Manager, Operations Coordination

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 the 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.”  The 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 the 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 delegation 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.

The National Society Development and Operations Coordination Division consists of three departments: the National Society, Policy and Knowledge Development Department; the Disasters, Climate and Crises Department; and the Health and Care Department. It also includes the Operational Movement and Membership Coordination (OMMC) Team, and hosted projects of the IFRC, namely: the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP), the Risk-Informed Early Action Partnership (REAP), and the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR).  

The Disaster Climate and Crisis (DCC) Department, led by the Director, consists of four units: The Operations Coordination Unit, The Socio-Economic Empowerment Unit, The Climate, Environment and Resilience Unit and The Migration and Displacement Unit.

This position is based in Geneva with frequent international travel to support the IFRC regions and to participate in internal and external meetings, and reports directly to Director, Disaster, Climate and Crises Department. 

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of the Director, DCC, the Manager, Operations Coordination supports the IFRC network with the maintenance and development of the local-to-global IFRC Disaster Management System, to ensure speedy, high-quality, coherent, and well-coordinated operations. The Manager, Operations Coordination oversees a team which delivers against the key headquarters roles of operational and programmatic quality and accountability (including risk management, standard setting and implementation, development and application of tools and procedures, mainstreaming of cross-cutting issues etc), thought leadership and knowledge sharing across relevant technical areas (in support of NSs, Regional and country office roles for management of operations and programmes), global representation and policy positioning. The Manager, Operations Coordination ensures a continuum approach to operations and programmes that supports and strengthens community preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience across all strategic priorities in the plan and budget 2021 – 2025.

The Manager, Operations Coordination oversees the IFRC global Surge Capacity mechanisms (Rapid Response, Emergency Response Units, Heads of Emergency Operations), the National Society (NS) Preparedness, IFRC Readiness, Global Shelter Cluster Coordination, Civil and Military relations, Civil Protection Mechanisms and Subregional Disaster Risk management/Disaster Management systems and a functional Emergency Operations Centre – EOC.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Please find here the details on job duties and responsibilities.

Education

Required

• Advanced University degree (Master's or equivalent).

Experience

Required

• At least 10 years working experience in the humanitarian or development sector, with a proven excellence on Emergency Operations, data, and information management.
• At least 5 years working experience in management of humanitarian operations, with experience in developing, deploying, and evaluating surge capacity.
• Demonstrated professional credibility in the sector and experience working in an international or cross-cultural environment.

Preferred

• Experience working in a RC/RC National Society and/or Federation/ICRC.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• Fluent spoken and written English.
• Extensive knowledge of principles, systems, techniques, and methodologies used 
  in information management and the planning, monitoring and evaluation of programme cycles. 
• Results oriented and demand driven individual, entrepreneurial, ability to lead in unprecedented and/or ambiguous situations.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including the ability to lead within a matrix management structure and utilise talent and experience of team members in a productive way.
• Outstanding networking, representational, communication and negotiation skills. An ability to be proactive and persuasive.
• Demonstrated track record in innovating, contributing to a learning culture, sharing knowledge and new approaches to engaging partners. 
• Professional credibility, able to work effectively at all levels across the organisation.
• Proven good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality.
• High degree of discretion, tact, and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural, multilingual, multidisciplinary environment.

Preferred

• 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.

Application Instruction

Please submit your application in English only.