Organizational Context

“This is a national staff position open to nationals and others who are legally eligible to work in countries where IFRC has legal presence: Buenos Aires (Argentina), San José (Costa Rica), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), Guatemala City (Guatemala), Tegucigalpa (Honduras), Kingston (Jamaica), Managua (Nicaragua), Panama City (Panama), Lima (Peru), or Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago). Candidates must be able to provide proof of their eligibility to work in those countries during application phase”

The overall objective of the IFRC is to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian action by National (Red Cross) Societies to prevent and alleviate human suffering, thereby contributing to the preservation and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.

Our work is guided by our seven Fundamental Principles (Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Volunteerism, Unity, and Universality), our Humanitarian Values (Integrity, Partnerships, Diversity, Leadership, Innovation) and Strategy 2030, the IFRC network’s collective action plan to address the major humanitarian and development challenges of this decade.

Strategy 2030 (S2030) – a platform for change – defines our vision, approach, and strategy for the period 2021-2030. S2030 is about the changes that will enable the IFRC network to be better able to save lives and support efforts to strengthen people’s own capabilities and capacities. To this end, S2030 proposes a series of transformations to achieve these goals, challenging us all to think beyond the status quo.

The IFRC Secretariat’s Plan and Budget for 2021-2025 consists of 5 Strategic Priorities (SPs) and 3 Enablers; it has a stronger focus at country level, while ensuring global coherence and consistency of action. The Plan and Budget is based on S2030 and is further informed by the Agenda for Renewal, which articulates the role of the IFRC Secretariat in the implementation of S2030.

The IFRC Secretariat is organized into a group of support services and technical functions and delegations with geographical management responsibilities. The Port of Spain Delegation covers 13 countries in the Caribbean.

The overall objectives of the Institutional Transformation Coordinator are set out in the IFRC Statutes, S2030, the Nassau Agreement, the National Society Development Framework, and the National Society Preparedness Framework.

The incumbent will report to the Head of Delegation. S/he is a key member of the management team, liaising with and supporting the National Society leadership.

Job Purpose

The incumbent is responsible for transforming National Red Cross Societies, supporting, and developing them as strong and effective local actors, inspiring and mobilizing volunteers, ensuring trust and accountability, digital transformation and financing their future.

He/she is responsible for the implementation of the IFRC Secretariat’s country support plans.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Leading and Managing

•  to lead and manage a team to fulfil the duties and responsibilities of this job description and to provide support and advice to National Society leadership and change agents:
•  provide consistent, nationwide, relevant services to vulnerable people through volunteers and staff that are sustained for as long as needed,
•  respond effectively and efficiently with timely and appropriate humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of those most affected by disasters and crises,
•  support the authorities in their humanitarian field and strengthen the IFRC network,

Organization Development – Inspiring and Mobilising Volunteerism

•  modernize the way of functioning and operating of red cross societies, innovating towards:
•  becoming a platform that can support people’s own efforts to bring about the change they want to see in the world, with a particular focus on the efforts of young people and self-organising groups,
•  developing new services, initiatives, and campaigns for good on issues of common concern
•  playing a role in national disaster preparedness and response mechanisms and complementing or replacing public humanitarian services (in consultation with public authorities, based on international and national laws).
•  assess the needs, strengths, and weaknesses of Red Cross societies, including their response systems, and plan for sustainable self-development and transformation using tools such as (but not limited to) OCAC, BOCA, PER and SAF.
•  support, assist and advise in the elaboration of the different action plans resulting from the different evaluations carried out, using the approaches established for this purpose.
•  support and guide the development of agile, transparent, and efficient processes, policies, and procedures to respond to changing needs with agility and greater anticipation.

Leadership Development

•  implement a leadership development programme to:
•  assess the needs, strengths, and weaknesses of Red Cross societies, including their response systems, and plan for sustainable self-development and transformation using tools such as (but not limited to) OCAC, BOCA, PER and SAF,
•  support, assist and advise in the development of the various action plans resulting from the various evaluations carried out, using the approaches established for this purpose.
•  support and guide the development of agile, transparent, and efficient processes, policies, and procedures to respond with agility and greater anticipation to changing needs.
•  be and act as a confidant to, advise, guide and coach Red Cross leaders and other change agents.

