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 192-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 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 Africa Region is organized through regional representations covering the National Societies where Indian Ocean Islands CCD covers Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoros and Seychelles. This position is located in Moroni – Comoros.

Following confirmed tests, the Comoros Ministry of Health declared a cholera epidemic on February 2, 2024.A Cholera Treatment Center (CTC) was activated to treat cholera cases (hospital on the outskirts of Moroni). This was confirmed by the Dar Es Alam Laboratory and reaffirmed by the Comoros Ministry of Health. The Comoros Red Crescent, supported by the IFRC and French RC/PIROI, contributed to the epidemic response through a DREF allocation for nine months. This allowed a deployment of the surge members with different profiles (ops management, CEA, WASH, finance, Health, in addition to ERU teams, focusing and addressing the needs related to health, water, hygiene and sanitation, PGI, and CEA.
After deployment of surge members and ERU teams, there are still some activities that need IFRC technical support till end of the operations scheduled by 30th November, according to the Plan of Action.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Coordinator, Operations and Programmes, Country Cluster Delegation for the Indian Ocean Islands, the incumbent provides the technical lead to ensure optimal coordination and direct management of resources required for the effective and efficient implementation of the emergency operations. This position will manage the overall response operation for the IFRC support to the NS. It will focus on supporting the implementation of the operational strategy and the leadership intent, ensuring the maintenance of existing processes and effective working relationships for the coordination and collaboration with Country Cluster Delegation. Additionally, this position will focus on working closely with Comoros Red Crescent to ensure the operation meets the needs of those affected by the epidemic, ensuring the overall implementation and management of the response operation.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Revise the Cholera response Plan of Action taking account of the current epidemiological situation, and support for the development of the epidemic contingency plan.
• Organise and conduct a national lesson learned workshop and share the best practises with all the stakeholders,
• Identify the gaps in the response that were within the NS mandate and the operation scope of activities and include them in the response (e.g.: support vaccination).
• Orient the sustainability approach of the Cholera response and propose well defined exit methodologies.
• Maintain coordination with other humanitarian actors and accompany the NS in achieving their vital role during the Cholera epidemic response.
• Inform the strategic direction and decisions of the operation including risk mitigation and compliance in close coordination with IFRC Cluster Delegation Indian Ocean Islands
• Negotiate, plan and mobilise IFRC resources in support of the NS in the assessment, planning, and implementation of the emergency response.
• 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 mechanisms.
• 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 all relevant programming divisions in the NS.
• 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.
• Assist the NS, Movement and external partners in the achievement of planned outcomes and deliverables following quality standards, in a timely fashion, and within budgets.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

• 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.
• Work with the regional Health, Disasters, Climate & Crises (HDCC) Unit to develop, implement and review contingency planning for identified threats in operational areas, as well as the development of capacities within the NS for emergency response.
• Support the NS in setting up the structure needed to ensure that all components of the response are identified, planned and carried out in a coordinated, collaborative and integrated manner with Movement and external partners.
• Support the NS in developing and implementing operational standards, tools and procedures that ensure quality, consistency and sustainability of emergency response interventions. Together with the NS and the Head of Country cluster, represent IFRC in coordination meetings and forums, involving national authorities, national and international agencies, donors and other partners in the country.
• Support the NS in establishing an effective information management system for the response, including statistics.
• Work with Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (PMER) leads in IFRC and the NS 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 Regional IFRC offices, HR departments and/or surge desk.
• Maintain positive working relationships with implementing partners and key stakeholders. 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.
• Manage operational budgets to ensure that expenditure relating to IFRC-supported operations is within income and approved ceilings, in compliance with IFRC finance procedures and in line with donor earmarking requirements.

Duties applicable to all staff.

• Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals.
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Education

• University degree in a relevant field. Required.
• IMPACT (International Mobilization and Preparation for Action) Course or other relevant related training. Required.
• Trained as Operations Manager, CAP ERU, MOT, Induction Training. Required.
• Relevant Advanced University Degree (MSc or equivalent in Disaster Risk Management, Conflict Management, Development Planning, Disaster Risk Reduction, Humanitarian Affairs, etc.). Preferred.

Experience

• At least 5-7 years of disaster management experience, including managing staff. Required.
• Field experience in coordinating and managing disaster and crisis management projects and activities especially population movements. Required.
• Work experience with RC/RC. Required.
• Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation. Required.
• Min. 3 years of experience in managing relations with donors and partners. Work experience with other international organisations, large NGOs and/or governmental development agencies. Required.
• Minimum 2-3 years of supervisory experience, particularly in a team setting with strong relational and strategic leadership competencies. Required.
• Good knowledge and relevant work experience in the regional context. Preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Ability to work, communicate and collaborate efficiently in a multi-cultural and cross-functional context. Required.
• Effective team and project management skills. Required.
• Good analytical skills and solution oriented. Required.
• Good mentoring and capacity development skills. Required.
• Overall understanding of budget and finance management. Required.
• Knowledge of Fundamental Principles and RCRC Movement. Required.
• Excellent stress management skills. Required.
• Demonstrated accountability. Required.
• Fluently spoken and written English. Required.
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic). Preferred.

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.