Senior Officer, Operations

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

The Operations Officer will ensure a symbiotic process of development for the National Society operations management, with the ultimate goal of increasing their readiness, management, governance, and sustainability, eventually building National Societies autonomy on the medium-term.

Thus, the Operations Officer will be deployed to the field 100% of its time in support to National Societies, working on three main objectives:

• Increasing preparedness for effective response (through PER or the Red Ready approach), working with NHQ and Branches to build response capacity prior to disasters, including contingency planning and EWS, forming Rapid Response Teams, Stock Prepositioning, and supply chains;
• Supporting of timely and high-quality humanitarian response when a disaster strikes, ensuring sound operational management and coordination in the field.
• Support and increase the capacity of National Societies in project/proposal writing and management, including diversifying the donor portfolio and sources of funding in liaison with the PRD department.

The Operations Officers are integral part of the ARO DCPRR team, following DCPRR policies and tools, receiving technical guidance and peer-to-peer support. Each Operation Officer will have a technical line with an Operations Coordinator in the Cluster Office (if available) or to the Regional Office. The technical line manager is responsible to ensure the proposed KPIs are attained. The Operations Officer will report to the Head of Country or HoCCST. The HoC and HoCCST must support the Operations Officers in liaising with the National Societies to define the scope of work of the Operations Officer, taking into consideration previous assessments conducted (PER, OCAC, BOCAs, etc.), ongoing RC/RC operations support and the National Society leadership strategic direction.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Support National Societies increase their Operations Management Capacity

• Review of previous assessments, ongoing support, and definition of the “Scope of Work”
• Definition of clear objectives and workplan with National Societies
• Training National Society DM/OPS staff in Operations Management following IFRC tools
• Select branches for Disaster Management support, in collaboration with NS

Scale up Readiness of Supported National Societies

• Define the scope and roll-out of “Red Ready”/Preparedness for Effective Response priorities in collaboration with RC/RC in country
• Scale-up multi-hazard contingency planning, EWS and readiness at NHQ and selected branches (preferably using EAPs and FbP)
• Support the set-up and training of Rapid Response Teams at NHQ and selected branches.
• Support the set-up of stock preposition and supply chain

Timely and High Quality Humanitarian Response

• Train DM/OPS staff at NHQ in program management, with adequate tools, and build the relation with PMER teams for proper accountability.
• Support the National Society in operations fundraising (international and domestic)
• Increase in communications and marketing of operations, reassuring donors and the public of their investment

CCST/CO Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Education

Required

• Relevant university degree or equivalent qualification within a relevant field
• Experience and knowledge of project management

Preferred

• ERU, Ops Management, CAP, FACT, RDRT/RIT, IMPACT training or equivalent knowledge
• Federation Team Leader Training

Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in disaster management, including field experience and managing staff
• Field experience with RC/RC with special attention to finance responsibilities.
• Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation. 
• Experience managing and supporting staff.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• High motivation for improvement and ability to deliver in a challenging environment
• Dedication, commitment and integrity
• Communication, analytical and reporting skills
• Ability to manage operation and teams from remote

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Fluently spoken and written English