Senior Officer, Accountability and Risk at International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Job Description

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian and development network, with millions of volunteers in member National Societies. We are guided by Strategy – our collective plan of action to tackle the major humanitarian and development challenges of the present decade. We will continue ‘saving lives and changing minds’ by focusing our work in three key areas: 1) disaster response and recovery, 2) development and 3) promoting social inclusion and peace.

Summary

This position sits in the Africa Regional Office as part of the Membership Services Team. It will be expected to support and coordinate the initiatives of other regional teams (in particular, Corporate Services and PMER, Quality Assurance and Risk Management) in delivering technical support around accountability to interested National Societies (NS) as requested by IFRC Country Cluster offices.

The selected candidate is responsible to support IFRC Secretariat, under the leadership of the Regional Director, in assisting NS to strengthen their accountability systems, mechanisms and practices as well as their risk management frameworks, the selected candidate will also support in addressing integrity needs of National Societies, facilitating smooth resolution of integrity issues and crisis through the use of existing bodies like Office for Internal Audit and Investigation (OIAI), the Compliance and Mediation Committee (CMC), the Africa Governance Group (AGG), etc.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Membership Service Unit, the position holder will work with IFRC Country Cluster Offices to develop and maintain a regional dashboard and overview of NS development needs and processes related to accountability. Coordinate and facilitate technical support on accountability-related issues provided by regional experts in various teams, in particular Corporate Services and PMER, Quality Assurance and Risk Management.

As requested by and in coordination with Country Cluster offices:

Support National Society in analysis and technical advice, on matters related to policy, accountability, transparency, and governance, integrated with other capacity enhancement initiatives within broader national society development framework. Support National Society to assess capacities and develop activities, guided by and linked to, OCAC, wider organization strategy, and long-term development plans. Promote best practices, and support National Society to access network of practitioners, for peer support and knowledge/expertise sharing. Support National Society to implement key initiatives related to risk management, financial sustainability, financial accountability and integrity crisis. Facilitate advice and support on risk management frameworks and strengthening NS policy around control and prevention of Fraud and Corruption. Follow-up and support National Societies in meeting Constitutional financial accountability obligations, including timely submission of Statutory Contributions, filing of audited financial statements; and filing of Certified Declarations of Income. Facilitate advice and support from the Finance team on cost recovery mechanisms guided by the NS Costing guidelines. Support National Society during emergency operations, to strengthen capacities and internal control environment, and to provide strategic advice to management and governance. Review National Societies’ support services function plans and provide recommendations. Coordinate and support technical resources persons to achieve development objectives. Create platform for knowledge sharing and peer support and manage database for resource persons. Support to relevant global or regional assessment processes led by finance admin, HR, IT, Logistics and/or PMER (such as the “Working with Project Partners” process). Support country cluster offices for assessment processes (OCAC, BOCA…) on components relating to accountability and risk management. Support application processes to funding opportunities on accountability systems (including via CBF or NSIA) or ongoing initiative/programme on leadership development. Maintain good working relationships and ensure timely two-way communication with the colleagues managing National Society development in the NS as well as the cluster/country offices. Perform any task assigned by the line manager.

Requirements

Education

Master’s degree in Finance, HR, public administration, or other relevant discipline. (Required). Professional qualification in finance or accounting. (Preferred) Relevant training or coursework in one or more core areas e.g. Financial, Administration and HR management (emergency operation, finance, risk management, audit, security). (Required). IMPACT, Basic Delegates Training Course or equivalent knowledge. (Required).

Experience

Minimum 7 years of prior professional experience in a risk management control role (such as in Finance, Audit, Logistics or HR) (Required). Prior experience working with a National Society or IFRC, in supporting accountability system development or risk management. (Preferred) Experience supporting institutional change management processes. (Required). Extensive experience of budget preparations, cash-flow statements & financial plans. (Preferred) Experience in emergency response setting (Preferred) Extensive experience in commercial & contractual systems (Preferred)

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Great analytical skills with meticulous attention to details for both qualitative and quantitative data and information. (Required). Strong Communication and presentation skills (Required). Excellent planning and organization skills (Required). Competent in ICT skills and adept with information management platforms and methods (Required). Project management skills (Required). Training and Learning skills (Required). Teamwork (Required). Influencing and interpersonal skills (Required). Problem solving (Required). Flexible personality (Required). Patience (Required). Positive approach (Required). Strong coaching and mentoring skills (Required). Commitment to high standards and continuous improvement (Required). Fluently spoken and written in English (Required). Fluently spoken and written French (Required).

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