Switzerland: Senior Officer Global Surge Capacity

Organization: International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies
Country: Switzerland
Closing date: 16 Oct 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

As a member of the Disaster and Crisis Management team, the Senior Officer Global Surge Capacity will develop and strengthen the organisation’s work in promoting a holistic and integrated approach to disaster management through the provision of timely and high quality technical advice, the development and maintenance of operational procedures and systems to support disaster operations, support for the development of appropriate tools and guidance materials, and effective representation and liaison with humanitarian partners.

Job Purpose

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies “Strategy 2020” recognizes the changing demography of the world, the increasing impact of climate change, unplanned urbanization, high levels of violence in society, involuntary migration pressures, new and emerging diseases, environmental degradation and the insecurity of access to water, food and natural resources as underlying causes of vulnerability. These trends are likely to result in different patterns of vulnerability as they interact in the future. Furthermore an already emerging pattern of increased small to medium scale disasters will require realignment of preparedness, response and recovery capacities of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

In order to meet these challenges Strategy 2020 has three strategic aims, to:
Aim 1- Save lives, protect livelihoods and prepare for and recover from disasters and crises.
Aim 2- Enable safer and healthy living.
Aim 3- Promote social inclusion and culture of non-violence.

To achieve these ambitious aims the International Federation will seek to build strong National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, pursue humanitarian diplomacy to prevent and reduce vulnerability and function effectively as the International Federation.

The Programme Services Division of the International Federation Secretariat has the lead responsibility to deliver on Aim 1 of Strategy 2020 while providing substantive support to achieve Aims 2 and 3. The Disaster and Crisis Management Department has been created to re-align existing capacities to respond to a changing disaster environment.

The Disaster and Crisis Management Department is tasked with increasing and improving organisational preparedness for response at all levels of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent in order to save lives and livelihoods and support emergency response and post disaster recovery, while paving the way towards sustainable development (LRRD). This will require the development and maintenance of operational procedures and systems to support disaster operations, as well as a wide range of technical advisory capacity, surge capacity and information management, while ensuring that a learning and accountability culture is formed.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

As a member of the Disaster and Crisis Management team, the Senior Officer Global Surge Capacity will develop and strengthen the organisation’s work in promoting a holistic and integrated approach to disaster management through the provision of timely and high quality technical advice, the development and maintenance of operational procedures and systems to support disaster operations, support for the development of appropriate tools and guidance materials, and effective representation and liaison with humanitarian partners. The Disaster and Crisis Management team strives to support the effective decentralisation of operations coordination and management functions.

Specifically, the Senior Officer Global Surge Capacity will lead International Federation Secretariat efforts to strengthen the quality and accountability of Federation led disaster response operations through the development and maintenance of effective global surge capacity systems and through coordinating the timely deployment of skilled personnel and appropriate equipment.

