Manager, Programme and Operations

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs 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 delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the IFRC Egypt Head of Country Delegation (HoD), the Programme and Operations Manager will ensure the safe and effective management of IFRC supported programming in Egypt with the Egyptian Red Crescent Society(ERCS).

The Programme and Operations Manager will ensure all IFRC programs are implemented efficiently and effectively in support of the NS’s strategy and the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement principles and framed by the Unified Plan and emergency responses ongoing in Egypt. The role will be supported by other program team members.

The Programme and Operations will work collaboratively with the relevant IFRC Regional Office in MENA and the ERCS relevant counterparts to increase interoperability, implement innovation and learning within programs, ensure robust risk management.

As part of the country senior management team of IFRC, the Programme and Operations Manager will be requested to hold acting representation duties when the HoD will be away from the office. Furthermore, the Programmes and Operations manager will act as security focal point in Egypt with the support of the MENA Security Regional Office.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the negotiations, planning, and mobilisation of IFRC resources in support of the NS in the assessment, planning, and implementation of the emergency response operations and long-term programmes. Coordinate IFRC-wide efforts to mobilize resources for the Unified Plan, including contributing to identify and engage with potential donors, and in preparing project proposals and relevant documents.
• Alongside the NS, build alliances and partnerships with other actors to enhance the implementation of the country plan of action and on-going programmes. Support the NS to enhance their position vis-a-vis the national coordination mechanism.
• Support IFRC technical leads to develop programme approaches which strengthen and develop the NS’s structures, capacity, and performance; analyze and understand their current strengths and weaknesses and to ensure provision of necessary technical and material support particularly in relation to the ongoing programmes.
• Lead in the design of the IFRC annual Unified Plan to implement Strategy 2030 with full engagement of ERCS and the IFRC membership supporting ERCS.
• Coordinate the implementation and monitoring of the Unified Plan with a focus on the pledges managed by the IFRC Secretariat, also ensuring a coherent approach in the design and delivery of various initiatives, including technical capacity building, engagement with authorities, etc.
• Promote and assist the integration of humanitarian, long-term priorities and interventions within all relevant programming divisions in the ERCS.
• Promote opportunities for ERCS to develop capacities of their personnel in managing program and operations activities in accordance with internationally accepted standards.
• Support ERCS in designing and coordinating emergency response actions with IFRC-wide approaches and tools, including in accessing DREF and Emergency Appeal resources.
• Ensure that the response is based on frameworks and approaches that are consistent with or have considered national and international standards and guidelines, as well as IFRC policies, procedures, and tools.
• Assist the NS, IFRC membership, movement partners and external partners in the achievement of planned outcomes and deliverables following quality standards, in a timely fashion, and within budgets.
• Ensure a robust and coherent monitoring of the situation and its potential evolution and ensure that interventions are responsive to current and emerging needs and threats.
• Work with the regional HDCC Unit to develop, implement and review contingency planning for identified threats in operational areas, as well as the development of capacities within the NS for emergency response.
• Support the NS in setting up the structure needed to ensure that all components of the programmes are identified, planned, and carried out in a coordinated, collaborative, and integrated manner with Movement and external partners.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

• Support the NS in developing and implementing operational standards, tools and procedures that ensure quality, consistency, and sustainability of emergency response interventions. Together with the NS and the HoD, represent IFRC in coordination meetings and forums, involving national authorities, national and international agencies, donors, and other partners in the country.
• Support the NS in establishing an effective information management system for the programmes, including monitoring and learning approaches.
• Work with PMER leads in IFRC and the NS to ensure that planning and reporting requirements are met in a timely and efficient manner.
• Advise on the need for additional human resources in coordination with the Country and Regional IFRC offices, HR departments and/or surge desk.
• In coordination with the HoD and the Finance and Administration Coordinator, ensure sound financial management is applied to all Federation-assisted programmes within the NS, that budgets are monitored, and any problems identified, and solutions implemented in timely and effective manner.
• Manage operational budgets to ensure that expenditure relating to IFRC-supported programmes and operations is within income and approved ceilings, in compliance with IFRC finance procedures and in line with donor earmarking requirements.
• Support the HoD in all other matters related to the IFRC activities – including ensuring strategic coherence and alignment as well as programmatic and operational coordination – and be prepared to adapt working conditions and make reasonable adjustments of the job description during the mission.
• Deputize the HoD, including being Acting Head of Delegation when the incumbent is absent.

