Regional Head, Strategic Engagement and Partnerships

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of 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.” 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 five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

The Agenda for Renewal provides a vision for how the IFRC sees its role in the implementation of Strategy 2030. The Agenda for Renewal ensures that the IFRC provides strategic and operational membership coordination, National Society Development services and represents the collective with humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy.

The IFRC Secretariat work is guided by its Plan & Budget 2021-2025, articulated around five strategic priorities: Climate and Environmental Crises, Evolving Crises and Disasters, Growing gaps in health and wellbeing, Migration and Identity, Values Power and Inclusion. The Plan &; Budget 2021-2025 also defines three enablers: Engaged, Accountable, Trusted.

This position sits in the Regional Office under the Deputy Regional Director.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this position is to lead the IFRC regional Strategic Engagement and Partnerships in order to strengthen, develop and further expand the IFRCs partnerships in line with regional and global priorities with the aim of maximising IFRC resource development. The position is part of and contributes to the IFRCs global efforts to strengthen its partnerships and resource development in support of its member National Societies.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Head of Strategic Engagement and Partnerships will develop and implement a partnership and resource development strategy and plan for the region, aligned to the Global Resource Mobilization Strategy (GRMS) and to globally agreed strategic priorities in partnership and resource development. The specific duties and responsibilities include:

Representation and Relationship Management

• Lead the identification, development, and management of IFRC’s strategic partnerships in the region in collaboration with regional office’s departments, country clusters and relevant PRD colleagues in Geneva.
• Support the region, country clusters and country delegations in outreach to donors in close collaboration with the relevant PRD colleagues in Geneva.
• Develop and expand cooperation mechanisms with Movement partners to maximise fundraising and advocacy potential.
• Coordinate with NS and PNS to ensure a Federation-wide approach, including multilateral and bilateral partners, and including those within the region; liaise with the ICRC on all relevant matters
• Lead on Government partnerships in cooperation with respective partner National Societies and PRD Geneva; be global lead on identified governments from the region.
• Strengthen cooperation with multilateral and international financial institutions – such as the European Commission (in close coordination with EUNS), development banks with country/regional presence, UN agencies, and specialised funds (e.g.: Global Fund, GAVI, GCF).
• Expand on private sector partnerships including corporate partnerships, foundations, and high net worth individuals.
• Ensure the management of all information/data related to partnerships/funding in the region is kept fully up to date in the IFRC’s CRM system.
• Liaise with EUNSs and develop synergies and complementarities with regards to EC funding.

Strengthening National Societies’ capacities in partnerships and resource development

• Ensure the provision of expertise and tools to National Societies in the region, to enable them to develop fundraising strategies, and to develop their capacities in creating viable partnerships and enhanced domestic resource development work, so that each National Society is able to diversify and maximise its funding opportunities, through different income streams, including government and private funding.
• Ensure knowledge sharing of resource development expertise amongst National Societies in the region and that links are facilitated with other regional fundraising networks and initiatives such as the annual global fundraising Skill-share forum.
• Grow the collection and use of data for fundraising among National Societies through, for example, fostering National Society participation in the INGO Peer Review in coordination with PRD Geneva.

Resource mobilization for IFRC’s Emergency Appeals and Operational Plans in the Region

• Work in close coordination with relevant colleagues to support the IFRCs resource mobilization for global funding platforms such as DREF, CBF and others.
• Aim to increase coverage rates for IFRC’s emergency appeals and operational plans in the region to reach 100% coverage, maintaining an overview of the funding situation and continuously identifying gaps in funding and funding priorities/opportunities.
• Emergency appeals: ensure leadership in coordination of resource mobilization, including partner/donor outreach, ensuring regular sharing of information with partners, and ensuring that funding information is kept up to date on CRM.
• Ensure that funding plans are developed and timely follow up with partners on all new funding opportunities, and that all funding information is kept up to date on CRM.
• Pledge management: ensure efficient processing of all pledges for emergency appeals and operational plans, according to established guidelines/procedures.
• Grant management: ensure all grants of funding received through the IFRC secretariat are managed well, that all funding proposals are of good quality, and that guidelines/procedures are followed.
• Donor reporting: ensure that all donor reports are prepared to quality standards, compliance with agreed donor conditions/requirements, and all reporting deadlines are met.

Effective matrix and people management

• Ensure a well-managed team while promoting a culture of performance and continuous learning.
• Contribute to the effective coordination with technical units of the Regional Office.
• Ensure effective coordination with focal points from Country Delegations, Country Cluster Delegations and Geneva focal points.
• Responsible for identifying risks within their work area, monitoring the development of the risks, and implementing risk responses or escalating to the Director when necessary.

Education

• Master’s degree or equivalent in management, political science, social science, international studies, international relations, international development, law, humanitarian affairs or other relevant field of study; or a first-level university degree combined with extensive relevant experience. – Required
• Qualification or certification in project management, marketing or fundraising. -Preferred

Experience

• At least 7 years of experience in donor relations or resource mobilization – Required
• At least 7 years of experience managing staff. – Required
• Experience working in a multicultural, international environment – Required
• Demonstrable experience in external donor relations, fundraising and project/funding proposal preparation – Required
• Experience in pledge management – Preferred
• Experience in partnership development, diplomatic representation, resource development or fundraising – Required
• Experience working in the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement – Preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Highly developed leadership skills – Required
• Professional credibility, strong analytical skills, and ability to work at various levels of complexity – Required
• Excellent oral and written communication, networking, and representation skills – Required
• Proven ability to motivate and manage a team –Required
• Strategic analysis, systematic planning, data analysis and implementation skills – Required
• Excellent collaborative and teamwork skills –Required
• Highly organized and results oriented – Required
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills and ability to negotiate while maintaining effective working relations – Required

LANGUAGES

• Fluent spoken and written English- Required
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, 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.

We encourage qualified Lebanese nationals to submit their applications, whereby if selected, the contract will be applied as national.

The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.