Disaster preparedness

•  strengthen local response and preparedness capacities to enable Red Cross Societies to play their auxiliary role alongside complementary international support mechanisms, so that the IFRC network can respond effectively to any emergency.

Service Delivery – Strong and Effective Local Actors – Volunteering and Youth

•  to ensure that services are led and developed by volunteers and staff to better integrate volunteers into the services provided to communities.
•  ensure greater networking of volunteers, including across national borders.
•  support, encourage and guide leadership to make volunteer mobilisation and development a strategic priority.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Financial Sustainability – Financing the Future

•  improve the financial and control systems and functions and the sustainability of existing and future income streams of National Red Cross Societies.
•  to help identify, approach, and prepare proposals for potential donors.
•  to assist, support and guide leadership in making financial sustainability a strategic priority:
•  improving cooperation with a wider range of actors, building targeted partnerships,
•  developing innovative business models, financial technologies, and funding mechanisms,
•  supporting independence, scope, and depth of action.

Digital Transformation

•  support, assist and advise in building data and digital literacy and the necessary structure and technology to support a comprehensive and equitable digital transformation.
•  support, assist and guide leadership in making digital transformation a strategic priority and embracing a digital culture.

Integrity – Trust and Accountability

•  strengthen the legal basis, policies, and procedures for stronger integrity controls.
•  assist, support, and guide leadership to make digital transformation a strategic priority, promoting and embracing a culture of ethical practice and institutional accountability.

Projects, programmes, and initiatives management

•  be responsible and accountable for the planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of country plans, for:
•  meeting (and adapting to) the needs, expectations and capacities of National Societies and partners,
•  aligning all capacity building assistance (mainly through projects, programmes, and initiatives, but not limited to) to support the long-term strategic priorities of National Societies.
•  act as an escalation point from country plan managers to address issues and constraints and keep projects, programmes, and initiatives on track.
•  raise and mobilise resources for projects, programmes, and initiatives.
•  take responsibility and accountability for integrating organisational development, disaster preparedness and change management approaches into projects, programmes, and initiatives.

Country Adviser

•  manage and lead projects, programmes, and initiatives (including budgets) and provide hands-on project management to deliver their benefits and theory of change.
•  review programmes, projects, and initiatives for consistency (and compliance), effectiveness and efficiency.
•  champion the work of the National Society and participate in coordination mechanisms at country level.

Relationships, expertise, and professional development

•  establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with national and international staff in country, regional and global offices, and with National Society, International Committee of the Red Cross, and government counterparts.
•  maintain a high level of skills and knowledge in organisational development, change management, human resources, and people management, and be an expert and point of reference for National Society development.

be part of and contribute to the development of a network and systems for sharing knowledge, including best practices.

Education

REQUIRED:

•  Relevant university degree or equivalent in social science, development studies, quality and organizational management, or business development
•  Master of Business Administration from a top-ranked school

Experience

REQUIRED

•  7+ years proven experience in facilitating organizational change
•  7+ years proven experience in volunteering and youth development
•  Experience working in a national Red Cross society (or similar membership or volunteer-based organization) at senior level
•  Experience in leading and managing teams
•  Experience in resource mobilization and partnership development

PREFERRED

•  Experience in the application of IFRC tools (OCAC, PER et cetera)

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

REQUIRED

•  Proficient in consulting and in given expert advice
•  Proficient in coaching and mentoring
•  Proficient in teamwork and collaboration
•  Proficient in strategy development, implementation, and monitoring
•  Ability to work with the leadership of an organization
•  Ability to manage and transfer knowledge and develop skills in others
•  Ability to work in a multicultural environment
•  Fluent spoken and written English

PREFERRED

•  Fluent spoken and written, Spanish, French or Arabic

Competencies, Values and Comments

VALUES: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability. CORE COMPETENCIES: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Judgement and Decision Making; National Societies and Customer Relations; Creativity and Innovation; Building Trust. FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: Building Alliances.

“This is a national staff position open to nationals and others who are legally eligible to work in countries where IFRC has legal presence: Buenos Aires (Argentina), San José (Costa Rica), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), Guatemala City (Guatemala), Tegucigalpa (Honduras), Kingston (Jamaica), Managua (Nicaragua), Panama City (Panama), Lima (Peru), or Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago). Candidates must be able to provide proof of their eligibility to work in those countries during application phase”