Country: Hungary
Closing date: 21 Jun 2016
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) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The IFRC 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 IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the 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 IFRC is headquartered in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The IFRC is led by a Secretary General. The Geneva headquarters provides support to governance mechanisms; sets norms and standards; provides guidance to field offices; ensures consistency, coordination, and accountability for performance; facilitates knowledge sharing; promotes collaboration within and respect for the Movement; and expands engagement with partners. The headquarters is organized into three main divisions: (i) Partnerships, including Movement and Membership; (ii) Programmes and Operations; and (iii) Management. The Management Division comprises three Departments, each led by a Director: Human Resources, Finance and Administration, and Information Technology (IT). The Management division provides services to the other divisions in Geneva and to the regional offices. The IT department coordinates and provides all information and communications technology (ICT) services for the IFRC globally acting as “One IT” for “One Secretariat”. The IFRC is in the process of establishing a Global Services Centre (GSC) in Budapest, Hungary in 2016. The IT department is led by the Director IT and the the Budapest based Manager of the IT Services Unit is a key member of the global ITD management team, contributing to the development and implementation of an IT strategy that best serves the IFRC’s business needs.
Job Purpose
To deliver a high quality IT infrastructure and telecommunications environment and support services worldwide for the IFRC, including the maintenance and support of essential global IT and the development of standards for users.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Manage state-of-the-art IT and Telecommunications
- Manage the operations of the IT and telecommunications infrastructure worldwide within the ITIL framework to provide services to the IFRC that meet agreed requirements (availability, performance, cost etc.).
- Identify risks, develop and implement contingency plans to address risks and anticipated future requirements.
- Lead the development and implementation of vision setting, strategies, architecture, lifecycle plans and system operations and support policies for IT and telecommunications infrastructure and systems world-wide, aligned with and in support of the approved IFRC IT Strategy, including reporting on IT operational performance.
- Support the Cloud Migration and Support roadmaps, and other IT strategic initiatives.
- Manage the maintenance, support and administration on IFRC IT and telecommunications systems worldwide to ensure quality, timely and cost effective provision of service.
- Manage IT Services Unit staff at the GSC in Budapest; assign work and special projects; monitor workload and productivity; evaluate performance; promote staff training and development; provide assistance in analysing and resolving complex issues.
- Participate in the successful implementation of major projects. Ensure that IT architectural concerns, operational requirements and lifecycle requirements of all major projects are identified and addressed.
- Negotiate and coordinate service, operations and telecommunications contracts with the Planning Officer for the IT Services Unit at the GSC.
- Advise National Societies and IT Advisory unit as needed on IT infrastructure and operations best practices.
Manage the design and implementation of new IT systems
- Provide cost-effective service levels that benchmark well or better than per organisations on cost per user. Provide reliable systems infrastructure operations with a declining cost per user.
- Lead the Risk Management and audit requirements for the IT Services Unit at the GSC as part of the ITD. Track and report on all audit recommendations in the ITD Risk Register as needed for IFRC Technology governance, especially for the IT Steering Committee (SC-IT) and Board committees. Ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of projects which address and mitigate IFRC technology-related risks.
- Work closely with the Transition Manager ensuring adequate testing, documentation and training required for a smooth hand-over of applications into production. Work together to forecast applications increase for support and operations as our portfolio and user base grows.
- Work with the Planning Officer to ensure timely financial and performance forecasts of projects, maintenance, and operations of ITD systems and platforms.
- Work in support of the Technical Advisory Team (organizational development) providing advice and assistance on request for implementation of the National Societies’ IT capacity building assessments and projects worldwide.
Contribute to cost-effective and reliable innovations in IFRC’s IT&T Strategy
- Participate in the planning, vision setting, development and implementation of the IT and telecommunications and Telecoms portion of the IT strategy for the IFRC, focusing specifically on IT operational infrastructure requirements. Participate in the development and implementation of an IT enterprise architecture and related standards, providing subject matter expertise on IT infrastructure details.
- Contribute to the development of the new IFRC IT Strategy 2016-2020.
- Propose and implement new technologies and systems, especially in the area of infrastructure, to keep the IFRC systems in line with evolving industry standards. Develop and maintain relationships with partners and technology provider organisations, as required.
Coordinate internal and external stakeholders
- Develop and promote effective working relationships within IT Infrastructure and support, within ITD, within the IFRC – in the field and in the HQ.
- Communicate effectively with stakeholders, share knowledge freely and where required. Provide training, documentation, etc., when required.
- Communicate and discuss with regional and divisional leaders to understand requirements and set expectations. Consult and advise them and develop joint technology roadmaps assisting and coordinating implementation of “One IT”.
Be a role model in leading and managing an effective, high quality team, fit for purpose
- Be accountable to the Geneva based IT Director on progress made and delivery, providing data for reporting. Be a pro-active advisor and dynamic member of the IT department management team, supporting strategic content areas and/or organizational change.
- Ensure effective coordination with divisions and regions, demonstrate a proven service and co-creative orientation towards National Societies and an active exchange with peers, partners and stakeholders in the external environment.
- Contribute to the design of the Budapest based IT Services Unit team structure, participate in recruitment of the unit staff members and establish the IT team to meet the expectations of the IT Services Unit at the GSC in Budapest. Ensure ongoing team management, including knowledge transfer and the updating and establishment of processes and procedures.
- 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 job-satisfaction within the team.
Education
Required:
University degree, in Engineering, computer sciences discipline.
Project management professional certification.
Preferred:
University degree, in management administration or similar discipline.
Experience
All required:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience within the RCRC Movement and/ or international humanitarian or development organisations.
Proven experience in unit and project management.
At least 10 years’ relevant work experience, including 5 years’ application management experience.
At least 5 years of successful people management experience, including locally recruited staff.
Knowledge, skills and languages
Required:
High level of expertise with systems and applications, as well as policies and procedures, in common use at the IFRC: Network components, e-mail systems, Client/Server systems, ISPs & IP connectivity, applications, hardware (Current are predominately Microsoft, HP, Dell and Cisco based).
Proven training, knowledge transfer and supervision within the sphere of people management.
Ability to undertake strategic thinking and translate into practice.
Systems modelling, integration and optimization. Infrastructure study, deployment and operation.
Strong written and oral communication skills (including advanced knowledge of one of the major languages of the Federation).
Able to network effectively and influence and inspire others including the membership, governments, other agencies, and own peers, staff, and partners.
Focused on quality and standards, results, and accountability.
Teamwork and trust-building, inclusive of National Society relations.
Proactive approach to finding creative and constructive solutions to difficult issues.
Fluently spoken and written English.
Preferred:
Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic); Knowledge on Russian and/or Hungarian is an asset.
Competencies and values
Accountability
National Society relations
Teamwork
Development
Integrity
Strategic Orientation
Collaborating, influencing
Managing performance
Building alliances
Building trust
Effective communication
Comments
The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.
How to apply:
Please apply on the organisation's website: http://www.ifrc.org/en/who-we-are/working-with-us/current-vacancies/job-description/?id=3040