Under Secretary General, Partnerships

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 189 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organisation established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The overall aim of the 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.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The Federation is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat is led by the IFRC Secretary General and provides the central capacity of the International Federation to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. The Secretariat’s focus includes providing support to the IFRC governance mechanisms; setting norms and standards; providing guidance; ensuring consistency, coordination, and accountability for performance; knowledge sharing; promoting collaboration within and respect for the RCRC Movement; and expanding engagement with partners. The Secretariat’s headquarters is organized in three main business groups: (i) Partnerships, including Movement and Membership; (ii) Programmes and Operations; and (iii) Management Services. The Under Secretary General, Partnerships reports directly to the Secretary General, and leads the Partnerships business group including Movement and Membership coordination and services. The position is located in the IFRC Secretariat headquarters in Geneva.

Job Purpose

Under the overall guidance of the Secretary General, the Under Secretary General (USG) provides vision, leadership, and effective management for the Secretariat’s work and resources in the areas of expanding, strengthening and maintaining partnerships, Red Cross Red Crescent Movement Coordination, and IFRC Membership Services for its National Societies. The USG supports the Secretary General in the overall management of the Secretariat, including through membership in the Global Senior Management Team (GSMT) and Senior Management Team (SMT), to ensure organizational excellence in support of vulnerable people and communities.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Within the framework of the IFRC Strategy 2020, and under the guidance of the Secretary General, the Under Secretary General, Partnerships:

• Provides vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the work of the Secretariat to expand, strengthen and maintain strategic partnerships; build stronger National Societies, to bring the Secretariat closer to National Societies, to maximize Movement Coordination, and to engage in humanitarian diplomacy and resource mobilization, consistent with the priorities established by Governance and the Secretary General.
• Provides leadership and inspiration in identifying, fostering, expanding and maintaining partnerships both within the RCRC Movement and the Federation, and with external stakeholders and constituencies.
• Provides vision, leadership, strategic advice and coordination for the Secretariat’s work and organizational processes in the areas of Policy, Strategy and Knowledge, including the development, coordination and dissemination of policies, strategies and advocacy positions.
• Oversees efforts to ensure that up-to-date evidence, research and learning, and knowledge are available and accessible to National Societies and within the Secretariat, including to enhance the professional qualifications, competencies and impact of RCRC volunteers and staff at all levels.
• Provides strategic guidance and oversees the management and continuous strengthening of the Secretariat’s planning and budgeting processes across all organizational units, and plays a lead role to ensure harmonization and alignment of all plans and budgets across the Secretariat.
• Provides vision and coordination of the Secretariat’s efforts to promote wider understanding and support for the RCRC Fundamental Principles and humanitarian values.
• Oversees the promotion of greater understanding and awareness of the RCRC Movement and the IFRC, including through coherent and consistent positioning and messaging throughout the Movement and the Federation, common or joint messaging within the Movement when appropriate, and ensuring standards of excellence in both external and internal communications.
• Provides leadership and strategic oversight for continually updating and implementing a Federation-wide communications strategy, including for engagement with global, regional and national media networks, websites, social media, and creating opportunities to maximize engagement of young people in the RCRC Movement.
• Provides leadership, strategic guidance and advice, and management for the mobilization of resources for the Federation and its membership, including identifying and pursuing new opportunities to expand resources at global, regional and national levels, ensuring the provision of critical information and analyses for resource development and donor reporting, as well as to inform planning and budgeting processes.
• Establishes an innovative, state-of-the-art, Federation-wide accountability framework – including planning, monitoring, oversight and reporting systems -- that ensures standards of excellence and provides evidence to partners, donors, other stakeholders and the general public that the Federation is an effective, accountable and trustworthy partner of choice.
• Ensures the establishment and implementation of a model for an independently-validated Federation-wide peer review mechanism to accredit and rate National Societies following the development of agreed criteria for excellence by which the results and functioning of National Societies can be benchmarked.
• Ensures the preparation and implementation of strategies, guidance, and standards for sustainable National Society development including, in particular, leadership strengthening, volunteering development, and youth engagement in the context of the constantly changing environment.

Key tasks:

• Provide line management of the teams in this organizational unit, which focus on:
  a)strengthening National Societies, furthering close Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement collaboration, and promoting the Movement’s principles and values in support of vulnerable people and communities;
  b) ensuring the development, coordination and internal and external dissemination of policies, strategies, plans and advocacy positions based on evidence, research and learning, and knowledge;
  c) designing and implementing state-of-the art processes and tools for planning and budgeting and for monitoring and evaluation;
  d) expanding, building and maintaining strategic partnerships and relationships within and outside the Federation and Movement to promote awareness, action and the mobilization of resources to address the needs of vulnerable people and communities;
  e) positioning the organization through proactive and strategic communications and media engagement, as a global leader and advocate on behalf of vulnerable people and communities.
• Related to the responsibilities of this business group, nurture and continuously create cohesion in global teams made up of Geneva and field staff, as well as interested National Societies.
• Effectively manage the organizational unit and ensure staff growth, motivation and satisfaction.
• Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the Secretary General, including representing or deputising for him upon request.

Education

Post-graduate degree in the area of management, humanitarian or development issues, or other relevant area required.

Experience

Required:

• At least 15 years of management experience at senior level including competence in membership services, policy analysis, planning and budgeting, performance accountability, partnership development, communications, and/or resource mobilization
• Proven experience in the international humanitarian and development system, including working with external partners
• Proven experience in general management with understanding of policy, strategy, knowledge, partnerships, resource development and communication

Knowledge, skills and languages

Required:

• Sound knowledge and practical understanding of the Federation
• Capacity to work with sensitivity in a multi-cultural environment
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, including in public speaking
• Able to conceptualize strategic approaches and translate them into practice and results
• Able to network effectively and influence and inspire others including the membership, governments, other agencies, and own peers, staff, volunteers and partners
• Focus on quality and standards, results, and accountability
• Capacity to multi-task, set priorities, and meet deadlines
• Teamwork and trust-building, including in National Society relations
• Management style that inspires, builds confidence, and finds creative and constructive solutions to complex or difficult issues

Languages

• Fluently spoken and written English required
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic) required

Competencies and values

Values :

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Accountability

Competencies :

• Communication
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Judgement & Decision Making
• National Society & Customer Relations
• Creativity & Innovation
• Building Trust
• Managing Staff Performance
• Managing Staff Development
• Strategic Orientation
• Building Alliances
• Leadership
• Empowering Others

Comments

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application via the following link:

http://www.ifrc.org/en/who-we-are/working-with-us/current-vacancies/job-...