Consultant, Strategic Partnership and Resource Development

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. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies 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.” The 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 the 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, the 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.

The consultancy reports directly to the Head of Delegation (HoD) Niamey Cluster, with technical reporting to the Regional Head, Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation (SPRM) and the SPRM Consultant is part of the SPRM team in Africa Regional team. The position holder works in close liaison with regional technical teams (DCPRR, Health, Logistics, PMER, Finance, Communication etc.) to enhance partnership and fundraising outcomes in long term planning across relevant income streams (Movement, public, private, multilaterals) and to foster highest accountability standard across the region.

Job Purpose

The SPRM Consultant is responsible for coordinating and strengthening resource mobilization for the crisis in Central Sahel and Côte d’Ivoire. The incumbent will increase funding coverage of current and future proposals mostly in the area of Food Security Resilience, Health Resilience and others to enable continuity and scale-up of long-term resilience programs.

Timeframe and modality

• The consultancy will commence as soon as possible
• Five months
• Five days per week
• Remote working

Job Duties and Responsibilities

General tasks:

The consultant shall adhere to standard operational procedures (SOPs), Code of Conduct, Principles and Rules for Red Cross and Red Crescent Humanitarian Assistance and other standards.

Specific tasks/outputs:

Business Development and Donor Relations

• Take an active role in researching, analysing and advising on potential new funding opportunities
• Coordinate resourcing and fundraising efforts including the development and implementation of a fundraising strategy for the long-term resilience programs.
• Work proactively to engage partners in maximizing funding in support of long-term resilience program and any fundraising opportunities.
• Coordinate and strengthen relationships with donors and partners supporting Red Cross Red Crescent response. This includes a consistent effort to build trust with partners and generate resources.
• Negotiate pledges and contributions with partners (National Societies, multilaterals, private sector organizations) ensuring that earmarking and other requirements are in line with operational priorities.
• Propose and coordinate actions to increase funding coverage, advising colleagues in the Country Cluster Delegations office and operational leads on fundraising strategies and approaches to partners.
• Facilitate external relations, both within the RCRC Movement and with non-RCRC partners, including proactively coordinating donor field visits, and planning partnership meetings and conference calls.

Proposal Writing

• Research and analyse relevant calls for proposals
• Be the cluster focal point for proposal writing and ensuring quality
• Coordinate proposal development and submission processes, in close liaison with operational and technical leads as well as relevant partners.
• Develop quality proposals, ensuring narrative and budget alignment, adherence to donor requirements, and timely submission.

Accountability

• Effective and thorough grant/pledge management in close coordination with operational leads and budget holder(s) and facilitate a consistent income tracking and risk assessment process
• Ensure effective coordination between Country Cluster Delegation offices, regional SPRM and technical teams to ensure compliance with donor requirements, and that agreed to earmark criteria are understood and adhered to.

Education

• Relevant degree

Experience

• Experience of developing successful funding proposals
• Understanding of funding cycles, key donor requirements and ways of working
• Solid track record in managing grants/income/pledges
• Good understanding of humanitarian field and Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) network
• Experience in working with RCRC movement

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in both English and French
• Excellent inter-personal working skills
• Ability to work with minimal supervision

Competencies, Values and Comments

Core Competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability