Job purpose
The Head of Delegation is the senior Secretariat representative and business manager with clear authority and responsibility whose main purpose is to lead Federation 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 assist the NS enlarging 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 coordination of programs and humanitarian diplomacy activities as well as be accountable for developing the Secretariat’s support strategy for the National Society (NS) in this country covering the key tasks set out below and as updated from time to time.
Responsibilities
Strengthen the local 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 related to issues of NSD, programmatic directions, policy and overall cooperation and coordination with the IFRC
- Strengthen the National Society to continuously deliver efficient humanitarian services to vulnerable / affected, disaster / epidemic or as part of the project activities or development programs.
- Understand the needs and concerns of the local NS and ensure at all times that IFRC provides relevant support.
- Ensure that 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 Federation supported programmes are carried out according to project/programme plans and that lessons are effectively shared;
- Lead resource mobilisation for the Federation Secretariat and NS programmes in the country and for global activities of the Federation and the NS.
- Support the NS in its plans to strengthen their institutional capacities, financial sustainability, the volunteer growth and international cooperation
Coordinate, cooperate, and form strategic partnerships
- Ensure that Federation 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
- Working with the NS and local Government, to build global alliances and develop interest in and support to 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 Federation Secretariat and partners informed;
- Formulate policy objectives for advocacy, communications and external relations for the country in line with Federation global priorities;
- Represent IFRC at national events taking place in the country – also at meetings which are of global relevance.
- Provide assistance to the NS to enhance the auxiliary role in the humanitarian field and to develop effective humanitarian diplomacy, communications and external relations, and ensure that these build on and promote Federation 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
- Ensure that national resources from the country are made available rapidly and efficiently to support Federation 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 Delegation
- 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 Federation 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 Federation Secretariat's programming; * Maintain regular management reporting to the Regional Director.
Security
Ensure that the country delegation maintain a comprehensive and effective 24/7 security management that will have a positive impact on, and enhance, personnel as well as assets safety and security.
Ensure all IFRC (and other RCRC) personnel, assets, and operations under IFRC responsibility are adequately protected and that identified security risk are mitigated and much as possible.
Ensure that the security management system is adequately to ensure that IFRC Duty of Care and legal liabilities are respected.
Undertake security risk assessment of Federation operations according to the needs to ensure compliance with the Federation's Minimum-Security Requirements (MSR). This 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 situation, and identify security related trends and issues that affect the Federation 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, NGO's 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, ensure correct reporting to Security Unit.
Ensure that appropriate country specific security briefings and debriefings is provided to Federation and PNS personnel and visitors entering or exiting the country and others as required.
Required Experience:
- 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 Red Cross/Red Crescent National Society, IFRC or ICRC
- 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 experience:
- Proven experience of working in the region
Required skills:
- 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 and the ability to translate these into practical plans of action
Languages
Required:
- Fluently spoken and written English
Preferred:
- Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)
Competencies
Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability
Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust
Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others
Managerial competencies: Managing staff performance; Managing staff development
How to apply:
In order to apply for the position, please visit our website, and click on apply: