management or policy level
• Humanitarian sector experience strongly preferred, especially within the Red Cross movement, and field experience would be an asset

Knowledge, skills and languages

• Strategic thinking, with strong analytical skills
• In depth understanding of specialized HR systems and how they link together
• Ability to constructively challenge status quo and encourage new innovative solutions when appropriate
• Solid track of managing and supporting diverse and multicultural teams
• Proven judgement and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment
• Fluent spoken and written English
• Fluency in Arabic, French and/or Spanish would be an advantage 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

Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others

Managerial competencies: Managing staff performance; Managing staff development Comments

Comments

The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.

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