Regional Head of Health and Care Unit - MENA

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 International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. 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.” The IFRC 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 part 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 following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services. The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat The Regional Health and Care Head reports directly to the Deputy Regional Director and supports MENA National Societies, the Heads of Country and Heads of Country Clusters in the region, as well as the technical Units in the Regional Office and keeps a lateral technical line to the Director of Health and Care unit in the Geneva Secretariat, to support 17 National Societies in the region. The Regional Health and Care head will co-lead the work with National Societies to strengthen their health humanitarian and development efforts, supporting them to remain partners of choice within their country and sustainable and accountable for their actions, providing sustainable results for people in need in line with S2030 and IFRC Plan and Budget 2025. The position is located at the MENA RO in Beirut and responsible for the overall management of the regional health and Care staff, with focus on Community Health, Health in Emergencies, and Water and Sanitation (WASH). .

Job Purpose

The purpose of the IFRC Health and Care Department, work under ‘the IFRC Health and Care Framework 2030’, is to (i) support National Societies to deliver quality health and care services in their respective domains and countries; (ii) support National Societies’ engagement with public health authorities in their auxiliary role around health and care; and (iii) link the work of the IFRC in health and care to the global agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). (iv) liaise with other IFRC regions to share experiences and expertise.

The Health and Care Framework 2030 was developed in alignment with the IFRC Strategy 2030. It represents a deeper analysis on how the technical sectors of health and WASH can respond to the ambitious agenda of Strategy 2030. The Regional Unit will work with National Societies to ensure quality implementation of the National Societies’ plans and evolving priority needs in line with global S2030.

Key role of the Regional Health and Care head is to provide sound management and co-leadership to re-focus the Unit and to scale up health deliverables, in full alignment with the IFRC Strategy 2030, the Health and Care framework 2030 and the agenda for renewal 2025 and plan and budget 20210- 2025 based on National Societies priorities, needs and gaps.

The focus of the role is around the main pillars:

1. Provide country level focused health support toNational Societies in programme development and implementation

2. Ensure programme quality including results at scale, quality assurance andclose monitoring against progress.

3. Build effective partnerships within and outside the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.

4. Coordinate and lead on innovations and learning and knowledge management supporting peer to peer approaches, analytical work and sharing of learning within the region and at global level

5. Provide effectiveteam management and constructively work with other departments across all of MENA and other regions.

The Head will oversee a technical team that provides technical leadership and support to National Societies and Country/Cluster Offices, staff of the Regional Unit and to ensure full integrated approach to resilience in coordination with relevant colleagues within the RC/RC Movement and external partners in the Region (ICRC, WHO, UNICEF, private sector, governments, NGOs, etc.)

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Regional Head of Health and Care unit will take a leading role to ensure strategic regional directions in line with Strategy 2030 ambitions and consistent quality assurance, capacity strengthening and strong coordination and humanitarian diplomacy for MENA region, while engaging all relevant internal and external stakeholders. The post holder is therefore accountable for managerial leadership on the below areas:

A. Regional & Country Support Programme Development and Implementation :

· Plan and lead a technical support team that provides NSs with country level support and guidance for the preparation, design and update of strategic plans for development, design and management of health programmes in MENA Region.

· Keep abreast of and disseminate humanitarian health development trends to enhance programme management, efficiency and delivery. Update the Health and Care situation analysis with country and regional level MENA specific facts and figures and manage the MENA healthcare dashboard.

· Oversee teamwork and MENA networks that prepare, coordinate and / or supervise the formulation of community health, emergency health and WASH recommendations establishing clear programme goals, objectives, strategies, and results based on results-based planning.

· Collaborate closely with WHO and ICRC counterparts

B. Regional Programme Management, Monitoring and Delivery of Results:

· Plan and/or collaborate with internal and external partners to establish monitoring benchmarks, performance indicators, and measurements to assess and strengthen performance accountability, coherence and delivery of concrete and sustainable results for the assigned sectors in community health, emergency health, and WASH programmes.

· Oversee and Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews in different National Societies in MENA Region and with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required actions/interventions to achieve results.

C. Advisory Services, Coordination and Technical Support to National Societies:

· Provide technical support for MENA National Societies and CO/CCO Health Delegates, in the domain of public health services including immunization,sexual, reproductive, maternal, new-born and child, adolescent health (SRMNCAH); healthy ageing; ambulance transport , non-communicable diseases; communicable diseases; voluntary non-remunerated blood; nutrition , migration health, first aid ; health and climate.Coordinate and consult with country offices, National Societies and key government officials, NGO partners, UN system partners and other country office partners / donors on policies, strategies, best practices, and approaches on Health and Care-related issues to support programme development planning, management, implementation, and delivery of results.

