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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head of Country Cluster, West Coast

Vacancy No: REST_HR00037
Location: Abuja
Duration: 2 years
Category of Staff: Delegate
Grade: F1

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 organization 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.
• It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.
• Part of the Africa Region, the West Coast Cluster facilitates sub-regional cooperation through relevant countries in the West Coast and provides direct support to Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. The Office may also host technical resources which can be available for the sub-region and beyond. The cluster office will promote country centered longer term programming , provide a platform for sub-regional cooperation and learning, provide technical support in countries lacking the technical capacities, and manage the performance of the secretariat staff in the countries in its responsibility.

Job Purpose

• As the senior representative of IFRC in the cluster, and the business manager for the countries covered by the office The Head of Country Cluster (West Coast) is accountable for developing the Secretariat’s support strategy for National Societies within the cluster, under the guidance and leadership of the Regional Director. The Head of Cluster represents the IFRC and its members in relevant countries, and leads Federation support to the corresponding National Societies.
• To be successful in the role, the incumbent will have an active diplomatic presence, with a focus on National Society internal development and leadership, to ensure coordination among Movement and non-Movement partners to support programs, and grow the resource base of the National Societies and the Secretariat..
• Partnership development includes support to National Societies in optimising its auxiliary role to the government, identifying and cultivating new domestic and international relationships and being an assertive and active advocate for each National Society and the Movement in general.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
Strengthening National Societies:

• Lead the team to organise and manage the support to National Societies, ensuring good relationships are built and maintained, and that the needs and concerns of the National Societies involved in these countries are well understood. Provide support to the National Societies to
• Ensure that programming in support of National Societies core programs is properly planned, managed, and monitored and that capacity building opportunities are fully exploited. Ensure the appropriate evaluation of Federation programs is properly undertaken, and that lessons are effectively shared.
• Lead resource mobilisation for the Federation Secretariat and National Society programmes in these countries for the sub-region and for global activities of the Federation and the National Societies;

Planning and coordination:

• Ensure alignment with IFRC plans, strategies, structures and key initiatives of IFRC in Africa.
• Facilitate cooperation and coordination in all programmes and operations between the host NSs, participating NSs and ICRC to ensure the most effective mobilisation and utilisation of resources across the region;
• Build effective cooperation and partnerships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders in government, civil society, academia, Regional and continental bodies e.g. ECOWAS and the private sector.
• Represent effectively and appropriately the IFRC in the sub regional arena as well as at country level. In Coordination with Regional Humanitarian Diplomacy (HD) and Partnerships team, support the NS to develop concrete HD and Partnerships initiatives.
• Ensure that Federation policies, procedures, guidelines and quality standards are known and complied with;

Support global IFRC initiatives

Develop effective humanitarian diplomacy in the sub-region:

• Monitor and analyse political, economic and social trends in these countries as they affect the work of the IFRC for planning purposes and for keeping the Federation Secretariat and partners informed.
• Support and represent the Director of Africa Region as delegated and keep him/her informed of relevant developments related to changing humanitarian or operating context, building partnerships, relationship management and humanitarian diplomacy initiatives.
• Take the lead in the planning and implementation of policy objectives for advocacy, communications and external relations activities for these countries in line with Federation global policies and priorities;
• Provide assistance to National Societies to develop effective humanitarian diplomacy, communications and external relations, ensure that these build on and promote Federation priorities;
• Assist National Societies to develop effective advocacy, communications and external relations and support the implementation of policy objectives for advocacy in line with Federation`s global priorities, based on good relations with the national authorities, international organizations, donor governments and other organizations represented in the country as well as national and international media with the approval of the Somali Red Crescent Society.
• Raise funds in support of Federation Appeals and activities and for NS programmes in close coordination with the Africa Regional Office.
• Ensure effective cooperation with ICRC in representation and advocacy work.

Respond appropriately to disasters:

• Provide effective support, including technical advice, to ensure that appropriate disaster preparedness and response mechanisms are established in each National Society, both to facilitate effective disaster response and to build on and strengthen National Society capacities in this area;
• Ensure that national resources from these countries are made available rapidly and efficiently to support Federation disaster response;
• Work with the Regional Disaster Management Unit on the management of international appeals and international response coordination where and when appropriate.

Finance and Risk Management:

• Ensure sound financial management of the Secretariat`s programming in these countries, including ensuring effective budget planning is in place, and that programmes operate within approved budgets.
• Ensure grant compliance, reporting, procurement and implementation is consistent with partner expectations and agreements, Federation and National Society rules and regulations and generally accepted accounting standards.

Security:

• Ensure that risk of harm to staff and Secretariat property are minimised at all times;
• Ensure the preparation, dissemination and enforcement of specific security rules and regulations;
• Ensure specific plans for emergency evacuations of staff including medical evacuation. (Where appropriate consult and include ICRC).

Education

• Post graduate (i.e. Master's or PhD Degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences/Development Studies, Strategic/Programme Management, Management Studies or other relevant discipline
• IMPACT course or equivalent knowledge

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years work experience in humanitarian operations for a humanitarian aid organisation and or development cooperation organisation, 5 of which should be at senior management level
• 5 years of work experience including management in a red Cross/Red Crescent National Society, IFRC or ICRC, or a relevant international organization
• 5 years’ experience of analysing, planning and managing programmes and resources and resource mobilisation
• 5 years’ experience with diplomatic engagement and representative to donors and partners.
• Proven record of security regulations implementation and updates
• Proven experience of working in the region

Knowledge, skills and languages:

• An advanced level of English is required for this position. A good level of French is also required.
• Competencies and values
• 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