KEY DELIVERABLES:

• Develop the integration of the operational strategy of the ongoing responses and structure as needed ensuring a domestic for six- and twelve-months ensuring adjustment to the evolving needs.
• Coordinate and consolidate the partners’ support and resources for the ERCS’ entreprise resources planning (ERP) plan and implementation in agreement with ERCS relevant focal points.
• Ensure that the information needed for Scenario planning in coordination with Operation team is in place
• Develop and update the implementation plan for Egypt, including the Procurement Plan, Workforce Plan (Define and agree with the NS the relevant HR workforce and teams needed), and PMER Plan.
• Updated the country risk management plan in coordination with the IFRC Regional office.

Duties applicable to all staff

• Work actively towards the achievement of the IFRC Secretariat’s goals.
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Education

• University Degree qualification in disaster risk management or equivalent. Required
• IMPACT (International Mobilization and Preparation for Action) Course or also known as BTC (Basic Training Course) or equivalent knowledge. Required
• Trained as FACT, ERU, RIT/RDRT or RAT. Preferred
• Acquired Early Recovery skills through trainings (cash, livelihood…). Preferred
• Relevant post-graduate Degree (Disaster Risk Management, Conflict Management, Development Planning, Disaster Risk Reduction, Humanitarian Affairs, etc.). Preferred
• Certification in Project Management. Preferred

Experience

• At least 7 years of relevant work experience in a humanitarian aid organisation and/or development sector. Required
• Min. 3-5 years of experience in capacity and vulnerability assessment, management, evaluation and monitoring of programs. Required
• At least 3 years of work experience with the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, and/or with a National Society. Preferred
• Prior work experience in a membership organization in roles that include member capacity development. Preferred
• Experience in Program management, strategy development, developing tools and guidance, providing technical assistance and in establishing and maintaining networks. Required
• Experience in coordinating with the authorities and other humanitarian/development actors. Preferred
• Deployed at least once in the field to lead and manage an emergency operation in line with the IFRC surge core competencies and tiers. Required
• Managed at least once an IFRC Emergency Appeal or a DREF Operation from the field (Country or Regional level) or from IFRC HQ (Global level). Preferred
• Experience in narrative and financial reporting and proposal writing. Preferred
• Management and supervisory experience in a multicultural environment. Required
• Experience in the MENA region. Preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Knowledge and Skills

• In-depth understanding of the humanitarian landscape, needs and opportunities. Required
• Program and project management skills. Required
• Demonstrated team leadership and management skills, including ability to lead within a matrix management structure and utilize talents/experience of team members in a productive way. Required
• Results-oriented, highly organised, demand driven, entrepreneurial, ability to lead in unprecedented and/or ambiguous situations. Able to work independently and proactively, with ability to work in team Required
• Strong knowledge of information sharing tools, and the ability to implement Them Required
• Good knowledge of planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting issues. Required
• Overall understanding of budget and finance management Required
• Demonstrated skill in analytical and strategic thinking Required
• Demonstrated track record in innovating, contributing to a learning culture, sharing knowledge and promoting new approaches to engaging partners. Required
• Skills in training and developing staff Required
• Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spreadsheets, word-processing. Required
• Valid international driving licence (manual gears) Required
• Proved capability to be self-organized and flexible Required
• Excellent networking, representational, communication and negotiation skills. Outstanding interpersonal and listening skills Required
• Proven good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality Required
• Familiarity with current standards and guidelines for humanitarian emergency response Required
• Good understanding/practice of IFRC tools and approaches related to programmatic / membership coordination. Preferred
• Knowledge of Fundamental Principles and RCRC Movement Required
• Ability to work within and lead multi-cultural, multilingual, and multidisciplinary teams. Required

Languages

• Fluent spoken and written English Required
• Fluent spoken and written Arabic Required
• Good command of another IFRC official language (i.e., French) or any other language relevant in the region. Preferred

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
• MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES: Managing Staff Performance; Managing Staff Development; Strategic Orientation
• FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: Strategic Orientation; Leadership; Empowering Others

IFRC ensures equal employment opportunities!