Country: United States of America
Closing date: 08 Jan 2018
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 organization 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 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; 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) Programs and Operations; and (iii) Management. The Head of Delegation and Permanent Representative to the UN in New York reports directly to the Under Secretary General for Partnerships, and leads IFRC engagement with the UN and other Permanent Missions and International Organisations at the UN in New York.
Job Purpose
Under the guidance of the Under Secretary General, Partnerships, the Head of Delegation and Permanent Representative is responsible for leading humanitarian diplomacy efforts in New York in coordination with the global Partnerships and humanitarian diplomacy team. Broadly, the Head of Delegation and Permanent Representative will seek to persuade decision makers and opinion leaders to act, at all times, in the interests of vulnerable people and communities, and with full respect for fundamental humanitarian principles.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Under the guidance of the Under Secretary General, Partnerships, the Head of Delegation and Permanent Representative has the following duties and responsibilities:
Advance policy and operational goals
•Represent the Red Cross and Red Crescent's positions on policy issues, operational matters and other relevant issues being considered by UN member states and the UN bodies.
•Contribute expertise and build alliances in order to inform and influence decision-making on matters of concern to the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
•Seek recognition of the IFRC's mandate, work, policy and operational priorities in the Secretary General's reports, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the Security Council and other relevant bodies, as well as in governing body deliberations and reports of relevant UN agencies.
•Enhance coordination of humanitarian operations by liaising with the relevant UN agencies and other partners, including through regular and active participation in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee.
•Collaborate with the ICRC UN delegation to present coherent Movement positions on matters of mutual interest.
Provide analysis and information to Senior Management
•Provide regular updates to the Federation's senior management regarding opportunities for engagement and fundraising that advance the interests of the organisation.
•Provide strategic and practical advice to the Federation's senior management and its membership, as appropriate, based on an analysis of developments, emerging issues and trends in intergovernmental deliberations and UN agency discussions.
•Remain informed about key issues and debates and develop and maintain a wide network of interlocutors amongst member states, UN staff, other humanitarian organizations and observers.
•Develop and maintain a close collaborative relationship, including information and analysis sharing, with the ICRC delegation to the United Nations.
•Provide regular management reports on the activities of the delegation.
Ensure profiling with the United Nations, Member States, agencies and accredited international media
•Manage the consistent and meaningful profiling of the Red Cross and Red Crescent's priority issues and operations with Member States, UN agencies and international media.
•Support the implementation of the Federation's communications and advocacy initiatives, from the New York delegation.
•Provide feedback on additional profiling needs, based on information from United Nations member states, UN agencies and the media. •Participate in the crafting of the IFRC's role and positions as an inter-agency actor in the United Nations Inter-Agency Standing Committee.
Engage the Federation's membership
•Provide support to Membership and ensure that they are offered regular opportunities to participate in the humanitarian diplomacy activities conducted by the delegation (e.g. briefings with States, representations at UN gatherings, etc), including on issues of public interest (e.g. particular humanitarian crises).
•Develop and maintain a close collaborative relationship with the American Red Cross, particularly the New York chapter.
Management
•Ensure that Secretariat's strategies, plans, regulations, procedures and standards are in place and implemented in compliance with IFRC policies.
•Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and status agreements to minimise the risk of harm to the IFRC and its Secretariat personnel, properties and resources; this includes ensuring of staff security. Monitor risk management in the zone and take proactive actions and contribute to Secretariat's risk registering process.
•Manage the plans and budget, and ensure sound financial management.
•Provide leadership to all staff under direct and indirect supervision. This includes recruitment, supervision, support and development of staff as well as team building.
•Provide leadership to the monitoring and reporting process on global performance indicators and promote a culture of performance and continuous learning to improve the accountability and impact for vulnerable people.
Education
Post-graduate (i.e., Master’s or Ph.D. degree or equivalent) in social sciences/development studies, strategic/programme management, international relations, management studies or other relevant discipline.
Experience
•Minimum of 10 years work experience in humanitarian operations for a humanitarian aid organisation and or development cooperation organisation, 5 of which should be at senior management level
•10 years of experience in government relations at national and multilateral levels
•5 years of experience of analysing, planning and managing programmes and resources and resource mobilisation
•Experience of acting in a representational role and maintaining donor and partner relations
•5 years of work experience including management in a Red Cross/Red Crescent National Society, IFRC or ICRC - preferred.
Knowledge, skills and languages
•Strong management and organizational skills, including ability to delegate authority and responsibility
•Ability to work in a cross cultural and cross functional environment
•Computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office
•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
•Drive change and improvements and ability to deliver strategies in a challenging environment
•Understanding of and commitment to the IFRC’s mission and values
•Demonstrated initiative and creativity, and strategic thinking, including identifying, analysing, problem solving and responding to opportunities and challenges and the ability to translate these into practical plans of action •Sound understanding of international institutions
•Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in spoken and written English
•Good working knowledge of another IFRC official language (i.e. Arabic, French or Spanish) •Knowledge of UN official languages - preferred.
Competencies and values
•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 to IFRCjobs