Head of Country Office

Job Purpose

The Head of Country Office leads IFRC support to the local National Society with a strong focus on development, capacity building, disaster preparedness, response and recovery coordination with Movement and Non-Movement partners, and assists the NS to broaden its partnership base and resource development.

Under the leadership and guidance of the Regional Director, s/he will, in particular, assist the National Society in coordinating programs and humanitarian diplomacy activities as well as be accountable for developing the Secretariat’s support strategy for the National Society (NS) in the country covering the key tasks set out below and as updated from time to time.

Job Duties & Responsibilities 1

Strengthening the country National Society (NS) to deliver services and to advocate on behalf of vulnerable people

· Establish and maintain close working relations with the leadership of the country National Society (NS) related to issues of NSD, programmatic directions, policy and overall cooperation and coordination with the IFRC.

· Strengthen the country NS to continuously deliver effective and efficient humanitarian services to vulnerable people affected by disasters/epidemic or as part of project activities or development programs.

· Grasp the needs and concerns of the country NS and ensure at all times that IFRC provides relevant support.

· Ensure that the Secretariat delivers and provides quality support to the NS, and core programmes are properly planned, managed and monitored; and that capacity-building opportunities are fully exploited.

· Ensure that evaluations of IFRC-supported programmes are carried out according to project/programme plans and that lessons are effectively shared.

· Lead resource mobilisation for the IFRC Secretariat and NS programmes in the country and for global activities of the IFRC and the NS.

· Support the NS in its plans to strengthen their financial sustainability, foster volunteer growth, and enhance international cooperation capacities.

Coordinate, cooperate, and form strategic partnerships

· Ensure that IFRC policies, procedures, guidelines and quality standards are well known and complied with.

· Facilitate cooperation and coordination in all programmes and operations between the host NS and ICRC to ensure the most effective mobilisation and utilisation of resources across the country.

· Build effective cooperation and partnerships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders in government, civil society, academia and the private sector.

· In coordination with the regional Partnership and Resource Development Team, support the NS to develop concrete Partnerships, Development and Humanitarian Diplomacy objectives.

Support global IFRC initiatives

· Work with the NS and the Government to build global alliances and develop interest in and support for the global work of the IFRC.

· Support the conclusion and implementation of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for international humanitarian and development cooperation with the Government and the NS.

· Support and lead global partnerships with the Government and other institutions in the country, in close consultation with the country NS.

Develop effective humanitarian diplomacy

· Monitor and analyse political, economic and social trends in the country for planning purposes and for keeping the IFRC Secretariat and partners informed.

· Formulate policy objectives for advocacy, communications and external relations for the country in accordance with IFRC global priorities.

· Represent IFRC at national events taking place in the country and at meetings which are of global relevance.

· Assist the NS in enhancing the auxiliary role in the humanitarian field and to develop effective humanitarian diplomacy, communications and external relations, and ensure that these features build on and promote IFRC priorities.

· Ensure effective cooperation with ICRC and IFRC membership in the country in representation and advocacy work

Response to disasters

· Provide effective support, including technical advice, to ensure that appropriate disaster preparedness and response mechanisms are established in each NS and IFRC office,

Job Duties & Responsibilities 2

both to facilitate effective disaster response coordination with national response mechanisms, and to build on and strengthen NS capacities in the country.

· Ensure that national resources from the country are made available rapidly and efficiently to support IFRC disaster response.

· Work with the Regional Emergency and Crisis Team on the management of international appeals and international response coordination where and when appropriate.

Management of Secretariat resources in the country
People

· Ensure that an effective and relevant organisational structure is in place for effective support of the local National Society.

· Manage all staff under his/her authority, including those in the Country Office.

· Ensure the application of all established HR policies and procedures, and that staff hired in country are employed in accordance with local laws and practices.

· Implement the IFRC Secretariat's gender and diversity policies.

· Ensure dissemination of the Code of Conduct for Staff to everyone under his/her authority.

Finance and Risk Management

· Ensure sound financial management of the Secretariat's programming in the country, that effective budget planning is in place, and that programmes operate within approved budgets.

Reporting

· Ensure the quality and timeliness of the reporting of the IFRC Secretariat's programming.

· Maintain regular management reporting to the Regional Director.

Security

· Ensure that the office maintains comprehensive and effective 24/7 security management that will enhance the safety and security of personnel, assets and operations.

· Ensure that all IFRC (and other RCRC) personnel, assets and operations under IFRC responsibility are adequately protected and that identified security risks are mitigated as much as possible.

· Ensure that the security management system is adequate and that IFRC Duty of Care and legal liabilities are respected.

· Undertake security risk assessment of IFRC operations, as needed, to ensure compliance with the IFRC’s Minimum-Security Requirements (MSR). These includes office, residential and site security coordination.

· Develop and update appropriate security plans and procedures in accordance with MSR and ensure that the security plans are well known and complied with.

· Monitor and evaluate compliance with mandatory IFRC safety & security trainings (e.g. e-learning programs).

· Respond 24/7 to IFRC or RCRC-related security incidents/emergencies/crises to safeguard personnel, assets and operations.

· Monitor and analyse security, political and socio-economic situations, and identify security related trends and issues that affect the IFRC and RC/RC Movement.

· Establish and maintain internal and external security-related contacts and participate in security meetings both internally and externally with ICRC, UN, local authorities, NGOs and embassies, as required.

· Advise staff on coordinating actions required to deal with security-sensitive situations and if required the management of critical incidents.

· Follow up on security incidents and ensure correct reporting to the Security Unit.

· Ensure that appropriate country-specific security briefings and debriefings are provided to IFRC and PNS personnel and visitors entering or exiting the country and others as required.

Education

Required:

Post-graduate (i.e., Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences/development studies, strategic/programme management, management studies or other relevant discipline

Preferred:

IMPACT course or equivalent knowledge

Experience

Required:

· 10+ years work experience in managing operations for a humanitarian aid organisation and or development cooperation organisation

· Minimum of 5 years of experience at a senior management level

· 5 years of work experience including management in a voluntary membership-based organisation

· 5 years’ experience of proven high-level communication skills backed by proven track record in programmes management

· Proven results-based experience on relationship management and resource mobilisation

· Proven experience in people management

· Proven record of security regulations implementation

· Proven experience in governance and leadership support

· Proven experience of acting in a representational role and maintaining donor and partner relations

Preferred:

· Proven experience of working in the region

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

· Strong management and organizational skills, including ability to delegate authority and responsibility.

· Good intercultural communication skills.

· Ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment.

· Strong financial management skills.

· 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 substantial experience of strategic thinking, including identifying, analysing, problem solving and responding to opportunities and challenges as well as the ability to translate these into practical plans of action.

· Fluent spoken and written English.

· Good command of another IFRC official language (Arabic, French and/or Spanish) or language relevant in the region.

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

If you are interested, please apply on IFRC.org Applications deadline on Friday 31 May at midnight Geneva time.