Operations Manager

International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies

Organizational context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network established by and comprised of member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with 192 National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, as the Secretariat of the National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies 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.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The IFRC headquarters is based in Geneva, with regional, country cluster and country delegations throughout the world. The IFRC is led by the IFRC Secretary General and provides the central capacity to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. In Myanmar, the IFRC works with and in support of the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS). It also works closely with the ICRC and its members National Societies present in the country in support of MRCS.

COVID-19 Response

On 31 December 2019, Wuhan city in China reported cases of pneumonic disease of unknown origin, which was later confirmed to be caused by a new coronavirus. The disease caused by this new coronavirus, COVID-19, has since spread world-wide, including to Myanmar. In response to the massive humanitarian needs wrought by the COVID-19 outbreak around the world, both in terms of direct health assistance and the socio-economic impact, IFRC has scaled up its Global Emergency Appeal, initially launched on 31 January 2020, with some portion of the Appeal operation allocated to meet the needs of people affected by COVID-19 in Myanmar.

Myanmar Civil Unrest/ Complex Emergency Response

On 1 February 2021, a military intervention in Myanmar generated ongoing civil unrest with widespread humanitarian impacts across all 17 States and regions. People injured in clashes linked to protest activities have required first aid support and/or ambulance services. Banking disruptions have restricted access to cash for populations across the country and reduced operational capacity for humanitarian response. A disrupted supply chain has increased prices for food and other basic commodities. Economic consequences include the risk of food insecurity for already vulnerable populations. Public health system disruptions have reduced health access and also increased public health risks, including for COVID-19 mitigation and treatment. Population displacement is increasing in existing areas of protracted crisis as well as in additional region/states. Regulatory measures such as internet restrictions and curfews have also impacted on humanitarian needs and operational response capacity. The security and humanitarian situation across Myanmar remains tense, with escalating violence and armed clashes in multiple states and regions. With civilians bearing the brunt of ongoing armed clashes in multiple states and regions, including loss of lives, livelihoods and housing, the increase in violence has caused widespread displacement and significant and growing humanitarian needs.

In response to this unfolding crisis, IFRC is supporting MRCS with a response reaching affected populations with first aid and basic health services as well as basic relief assistance and socio-economic support, focused on the most vulnerable communities, including those experiencing displacement and/or food insecurity. Considering the rapid evolving operational context and consequent increase in humanitarian needs across Myanmar, IFRC has extended the emergency appeal timeframe for 12 months until 31 March 2023 (the original timeframe was until 31 March 2022) to address the needs, to allow the completion of the ongoing activities and fulfil donor commitments. While the complex emergency is constantly evolving and potentially becomes protracted, the operational plan incorporates additional interventions to support early recovery, including psychosocial support, cash assistance to reduce the socio-economic impact and also to increase the capacity of MRCS to respond.

In view of the scaled-up IFRC-supported operation, the capacity of IFRC Country Delegation for Myanmar to support MRCS in coordinating these responses is being bolstered for the extended timeframe required to address the protracted nature of both crises. There is a need to ensure smooth transition to medium-term personnel, which aligns planning and support needs both across MRCS Departments and in branch level interventions. It is in this context that the Myanmar Country Delegation is seeking an Operations Manager.

The Operations Manager will provide leadership to personnel responsible for the COVID-19 response operation and the Myanmar Complex Emergency Response, ensuring that these positions are coordinated in supporting MRCS in delivering core services in accordance with its mandate. The incumbent will also be responsible for membership coordination on COVID-19 and new emergency operations aspects. In addition, the Operations Manager will ensure participation of IFRC – together with MRCS – in coordination platforms established by external agencies including the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT).

Job purpose

Reporting to the Head of Delegation in the Myanmar Delegation in Yangon, the Operations Manager provides technical leadership to ensure the optimal coordination and direct management of resources required for the effective and efficient implementation of IFRC-supported COVID-19 response and the Myanmar Complex Emergency.

