The 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 the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
The 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.
The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.
Permanent Observer to the UN and Director of the IFRC New York Delegation reports directly to the IFRC Secretary General and leads IFRC engagement with the UN and other Permanent Missions and International Organisations at the UN in New York.
Job Purpose
Under the guidance of the Secretary General, Permanent Observer to the UN and Director of the IFRC New York Delegation, is responsible for leading humanitarian diplomacy efforts in New York in coordination with the global leadership team. Broadly, Permanent Observer to the UN and Director of the IFRC New York Delegation will seek to persuade decision makers and opinion leaders to act, at all times, in the interests of vulnerable people and communities, and with full respect for fundamental humanitarian principles.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Under the guidance of the Secretary General, Permanent Observer to the UN and Director of the IFRC New York Delegation has the following duties and responsibilities:
Permanent Representation and Provision of Strategic Advice
Manage the consistent and meaningful profiling of the IFRC’s priority issues and operations with Member States, UN agencies and international media.
Support the implementation of the IFRC’s communications and advocacy initiatives, from the New York delegation.
Provide feedback on additional profiling needs, based on information from United Nations member states, UN agencies and the media.
Participate in the crafting of the IFRC’s role and positions as an inter-agency actor in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC).
Advocacy, External Affairs and Relations
Represent the IFRC’s positions on policy issues, operational matters and other relevant issues being considered by UN member states and the UN bodies.
Contribute expertise and build alliances in order to inform and influence decision-making on matters of concern to the IFRC membership.
Seek recognition of the IFRC’s mandate, work, policy, and operational priorities in the UN Secretary General’s reports, resolutions of the UN General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the Security Council, and other relevant bodies, as well as in governing body deliberations and reports of relevant UN agencies.
Enhance coordination of humanitarian operations by liaising with the relevant UN agencies and other partners, including through regular and active participation in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee.
Collaborate with the ICRC UN delegation to present coherent Movement positions on matters of mutual interest.
Analysis and Reporting
Provide regular updates to the IFRC’s senior management regarding opportunities for engagement and partnerships that advance the interests of the organisation.
Provide strategic and practical advice to the IFRC’s senior management and its membership, as appropriate, based on an analysis of developments, emerging issues and trends in intergovernmental deliberations and UN agency discussions.
Remain informed about key issues and debates and develop and maintain a wide network of interlocutors amongst UN member states, UN staff, other humanitarian organizations and observers.
Develop and maintain a close collaborative relationship, including mutual information and analysis sharing, with the ICRC delegation to the United Nations.
Provide regular analytical and management reports on the developments in New York and on the activities of the delegation.
IFRC Membership Engagement
Engage the IFRC’s membership in meaningful ways to extend the reach and impact of the humanitarian diplomacy efforts undertaken at the UN (e.g., briefings with States, representations at UN gatherings, etc), including on issues of public interest (e.g., particular humanitarian crisis).
Develop and maintain a close collaborative relationship with the American Red Cross.
Management
Ensure that Secretariat’s strategies, plans, regulations, procedures, and standards are in place and implemented in compliance with IFRC policies.
Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and status agreement to minimise the risk of harm to the IFRC and its Secretariat personnel, properties, and resources; this includes ensuring of staff security.
Manage the plans and budget and ensure sound financial management.
Provide leadership to all staff under direct and indirect supervision. This includes recruitment, supervision, support and development of staff as well as team building.
Provide leadership to the monitoring and reporting process on global performance indicators and promote a culture of performance and continuous learning to improve the accountability and impact for vulnerable people.
Education
Required:
Post-graduate in social sciences/development studies, strategic/programme management, international relations, management studies or other relevant discipline.
Experience
Required:
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.
10 years of experience in government relations at national and multilateral levels.
5 years of experience of analysing, planning and managing programmes and resources.
Experience of acting in a representational role.
Preferred:
5 years of work experience including management in a Red Cross/Red Crescent National Society, IFRC or ICRC.
Knowledge, skills and languages
Required:
Strong management and organizational skills, including ability to delegate authority and responsibility.
Ability to work in a cross cultural and cross functional environment.
Excellent interpersonal negotiations skills, including ability to effectively communicate a vision, solve problems and manage conflict.
Proven people management skills in a multi-cultural environment and strong track record of developing people.
Demonstrated ability to undertake high-level representational and advocacy role
Drive change and improvements and ability to deliver strategies in a challenging environment
Understanding of and commitment to the IFRC’s mission and values
Demonstrated initiative and creativity, and strategic thinking, including identifying, analysing, problem solving and responding to opportunities and challenges and the ability to translate these into practical plans of action
Sound understanding of international institutions
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in spoken and written English
Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)
Preferred:
Knowledge of other UN official languages
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
Comments
The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.
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