National Society Development Officer-Togo Red Cross

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian network. It comprises 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies working to save lives, build resilient communities, strengthen localization and promote dignity worldwide.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the Movement), together with its member national societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The IFRC's work is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

The IFRC is headed by its Secretary General and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The headquarters is organized into three main divisions: i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and iii) Policy, Strategy and Corporate Management Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa, Europe and the Americas. The Federation also has country group delegations and delegations from countries all over the world. Together, the Geneva headquarters and the field structures (regional, sectoral and national) make up the IFRC secretariat.

In line with the 7 transformations of the IFRC 2030 strategy: supporting and developing National Societies as strong and effective local actors, inspiring and mobilizing volunteerism, ensuring trust and accountability, working effectively as a distributed network, influencing humanitarian action and undertaking digital transformation, financing the future. The IFRC strives to help National Societies build more effective and robust financial and organizational development systems and capacity.

The IFRC office in Abuja is the National Society (NS) Red Cross Support Centre for the Abuja Country Group delegation (Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana) and has a status agreement with the Nigerian government.
The Abuja Country Group delegation carries out the IFRC's mandate in the sub-region, focusing on disaster management, National Society capacity building and humanitarian diplomacy.

The post holder will be contracted by the Togolese Red Cross (CRT) and will be seconded to the IFRC office. The position will be based in Lome.

Job Purpose

Working closely with the Head of Delegation, the incumbent will maintain and strengthen IFRC knowledge and systems to facilitate high quality support to National Society development and build National Society institutional and management capacity in all sectors, particularly in the areas of governance, management, human resources, finance, branch development, volunteer management, PMER, logistics and contribute to improving the performance and impact of National Societies in fulfilling their humanitarian mandate by positioning them and their branches as strong and effective local actors.

• Provide advice and support to National Societies on aspects of the integrated holistic approach within the broader perspective of National Society development that includes financial development, risk management, grants management, sustainability and other initiatives that enhance transparency and accountability.
• Contribute to the 7 transformations of the IFRC 2030 strategy described above.
• Review previous financial development approach in line with National Society Development Framework, new expectations and NSD approach.
• Develop and implement a financial development strategy aligned with the regional strategy, so that national societies strengthen their financial management and reporting capabilities.
• Provide guidance, advice, training and all technical support to National Societies, in coordination with the Federation country office, for the establishment of transparent accounting and financial management systems, financial skills, structures and procedures in National Societies, which meet the requirements for operating advanced financial modalities such as the remittance system.

The incumbent is expected to contribute to strengthening the Secretariat Renewal Program and the four regional initiatives.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The National Society Development Officer will have the following specific duties and responsibilities.

Organizational development

• Support National Society resource mobilization initiatives and National Society digital transformation.
• Support resource mobilization for IFRC delegation and NSD/organizational development programs for National Societies.
• Develop a coherent NSD plan (including budget).
• Contribute to strengthening discussion and reflections on financial sustainability; develop and share relevant learning related to National Society development and support the development of sustainable financial models for National Societies.
• Based on evaluations (OCAC or others), identify priority areas to work on for sustainable development (systems, processes, procedures, decision-making, HR capacity, accountability), in collaboration with other MRCC stakeholders.

Financial management and analysis

• Guide and support SN in the assessment of its current financial management systems using standardized and harmonized tools, i.e. current accounting procedures and practices; financial rules and procedures; division of financial management responsibilities between finance and program staff; financial reporting and budgetary control functions; and banking and cash management regulations.
• Advise, support and assist SN in strengthening its financial systems and procedures, taking into account existing capabilities and desired enhancements that match operational needs and align with international best practices for the not-for-profit industry.
• Support the SN in strengthening the accounting system, budget planning and review, self-assessment and review, diversity and sustainability.
• Assist the SN in developing and implementing costing policies and indirect cost recovery systems, and promote best practices to strengthen existing cost recovery mechanisms.
• Lead the SN in the development of a strategic plan to address the recommendations of external audits and self-assessment processes.
• Work in collaboration with the Community, Safety and Resilience (CSR) unit to strengthen the SN's emergency financial management capabilities in the context of disaster management.
• Support the SN in identifying areas of capacity building needs and assist in capacity building.