Supporting the International Federation's Operational Capacity

1. Maintain effective centralized coordination services for the FACT and ERU global tools including the management of alert and deployments, briefing and debriefing, and with appropriate technical advice on transition, hand-over, exit and reporting of global tools.
2. Support National Societies and Federation Secretariat colleagues requesting global surge personnel and equipment with guidance and technical advice on procedures, norms and standards.
3. Support National Societies interested in contributing to or developing their own global disaster response tools, with guidance and technical advice on procedures, norms and standards.
4. Maintain effective coordination of FACT and ERU Working Groups, including the collaborative development and dissemination of appropriate tools, guidance, standards and procedures.
5. Provide or facilitate timely and appropriate technical support to global surge personnel when deployed and seek guidance from the Senior Officer Response and Senior Officer Recovery on tools and technical guidance for disaster needs assessment and disaster response and early recovery programming, where necessary.
6. Actively contribute to, lead or support Federation Secretariat efforts to raise awareness of global surge capacity and the global disaster response tools, standards and procedures at National Societies training courses.
7. Manage the development and facilitation of the IFRC Emergency Team Leader training and FACT induction and refresher training as required to maintain adequate numbers of “active” personnel for deployment.
8. Manage, in cooperation with the Human Resources Department, the process to modernize and adapt existing surge capacity databases into an online user-updatable human resources database and communications platform – ensuring compatibility with Federation Secretariat IT systems and HR policies and procedures.
9. Collaborate with Human Resources Department and other technical and support functions, to develop systems to expand and refine global surge capacity as required.
10. In collaboration with the Senior Officer Operations Quality Assurance, manage or facilitate operational reviews and evaluations of global surge deployments when commissioned by the USG PS or Head of DCM.
11. Ensure that lessons learnt from each deployment are captured and that they inform the continuous improvement (effectiveness and relevance) of global surge capacity systems and tools.
12. Manage or support a participatory review of ERU standing capacities against Federation stand-by deployment needs - with a view to inform the development of a new strategic approach towards ERUs and towards increased flexibility and adaptability in surge personnel and equipment.
13. Support the Senior Officer Training and Information Management, to develop, update, and disseminate and evaluate, standardized disaster management training curricula for global surge capacity personnel.
14. Work closely with the Logistics and Shelter departments and with health, water and sanitation functions to ensure consistent and well coordinated Federation Secretariat technical support to disaster surge capacity tools and training.
15. Actively seek to raise awareness about IFRC global surge capacity (including global disaster response tools) and to mobilize resources in support
16. Act as the departmental focal point with Human Resources for operations (field personnel).

Representation and sustaining a global network on preparedness, relief and recovery

1. Network and coordinate with RC/RC movement partners, NGOs, UN and other International organizations, to ensure the International Federation is kept informed and up to date on best practices and emerging trends related to disaster surge capacity.
2. Represent the International Federation Secretariat on disaster surge capacity issues in RC/RC Movement and external fora and establish effective working relationships with key humanitarian organizations
3. Support the Disaster Management teams present in the Zones with technical advice on surge capacity and seek to connect regional to global networks.
4. Liaise with ICRC counterparts to improve knowledge of Federation global surge capacity systems and to support the greater utilisation of surge capacity resources within the RC/RC movement.
5. Support the Head of Disaster Services in representation with the Disaster Management Working Group (DMWG).

Management of Global Surge Capacity Programming

1. Develop global programme project proposals in accordance with Federation standards and donor requirements and seek to decentralize activity and project management functions to the field and Zone levels wherever possible.
2. As the designated budged holder of the Global Surge Capacity programme, be fully accountable for financial management of funds pledged and received and provide timely reporting according to donor requirements.
3. Prepare quarterly and annual work plans and provide regular updates on progress to the Head of the DCM.

Duties applicable to all staff

1. Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation 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

University degree in relevant area or equivalent experience required
Training in the RC/RC global disaster response tools (FACT, RDRT, ERU and Team Leader) preferred
Technical training in the disaster preparedness, response, and recovery required

Experience

Minimum of 8 years experience in disaster management
Field experience in coordinating and managing major disaster response operations
Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation
Experience in working within the RC/RC Movement
Experience in developing and using databases and web-based communications platforms
Experience in strategy development, developing tools and guidance, providing technical assistance and in establishing and maintaining networks

Knowledge, skills and languages

Extensive knowledge of RC/RC and UN global disaster response tools
Strong analytical and problem solving skills with independent decision making capacity
Excellent communication and inter-personal skills with the ability to represent the International Federation and to negotiate and influence peoples opinions
Knowledge of technical aspects of disaster preparedness, relief and recovery and of key donor and partner organisations
Flexible and adaptable to work effectively in a multicultural environment and ability to travel at short notice
Computer knowledge as a user – self supporting in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Fluently spoken and written English
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 Trust
Managing Staff Performance
Managing Staff Development
Strategic Orientation
Building Alliance
Leadership
Empowering Others
Comments

The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.

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-...