Switzerland: Manager Inclusion, Protection and Engagement

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 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) Programmes and Operations; and (iii) Management Services. The Partnership Division is in turn organised in three Departments, each of them led by a Director. Policy, Strategy and Knowledge department (PSK) consists of 5 teams, of which Inclusion, Protection and Engagement is one. The leader of that team serves as a member of the PSK Management Team.

Job Purpose

Secures the development and effective implementation of high quality sector strategies on IFRC’s priorities (social inclusion, culture of non-violence & peace, gender & diversity, humanitarian education and youth & volunteers): delivery of advocacy and engagement programmes within the IFRC community and in the relevant external platforms.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Enable the IFRC to be a global player in ensuring programmatic coherency on social inclusion and peace

• Scan for, validate and enable access to relevant problem and trend analysis, best practices and learnings both within and outside the IFRC programming.
• Translate IFRC global positioning into innovative strategies, proven solutions and positioning in prioritised focal and sector areas: social inclusion and peace.
• Strategically lead and coordinate the integration of cross cutting of IFRC stands on social inclusion, peace , gender and diversity in all policy, positioning and programming activities.
• Strategically lead the outreach programme to globalize the acceptance of IFRC humanitarian objectives and values and to engage present and potentially new community members who actively adhere to these values.

Support the IFRC capacity to improve and profile performance and inclusive programming and positioning

• Map performance results, global practices and priority needs of National Societies in these sectors and strategically coordinate a coherent sector/programme development, quality of practice at global level in co-creation with regional specialists and National Societies.
• Disseminate and utilize sector oriented performance standards and benchmarks and ensure shared understanding and correct interpretation and implementation in all sector programmes.
• Ensure systematic and effective analysis, monitoring and evaluation of IFRC performance in these areas.
• Develop and disseminate relevant intelligence, networks, evidence based practise, learnings and resources in the IFRC community in order to foster programming capacities.
• Stimulate, coordinate diplomacy efforts and engagement programmes in relevant decision making forums, in close collaboration with IFRC-representatives.
• Build, maintain and utilise networks and relationships with relevant global stakeholders in sector partnerships and identify actively positioning and resource mobilisation opportunities.

Be a role model in leading and managing an effective, high quality team, fit for purpose

• Be accountable to Director on progress of results, a pro-active advisor and be a dynamic member of the department management team supporting strategic content areas and/or organisational change;
  
• Ensure effective coordination with other relevant departments in the Secretariat, participation of field colleagues, a proven service and co-creative orientation towards NS and an active exchange with peers, partners and stakeholders in the external environment;
  
• Nurture relations with peer organizations, participate in communities of practice and professional associations, develop networking and exchange initiatives in order to keep abreast of emerging trends and integrate best practices
  
• Define clear roles, accountabilities and activities, and assign them across the team members on an ongoing basis while improving efficiencies within available resources;
  
• Plan, manage and monitor the use of available resources (people, budgets, etc.) of the team in order to deliver the agreed activities for area of responsibility;
  
• Foster a culture that values accountability for results, proactivity, continuous improvement, innovation, and high performance;
  
• Create a working environment that ensures staff growth, motivation and satisfaction.
  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 is required.

Experience

Required:

10-15 years working experience in the humanitarian or development sector, with a focus on policy and advocacy issues.

Demonstrated professional experience working in an international or cross-cultural environment.

Experience identifying and articulating strategic and tactical issues, risks and priorities to provide sound advice to senior management in a complex organisation.

Preferred:

Experience with programming and positioning in areas of social inclusion and peace.

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

Required:

Strategic thinker with the ability to implement strategies and policies at a senior level.

Results oriented and demand driven individual, entrepreneurial, ability to lead in unprecedented and/or ambiguous situations.

Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including the ability to lead within a matrix management structure and utilise talent and experience of team members in a productive way.

Professional credibility, able to work effectively at all levels across a complex organisation
Outstanding networking, representational, communication and negotiation skills. An ability to be proactive and persuasive.

Proven good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality.

High degree of discretion, tact and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels.

Ability to work within a multi-cultural, multilingual, multidisciplinary environment.

Fluent written and spoken English.

Preferred:

Proficiency in an additional IFRC language (French, Spanish or Arabic). Competencies and values

Values : Respect for Diversity, Integrity, Professionalism, Accountability

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

Managerial Competencies : Managing Staff Performance, Managing Staff Development

Functional Competencies : Strategic Orientation, Building Alliances, Leadership, Empowering Others Comments

The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.

Please apply under organization website : http://www.ifrc.org/en/who-we-are/working-with-us/current-vacancies/job-description/?id=2589