Background
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 192 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 Red Cross EU Office is a membership office representing the 28 National Red Cross Societies in the EU (EUNS), the Norwegian Red Cross, the Icelandic Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The Office works as a partnership office guided by a Coordination group headed by a Chair. It helps to coordinate relations between its members and EU decision-makers and stakeholders, sharing their extensive experiences and expertise in supporting vulnerable people and communities within and outside the EU. The functions, working principles and procedures of the EU Office are set out in the “Red Cross European Union Office Terms of Reference” (as adopted by Annual Meeting of the RCEU) are the following: 1. To increase Red Cross influence on EU policy, legislation and practice by harnessing evidence base, and promoting and sharing innovative approaches to improve the humanitarian situation of the most vulnerable. 2. To increase EU resources for RCRC work at home and abroad. in order to maximise the reach and scope of our global network through a coordinated approach. 3. To serve the members on EU-related issues, building a “Red Cross EU House” that promotes information and knowledge sharing, monitors the legal framework in which our members operate, and provides capacity building and a tailored approach to technical support. The Director reports to the IFRC Under Secretary General for Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalisation (USG-GRHDD). To ensure the effective and efficient functioning of the office, that the office serves the full membership and in order to resolve any conflict of interest , the Director will be line managed by the USG of the Federation, in close consultation with the Coordinationation group as represented by the Chair . The IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The IFRC is a component of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the Fundamental principles of the Movement: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. This position is based in Brussels.
Job Purpose
Under the overall guidance of the Under Secretary General, GRHDD, and Chair of the Coordination Group, the Director provides leadership, effective management and coordination for the work and resources of its members in the areas of expanding, strengthening and maintaining partnerships between the IFRC/EUNSs and EU institutions as well as other international organizations in Brussels. The incumbent is responsible for the implementation of the annual work plan and management of the RCEU.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Advocacy
- Articulate and represent the EUNS’s and the IFRC’s positions on relevant priority issues to the EU institutions and other pertinent Brussels-based organizations in order to enhance the IFRC’s and EU National Socities’ visibility and advance their policy and operational goals.
- Lead and facilitate on behalf of the EUNS and the IFRC high-level strategic consultations with EU institutions to profile the interests and activities of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
- Lead the preparation of strategic position papers.
- Coordinate relationships with the various interlocutors within the EU institutions and ensures that the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is coherently portrayed.
- Advocate for the EUNS and the IFRC policy positions and interests with regards to EU rules and regulations, policy initiatives and political agendas.
Information analysis sharing
- Provide strategic and practical advice to the EUNS and the IFRC as appropriate.
- Ensure that effective communication lines are in place to disseminate and exchange timely, relevant and quality information on EU issues between the EUNS , the IFRC and the EU institutions.
- Develop and maintain a strong relationship of information and analysis sharing with the ICRC delegation in Brussels.
- Ensure that regular reports on its activities and areas of interest are provided to relevant interlocutors in the EUNSs and the IFRC.
Partnerships and networking
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key decision and policy makers, high-level officials, EU parliamentarians, representatives of civil society and think tanks to put forward and promote the strategic interest of the EUNS and the IFRC.
- Develop a framework to strengthen collaboration and foster partnerships among EUNS, other National Societies eligible for specific programmes and the IFRC - thereby facilitating joint and combined proposals.
- Support EUNS and the IFRC to understand EU current and future priorities with the aim of matching these with Red Cross Red Crescent proposals in order to harness more funds with a more targeted and strategic approach following the non-competition clause.
- Facilitate a collaborative and coordinated approach of the RCEU members to EU development funding opportunities, based on agreed frameworks of engagement, including supporting the membership and the IFRC in exploring the development of large multi-country and thematic programmes.
- Contribute to increasing the visibility of members’programmes and best practices.
An EU House for the Red Cross
- Provide a working environment and base for EUNS and the IFRC to further develop relations with the EU institutions, including by ensuring regular opportunities to participate in the activities of the office.
- Ensure that adequate training and briefing sessions are available to the EUNS and the IFRC colleagues and staff.
Management
- Ensure compliance of the RCEU with applicable laws, status agreements and the IFRC policies to minimise the risk of harm to the IFRC and the EUNS and their personnel, properties and resources; this includes ensuring of staff security.
- Manage the plans and budget, and ensure sound financial management, monitoring and reporting.
- Provide leadership to all staff under direct and indirect supervision. This includes recruitment, supervision, support and development of staff as well as team building.
Duties applicable to all staff
- Work actively towards the achievement of the goals of its members.
- Abide by, and work in accordance with, the Fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
- Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.
Education
Required:
- Post-graduate (i.e., Master’s or Ph.D. degree or equivalent) in social sciences/development studies, strategic/programme management, international relations, management studies or other relevant discipline
Experience
Required:
- Minimum of 15 years work experience for a humanitarian aid organisation or development cooperation organisation and/or in a Red Cross/Red Crescent National Society, IFRC or ICRC, 5 of which should be at a management position
- Experience of acting in a representational role and maintaining donor and partner relations
- Strong experience working with the EU institutions
Preferred:
- Work experience including management in a Red Cross/Red Crescent National Society, IFRC or ICRC, or a relevant international organization (preferred)
Knowledge, skills and languages
Required:
- Sound understanding of the EU Institutions and its policies and objectives, preferably in the areas of humanitarian, development and/or social issues
- Strong management and organizational skills, including ability to delegate authority and responsibility
- Ability to work in a cross cultural and cross functional environment
- 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 RCRC’s mission and values
- Demonstrated initiative and creativity, and substantial experience of strategic thinking, including identifying, analyzing, problem solving and responding to opportunities and challenges and the ability to translate these into practical plans of action
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in spoken and written English
- Good working knowledge of another EU official language (German or French preferred)
- Good command of another EU language
Preferred:
- Sound understanding and knowledge of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
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
How to apply:
Please apply via IFRC website.