Operations Manager

- Kenyan National Only
East Africa Regional Office - Nairobi

Operations Coordination

1. Manage the planning, international coordination and implementation of the Federation's support to National Societies in disaster response operations in Eastern Africa in accordance with approved plans, procedures and policies.
2. Manage the Emergency Appeal and DREF request processes at the regional level and make final recommendations as to scope and content of appeals / plans of action in line with standard operating procedures and assure emergency appeals contain quality activities for relief to recovery activities.
3. Activate the regional request for the deployment of international disaster response tools and other human resources in coordination with the field.
4. Lead and coordinate the regional response to support the field.
5. Ensure that the Emergency Task Force at the Region Office is activated immediately and meets regularly during the emergency phase of the operation.
6. Organise and chair PNS teleconferences during the first weeks of emergency operations.
7. Maintain regional oversight of ongoing disasters and provide weekly feedback on emerging trends / ongoing operations to the Regional Representative and the Zone Head of Operations.
8. Support Shelter, and other relevant departments such as relief, recovery, WatSan, Health in Emergencies, in Geneva to ensure Federation involvement in the cluster process and other relevant humanitarian coordination mechanisms.
9. Assure emergency operation reviews are scheduled as part of the appeal process and contribute to emergency-related reviews and evaluations, identify areas requiring improvements and recommend enhancement solutions.
10. Establish and/or support existing processes for close coordination and collaboration with the secretariat's disaster response and early recovery unit, the Zone Head of Operations, and all other pertinent regional units.
11. Maintain a 24/7 disaster monitoring system linked to national societies and Federation offices.

Operational Communications and Relations

1. Represent the Federation in disaster response in close cooperation with other units in the Regional Offices; develop relations with Participating National Societies, international and national organisations, donor governments and other organisations represented in the region.
2. Work with the Communications team in the Region office to ensure a coherent communication strategy and an appropriate management of information reflecting the core nature of the International Federation's humanitarian activities.
3. Ensure an ongoing working relationship and close cooperation and coordination with other units in the Region, especially the Federation Country Representatives and National Society Heads of DM.
4. Ensure effective working relationships with technical and service units at regional, zonal and Geneva Secretariat levels.
5. Assure technical guidance for operations in relief, assessment, health in emergencies, water and sanitation, shelter (including Emergency Shelter Cluster), and recovery is provided from the Regional Office.
6. Ensure a good working relationship with the ICRC counterparts in the region as appropriate.

Response Prepardness and Early Recovery

1. Assist Regional Disaster Response Team Officer to deliver relevant sessions of training for RDRT and other surge teams
2. Assist organizational disaster preparedness through risk capacity mapping, emergency assessment training, National/Branch disaster response teams, WPNS and relief distribution modalities.
3. Engage with partner national societies on recovery in operations and applied lessons learned.

Resource Management

1. Work closely with Zonal PA/RM to raise operational funds in support of Federation appeals and activities.
2. Provide direct disaster management support and human resource capacity to initiate emergency assessments, support emerging operations, bridge gaps in operation staffing and support ongoing operations technical sector needs.

Required qualifications

Education:
Relevant university degree or extensive professional experience in related field

Experience:
5 years of relevant working experience in coordinating complex humanitarian operations internationally and or in the region.
Good understanding of the common global humanitarian environment, strong analytical skills and capacity to translate analysis into action
At least 3 years of work experience with Red Cross/Red Crescent

Skills:
In-depth knowledge of complex Disaster Management operations coordination
Problem solving skills
Strong project coordination skills
In-depth understanding of Federation financial processes and budgeting
Ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment
Strong interpersonal skills and good understanding of the global organization
Excellent communications skills and public diplomacy
Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks
Drive for change and improvements and ability to deliver strategies in a challenging environment

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English, Knowledge of French an advantage

Competencies:
National Society Relations
Results Focus & Accountability
Teamwork
Communications
Professional Mastery
Leadership
Managerial Effectiveness
Innovation

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