Country Representative - American Red Crossnew

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network, with 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. IFRC uses the Triple R – response, resilience and respect – to deliver on Strategy 2030. IFRC responds to disasters and crises, ensuring timely, coordinated and locally led humanitarian action. IFRC supports its members in building community resilience in the areas of climate and environment, health and wellbeing, and migration and displacement. IFRC promotes respect for our fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality, including in our work on values, power and inclusion. The IFRC focuses throughout on our core mandate – our raison d’être – of strategic and operational coordination, humanitarian diplomacy, National Society development, and accountability. 

IFRC is led by its Secretary General and has its Headquarters in Geneva and five regional offices in Africa (Nairobi); the Americas (Panama); Asia Pacific (Kuala Lumpa); Europe (Budapest); and MENA (Beirut) as well as representation offices, service centres and delegations across the globe.

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

The Country Representative is intended to be the representative and manager of the countries covered by the American Red Cross delegation in the country to be designated, (priority countries or pilot initiative countries), with clear management authority and responsibility. Under the leadership and guidance of the Global division director, he/she is responsible for developing the strategy to support the projects implemented by the National Societies (NSs) with funds canalized through the American Red Cross in the working closely with the National Society, Movement partners, and other relevant stakeholders to support effective program implementation, coordination, and partnership objectives.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the Programs and Projects of American Red Crossin the country to be designated: Plan, organize, manage and oversee program implementation, coordination, monitoring, and reporting.
• Support the National Society in resource mobilization actions including the identification of funding opportunities and support to proposal and concept note development.
• Support National Society strengthening efforts through capacity development, institutional support, and collaboration on strategic priorities in alignment with Movement commitments.
• Support the NS in international cooperation, including meetings with Humanitarian Country Team, Civil Protection, and other relevant humanitarian and development stakeholders.
• Represent American Red Cross before the National Society and other stakeholders, fostering strategic relationships, collaboration, and effective coordination in support of humanitarian objectives.
• Permanent monitoring for the fulfillment of programmatic and financial aspects of the programs and projects, ensuring timely implementation, accountability, effective use of resources, and early identification of risks and mitigation measures.
• Monitoring Visits to assess programmatic and financial progress, identify implementation challenges, operational considerations, project risks, review compliance with project requirements and organizational standards, support corrective actions, and document lessons learned and good practices.
• Construction and revision of framework documents. Strategic plan of partnership, or other initiatives of the Amcross and other commitments
• Support to the NS in Disasters: Support Technical and/or Financial, including preparedness, operational readiness, response, and recovery efforts, as appropriate.
• Humanitarian assistance, relief, information management, situational analysis, and operational reporting during emergencies.
• Ensure timely information entry and maintenance of programmatic reports in AmCross systems and platforms.
• Financial Reporting
• Strengthening Disaster Response: Strengthening Disaster Response to Support Response Lead
• Coordinate with program leads and relevant technical counterparts for urban, youth, and anticipatory action to support Climate Initiative objectives in country.
• Support the implementation of the IFRC’s Way of Working initiative by promoting effective coordination, information sharing, and collaboration among Movement partners and other relevant stakeholders.
• Support the overall AmCross International Climate Initiative through the design and implementation of programs with NS with a focus on community resilience, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and anticipatory action approaches.
• Liaise with NS, IFRC, RC/RC Climate Center and other Climate Partners in program coordination and management to strengthen alignment, transparency, mutual accountability, and effective program implementation.
• Participate in IFRC- and NS-led platforms on climate change/resilience issue representing the American Red Cross.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Promote Safeguarding

All members of the IFRC workforce must contribute individually and collectively towards a working environment where everyone feels safe and empowered to perform their duties. This includes the demonstration of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment (including sexual harassment), sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power of affected populations and/or IFRC personnel.  In this connection, IFRC expects and requires managers, as individuals and managers, to:

• Demonstrate their commitment to providing a safe and respectful work environment by maintaining a high standard of personal conduct; reminding team members of their obligation to demonstrate appropriate behaviour in the workplace; encouraging healthy exchanges; and holding colleagues accountable for contributing to a healthy work environment.
• Actively support and communicate the importance and benefit of a work environment free from any form of harassment and discrimination. This will include but not be limited to taking action to stop inappropriate conduct that others may find offensive or that may contribute to a hostile work environment.
• Make themselves available to those who wish to raise concerns of inappropriate conduct by others in confidence and handle those concerns promptly and effectively in a confidential, victim centred manner.
• Hold all staff who report to them accountable for compliance with IFRC's standards of conduct, including as set out in IFRC policies aimed at combating harassment and protecting staff from sexual exploitation and abuse, and indicate areas of concern and needed improvement in the annual performance appraisal process.
• Monitor staff wellbeing and take action to address any concerns, including ensuring that IFRC Personnel are aware of the training, resources and support available.

Education

Required

• BA plus 5 years of experience in humanitarian operations for a humanitarian aid organization and or development cooperation organization, Humanitarian Assistance, Development, Social Work, or related fields.  
• Administration, industrial engineering, or Humanitarian sciences master’s degree.
• Experience working with or for the Red Cross or similar humanitarian NGO.
• Experience delivering community-based programs; experience working at a level (tools, analysis, evaluations, training).
• Strong understanding of different methods of monitoring and evaluation including new technology-based approaches. 
• General comfort level with technology is required with proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, SharePoint and PowerPoint expected. 

Preferred 

• Also, familiarity with Salesforce, Google Drive, DropBox, and Zoom/MS Teams 
• Project Management degree and implementation in humanitarian actions.        

Experience

Required

• Experience working and leading in a matrixed management structure is desired.
• Experience working with local/national partners.
• Experience and knowledge of Project Management and the project management cycle, including project design, launch, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

Preferred

• Experience in proposal writing, project design, and other fundraising methodologies is desirable
• Experience with incorporating Protection, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI) in community-based programs and projects.
• Experience integrating community engagement and accountability approaches in community programs and projects.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• Must be detail-oriented and organized and have strong analytical skills.
  Excellent interpersonal skills and diplomacy.
• Must be flexible and willing to participate in conference calls outside of regular business hours, work remotely and travel if needed.
• Must be able to work and problem-solve independently, meet multiple deadlines, and interface with a broad spectrum of Nationals Head Quarters, regional, and chapter staff.
• Prior experience managing grants (USAID, Foundation awards preferable) as well as sub-recipient relationships, preferred.
• Candidate must have strong verbal and written communication skills and must demonstrate familiarity with evolving industry standards.
• Must be responsible, self-motivated, and can work independently.
• Ability to travel internationally up from 20-30%.

Languages

English and Spanish REQUIRED 

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.
Core Competencies: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Judgement and Decision Making; National Society and Customer Relations; Creativity and Innovation; Building Trust.
Managerial Competencies: Managing Staff Performance; Managing Staff Development.
Functional Competencies: Strategic Orientation; Building Alliances; Leadership; Empowering Others.