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 (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs 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.” 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 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, 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 Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Department (SPRM) is led by the Director of SPRM and consists of three teams. One of them is the Private Sector and Innovation Unit. The leader of that team serves as a member of the PRD Senior Management Team and as a member of the Global SPRM Team.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Director, SPRM, the Manager, Private Sector and Innovative Finance Unit, will lead and drive IFRC’s efforts in ensuring innovative and sustainable financing and enhanced resource mobilization with the private sector. The Manager will spearhead the development, implementation, and management of innovative financial initiatives, solutions and strategies, while also cultivating strategic partnerships with private companies to support the organization’s mission and to increase its financial sustainability.

The job holder will contribute to the IFRC’s vision by pioneering innovative financial solutions, driving financial sustainability, cultivating private sector partnerships, and enabling the organization to have a greater and more sustainable impact on the lives of the communities and National Societies it serves.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Drive the development of engagement strategy with the private sector including companies and Foundations

• Provide strategic leadership and innovation in the development and implementation of IFRC’s engagement strategy with private sector partners to realize targets set in IFRC Plan and Budget
• Lead the development of the network of Private sector influencers and advocates in support of IFRC’s mission and represent IFRC accordingly.
• Contribute to the process of formulation of IFRC Secretariat Plan and Budget resourcing plans, ensure consolidated funding plans are in place at country, regional and global levels, monitor funding coverage, benchmark and identify gaps and actions to be taken.
• Oversee the IFRCs engagement with and support to the Virtual Fundraising Hub (VFH), in close coordination with the USG GRHDD as co-chair of the VFH.
• Oversee the creation of policies and procedures to ensure due diligence and efficiency in resource development, to ensure high standards in ethical partnerships and IFRC reputation management.

Development of innovative finance structures

• Drive strategic collaborations with key private and public sector partners to develop proposals with innovative finance structures.
• Lead IFRC in identifying and capitalizing on emerging trends, opportunities, and partnerships within the field of innovative finance, specifically in cultivating robust collaboration with the private sector.
• Direct the creation of new funding streams by leveraging private sector resources, diversifying financial sources and strengthening the organization’s financial resilience.
• Strategically integrate innovative financing mechanisms and spearhead private sector engagement initiatives to maximize IFRC’s impact and ensure sustainable outcomes.
• Foster strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including senior management, program teams, and finance departments, to lead the design and implementation of innovative financial instruments such as social impact bonds, impact investments, and blended finance models.
• Proactively forge strategic partnerships with private companies to co-create innovative financing solutions that align with the IFRC’s mission and goals.
• Actively engage with external stakeholders, including private companies, financial institutions, impact investors, philanthropic organizations, and other relevant partners, to cultivate strategic relationships, secure funding opportunities, and position the IFRC as an influential leader in both innovative finance and private sector collaboration within the humanitarian sector.
• Provide thought leadership in developing and implementing a comprehensive framework for incorporating innovative finance into the IFRC’s funding strategy including rigorous financial risk assessment and assessing the feasibility and impact of different financing mechanisms, and developing strategies to attract new funding sources.
• Increase the visibility and recognition of IFRC innovative finance structures in global fora and disseminate knowledge and insights throughout the Secretariat and the IFRC network.
• Maintain a dynamic ecosystem to enhance technological capabilities and tools linked to SPRM with a focus on private sector and innovative finance enabling growth and value creation.
• Spearhead initiatives to elevate the quality of funding by advocating for multi-year less earmarked agreements.
• Represent the IFRC in the Steering Committee of the Humanitarian Innovative Finance Hub (HIFHUB), and support the USG GRHDD in their engagement with the HIFHUB.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Advisory services to National Societies on commercial opportunities

• Provide thought leadership on the development of new financial structures strategies with NSs.
• Provide guidance to Regional Offices and NSs to assess specific proposals to increase resource development.
• Ensure that Regional Offices and NSs receive guidance to engage with private sector partner representatives at country level, as well as to initiate and negotiate partnership agreements.
• Strategically advise on possible structures and debt and equity partners for specific proposals.
• Oversee the coordination of learning events for National Societies to share their experience and support each other.
• Lift National Society fundraising, negotiating and compliance capacities.

Unit Management

• Provide leadership and guidance to a blended team operating from various locations, including individuals working remotely, covering services such as Private Sector Partnerships, Foundations, Virtual Fundraising Hub; and Innovative Fundraising.
• Ensure close coordination with other SPRM units and strong engagement with regional SPRM heads.
• Develop unit specific objectives and annual operational plans to drive forward the objectives of Strategy 2030, forge innovative ways of fundraising and promote the work of IFRC in global humanitarian fora.
• Create a working environment that ensures staff growth, motivation, and satisfaction.
• As a member of the SPRM Senior Management Team, provide key strategic advice and support to anchor IFRC leadership in public sector influencers networks, high level meetings and other strategic fora.

Education

Required

• Master’s degree in International Development, International Relations, Public Affairs, Business Administration, Law or other relevant field.

Preferred

• Qualification or Certification in Project Management.

Experience

Required

• At least 12 years of experience in innovation, innovative finance, partnership and resource development at a global level in the private sector or an international organisation.
• Proven track record in achieving results in increasing partner base and raising corporate and foundation funds at levels over CHF 10 million
• Experience in the management of CRM systems or similar databases and information systems, analysis of partner data to inform strategies, investments and senior management decision making.
• Experience working in an international or multicultural institutional setting.
• At least 7 years of experience managing staff.

Preferred

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of various financial instruments (debt, equity, blended finance)
• Proven track record of successful structuring of blended finance transactions.
  
• Extensive experience in partnership development and resource mobilization, including partnering with financial institutions and foundations engaged in humanitarian and development fora and emerging opportunities to leverage private sector stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate private sector funding agreements, structure financial instruments and navigate complex funding mechanisms.
• Innovative finance experience from the commercial or development sector. Red Cross/Red Crescent experience or familiarity with the Red Cross Movement.
• Red Cross/Red Crescent experience or familiarity with the Red Cross Movement.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• Highly developed leadership skills.
• Professional credibility, strong analytical skills, and ability to work at various levels of complexity.
• Excellent oral and written communication, networking, and representation skills.
• Ability to review business plans and offer most suitable financial structures
• Proven ability to motivate and manage a team.
• Strategic analysis, systematic planning, data analysis and implementation skills.
• Excellent collaborative and teamwork skills.
• Highly organized and results-oriented.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills and ability to negotiate while maintaining effective working relations.
• Fluent spoken and written English
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic) – preferred

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
Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others
Managerial competencies: Managing staff performance; Managing staff development