Risk management

• Organize a clear assessment of the current institutional situation, risks, weaknesses and opportunities, and a feasible action plan to address identified gaps.
• Work with the Head of Delegation to identify and resolve any governance issues identified in National Societies.
• Support the NS in strengthening control mechanisms with appropriate policies, structures and resources.
• Assist the SN in identifying risks and developing appropriate frameworks and tools to address these risks.
• Promote a culture of risk awareness and appropriate risk mitigation among governance, management and staff.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

• Advise and support the SN in clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of management functions with regard to financial authority and accountability. Support the introduction of corporate governance.
• Assist the SN in maintaining a risk register on a regular basis.
• Ensure the quality of IFRC and other tools (OCAC, BOCA, PER, risk analysis, etc.).
• Support the SN in promoting a culture of fraud awareness and prevention by identifying risks that could lead to potential fraud, promoting internal control related to fraud and raising awareness of fraud risks among stakeholders in the national company.
• Assist the SN in developing appropriate anti-fraud and anti-corruption policies and frameworks.
• Help the SN to promote accountability and develop appropriate frameworks and tools for the same.
• Support the strengthening of compliance mechanisms and structures.

Global policies/strategies and tools

• Support NS in the development and updating of appropriate policies, plans, systems, strategies, procedures, guidelines and financial tools. Ensure that they are compatible with global and regional tools.
• Help SNs ensure compliance with established policies and procedures, and strengthen internal control systems.

• Promote appropriate global tools (such as NSDF, OCAC, FWRS, Risk Management and Accountability Framework, anti-fraud and anti-corruption policies, etc.), apply them where appropriate and strengthen the links of these tools with program activities. Promote alignment between global/regional and national frameworks and tools.
• Gather relevant data through FDRS and other existing data collection systems, and analyze and interpret key patterns and systemic organizational weaknesses, in order to better focus secretariat support for National Society development.
• Help the National Society to integrate and mainstream financial development into programming.
• Support in identifying their needs for the promotion of integrated approaches and support them in strengthening links between DDI, human resources management, logistics management, organizational development, etc.
• Help National Societies meet their legal requirements for membership: submission of income tax returns and accompanying audited financial statements, and payment of statutory contributions on a regular basis.

Coordination/communications and networking

• Be the focal point for the development of the National Society's development strategy; National Society Statutes revision process - liaise with the Joint Statutes Commission as appropriate; revision of National Society strategic plans; for leadership development initiatives.
• Guide the NS and maintain coordination and communication with relevant stakeholders and, most importantly, donors and partners.
• Coordinate with Movement partners in National Societies to facilitate a Movement and coordinate approaches / efforts to ensure consistent NSD support
• Maintain good working relationships and ensure timely two-way communication with National Society colleagues who manage National Society development.
• Maintain regular and proactive dialogue with various stakeholders such as NS counterparts, program coordinators/managers as well as NPS, finance departments (regional office, country offices on National Society development issues).

Collaborate with the Regional Head of PSK in the planning and implementation of activities that contribute to FD's overall regional strategy and plans, Pan-African Conference indicators, any capacity building programs

Education

• Recognized professional qualification in accounting/finance (chartered accountant/MBA in finance) from a reputable institute.
• Relevant professional training in organizational development courses (Red Cross/Red Crescent related, humanitarian and development sector, management, etc.).

Experience

• Experience in personnel management and support
• Minimum of five years' experience working for the Red Cross or working for a
• humanitarian aid organization in a developing country.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience working in a financial/accounting role in management position.
• Experience in preparing budgets, shock statements and financial plans.
• Experience of the organizational development process
• Experience of working with Federation accounting systems
• Experience in writing narrative and financial reports
• Experience in management and financial information systems (MIS/FIS)
• Experience in developing financial rules, practices and procedures for NGOs

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Advanced computer skills (Windows, spreadsheets, accounting packages and word processing)
• Operational management and reporting skills
• Strong staff training and development skills
• Able to present financial information clearly, orally and in writing
  Interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and networking skills

Languages:

• Speak and write French fluently.
• Fluent in English

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Role model: Accountability-Commitment to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement; Diversity-Sensitivity to diversity; Integrity-Personal integrity and conduct.
• Professionalism-Flexibility and adaptability, Resilience, managing self and others.
• Collaboration: Building trust; Empowering others; Relations with the National Society; Teamwork
• Achievement: Communication; Innovation-Initiative and orientation; Judgement
• Decision-making; -Management of strategy, budgets and resources
• Leadership: Building alliances - networking; Influencing-Supervising, Inspiring; Strategic orientation