Senior Officer, Emergency Appeals and Partnerships

Job Purpose

The position will lead on mobilization of resources for Emergency Appeals in the Africa region with an initial focus on the Hunger Crisis Regional Emergency appeal. The post-holder may deploy to countries anywhere in the region to support delegations with fundraising and donor engagement.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead on resource development for the Regional Hunger Crisis Emergency Appeal in the Africa region, as agreed with the regional head of Strategic Engagement and Partnerships
• Coordination of resourcing/fundraising efforts for the emergency response including development and implementation of fundraising strategy
• Undertake effective negotiation with National Societies, multilaterals, private sector organizations and other donors to secure pledges and grants
• Actively research and pursue non-traditional funding sources
• Travel to countries affected by emergencies to plan and implement in-country fundraising and donor engagement strategies
• Review draft Emergency Appeal documentation and provide comments and input from partnerships perspective
• Ensure effective coordination between delegation office, partnerships and technical teams (in the region and Geneva) to ensure compliance with donor requirements, and that agreed earmarking criteria are understood and adhered to
• Negotiate pledges and contributions with partners for the Emergency Appeal, ensuring that earmarking and other requirements are in line with operational priorities
• Effective and thorough grant and pledge management
• Provide regular reporting and analysis of partner and funding landscape for Emergency Appeals including trends, gaps, income and expenditure and quality and nature of contributions
• Propose and coordinate actions to increase funding coverage, advising colleagues in delegation offices and operational leads on fundraising strategies and approaches to partners
• Coordinate proposal development and submission processes, in close liaison with operational and technical leads as well as relevant partners
• Develop marketing materials in coordination with communications team
• Facilitation of external relations, both within the RC Movement and with non-RC partners, including in proactively coordinating donor field visits, planning partnership meetings and conference calls
• Close coordination with resource mobilisation counterparts in host National Society as needed
• Support resource mobilisation and donor engagement efforts for other Emergency Appeals and DREF in the Africa region
• Any other duty as required by the Head of Strategic Engagement and Partnerships

Education

• University degree in relevant discipline (ex. g. International Relations, Marketing, Humanitarian Affairs, Business Administration, Economics, Finance) is required.
• Masters’ degree in relevant discipline is preferred.
• Relevant professional training courses (Red Cross/Red Crescent related, humanitarian and development sector, management) preferred

Experience

• At least 5 years relevant experience in managing relations with donors and partners required
• Experience of working with multilateral partners e.g. European Commission, development banks, specialised funds required
• Experience of managing complex, major grants required
• Experience of managing DG ECHO funding preferred
• Experience in managing relations with multiple stakeholders including donors and partners required
• Work experience with Red Cross Red Crescent, other international organizations, large NGOs and/or governmental development agencies preferred
• Experience of developing winning funding proposals and grant applications required
• Experience of developing and implementing funding plans required

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Proven grant management skills
• Excellent project management and coordination skills
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate funding agreements, to structure financial instruments, and to navigate complex funding mechanisms.
• Ability to navigate complex funding instruments and requirements.
• Outstanding networking, representational, communication and negotiation skills contributing to a client-focused culture.
• Experience in identifying and articulating issues, risks and priorities that need to be brought to the attention of senior management.
• Proven ability of donor communications, proposals and reporting
• Track record in producing high quality work within short deadlines and ability to make effective, timely decisions.
• High degree of discretion, tact and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels.
• Highly organised, with ability to work a strong team player
• Ability to coordinate with teams based in different geographic locations
• Ability to work in a multicultural, multilingual, multi-disciplinary environment
• Excellent communication, presentation, diplomacy and negotiation skills
• Excellent networking and relationship building skills
• Strong budgeting and finance management skills
• Demonstrated skills in analytical and strategic thinking
• Track record in producing high quality work under short deadlines and ability to manage competing priorities under pressure
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English and French
• Fluently spoken and written English
• Fluently spoken and written French preferred
• Good command of another IFRC official language (Spanish or Arabic) preferred

Competencies, Values and Comments

Professionalism; Communications; Teamwork; National Society relations; Building alliances; Accountability; Innovation