Switzerland: Manager Policy and Diplomacy

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 Policy and Diplomacy is one. The leader of that team serves as a member of the PSK Management Team.

Job Purpose

Responsible for the articulation of organizational policy and positioning to maximize organizational impact, institutional and membership policy coherence, as well as, effective external positioning and humanitarian diplomacy efforts.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Lead and represent IFRC as leading authority in humanitarian affairspolicy and positioning.

• Ensure a continue monitoring of external trends and the humanitarian policy agenda.
• In coordination with relevant departments, advise on organizational internal and external policy and positioning needs.
• Ensure the effective articulation of organizational policy and positioning to meet institutional and membership needs.
• In cooperation with relevant technical departments and field offices, develop and oversee effective policy coordination, development, review and implementation systems.
• Support the Director of PSK, with the development and the effective facilitation of National Society and external policy and diplomacy networks.
• Develop and manage an IFRC policy database.

Enable IFRC leadership to manage its external diplomacy to influence the global agenda on Humanitarian Affairs

In effective partnership with member National Societies and organizational technical and field teams, ensure the effective coordination and strategic management of the organization’s external diplomacy efforts, including:

• Oversight of the organization’s positioning in relevant global and regional humanitarian fora’s, such as the Red Cross Red Crescent International Conference, the World Humanitarian Summit, and standing humanitarian coordination bodies such as IASC and SCHR.
• Ensure the effective organizational representation in relevant fora.
• Ensure effective policy coordination and partnership with external partners.
• Oversight and affective strategic management of the organization’s governmental legislative and policy advocacy, including the “Disaster Law Programme”.
• Oversight, strategic management and development of the organizations “flag ship” publication the “World Disaster Report”, and related policy and external outreach efforts.

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

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

Preferred:

Demonstrated relevant 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 strong analytical skills and the ability to formulate 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, coordination 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, negotiation and oral and written communication 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.

Fluent written and spoken English.

Preferred:

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

Comments

The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.

Please apply on organisation's website: http://www.ifrc.org/en/who-we-are/working-with-us/current-vacancies/job-description/?id=2597