Regional Operations Manager (MPOX)

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 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.

A surge in mpox cases and deaths in 2024 is happening in Africa, with over 25,000 suspect and confirmed cases and 32 confirmed deaths across 15 countries in 2024, representing a 180% and 25% increase in cases and deaths, respectively, in comparison to the same period in 2023. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the epicentre of this epidemic with 90% of the total cases in the Africa region. Cases are in all provinces of the DRC, with multiple clades concurrently appearing in endemic and non-endemic provinces. Cross-border transmission from the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu to neighbouring countries is on the rise, with community transmission established in Burundi, Uganda and other countries. Meanwhile, endemic countries are also experiencing surges in transmission of mpox, requiring a sustained response.

IFRC has been actively responding to the epidemic by focusing on both preparedness and response. The IFRC has launched a global appeal which focuses on preparedness and response across at-risk and affected countries. The role African National Societies (NSs) play in the fight against mpox is a function of their auxiliary status. The IFRC represents a Red Cross and Red Crescent Society in each of the 49 sub-Saharan countries in Africa. IFRC, Regional Office based in Nairobi, Kenya have been providing support to African NSs through its County Cluster Support Teams (CCST) offices and Country Offices (COs) in responding to the mpox epidemic.   Regional coordination structure and information flow process has been established with mpox focal points assigned in CCST and country offices in responding countries. These focal points are supported by an mpox  Health Coordinator, along with regional and sub-regional health, WASH and CEA focal points, responsible for technical oversight of preparedness and response plans in their respective areas of responsibility.

Job Purpose

Under the overall guidance and supervision of Regional  Head of Health Disaster Climate and Crises unit, the Regional Mpox Operations Manager will assume lead role of IFRC’s mpox operation across the Africa region, responsible for providing robust operational support to responding African NSs through IFRC’s CCST and country offices.  Key to the position will be providing support to African National Societies in the management of the ongoing emergency response, ensuing close coordination with Movement actors, coordinating actions amongst different Units within the IFRC at the regional- and sub-regional-levels, and contributing to building the capacities of ANS throughout the implementation of the operational response plans.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Initiate, plan and mobilise IFRC resources in support of assessment, planning, and implementation of mpox emergency response operations in Africa.

Ensure a coherent transition from emergency response structure to longer-term programming that remains relevant for mpox, integrating into, and where necessary, building new, community-based programming.

Supervise IFRC technical leads to ensure they work closely with the managers of relevant departments in all related programming roles and responsibilities, providing advice and recommendations that carefully consider local capacity and context.

Build alliances and partnerships with other emergency actors to enhance the implementation of the emergency plan of action. Support the NS to enhance their position vis a vis the national and international coordination mechanism.

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 all relevant programming divisions

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.

Assist the NS’, Movement and external partners 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.

Work with the Regional HDCC Unit and regional and national mpox response teams to develop, implement and review contingency planning for identified threats in operational areas, as well as the development of capacities within the NS for emergency response.

Integrate Preparedness for Effective Response (PER) approach into response operations.

Work closely with the Public Health in Emergencies technical focal point at the Africa Regional Office to ensure programming remains technically relevant, appropriate to the context, and evolves with the situation

In coordination with Public Health in Emergencies, support the establishment of an effective information management system for the response, including quality assurance of implementation.

Work with PMER leads in IFRC and the NS to ensure that planning and reporting requirements are met in a timely and efficient manner. Ensure timely issuance of high quality SitReps, operations updates and required reports.

Ensure effective use of operation’s monitoring tools, operations status tracking system and tools and ensure adherence of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of assigned operations, develop operations risk registers and support implementation of operational risk mitigation measures.

Ensure sound financial management is applied to all Federation-assisted programmes, that budgets are monitored, and any problems identified, and solutions implemented in timely and effective manner.

Manage operational budgets to ensure that expenditure relating to IFRC-supported operations is within income and approved ceilings, in compliance with IFRC finance procedures and in line with donor earmarking requirements.

Represent IFRC with relevant senior internal and key external relationships, country and Region offices, PNS, ICRC, donors, host government, the UN, other INGOs and the media.

Education

• University degree in relevant area (e.g. public health, disaster management, international development) (Required)
• Basic Delegates Training Course or IMPACT. Surge, RCRC technical or operations management training or equivalent experience and technical competencies(Required)

Experience

• At least 8 years of epidemic, health programme or disaster management experience, including managing staff(Required)
• Field experience in coordinating and managing disasters, crises or public health , including oversight of personnel, projects and activities (Required)
• Work experience with RC/RC(Preferred)
• Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation(Required)
• Good knowledge and relevant work experience in the regional context (Preferred)

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Effective team and project management skills(Required)
• Good analytical skills, including understanding of results-based management or other approaches to programmatic quality assurance(Required)
• Good mentoring and capacity development skills(Required)
• Ability to work well in a multicultural team(Required)
• Excellent stress management skills(Required)
• Demonstrated accountability(Required)
• Fluent spoken and written English and French(Required)
• Good command of another IFRC official language (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.