Programmes and Operation 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. The overall aim of 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.” 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. For the next decade the organization will be guided by the principles set out in the IFRC Strategy 2030: Platform for change – global reach, local action.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into several main divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination NSDOC); (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization (GRHDD); and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services (MPSCS).

In late February a new phase in the armed conflict in Ukraine started with the intensification and spread of hostilities affecting many parts of the country and causing major concern for the protection of civilians and essential civilian infrastructure.

The evolution of the war inside Ukraine and massive population movement forces the humanitarian community to adapt operational approaches and implementation in accordance with the developing situation, both inside and outside Ukraine.

IFRC has launched an Emergency Appeal for Ukraine and impacted countries. ICRC, IFRC and numerous Partner National Societies (PNSs) are integrating their capacities to provide coordinated crisis response to the Ukraine Red Cross Society (URCS) and in the neighboring countries. Operations in Ukraine are led and coordinated on country-level, through the Programmes and Operations Manager reporting to Head of Delegation. 

In August 2023, IFRC Ukraine determined that it would shift the majority of its focus to National Society Development (NSD), which includes elements of programmatic capacity strengthening and more fundamental organizational development. IFRC is also drawing down in-country technical advisors in programmatic areas in light of changed needs. However, some operational support also continues (in particular around procurement) and the possibility of a dramatic change in the humanitarian situation requires an ongoing readiness for scaling up. 

The Programmes and Operations Manager for Ukraine, leads IFRC’s portfolio and programmatic support funded through the Emergency Appeal and other donors, including its support to coordination of the capacity strengthening support to URCS within the IFRC network, the IFRC Regional Office for Europe and the consultancy firms. The position holder takes up the management and coordination of the IFRC Emergency Appeal at country level, and in supporting the URCS in successful planning and implementation of the appropriate response and (early) recovery. Directly reporting to the Head of Delegation (HoD), and with a technical reporting line to the Regional Operations Manager (ROM), the role works closely with URCS to mobilise resources and develop partnerships required for effective programme development and programme implementation. The incumbent provides leadership support to ensure implementation of the IFRC Agenda for Renewal in Ukraine.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Head of Delegation and with a technical reporting line to the Regional Operations Manager, the Programmes and Operations Manager will be operating from the IFRC Country Delegation in Ukraine to provide full technical support to the implementation of the URCS’ project funding agreements supported by the IFRC Emergency Appeal, to lead planning and delivery of IFRC operational support and coordination, and also the delivery and coordination of programmatic capacity strengthening support.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Programme and pledge management

• Monitor expenses related to the projects and budgets under her/his responsibility, including the approval of transfers to URCS as well as their reports on expenditures.
• Work with Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation colleagues to liaise with donors and ensure that appropriate systems are in place and are monitored properly.
• With support from the Delegation’s finance team, manage operational budgets to ensure that expenditure relating to IFRC-supported activities is within income and approved ceilings, in compliance with IFRC finance procedures and in line with donor earmarking requirements.
• Support effective IFRC assistance to and participation in Movement Operational Coordination structures.
• Together with the NS, represent the IFRC in external coordination meetings and forums, national and international agencies, donors, and other partners in the country.

Programme management and coordination

• Be responsible and accountable for planning, implementing, monitoring, reporting, and evaluating programmes and projects, including oversight of budgets and budget management.
• Oversee robust and effective logistics, fleet and PMER functions for the delegation, as well as capacity strengthening support to UCRS in these areas as well as in health programming, information management and education in emergencies.
• As needed, source long and short-term capacity strengthening assistance in additional programming areas from the IFRC Secreteriat at the regional and global levels or form external providers.
• Working with the Organizational Development and Membership Coordination Manager, support a coordinated approach among IFRC network and Movement partners in providing programmatic capacity strengthening – and IFRC network connection and alignment with the URCS One Plan.
• Support the URCS to develop programme approaches which strengthen and develop its structures, capacity, and performance; analyze and understand its current strengths and weaknesses and ensure provision of necessary support.
• Work with the PMER team, other relevant colleagues, and the NS to ensure that planning and reporting requirements are met in a timely and efficient manner.

Operational coordination

• Manage the IFRC operation and, ensuring appropriate links with relevant IFRC, URCS and Movement structures.
• Work with all relevant stakeholders, managers, and coordinators, to best resource and use expertise that will be integrated across existing structure for the delivery of and support to the programmatic priorities.
• 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.
• Ensure that the response strategy (and contingency plans) are forward-looking and agile to the context and support development of an evidence-based and effective (early) recovery strategy.

Support to delegation management

• Deputize, as needed, for the Head of Delegation when s/he is out of Kyiv.
• Support the implementation of the IFRC risk management framework for the supported programmes funded through the IFRC, ensuring that risk management is incorporated into all management processes and activities of the delegation.
• Promote dissemination and compliance with the IFRC Code of Conduct and Fraud and Corruption Prevention and Control Policy (including with suppliers).

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

• Ensure that the progress of the IFRC projects and activities in Ukraine are routinely monitored against the key deliverables and milestones articulated in the operational strategy and implementation plan, and that personal workplans reflect these and are used to ensure individual and collective accountability.
• Ensure that operations and programmes are 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.
• Lead processes related to conducting internal and external reviews and evaluations as well as other learning or evidence-gathering initiatives.

People management

• Work with supervised staff to ensure clear roles and workplans (respecting the URCS substantive management line for embedded staff and implementing approaches promoted by the new IFRC NSD Competency Framework)
• Ensure consistent communication, coaching and oversight of supervised staff and work together to develop a joint vision for the IFRC delegation on OD issues.
• Create a working environment that ensures staff growth, motivation and satisfaction.

Education

Required:

• University degree in relevant area
• Basic Delegates Training Course or IMPACT, FACT, ERU, RDRT, CAP training 

Experience

Required:

• At least 5 years of program management experience.
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in a humanitarian organisation internationally.
• Proven track record and experience in representing an international organisation at different levels.
• People management experience, including as a direct line manager.
• Experience in management at senior level and/or in consulting and facilitating capacity development in a National Society or similar voluntary organization.
• Field experience in coordinating and managing disaster and crisis operations/ projects and activities preferably population movements and/or Health-related emergencies in complex settings. 
• Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting and reporting, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Experience in strategic planning, monitoring, and evaluation.

Preferred:

• Experience in capacity strengthening of local organizations in cross-cultural and diversity-sensitive environments.
• Work experience with RC/RC.
• Substantial experience with IFRC internal procedures, processes, and regulations.
• Experience in resource mobilization.
• Good knowledge and relevant work experience in the regional context. 

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required:

• Good knowledge and relevant work experience in the regional context. 
• Effective project- and financial management skills.
• Good mentoring and capacity development skills.
• Competence in supporting a localized approach to operational leadership.
• Knowledge of the humanitarian sector, its structures and terminology.
• Able to work independently and as part of the team.
• Valid international driving license (manual gears).
• Fluent spoken and written English.

Preferred:

• Good understanding of basic procurement and tendering processes.
• Fluent spoken and written Ukrainian.
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).

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.