Country Programme Manager

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. 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.

The position is based in Moscow, but the technical reporting line is jointly to Budapest/Oslo.  The duration of current position is twelve (24) months with a possible extension. It is a family-based position. This position will require travels within the Russian Federation.

The purpose of Country Programme Manager is to achieve Norwegian Red Cross humanitarian objectives in the country through results-based project management and risk management.

• Follow up and strengthen the National Society partnership through project development and management in line with established project agreements and project plans.
• Manage relevant personnel in accordance with Norwegian Red Cross leadership development framework.

Represent Norwegian Red Cross in-country

Operational responsibilities

• Drafts country frameworks and yearly plans of action and follows up on progress through regular meetings and reporting.
• Follows up and supports the cooperation with National Societies in accordance with the Partnership Agreement. Safeguards project agreements and plans and follows up on risk assessments for all in-country initiatives.
• Organizes needs assessments and develops fundable proposals. Oversees that Norwegian Red Cross supported programmes complies with technical standards and thematic frameworks.
• Consistently monitors planned and unplanned effects of all projects supported by the Norwegian Red Cross and reports on progress through quarterly and yearly reports and complies with established deadlines.
• Ensures reliable data and information collection from all projects in accordance with Norwegian Red Cross results framework and drafts yearly results reports.
• Ensures accountability in line with Norwegian Red Cross Accountability Matrix and Partnership Calendar. This includes contribution to the annual budget process, mid-term budget review, and timely submission of cash requests.
• Supports financial risk management, including annual audit process and proper handling of financial irregularities, in line with established rules and regulations.
• Engages the country team by providing clear expectations manifested in individual work plans and follows up through expressing positive expectations and holding each other accountable.
• Ensures that Field Security Rules and Regulations for Norwegian Red Cross are updated and understood and oversees their compliance.
• Promotes good collaboration between country offices to ensure use of available technical expertise and standards.  
• Acquires fluency in the understanding and of Norwegian Red Cross work processes and digital tools.
• Establishes and manages regular meetings with donors to obtain support for unfunded humanitarian projects.
• Acts as spokesperson for country developments upon delegation from the Regional Representative and supports Norwegian Red Cross’ humanitarian diplomacy objectives, including by identifying opportunities in line with global priorities.

Collaboration:

• Close cooperation with IFRC Russia’s Programme Team
• Engage with the Regional Finance Manager and the Regional Programme Manager at Regional Office, to ensure consistent accountability towards Norwegian Red Cross rules and regulations, guidelines and deadlines.
• Regular communication with colleagues at the Programme Support Team, and Regional Team members at the Finance and Grants Unit and International Human Resources Unit.
• Facilitate and plan for country visits by colleagues from National and Regional offices.
• Liaise with National Office (HQ) Security advisor in accordance with rules and regulations

Mission specific responsibilities

• NorCross believes it is crucial to strive towards the humanitarian imperative, attempting to reach those in needs, irrespectively of the political context. Very few international humanitarian agencies operate in Russia or have access to support vulnerable people affected by the crisis in Ukraine in Russia, despite there being significant needs amongst those who have had to move away from their homes.
• The Norwegian Red Cross recognises the significant risks involved in humanitarian operations in Russia, but with conscious risk management, and a continuous principled stance following the humanitarian principles, the Norwegian Red Cross believes that the humanitarian imperative to reach some of the 2,85 million vulnerable people who have left Ukraine due to the conflict, justifies the significant risks.
• To support vulnerable men and women, primarily those affected by the crisis in Ukraine, the Norwegian Red Cross want to engage more strategically with the Russian Red Cross. The primary objective is to support vulnerable people, according to their needs, but also to strengthen the capacity of the RRC in their humanitarian efforts at a time where few other principled actors engage, with the potential negative consequences this could have.
• The Norwegian Red Cross would therefore like to engage in Russia, to support vulnerable people affected by the Ukraine Crisis in Russia. This will be done through cash & voucher programmes aimed at improving access to health services and relevant medicines; reach vulnerable men and women affected by conflict with relevant Psychosocial Support (PSS) through strengthen capacity and reach of PSS networks for the Russian Red Cross; and contribute to local preparedness and response capacity of the Russian Red Cross in areas affected by conflict, but also in Novgorod, Arkhangelsk, and Murmansk where district branches of the Norwegian Red Cross have worked with local branches of Russian Red Cross.

Required: 

• University Degree
• Training in program management and administration

Required: 

• At least 5 years’ project management experience
• Experience in working as project and programme manager in appropriate sector
  

Required:

• Proven ability to implement programmes in challenging contexts
• Excellent communication and writing skills 
• Successful track-record of donor applications and reporting on projects with measurable results
• Experience with and understanding of Russia and region
• High competency in political analysis
• Ability to position the organization’s ambitions, negotiate, convince others, and gain acceptance
• Ability to communicate very effectively
• Ability to collaborate well with others and support others in the pursuit of established goals 
• Ability to create a stable and re-assuring work atmosphere and is firm and reliable
• Fluent spoken and written English and Russian

Preferred:

• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

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