Head of Country Cluster Delegation, The Pacific, Suva

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. 

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 Head of Country Cluster Delegation (HoD) is the senior representative of the Secretariat and the director of operations (if any) with clear authority for management and accountability.  Under the direction and guidance of the Regional Director, he/she will facilitate coordination and technical assistance within the Federation as regards the delegation and between the Federation and the respective National Society (NS) in the country.

As part of the Region, the Country Cluster will facilitate cooperation in the area of responsibility and provide direct support to IFRC country offices (if any) and National Societies under the cluster. The office must ensure delivery towards global indicators and producing tailor made plans per country. It may also host outpost technical resources which can be available for the sub-region and beyond. The Country Cluster Office should ensure effective Movement coordination, per country under its responsibility and as a Country Cluster Office will promote communications, provide a platform for cooperation within its scope of action and strengthening relations with national, regional and International organizations based in the area.  The Country Cluster office will draw support from the regional office as required to deliver support for the NSs and will ensure regional coherence and consistency on the IFRC delivery.  The country cluster office will promote country centered longer term programming, provide a platform for cooperation. 

Job Purpose

The Head of Delegation (HoD) is the senior Secretariat representative and business manager with delegated authority and responsibility from the Secretary general whose main purpose is to lead IFRC support to the relevant National Society (NS) with a strong focus on the delivery of results and impact, as framed by Strategy 2030 and its enablers (engagement, accountability, and trust), and as reflected in the IFRC’s Agenda for Renewal.

In this connection, the HoD is expected to uphold the Red Cross Red Crescent Fundamental Principles in all activities at the country level, and possesses country-level responsibility for strategic and operational coordination, humanitarian diplomacy, national society development and membership services, safeguarding community-centered development, capacity strengthening, climate actions, disasters and crisis preparedness, response and recovery coordination as well as partnership and resource development etc.

Under the leadership and guidance of the Regional Director, the HoD is also responsible for ensuring a One IFRC approach linking strategic and operational objectives at the country level. Accordingly, the HoD helps to reinforce the NS’s auxiliary role and supports its efforts to coordinate technical programs and humanitarian diplomacy activities at both the regional and global levels. In this connection, the HoD is accountable for developing the Secretariat’s strategy to support the NS.

Every HoD will receive Mission Instructions for their information and guidance before assuming the role.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure delivery of the Five Strategic Priorities of Strategy 2030

• Ensure the five strategic priorities of Strategy 2030 are integrated into the strategic plan of Delegation and delivered. These include climate & environmental crises, evolving crises and disasters, growing gaps in health and wellbeing, migration, identity and values, power, and inclusion.
• Responsible for ensuring that NS is at the centre of all IFRC activities and operational plans, while considering accountability and agility requirements, community perspectives, the interests of beneficiaries, principles and conduct issues, partnership with donors, statutory instruments, and General Assembly resolutions.
• Provide support to ensure appropriate preparedness and response mechanisms are established in each NS and IFRC offices and have impact
• Ensure national resources from country are available rapidly and efficiently to support IFRC operations.

Conduct Strategic and Operational Coordination

• Responsible for coordination with:
  • The RCRC Membership, including IFRC and its member NSs.
  • RCRC Movement, including IFRC, member NSs and the ICRC.
  • External partners, governments, international organizations, civil society organizations, NGOs, private sector entities and other stakeholders involved in humanitarian work.
• Ensure that Federation policies, procedures, guidelines, quality standards are accepted, disseminated, and adhered.
• Facilitate cooperation and coordination in all programmes and operations among Movement components to ensure effective, efficient mobilisation & utilisation of resources.
• Build effective cooperation and partnerships with wide range of partners, stakeholders in government, civil society, academia, private sector.

Lead Effective Humanitarian Diplomacy

• Support NSs in fulfilling their auxiliary role to governments and in serving as partners of choice.
• In close consultation with the NS and local Government, build broad alliances and develop interest in and support for the global work of IFRC.
• Implement the humanitarian priorities set by IFRC in the country, support the NS to develop and partnerships with national and global actors as well as achieve humanitarian diplomacy objectives.
• Formulate policy objectives for advocacy, communications, and external relations for the country in line with the IFRC Strategy. In this connection, continuously support Federation-wide efforts to upgrade the digital platform shared with NSs to make it better fit for the future as regards humanitarian work.

Support and Strengthen National Society Development and Membership Services

• Strengthen the NS’s legal status and auxiliary role as well as support its strategic and operational plans so that it can be more effective, efficient, engaged, accountable and trusted in its delivery of humanitarian services.
• Establish and maintain close working relations with the leadership of the country NS for overall cooperation and coordination with the IFRC.
• Ensure that the Secretariat delivers and provides quality support to the NS; that the requisite policies are developed and implemented; that core programmes are properly planned, managed, and monitored; and that capacity strengthening opportunities relating to people as well as systems are fully exploited.
• Lead resource mobilisation for the NS in the country and for global activities of the IFRC and the NS.
• Support NS on volunteering, youth, and human resource development initiatives.

