Operation and Program Manager – OPT

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.

Job Purpose

The Programme and Operations Manager will lead and oversee the overall support on planning, implementation, reporting and compliance for the oPt Country Delegation in support of the ongoing emergency operations. The role holder will support the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to ensure efficient, effective, coordinated and timely implementation. This includes support and supervision of IFRC local staff, close collaboration and coordination with external and Movement partners, and networking at the programmatic level within the wider humanitarian network. The role will be the focal point of contact for participating NSs and external partners on all operational issues.

The Programme and Operations Manager will ensure the close collaboration with the PRCS operational team and counterparts, and support to enable them to deliver program and operations activities. The incumbent will take a lead role in ensuring program and ongoing emergency operation(s) address the most urgent needs as necessary, and oversee annual and medium-term planning, and collaborate with IFRC colleagues on design and development of funding proposals. The incumbent will also take on project management responsibility for designated contracts/consortium partnerships, working with technical delegates (programmatic, financial, PRD and PMER) to ensure compliance and timely communication with contract and consortium leads.

The Programme and Operations Manager will deputize for the HoCD when requested, with a focus on leading Membership and Movement Coordination, external representation and contingency planning.

The Programme and Operations Manager will be based in Ramallah, oPt. The role holder will dedicate their time to work on the projects/grants channelled through IFRC Country Delegation to PRCS for the current conflict escalation.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

National Society Preparedness and Development

• Provide guidance and support to necessary disaster response to the PRCS. This could include the use of Federation disaster response tools such as rapid response personnel, DREF and emergency appeal.
• Promote opportunities for PRCS to develop capacities of their personnel in managing programme and operations activities in accordance with internationally accepted standards.
• Promote the full integration of NSD interventions within and across all programs and operations to ensure coherent and systematic coordination of capacity building inputs and approaches.
• Coordinate strategic planning, implementation and monitoring of all IFRC supported operations as part of the operational plan to ensure a coherent approach in the design and delivery, including capacity building.
• Provide strategic direction and technical guidance in operationalising approaches that will strengthen the NSs’ capacities and enable it to fulfil its humanitarian mandates.

Programme Management

• Negotiate, plan and mobilise IFRC resources in support of PRCS in the assessment, planning, and implementation of the emergency response.
• Coordinate with IFRC technical leads to ensure the support needed for PRCS is met in all related programming roles and responsibilities, providing advice and recommendations that carefully consider local capacity and context.
• Support IFRC technical leads to develop programme approaches which strengthen and develop the National Society’s structures, capacity and performance; analyze and understand their current strengths and weaknesses and to ensure provision of necessary technical and material support particularly in relation to the ongoing crisis.
• Promote and assist the integration of humanitarian priorities and interventions within the PRCS Appeal and support the complementarity of the IFRC ME Crisis Emergency Appeal.
• Follow-up with the delegation on the implementation of projects, including but not limited to ECHO HIP 2024, Japanese Grants, Swiss Grants, GAVI, Health for Gaza, and to ensure their alignment with PRCS Appeal.
• Coordinate with delegation and finance colleagues to ensure proper and timely preparation of Project Grant Agreements, the Operating Budgets and Project/Programme Expenditure Authorization Request (PEAR) when needed.
• Ensure that the response is based on frameworks and approaches that are consistent with or have considered national and international standards and guidelines, as well as IFRC policies, procedures and tools.
• Support the delegation and NSs in the achievement of planned outcomes and deliverables following quality standards, in a timely fashion, and within budgets.
• Ensure a robust and coherent monitoring of the situation and its potential evolution and ensure that humanitarian interventions are responsive to current and emerging needs and threats.
• Provide support in conducting analysis of risks and the response strategy in coordination with other technical leads.
• In close coordination with the DRM team ensure operational readiness of the NSs to response to disaster and crisis based on identified clear gap analysis.
• In coordination with IM and DRM lead work on scenario planning and contingency planning for identified threats in operational areas, as well as the development of capacities within PRCS for emergency response.
• Support PRCS in developing and implementing operational standards, tools and procedures that ensure quality, consistency and sustainability of emergency response interventions.
• Work with PMER leads in IFRC and PRCS to ensure that planning and reporting requirements are met in a timely and efficient manner.
• Advise on the need of additional human resources and support deployments in coordination with the Country delegation.
• Ensure sound financial management is applied to all Federation-assisted programmes within PRCS, that budgets are monitored, and any problems identified, and solutions implemented in timely and effective manner.

Representation and Coordination

• Deputize for the HoCD when requested as officer-in-charge.
• Ensure an effective and strong operational coordination is maintained with Movement partners, with the PRCS Operational team.
• As requested by the HoCD, represent the IFRC in national and international meetings, forums and events involving public authorities, humanitarian agencies, diplomatic missions and other partners.

Resource Mobilization

• In coordination with the relevant regional/global SPRM focal points, undertake fundraising/resource mobilisation for PRCS programmes and operations in the field of Disaster Management, Livelihoods and Food Security, Cash and Vouchers Assistance (CVA), Emergency Health, and National Society Development.
• Works closely with the PRCS to mobilise resources and help develop partnerships required for effective programme development and programme implementation.

Security and Contingency Planning

• In coordination with the HoCD and the Regional Security Coordinator, analyse relevant security information and assume security responsibility of IFRC personnel and assets in OPT when acting for the HoCD.
• Support the implementation of the IFRC risk management framework for the supported programmes/operations funded through the IFRC, ensuring that risk management is incorporated into all management processes and activities of the delegation.
• Offer technical support to PRCS in developing or updating scenario planning and preparedness plans for the MENA crisis.

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

• Relevant university degree or extensive professional experience in related field or professional qualification in operations management – Required.
• IMPACT Training Course or equivalent knowledge – Preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in a humanitarian organization in developing countries and in complex emergencies or similar contexts – Required.
• Work experience with RC/RC – Preferred.
• Good understanding of the humanitarian environment, strong analytical skills and capacity to translate analysis into strategy and planning – Required.
• Good track record of managing people, networking, influencing and negotiating and building relationships effectively – Preferred.
• Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation – Required.
• Experience of field-based implementation – Required.
• Experience of financial management to ensure compliance – Required.
• Experience of report writing (narrative and financial) – Required.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Self-supporting in computers – Required.
• Coordination and partner relationship building / Excellent skills in networking with other agencies and organisations – Required.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in strategic management, project planning and budgeting, resource management, implementation ability as well as programme monitoring and evaluation – Required.
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills with the ability to represent the International Federation and to coach, mentor and influence people – Required.
• Knowledge of Red Cross Red Crescent Movement financial and project management tools – Required.
• Skills in training and developing staff capacity – Required.
• Good knowledge of the MENA region – Preferred.
• Ability to work in a multicultural, multilingual and cross-functional environment – Required.
• Fluent spoken and written English – Required.
• 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

IFRC ensures equal employment opportunities.