Switzerland: Team Leader, Emergency Operation, Data and Information Management

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 Programme & Operations Division is in turn organised in three Departments, each of them led by a Director. The department of Disaster & Crisis Prevention Response & Recovery (DCPRR) consists of 2 teams, of which Emergency Operation, Data and Information Management is one. The Team Leader works closely with the Team Leader, Programmes and Operations and Global Networks, as well as other divisional teams (Health, Logistics, Movement Coordination, Security) to ensure a collaborative approach to agreeing emergency operation strategies with regional and country counterparts, operational quality and accountability, institutional and hazard risk mapping and analysis, and the strategic use of the IFRC global disaster response tools.

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of the DCPRR Director, the Team Leader supports the IFRC network with the maintenance and development of the local-to-global IFRC Emergency Response system. Specifically, the Team Leader oversees the IFRC global disaster response tools (ERU, FACT, HEOps, RDRT), the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) and leads the development of enhanced information management systems (including an IT-equipped emergency operations centre (EOC)) for resilience, response and recovery.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Support IFRC Leadership in Management of Prevention, Response and Recovery

• Lead and oversee the IFRC local-to-global Disaster Response system through the phased introduction of new and/or updated standards, procedures and tools appropriate to the organisational structure and matrix management practices.
• Facilitate training and dissemination on emergency response standards, procedures and tools and monitor compliance - referring any significant issues of accountability to the Director DCPRR in a timely manner.
• Convene the Emergency Support Group, support the planning, preparation and follow up of the ESG / Task Force meetings.
• Represent the IFRC Secretariat in the Global Tools Review process (under the oversight of a NS steering Committee) and development of the IFRC management response and facilitate the development of the future vision for the IFRC local-to-global Disaster Response system.
• Manages and develops the DREF and Emergency Appeals quality control and approval process at a global level and lead the review of the IFRC Emergency Appeal system involving all key stakeholders and preparation of the IFRC management response.
• Supports efforts to develop Movement wide approaches to RCRC disaster and crisis prevention, response and recovery through the further alignment of IFRC and ICRC plans, tools and mechanisms.

Coordination of the deployment of emergency response resources

• Oversee the coordination and timely deployment of NS and IFRC global response resources (surge capacity: ERU, FACT; HEOps) and support regions with global oversight for the coordination and development of NS and IFRC regional response resources (RDRT).
• Maintain an overview of IFRC-wide global response capacity and guide NS and IFRC structures in developing international response capacity meeting global requirements.
• Support regions with the identification, deployment, and performance management of Secretariat and NS staff and experts for surge assignments - including liaison with country offices and other parts of the Movement as required in coordination with HR.
• Collaborate with HR department for the development of an innovative IFRC wide emergency response human resource platform that supports user access and real time analysis of human resource assets available for immediate deployment.

Oversight of information and communication mechanisms in PRR

• Oversee and/or lead the development of integrated systems for data gathering and information management across all activities of the DCPRR to ensure accurate and reliable data is collected, stored, analysed and shared with key stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Oversee the effective use of the designated information system, and the application of relevant tools and procedures including through the development and delivery of training modules for stakeholders.
• Oversee the quality assurance of data collection processes and data management activities including encoding, storing, and transferring data to key stakeholders.
• Ensure timely preparation and generation of information products in accordance with needs of the Network, and support on information sharing and dissemination to all relevant channels (Movement and external partners).
• Participate in regional and global level Information Management Working Group and other relevant working groups and support in liaising with external partners locally in relation to information management needs and coordination.
• Liaise and collaborate with ICRC and RCRC partners on the harmonisation and alignment of data collection and management process where appropriate.
• Liase and collaborate with non-Movement partners (including UN OCHA and IASC) on the harmonisation and alignment of data collection as appropriate.

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

• 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 customer service-oriented culture that values accountability for results, proactivity, continuous improvement, innovation, and high performance.
  
• Lead the delivery of service improvement, good practice, continuous learning and knowledge sharing between the IFRC and NSs and between colleagues.
  
• Create a working environment that ensures staff growth, motivation and satisfaction.
  
• Build and maintain trust-relationships with key stakeholders (NS and IFRC structures) involved in fast-paced emergency response decision-making.
  Education

Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) is required. Experience

Required:

At least 10 years working experience in the humanitarian or development sector, with a proven excellence on data and information management.

At least 5 years working experience in management of humanitarian operations, with experience in developing, deploying and evaluating surge capacity.

Demonstrated professional credibility in the sector and experience working in an international or cross-cultural environment.

Preferred:

Experience working in a RC/RC National Society and/or Federation/ICRC.

Knowledge, skills and languages

Required:

Extensive knowledge of principles, systems, techniques and methodologies used in information management and the planning, monitoring and evaluation of programme cycles.

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.

Outstanding networking, representational, communication and negotiation skills. An ability to be proactive and persuasive.

Demonstrated track record in innovating, contributing to a learning culture, sharing knowledge and new approaches to engaging partners.

Professional credibility, able to work effectively at all levels across the organisation.

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.

Fluently spoken and written English.

Preferred:

Good command of another IFRC official 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's website : http://www.ifrc.org/en/who-we-are/working-with-us/current-vacancies/job-description/?id=2590