Job duties and responsibilities

  • Negotiate, plan and mobilize IFRC resources in support of the National Society in the assessment, planning, and implementation of the emergency response.
  • Ensure that IFRC technical leads work closely with the managers of MRCS departments in all related programming roles and responsibilities, providing advice and recommendations that carefully consider local capacity and context.
  • Along MRCS, build alliances and partnerships with other emergency actors to enhance the implementation of IFRC-supported emergency operations, including enhancing MRCS’s position vis-à-vis national and international coordination mechanisms.
  • Guide IFRC technical leads to develop programme approaches which strengthen and develop the structures, capacity and performance of the National Society. Entails analyzing and understanding its current strengths and weaknesses and ensuring provision of necessary technical and material support particularly in relation to the ongoing crises.
  • Promote and assist the integration of humanitarian priorities and interventions with relevant counterparts in the National Society.
  • 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 National Society, IFRC membership and other partners in the achievement of planned outcomes and deliverables following quality standards, in a timely fashion, and within budgets.
  • Support MRCS to implement COVID-safe programming measures to protect personnel and affected communities.
  • Ensure a robust and coherent monitoring of the situation and its potential evolution so that humanitarian interventions are responsive to current and emerging needs and threats. Assist with disaster and threat risk analysis to ensure that operations are prepared for – and responsive to – compounding crises.
  • Work with the IFRC APRO Health, Disaster, Climate and Crisis (HDCC) Unit to develop, implement and review contingency planning for identified threats in operational areas, as well as the development of capacities within the National Society for emergency response.
  • Support the National Society in setting up the structures needed to ensure that all components of the response are identified, planned and carried out in a coordinated, collaborative and integrated manner with Movement and other partners.
  • Support the National Society in developing and implementing operational standards, tools and procedures that ensure quality, consistency and sustainability of emergency response interventions.
  • Together with the National Society, the Head of Country Delegation and the Programme Coordinator represent IFRC in coordination meetings and forums involving national authorities, national and international agencies, donors and other partners in the country.
  • Support the National Society in establishing an effective information management system for the response, including statistics.
  • Work with the IFRC APRO PMER Unit and the National Society to ensure that planning and reporting requirements are met in a timely and efficient manner.
  • Prepare operational and partner updates which are context sensitive and aligned to specific communication protocols, prioritising Red Cross engagement as a neutral and impartial humanitarian response actor.
  • Advise on the need of additional human resources and support deployments in coordination with the Head of Country Delegation, as well as the IFRC APRO HR Unit and surge coordinator..
  • Ensure sound financial management is applied to all IFRC-supported operations within the National Society, including ensuring that budgets are monitored, problems are 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.

Education

University degree, or equivalent qualifying experience, in relevant area is required.

Basic Delegates Training Course or IMPACT is required.

FACT, ERU, RDRT training is preferred.

Experience

At least 5 years of disaster management experience, including managing staff is required.

Field experience in coordinating and managing disaster and crisis management projects and activities especially population movements is required.

Work experience with RC/RC is preferred.

Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation is required.

Good knowledge and relevant work experience in the regional context is preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

Effective team and project management skills is required.

Good analytical skills and solution-oriented is required.

Good mentoring and capacity development skills is required.

Ability to work well in a multicultural team is required.

Excellent stress management skills is required.

Demonstrated accountability is required.

Languages

Fluently spoken and written English is required.

Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic) is preferred.

Competencies

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

How to apply

Duty Station Status is Family Duty Station with Non-Accompanied status

Duration of employment will be 9 months

Grade – D2

Interested candidate can be apply at following link

https://emea3.recruitmentplatform.com/appproc/index.cfm?event=createSessionAfterSessionClear&nProfileIdFoundInAGP=&jobboard=0&bSessionClear=true&ID=PZ8FK026203F3VBQB79LO79OB&nPTID=99448


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