Switzerland: Head Of Health Department

Organization: International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies
Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 03 Nov 2014

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 189 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Organizational Context

The Secretariat is organized in Business Groups: five decentralized zonal offices (each with several regional and country offices reporting to it) covering the globe and responsible for frontline delivery through National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, backed by the Geneva headquarters. The Geneva headquarters focuses on setting norms, standards and guidance, ensuring consistency, coordination and accountability for performance, knowledge sharing, and influential representation with global level partners as well as providing direct ‘surge’ support and technical and programmatic support to the field upon request. It is organized in four Business Groups concerned, respectively, with Programme Services, National Society and Knowledge Development, Humanitarian Values and Diplomacy, and Governance and Management Services. The post of Head of Health Department lies within the Programme Services Business Group. The post is as well part of the global secretariat health team consisting of IFRC staff around the globe who share global accountability and responsibility for implementing Strategy 2020 in the area of health. Global reference centres and expert groups are closely affiliated with the global secretariat health team. In this function the head of Health department is leading the global federation health team. The responsibilities of the head of health department cover the whole range of health activities -from development long-term health programs to emergency health including the areas of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion. Special emphasis will be put on developing and enhancing the IFRC capacity and competence in the areas of integrated volunteer and community mobilization for health promotion and diseases prevention, first aid, HIV and other communicable diseases, epidemic control, public health in emergencies, water and sanitation, social welfare, psychosocial support, voluntary non remunerated blood donation as well as non-communicable diseases and MNCH. The key working relationships will be:• internally with Head of Department colleagues in Geneva, zonal health delegates in the field as well as with governance advisory bodies that deal with health and social services matters.• externally with senior staff of health related organisations (including ICRC) and back donors.

Job Purpose

The Head of the Health department will lead the IFRC's efforts in refining and applying policy and implementation frameworks which guide how National Societies action and programmes in the area of health contribute to safer and more resilient communities. In this function the head of Health department is leading the global federation health team. The position will also oversee the contribution of health expertise to Federation - wide response to emergencies, public health crises and development efforts. Beside the line management line within the health department the zonal health coordinator have technical reporting lines directly to the head of health department.

The head of health department is as well responsible to encourage innovation and updates – relevant to the specific health portfolios in order to provide National societies with effective and efficient tools for implementing their respective health programs.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic tasks:

• Act as a dynamic advocator and champion of health as a core function of the IFRC and its membership; firstly within the secretariat and zones/regions, secondly with NS’s worldwide and thirdly with the external existing and potential partners and stakeholders. This aspect of the position is paramount and will crucially impact on all other functions of the post. This representation and strategic positioning function should also be linked directly to effective resource mobilisation and strategic partnership development.
• Provide leadership and facilitate the development of analysis and evidence based policies, strategies, guidelines and key positioning and advocacy messages related to the Federation health work aimed at contributing to safer and more resilient communities.
• Development and implementation of a strategic operational plan for assisting National societies in the implementation of S2020.
• Ensure coherent linkage and coordination with IFRC Reference Centres working on specific health priorities such as psychosocial support, climate change and health, represent the secretariat in the respective steering committees and provide strategic guidance.
• Support the development of resilience based approached and holistic health approaches.
• Represent the Federation in steering committees of IFRC global reference centre and partnerships and GAP on strategic directions

Management and HR:

• Lead the global secretariat health team
• Manage the Health department in a professional and innovative way showing clear objectives, timelines and targets to be met.
• Technical line manager of all zonal health coordinators or equivalent
• Lead the global technical planning process
• Ensure effective working relationships with Federation Secretariat (Geneva and field) staff and integrated approaches and coherence with other programmes and departments. Lead and Ensure appropriate financial management and 'zero' deficits for the budgets related to this position and department. Ensure adequate reporting on all activities related to this position, as well as to specific donors as required.
• Assist with the selection, (de)briefing and coordination of senior Federation technical health and water/sanitation staff in the field. Ensure in particular that such staff have the competencies and skills needed for effectively helping National Societies strengthen their capacities for delivering health. Ensure professional dialogue with and relevant support to technical staff based in the field.
• Ensure that the Federation Secretariat has the appropriate capacity for assisting National Societies in responding to public health crises and emergencies. This includes supporting the strengthening and development of health and water/sanitation related capacities (including Emergency Response Units).

Internal and external relationship and partnerships:

• Support and encourage cross-departmental and cross division projects and approaches.
• Ensure effective working relationships with National Society counterparts and health specific support groups (Stockholm Group, GAP), as well as with leadership and governance.
• Initiate and support a “working as a federation approach” –benefiting from the vast experience within the Federation membership in health related fields through working groups and networks.
• Develop close professional contact and partnerships where appropriate with ICRC, WHO, UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNHCR, GNP+, TFG, GAVI and other international organizations.
• Represent the Federation at international health related fora and meetings, and advocate for agreed Federation positions.
• Ensure effective working relationships with National Society counterparts and health specific support groups (Stockholm Group, GAP), as well as with leadership and governance.
• Encourage and explore new strategic partnerships in the area of health (World Bank, academia) in close cooperation with the Humanitarian diplomacy department.

Business creation:

• Actively seek new funding opportunities in the health sector and develop a resource mobilization (RM) plans with support of the RM department.
• Work closely with the Resource Mobilisation Department and -if relevant- with the zones in securing the financial resources needed for Federation Secretariat support work and for National Societies in the area of health and care.
• Oversee the development of large scale proposals with key strategic partners, including institutional and private sector donors.

Governance support:

• Ensure effective support to Federation Governance and Advisory Bodies, as well as follow-up of Federation resolutions in the area of health.

Education

Master degree in public health /community health

Preferred - Medical degree

Experience

Minimum 10 years of work experience, at management level, in health related

organisations.

Experience and understanding of processes and procedures of a complex international organisation.

5 years of work experience in a Red Cross/Red Crescent National Society and/or Federation/ICRC as a senior manager in a multi-country context.

Knowledge, skills and languages

Knowledge of public health, and experience in practically applying this knowledge.

Strategic planning in a complex organizational environment.

Ability to formulate policies at a senior level

Strong analytical skills.

Excellent interpersonal, communication and networking skills.

Fluently spoken and written English

Preferred - Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Competencies and values

Respect for Diversity

Integrity

Professionalism

Accountability

Communication

Collaboration & Teamwork

Judgement & Decision Making

National Society & Customer Relations

Creativity & Innovation

Building Trusts

Managing Staff Performance

Managing Staff Development

Strategic Orientation

Building Alliances

Leadership

Empowering Others

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application via the following link:

http://www.ifrc.org/en/who-we-are/working-with-us/current-vacancies/job-...

Comments

The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.