Operations Manager

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs 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.”  IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

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 IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

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.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

Job Purpose

As part of the MENA HDCC unit and under the overall guidance and leadership of the Thematic Lead, Operations Coordination the incumbent provides the technical lead to ensure the optimal coordination and direct management of resources required for the effective and efficient implementation of the emergency operations.

Inherent to the role is the need for flexibility, the ability to travel, and willingness to work in multiple contexts with different stakeholders. The incumbent must be able to deploy at a short notice for significant periods of time traveling to remote and potentially unstable areas.

The role holder will dedicate most of the time to support the Middle East Crisis Operation.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Negotiate, plan, and mobilise IFRC resources in support of the NS in the assessment, planning, and implementation of the emergency response.
• Supervise IFRC technical leads to ensure the support needed for the NS is met in all related programming roles and responsibilities, providing advice and recommendations that carefully consider local capacity and context.
• Along the NS, build alliances and partnerships with other emergency actors to enhance the implementation of the emergency plan of action. Support the NS to enhance their position vis a vis the national and international coordination mechanism.
• Support IFRC technical leads to develop programme approaches which strengthen and develop the National Society’s structures, capacity, and performance; analyze and understand their current strengths and weaknesses and to ensure provision of necessary technical and material support particularly in relation to the ongoing crisis.
• Promote and assist the integration of humanitarian priorities and interventions within the Plan of Actions and Operations Strategy.
• Follow-up with the delegation on the implementation of the operation and to ensure it is aligned with the Operational Strategy approved.
• Coordinate with delegation and finance colleagues to ensure proper and timely preparation of the Operating Budgets and Project/Programme Expenditure Authorization Request (PEAR) when needed.
• Ensure that the response is based on frameworks and approaches that are consistent with or have considered national and international standards and guidelines, as well as IFRC policies, procedures, and tools.
• Support the delegation and NSs in the achievement of planned outcomes and deliverables following quality standards, in a timely fashion, and within budgets.
• Ensure a robust and coherent monitoring of the situation and its potential evolution and ensure that humanitarian interventions are responsive to current and emerging needs and threats.
• Provide support in conducting analysis of risks and the response strategy in coordination with other technical leads.
• In close coordination with the DRM team ensure operational readiness of the NSs to response to disaster and crisis based on identified clear gap analysis.
• In coordination with IM and DRM lead work on scenario planning and contingency planning for identified threats in operational areas, as well as the development of capacities within the NSs for emergency response.
• Support the NS in developing and implementing operational standards, tools and procedures that ensure quality, consistency, and sustainability of emergency response interventions.
• Work with PMER leads in IFRC and the NSs to ensure that planning and reporting requirements are met in a timely and efficient manner.
• Advise on the need of additional human resources and support deployments in coordination with the Country and country cluster delegation.
• Ensure sound financial management is applied to all Federation-assisted programmes within the NS, that budgets are monitored and any problems identified and solutions implemented in timely and effective manner.

Education

• First level University Degree in relevant area (REQUIRED)
• Relevant degree in project management/Operations management (REQUIRED)
• Basic Delegates Training Course or IMPACT. FACT, ERU, RDRT training (REQUIRED)

Experience

• At least 5-7 years of disaster management experience in a humanitarian organization in developing countries and in complex emergencies or similar contexts (REQUIRED)
• Work experience with RC/RC (REQUIRED)
• Good understanding of the humanitarian environment, strong analytical skills, and capacity to translate analysis into strategy and planning (REQUIRED)
• Good track record of managing people, networking, influencing, and negotiating and building relationships effectively (PREFFERED)
• Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting and reporting, monitoring, and evaluation (REQUIRED)
• Experience of field-based implementation (REQUIRED)
• Experience of financial management to ensure compliance (REQUIRED)
• Experience of report writing (narrative and financial) (REQUIRED)

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Self-supporting in computers (REQUIRED)
• Coordination and partner relationship building / Excellent skills in networking with other agencies and organisations (REQUIRED)
• Demonstrated technical expertise in strategic management, project planning and budgeting, resource management, implementation ability as well as programme monitoring and evaluation (REQUIRED)
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills with the ability to represent the International Federation and to coach, mentor and influence people (REQUIRED)
• Knowledge of Red Cross Red Crescent Movement financial and project management tools (REQUIRED)
• Skills in training and developing staff capacity (REQUIRED)
• Good knowledge and relevant work experience in the MENA region (PREFFERED)
• Fluent spoken and written English (REQUIRED)
• Good command of another IFRC official language (Arabic) (REQUIRED)

Competencies, Values and Comments

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

IFRC is an equal opportunities employer.