Head of Country Cluster, South Asia

Job Purpose

The Head of Country Cluster (South Asia) is the senior Secretariat representative and business manager for the countries covered by the office (India, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan), with clear management authority and responsibility.

Under the guidance and leadership of the Regional Director, s/he is accountable for developing the Secretariat’s strategy for these countries covering the key tasks set out below.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Strengthening National Societies (NS) to deliver services and to advocate on behalf of vulnerable people

· Represent the Federation Secretariat and maintain good relations with all NSs and participating NSs involved in these countries;

· Understand the needs and concerns of all NS working in these countries (including participating NS);

· Ensure that Secretariat programming in support of NS core programmes is properly planned, managed and monitored; and that capacity building opportunities are fully exploited;

· Ensure that evaluations of Federation supported programmes are carried out according to project/programme plans and that lessons are effectively shared;

· Lead resource mobilisation for the Federation Secretariat and NS programmes in these countries for the region and for global activities of the Federation and the NS.

· Support the NSs in their plans to strengthen their international cooperation capacities

Coordinate, cooperate, and form strategic partnerships

· Ensure that Federation policies, procedures, guidelines and quality standards are known and complied with;

· Facilitate cooperation and coordination in all programmes and operations between the host NSs, participating NSs and ICRC to ensure the most effective mobilisation and utilisation of resources across the region;

· Build effective cooperation and partnerships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders in government, civil society, academia and the private sector.

Support global IFRC initiatives

· Working with NS and Governments, particularly in India to build global alliances and develop interest in and support to the global work of the IFRC.

· Support the conclusion and implementation of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) for international humanitarian and development cooperation with these Governments and NS.

· Support and lead global partnerships with Governments and institutions in these countries, in close consultation with the concerned NS.

Develop effective humanitarian diplomacy

· Monitor and analyse political, economic and social trends in these countries for planning purposes and for keeping the Federation Secretariat and partners informed;

· Formulate policy objectives for advocacy, communications and external relations for these countries in line with Federation global priorities;

· Represent to IFRC at national, regional and international events taking place in these countries – also at meetings which are of global relevance.

· Provide assistance to NSs to develop effective humanitarian diplomacy, communications and external relations, and ensure that these build on and promote Federation priorities;

· Ensure effective cooperation with ICRC in representation and advocacy work.

Respond to disasters

· Provide effective support, including technical advice, to ensure that appropriate disaster preparedness and response mechanisms are established in each NS, both to facilitate effective disaster response and to build on and strengthen NS capacities in this area;

· Ensure that national resources from these countries are made available rapidly and efficiently to support Federation disaster response;

· Work with the Kuala Lumpur Disaster Management Unit (KLDMU) on the management of international appeals and international response coordination where and when appropriate.

Management of Secretariat resources in the region.

People

· Ensure that an effective organisational structure is in place for effective support of NS in these countries;

· Manage all staff under his/her authority – including those in the Office in New Delhi as well as in these countries

· Ensure the application of all established HR policies and procedures, and that staff hired in country are employed in accordance with local laws and practices;

· Implement the Federation Secretariat’s gender and diversity policies;

· Ensure dissemination of the Code of Conduct for Staff to everyone under his/her authority.

Finance and Risk Management

· Ensure sound financial management of the Secretariat’s programming in these countries, that effective budget planning is in place, and that programmes operate within approved budgets.

Reporting

· Ensure the quality and timeliness of the reporting of the Federation Secretariat’s programming;

· Maintain regular management reporting to the Regional Director of Asia Pacific.

Security

· Ensure that risk of harm to staff and Secretariat property are minimised at all times;

· Ensure the preparation, dissemination and enforcement of specific security rules and regulations;

· Ensure specific plans for emergency evacuations of staff including medical evacuation. (Where appropriate consult and include ICRC).

Education

Post-graduate (i.e., Master’s or Ph.D. degree or equivalent) in social sciences/development studies, strategic/programme management, management studies or other relevant discipline is required.

IMPACT course or equivalent knowledge is preferred.

Experience

Required:

Minimum of 10 years work experience in humanitarian operations for a humanitarian aid organisation and or development cooperation organisation, 5 of which should be at senior management level.

5 years’ experience of analysing, planning and managing programmes and resources and resource mobilisation.

Experience of managing & supporting staff.

Proven record of security regulations implementation.

Strong people and financial management skills.

Proven experience in governance and leadership support.

Proven experience of acting in a representational role and maintaining donor and partner relations.

Preferred:

5 years of work experience including management in a Red Cross/Red Crescent National Society, IFRC or ICRC.

Proven experience of working in the region.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Knowledge and Skills (all required):

Strong management and organizational skills, including ability to delegate authority and responsibility.

Good intercultural communication skills.

Ability to work in a cross cultural and cross functional environment.

Computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office.

Excellent interpersonal negotiations skills, including ability to effectively communicate a vision, solve problems and manage conflict.

Proven people management skills in a multi-cultural environment and strong track record of developing people.

Demonstrated ability to undertake high-level representational and advocacy role.

Drive change and improvements and ability to deliver strategies in a challenging environment.

Understanding of and commitment to the IFRC’s mission and values.

Demonstrated initiative and creativity, and substantial experience of strategic thinking, including identifying, analysing, problem solving and responding to opportunities and challenges and the ability to translate these into practical plans of action.

Languages:

Fluently spoken and written English is required.

Good command of another IFRC official language (Arabic, French and/or Spanish) or language relevant in the region is preferred.

Competencies and Values

Core Competencies : Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Judgement and Decision Making; National Society and Customer Relations; Creativity and Innovation; Building Trust;

Managerial Competencies : Managing Staff Performance; Managing Staff Development Functional Competencies : Strategic Orientation; Building Alliances; Leadership; Empowering Others