Kenya: Deputy Regional Director

Organization: International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies

Country: Kenya

Closing date: 13 Apr 2016

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world"s largest humanitarian organization, with 190 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 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; directing and coordinating international relief operations, resource mobilization, technical support including 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.Job

Purpose

The position holder is a member of Africa Region senior management team. Reporting to the Regional Director, the Deputy Regional Director, in close coordination with the country offices and multi-country support teams, is responsible for ensuring that Secretariat staff in the region provide relevant and integrated membership services to strengthen National Society capacities and their programmes.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder is responsible for ensuring that across the Africa Region there is an integrated approach to National Society development, programmes & Operations and Partnerships and to manage the actions of staff responsible for these in the region to carry out the following range of activities:

National Society Capacity Building

To strengthen the core capacity of National Societies in the areas of operational coordination and programme delivery. More specifically:

Coordinate engagement with the leadership of the national societies to identify and agree relevant capacity building support in the areas of program development, operational coordination, PMER development and overall programme management to expand the reach and quality of services in line with the national society strategic plans and Strategy 2020. Provide, where requested and appropriate, such support though secretariat staff, and ensure that it is always focused on strengthening National Society capacities at all levels to deliver relevant humanitarian services and programmes to and with vulnerable communities.

Organise support to the National Societies in designing and implementing effective mechanisms for coordinating the various inputs from different components of the RCRC Movement and external partners to the programmes and services (including formal partnerships and alliances).

Promote knowledge management and testing of innovative approaches to address critical challenges in programme implementation and operational coordination.

Work closely with the field mangers in identifying areas in which National Societies in the region should be strengthening their own corporate services, IDRL and humanitarian diplomacy capacities and facilitate the identification of appropriate solutions. Such solutions could include providing the Federation"s own capacity where feasible and appropriate or identifying local and regional capacities.

Lead the development of capacity in Africa to support national societies" efforts to deepen their relationships with the general public in their countries, including through new contacts with partner organisations and through the development of processes which support contact with academia, foundations, the private sector, corporate partners or others capable of supporting IFRC’s humanitarian objectives.

Partnerships and Communications:

Support the Director in the development of policy guidance and advice for National Societies and the regional Office in support of their relationships with governments and intergovernmental agencies, ensuring that the Federation’s official positions are represented with consistency and benefit the National Societies in their own work as the auxiliaries to the public authorities in the humanitarian field.

In close coordination with the Head of Delegation to the AU and International Organizations to work closely with intergovernmental, regional and non-governmental organisations, drawing on resources to be provided by relevant Secretariat offices and programs, and in consultation with National Societies to ensure that positions are delivered consistently at global, regional and national levels.

Provide advice and support for the negotiation and maintenance of partnerships (through agreements or other arrangements) with other international agencies whose goals and programs match those of the Federation and National Societies and which are prioritised in terms of the Federation"s new operating model at the regional and sub-regional levels.

Lead the Regional Office"s team in the fulfilment of an effective communications and advocacy strategy closely aligned with the global strategy and responsive to the country and regional priorities.

Ensure consistency of messages both within the Federation and through consultations, with the ICRC and other interlocutors. Ensure alignment of these messages and actions with the Fundamental Principles of the Movement.

International Disaster Response:

When needs and vulnerabilities overtake locally available capacities:

Provide leadership to the Africa DM team to ensure that international disaster response assistance is effectively and timely organised, coordinated and directed.

Ensure that the support provided to NS in disaster response is relevant to the identified needs and is part of a wider strategy covering recovery and long-term development.

Work closely with the Secretariat"s Disaster Services" team to ensure that the zone response to major disasters is in line with global systems and policies.

Longer Term Development Programming:

Provide overall coordination to longer term programming support to NS in health, social services, disaster preparedness/risk reduction, recovery and other development areas such as logistics capacity building, digital divide initiatives etc.

Ensure efficient and effective management of Federation resources in the programmes under his/her responsibility. This includes providing strategic leadership in support of the national societies in Asia Pacific as outlined in the long term plans and budgets.

Ensure the implementation of Federation coordinated activities in the zone according to approved plans and budgets, and in compliance with Federation procedures, regulations and policies.

Ensure that monitoring and evaluation carried out in Africa are relevant, effective and implemented to the best international practice of shared learning and accountability.

Ensure there are appropriate assessments and "lessons learned" processes and morphing/exit strategies to optimise sustainability and community ownership of various programmes.

Disaster Law Program: Provide oversight to the Disaster Law Programme in Africa, making sure that it is consistent with the governance decisions and international conference resolutions. Particular attention to be paid to ensure that National Societies are supported in engaging with their governments to influence formulating or enacting relevant laws in their context as well as in mainstreaming the DLP into regular programming of the National Societies as well as within the secretariat.

General management:

Abide by and work at all times in accordance with Fundamental Principles of the Movement, and the values that underpins them.

Provide day to day management of all staff reporting to the position in the Regional Office. This includes ensuring of staff security.

Ensure compliance with applicable laws and status agreements to minimise risk of harm to the Federation and its secretariat personnel, properties and resources. Special attention is to be given on the compliance of procurement procedures and standards.

Ensure sound planning and financial management for areas under his/her responsibility.

Contribute to upholding the Secretariats policies, procedures and management system within the Region, and support their improvement and review as necessary.

Promote a culture of performance and continuous learning to improve the accountability and impact for vulnerable people.

Perform any other related duties and responsibilities that might be assigned by the Regional Director.

Deputise for the Director when requested during his / her absences.

Education

Degree in Management or relevant university degree

Experience

At least fifteen years of management experience, including direct supervision of more than 10 people and the management of teams with more than 50 people

At least five years’ experience working in a voluntary membership-based organization at senior management levels

Experience in diplomacy and/or high level representation functions

Demonstrated success in planning, project management and reporting

Proven successful experience in strategy development and implementation

Proven successful experience in finance and risk management

Proven successful experience in people and performance management

Sound knowledge and practical understanding of the IFRC

Good understanding of the global humanitarian environment

Knowledge, skills and languages

Ability to build effective teams

Ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross functional environment

Excellent communications skills, negotiating and influencing skills

Excellent Networking skills

Politically and culturally sensitive

Strong interpersonal skills

Ability to work in tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks.

Strong analytical skills and capacity to translate analysis into action

Languages

Fluently spoken and written English

Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic) would be an added advantage Competencies and values

Core Competencies:

Communication

Collaboration and Teamwork

Judgement and Decision Making

National Societies and Customer Relations

Creativity and Innovation

Building Trust

Managerial Competencies:

Managing Staff Performance

Managing Staff Development

Strategic Orientation

Functional Competencies:

Building Alliances

Leadership

Empowering Others

Comments

Position re-advertised.

The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.

How to apply:

Please apply on the organisation"s website: http://www.ifrc.org/en/who-we-are/working-with-us/current-vacancies/job-description/?id=2789