Ensure Accountability

• Responsible for Delegation’s overall accountability including communities, Membership, donors, external partners.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

• Ensure that the IFRC’s duty of care and legal obligations are respected.
• Ensure that sound financial management of the IFRC’s programming in the country, that effective budget planning is in place, and that programmes operate within approved budgets.
• Ensure dissemination of the Code of Conduct to all staff in the delegation.
• Ensure that the Office maintains a comprehensive and effective 24/7 security management that will have a positive impact on, and enhance, personnel as well as assets safety and security.
• Ensure that all IFRC (and other RCRC) personnel, assets, and operations under IFRC responsibility are adequately protected and that identified security risks are mitigated as much as possible.
• Undertake security risk assessment of Federation operations, as needed, to ensure compliance with the Federation's Minimum-Security Requirements (MSR). This includes Office, Residential and Site security coordination.
• Advise staff on coordinating actions required to deal with security-sensitive situations and if required the management of critical incidents.

Ensure Agility 

• Responsible for the delivery IFRC activities in an agile way to boost effectiveness and impact.
• Provide increased support for developing systems and processes to increase agility and accountability as well as improve the quality of delivery.
• Exercise good judgment, creativity, and flexibility in implementing decisions made by IFRC in relation to coordination with the Membership, the Movement, external stakeholders (including donors, other humanitarian actors, and the private sector.  

Promote Safeguarding 
All members of the IFRC workforce must contribute individually and collectively towards a working environment where everyone feels safe and empowered to perform their duties. This includes the demonstration of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment (including sexual harassment), sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power of affected populations and/or IFRC personnel.  In this connection, IFRC expects and requires managers, as individuals and managers, to:

• Demonstrate their commitment to providing a safe and respectful work environment by maintaining a high standard of personal conduct; reminding team members of their obligation to demonstrate appropriate behaviour in the workplace; encouraging healthy exchanges; and holding colleagues accountable for contributing to a healthy work environment
• Actively support and communicate the importance and benefit of a work environment free from any form of harassment and discrimination. This will include but not be limited to taking action to stop inappropriate conduct that others may find offensive or that may contribute to a hostile work environment
• Make themselves available to those who wish to raise concerns of inappropriate conduct by others in confidence and handle those concerns promptly and effectively in a confidential, victim centred manner.
• Hold all staff who report to them accountable for compliance with IFRC's standards of conduct, including as set out in IFRC policies aimed at combating harassment and protecting staff from sexual exploitation and abuse, and indicate areas of concern and needed improvement in the annual performance appraisal process.
• Monitor staff wellbeing and take action to address any concerns, including ensuring that IFRC Personnel are aware of the training, resources and support available.

Education

Required

• Post-graduate (i.e., master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences/development studies, strategic/programme management, management studies or other relevant discipline.

Preferred

• Qualification or certification in project management.
• Completion of the IMPACT course or possession of equivalent knowledge.

Experience

Preferred

• 10+ years of experience in managing operations for a humanitarian aid organisation and or development cooperation organisation.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working at a senior management level.
• 5 years of work experience, including management, in a Red Cross/Red Crescent National Society, ICRC or IFRC.
• 5 years of experience of proven high-level communication skills backed by proven track record in programmes management.
• Proven results-based experience in relationship management and resource mobilisation.
• Proven experience in people management as well as in governance and leadership support.
• Proven record in implementing security regulations. 
• Proven experience of acting in a representational role and maintaining donor and partner relations.

Preferred

• Proven experience of working in the region.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• Strong management and organizational skills, including ability to delegate authority and responsibility.
• Ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment as well as to communicate in such environment.
• Strong financial management skills.
• Computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office tools.
• Excellent interpersonal negotiation skills, including ability to effectively communicate a vision, solve problems and manage conflict.
• Proven people management skills in a multi-cultural environment and strong track record of developing people.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake a high-level representational and advocacy role.
• Ability to drive change and improvements as well as to deliver strategies in a challenging environment.
• Understanding of and commitment to IFRC’s mission and values.
• Demonstrated initiative and creativity; substantial experience of strategic thinking, including identifying, analysing, and solving problems; to respond to opportunities and challenges; and the ability to translate these into practical plans of action.
• Fluent spoken and written English.

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.

Managerial Competencies: Managing Staff Performance; Managing Staff Development.

Functional Competencies: Strategic Orientation; Building Alliances; Leadership; Empowering Others.