Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-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. 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 is part of the Regional Office for the Americas (ARO) team, providing support to National Societies through Country and Country Cluster Delegations, and directly if required. This is a national staff position open to nationals and others who are legally eligible to work in countries where IFRC has legal presence. The geographical coverage spreads across Central and South America and the Caribbean. Reporting to the Deputy Regional Director, the position ensures that the IFRC plans, reports and manages information effectively while fostering continuous learning from its operations to improve program quality and maximize the impact of its operations.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this position is to have overall responsibility for Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (PMER) and Quality Assurance.

Ensure programme quality including results at scale, quality assurance and close monitoring against progress.
Coordinate and lead on innovation and learning and knowledge management supporting peer to peer approaches, analytical work and sharing of learning within the region and at global level.
Liaise with relevant academic bodies to integrate current methods and learnings, and also contribute IFRC field-based findings.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Deputy Regional Director, the position ensures that the IFRC plans, reports and manages information effectively while fostering continuous learning from its operations to improve program quality and maximize the impact of its operations.
Key role of the post is to ensure results-based planning, monitoring and evaluation system that provides an evidence base for performance, including relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and impact. Enhance knowledge management, learning and evidence based to ensure programme quality.

National Society Capacity Building

• Support National Societies to deliver quality programme and monitoring services in their respective domains and countries.
• Support National Societies to engage in the collection and use of evidence and that reliable data is used for decision-making and.
• Ensure capacity building, mentoring and coaching of technical specialists at NS’s in order to support program quality in line with global standards and key performance indicators.

Strategy, Planning and Reporting

• Lead the development of the Situation Analysis, including analysis of regional/country context and ensuring participation and buy-in from all relevant staff, NSs, partners and other stakeholders
• Drive the design and implementation of the Regional Strategy Plan ensuring alignment with the IFRC strategy.
• Develop and provide support to the development of Regional/ Country Operational Plans, monitoring of progress and completion of accurate and timely Annual Reports.

Information systems quality assurance

• Lead timely data collection from different sources including NS’s Information Management Systems as per program requirements.
• Enhance quality of collected and reported data, by setting and implementing regular quality checks for validation, consistency and reliability of data and information.
• Ensure adequate technical support and guidance to Country/Cluster delegations and NS’s staff in the field, to collect, process and manage data. This includes responding to user ad-hoc inquiries.
• Develop tools and guidelines to ensure that training needs are met in data collection/data management.

Research, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Knowledge Management

• Oversee and participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, programme reviews and annual sectoral reviews and with the government and other counterparts to assess progress and to determine required actions/interventions to achieve results.
• Oversee a monitoring system that provides timely and accurate programme results by embedding MEAL across program implementation.
• Ensure continued relevant external trends, innovation, best practices and priority needs in the area of planning, monitoring and evaluation, both internally and externally.
• Lead programme quality improvements by monitoring and improving Programme KPI performance, including resourcing and conducting high-quality evaluations to demonstrate outcomes and impact and ensuring that accountability mechanisms are in place.
• Collate and disseminate relevant research across the Movement and wider with the aim of supporting NSs to implement best practices in information systems. Institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices to ensure optimum efficiency and efficacy of sustainable programmes.
• Ensure consistent operational reporting on Federation-wide activities at the operational regional level
• Establish networks which promote a peer-to-peer connector/convener of PMER and IM experience.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

• Liaise with relevant academic bodies to integrate current methods and learnings, and also contribute IFRC field-based findings.

Risk and grant management

• Monitor donor compliance in close coordination with Strategic Engagement and Partnerships.
• Ensure the operationalization of risk management across the grant cycle by relevant country and regional teams and the successful embedment of risk management into day-to-day grant management tools, processes, and policies.
• 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

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.

Education

• Master’s degree or equivalent in business administration, management, risk management, finance, economics, public health, political science, international studies, international development or other relevant field of study; or a first-level university degree combined with extensive relevant experience.-Required
• Formal training or certification in risk management or a background in institutional/programmatic risk management – Preferred
• Qualification or certification in project management – Preferred

Experience

• At least 7 years of experience in strategic planning, PMER, project/programme management, learning or risk management functions.
• At least 7 years of work experience in quantitative and qualitative analysis and/or data modelling.
• At least 7 years of experience managing staff.
• Experience in evaluation design and execution.
• Experience working in a multicultural, international environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Highly developed leadership skills
• Professional credibility, strong analytical skills, and ability to work at various levels of complexity.
• Strong project management skills and capabilities, including workplan development.
• Excellent oral and written communication, networking, and representation skills.
• Proven ability to motivate and manage a team.
• Strategic analysis, systematic planning, data analysis and implementation skills and ability to translate strategy into reality
• Excellent collaborative and teamwork skills.
• Highly organized and results oriented.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills and ability to negotiate while maintaining effective working relations with complex stakeholders and multiple reporting lines with flexibility, resilience, maturity and a high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Knowledge of IFRC and its policies, processes and governance structures.

Languages

• Fluent spoken and written English
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)
• Other Languages – 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.