· In coordination with the global health and care team be a key contributing member in strategic programme discussions and planning and contribute to policy discussions and agenda setting to promote health and care issues especially in the areas of new public health threats and health in emergency including, but not limited to needs of ageing populations, non-communicable diseases, immigrants, maternal new-born & child health.

· Coordinate Regional Health Working Groups for MHPSS and WASH and support National Societies’ participation in the IFRC Reference Group on Global Health. Be active member of regional Disaster Risk Management Group, and matrix manage resilience agenda in the Region, including the One Billion Coalition, with relevant colleagues.

D. Humanitarian Diplomacy, Networking and Partnership Building:

· Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with NS’s, PNS’s, ICRC, WHO, selected public authorities counterparts, national stakeholders, as well as global partners, allies, donors, and academia.

· Through active networking, Humanitarian Diplomacy and effective communication, build capacity and exchange knowledge and expertise on Regional level to facilitate the achievement of programme goals in line with Sstrategy2030.

· Work closely with comms and media at RO and CO’s to ensure technical communication and information materials for RO’s programme Humanitarian Diplomacy and to promote awareness, risk communication and community engagement.

· Establish partnerships / alliances, and support fund raising for programmes in close cooperation with PDR and other relevant departments.

E. Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building:

· Lead on and collect/share MENA region innovative approaches and good practices for sustainable Health and Care programmes.

· Oversee team and National Societies’ networks to collate and disseminate relevant research, and support NSs to implement best practices in health management and information systems. Institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.

· Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes.

· Ensure consistent reporting on Federation-wide health and care activities at the operational regional level, in line with the newly revised reporting requirements.

· Take a leading role to establish a peer to peer connector/convener of health expertise and experience within Mena and cross regions to inform learning and development and enhance best practices within the region and beyond.

· Contribute to creating Representation opportunities for Mena National Societies at scientific conferences and meetings.

F. Effective matrix management:

· Contribute to the overall strategic vision and planning for the IFRC in MENA in collaboration with other departments and programs– with a focus on strengthening NS capacities for developing and implementing effective programmes and operations – through the support of IFRC cluster and country offices.

· Ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues, such as gender and diversity, social inclusion, community engagement, emergency health and WASH, Movement coordination, security, disaster law and logistics into IFRC programmes and operations.

· Work closely with PMER, Finance and HR and Logistics to ensure that Health and Care operations follow the financial, HR, reporting and general administration procedures.

· Ensure close coordination with PRD for resource mobilisation.

· Support the Deputy Regional Director to ensure strategic coherence and alignment, as well as programmatic and operational coordination between regional departments

Select, orient and manage the team members under his/her direct responsibility; ensure that the technical team under his/her responsibility has well defined results-based priority plans and maintain updated capacities to provide sectorial technical support to response operations and programs at any time.

Education

· Advanced university degree University degree in relevant discipline (professional qualification as a health practitioner) – required

· Relevant PhD or master’s in public health - required

· IMPACT course or equivalent knowledge - preferred

Experience

· 10 +years of working and management experience in the specialist area of expertise, including direct supervision of more than 5 people and the management of teams with more than 10 people with the IFRC, RC/RC National Society or similar network of national organizations – required

· 7+ years of working experience in institutional development and capacity strengthening preferably with an international organization – required

· Demonstrated professional experience in the humanitarian sector the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, or in an international organization or NGO – preferred

· Good understanding of IFRC policies in the areas of National Society Development – preferred

· 5+ years of working experience in the MENA region – preferred

Knowledge, skills

· Ability to build, lead, motivate and support effective teams – required

· Ability to work in a multicultural environment – required

· Good communication, negotiating and influencing skills – required

· Ability to adapt leadership style according to the situation – required

· Politically and culturally sensitive – required

· Available to travel to other countries – required

Languages

· Fluent spoken and written Arabic and English – required

· Good command of French – preferred

Competencies and values

· Effective Communication

· Collaboration and Teamwork

· Judgement & Decision Making

· National Society and Customer Relations

· Creativity and Innovation

· Building Trust

· Managing staff Performance

· Managing staff Development

· Building Alliances

· Empowering Others

How to apply:

If you are interested in this position, please apply on the IFRC website:

https://www.ifrc.org/en/who-we-are/working-with-us/current-vacancies/job-description/?nPostingId=5564&nPostingTargetId=72315&id=QPFFK026203F3VBQB79LO793E&LG=UK&mask=ifrcextern