Organizational Context
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 191-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) and by Strategy 2020, which voices our collective vision and determination to move forward in tackling the major challenges that confront humanity in the present decade.
Under the umbrella of the Federationโs Country Cluster Support Team, the American Red Cross (AmRC) International Services Department (ISD) seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering around the world by responding to disasters, building safer, more resilient communities, and educating future humanitarians. AmRC continues to deepen and expand its international programming while also working to strengthen the global Red Cross Red Crescent Network, in order to deliver critical assistance to some of the most vulnerable communities in the world.
The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Overseas, our International Services department helps deliver critical assistance to some of the most vulnerable communities in the world, in partnership with the global Red Cross Red Crescent Network.
Job Purpose
The American Red Cross seeks a Deputy Division Director for LAC. This position supports the Global Division Director by leading on program planning, management and compliance so the Division Director can focus on strategy, partnerships and personnel management. The Deputy Division Director reports directly to the Division Director and maintains an integrated, collaborative relationship with the headquarters-based leadership to ensure the appropriate development and application of standards based on international best practice and division needs and capacities. The deputy also temporarily assumes the duties of the Division Director during the Directorโs absence.
The Global Division Deputy Director supports the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Regional Delegation and Country Representatives in development and execution of disaster preparedness, response and recovery programming in accordance with the AmRC International Services Department (ISD) strategic direction. The primary responsibility of the Global Division Deputy Director is the design and implementation of high-quality programs, ensuring they are relevant, effective and efficient. The Global Division Deputy Director is responsible for all aspects of AmRC LAC programs including identification of needs, ensuring alignment with ISD and Red Cross Movement strategies, planning, budgeting, mobilizing resources, implementing, monitoring, and reporting to achieve impact and successful closure and/or transition. The Global Division Deputy Director works closely with LAC country representatives and program focal points throughout the region and with counterparts at HQ in Washington, DC. The Global Division Deputy Director represents the Regional Representative as needed.
Based in Panama City, Panama, this position will support existing and future AmRC countries of operation in addition to ad hoc projects across the region. The Global Division Deputy Director reports to the Regional Representative and maintains close, collaborative relationships with multiple HQ and field-based counterparts to ensure compliance with AmRC standards, practices and policies. This position also partners with IFRC and National Society staff to strengthen and ensure close collaboration and cooperation among Movement partners in addressing program needs as guided by the AmRC ISD strategic direction.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Employee/volunteer management: Responsible for making personnel decisions for division technical advisors and volunteer partners to include hiring, goal setting, performance management, engagement, retention and/or removal. Develops and shares feedback on direct reports on a regular basis and provides coaching guidance and direction to improve performance. Consulted in making division staffing decisions for operations support functions (Grants Management and Design, Monitoring and Evaluation).
- Policy and regulation compliance: Collaborates closely with Division Director and National Headquarters to ensure smooth overall operations consistent with American Red Cross corporate policies and regulations, donor requirements, as well as location specific Movement rules and regulations.
- Program management: Ensures efficient and effective management of division resources, including working with division and country teams to develop appropriate project plans and budgets, leading division monthly operations reviews to monitor progress to goals, ensuring issues and risks are managed, and supporting country grants to partners remain on time, scope and budget.
- Program alignment: Support Division Director to ensure country team strategies and plans are developed in coordination with the National Society, Movement Partners, and NHQ, and are consistent with American Red Cross ISD strategy and doctrine.
- Capacity building: Supports country teams to build National Society capacity for service delivery, including aligning appropriate technical resources, either through direct management of division technical advisors or by working with NHQ teams to secure additional technical resources.
- Learning and Knowledge sharing: Serves as division lead for staff learning and development, working with NHQ teams to align support in targeted technical areas. Works with DMERL Division lead to inform the design of internal program reviews and evaluations in the Division. On behalf of Division Director, identifies opportunities for sharing knowledge and resources between Country teams in the Division to improve efficiencies and effectiveness and communicates division good practices with NHQ team. Coordinates division access to good practices available through NHQ.
Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)
- Collaboration: Supports Division Director in building a strong environment of collaboration and consensus among Country Teams within Division as well as across International Services and Humanitarian Services as a whole. On behalf of Division Director, works with Country Representatives to ensure that all Country Teams are appropriately engaging in collaborative relationships and activities with division and NHQ counterparts.
- Portfolio Growth: In conjunction with NHQ Resource Mobilization team, supports Division Director to grow country-level portfolio across the Division. Work closely with NHQ Resource Mobilization Team to ensure division and country donor relationships are managed and that division proposals are developed per deadlines and in alignment with Project Design and Proposal Development guidance. Actively participates in grant writing and proposal development to grow financial resources within the division.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Duties applicable to all staff
- Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariatโs goals
Education
4-year college degree in a relevant field such as international development, humanitarian aid, or international relations. Masterโs degree, preferred Certification in Project Management, preferredExperience
At least seven yearsโ experience working in non-profit management; experience overseas working with Red Cross, UN or INGOs. At least three yearsโ experience in people management, with volunteer management experience. Proven track record in successful planning, program design, proposal development, and grant management required. Flexibility, adaptability, initiative, orientation to results. Experience in administrative, procurement, strategic, programmatic and financial planning and execution. Significant supervisory experience Prior experience in developing successful U.S Government awards (USAID, PRM, BHA etc.); strong understanding of U.S. govโt funding and compliance requirements, preferred.Knowledge, Skills and Languages
Excellent interpersonal skills and diplomacy with a proven ability to work collaboratively across matrixed teams. General comfort level with technology is required with proficient in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, SharePoint, Teams and PowerPoint expected. Also, familiarity with Salesforce. Must be highly detail-oriented and organized and have strong analytical skills Must be flexible and able to travel up to 40%. Commitment to the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross Movement: Humanity, Neutrality, Independence, Impartiality, Volunteer Service, Universality, UnityLANGUAGES
Competencies, Values and Comments
VALUES: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability
CORE COMPETENCIES: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Judgement and Decision Making; National Societies and Customer Relations; Creativity and Innovation; Building Trust
MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES: Managing Staff Performance; Managing Staff Development; Strategic Orientation
FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: Building Alliances; Leadership; Empowering Others.
APPLICATION
A letter of motivation must be submitted along with the application no later than the closing date. In order to ensure a proper comparative evaluation of your application for this vacancy and to enable us to consider your profile against other similar current and future vacancies, we ask that you submit your application taking into account the following:
Important Note:
Please note that the selected candidate will be hired through a national contract under the labour law Panama City (Panama); therefore only those citizens, as well as foreign applicants with valid and current residence and work permit, will be considered for this vacancy. The incumbent is responsible to abide by Federation policies, procedures, plans and local labour laws The closing date is midnight Geneva time; Only those candidates shortlisted for interviews will be notified.