Delegate, Human Resources

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 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.

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 (NSDOC); (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization (GRHDD); and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services (MPSCS).

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.
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.

As part of a Federation-wide multiregional case for support (C4S) for people on the move, the IFRC seeks to continue its humanitarian assistance to people in distress in the Mediterranean Sea, by providing a Humanitarian Service Point at Sea (HSP @ Sea), in partnership with SOS MEDITERRANEE. Merging SOS MEDITERRANEE’s sea rescue expertise and the IFRC network’s experience in humanitarian assistance, the common goal will continue to be to rescue, save lives and promote dignity of as many people on the move as possible on the Central Mediterranean route applying neutral, impartial, independent humanitarian services.
This includes provision of first aid, healthcare services, maternal healthcare, Protection, Gender and Inclusion case management with psychosocial support (PSS), and information about rights and processes, as well as Restoring Family Links (RFL).

This position is based in the Regional Office for Europe, Budapest, Hungary.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Operations Manager, HSP@Sea, and with a technical reporting line to the Regional HR Manager, the incumbent provides the HR and HR-associated coordination and support to the operation to ensure the optimal provision of personnel resources required for the effective and efficient implementation of the HSP@Sea operation. The HR Delegate will be based at the IFRC Europe Regional Office, Budapest, with travel to European Mediterranean countries when required.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The HR Delegate will:

• Coordinate the deployment of future rotations of Red Cross/Red Crescent personnel through:
  – Maintaining structured and regular contacts with multiple NSs to request and confirm HR support for deployments on board (sharing of information on requirements, mission’s dates etc.) and ensure timely identification and confirmation from NSs of potential candidates.
  – Acting as liaison between SOS Mediterranee HR and National Societies on the HR needs and staffing for rotations.
  – Leading interview process for Protection Team members (screening of CVs and first interview)
  – Participating in interviews with SOS Mediterranee for Red Cross/Crescent network medical team staff.
  – Sharing CVs and feedback on candidates’ interviews with HSP@Sea Ops Manager and informing competent NSs on the outcome of the interview.
• Implement onboarding and offboarding plans with SOS Mediterranee and IFRC’s HSP@Sea Operations Manager on a per-rotation basis including confirming contractual, insurance, travel, and access arrangements.
• Set-up and carry out briefing and debriefing for sessions for all incoming and outgoing IFRC/NS personnel and manage HR related procedure following disembarkation (appraisals etc.), in person or remotely as possible/necessary.
• Maintain the workforce planning document for staffing for future rotations and records of past rotations. and support any operational change in needs, anticipating any issues as far in advance as possible and creating alternative solutions as necessary.
• Contribute to strategic discussions on long term workforce planning including improving sustainability and stability (financial and deployment-related) to the extent possible and identify innovative ways to engage NS’s in solving HR issues.
• Input into operational budget planning processes from an HR perspective.
• Where required, participate in an HR advisory capacity in operational planning meetings.
• Assume focal point responsibility on duty of care, including verifying that psychological debriefing is provided by NSs, to ensure that all personnel deployed is regularly monitored and their PSS needs are addressed. Escalate any personnel concerns to the Regional HR Manager.
• Maintain an effective and cooperative working relationship with counterparts within SOS Med, Regional Office, and Partner National Societies. Identify and develop areas of shared learning within HR practices.

While team is on patrol:

• Provide on-call operational HR support to triage personnel and risk issues with the Regional HR Manager and HSP @ Sea Operations Manager.
• In case of extraordinary events outside of work hours, inform relevant deploying NS’s in a timely manner and fulfil HR-related responsibilities for staff and delegates on board as necessary.
• Advise HSP@Sea Operations Manager on people management issues in accordance with IFRC policy and procedure.
• Maintain existing secure HR information systems with personnel data.
• Support investigations, disciplinaries and breaches of the IFRC Code of Conduct.
• Oversee compliance to Fundamental Principles, IFRC Code of Conduct and IFRC operational procedures.
• Facilitate provision of training on matters of Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, workforce gender and diversity and whistle-blower policies and systems.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Duties applicable to all staff:

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

Education

Required:

• Relevant university degree.

Preferred:

• Basic Delegates Training Course or IMPACT. FACT, ERU, RDRT training.

Experience

Required:

• Surge HR experience in workforce planning, scheduling, and administration.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment with unpredictable timelines.
• Experience managing confidential and high-sensitive personnel data.

Preferred:

• Administrative experience in personnel deployments including travel and hotel arrangements during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic.
• Experience with IFRC and RC/RC Movement systems and tools.
• Experience recognizing and referring issues of staff wellness and/or stress fatigue to staff health colleagues.
• Investigation and reporting experience of personnel issues (performance management, policy violations etc.).
• Experience in recruiting, onboarding, and training provision for new/returning staff.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required:

• Effective relationship management in a high-stress and changing environment.
• Exceptional communication skills involving detailed and complex subjects.
• Ability to work well in a multicultural team.
• Excellent individual stress management skills.
• Exceptional organizational and information management skills.
• Fluent spoken and written English.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of IFRC processes, policies, and RC/RC Movement best practices.
• Knowledge of operational needs and familiarity with operating environment.
• HR information tools development and maintenance.
• Good command of spoken French, Italian or Arabic.

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