Head of Delegation – Comores At Croix-Rouge Française

A major player in the social and solidarity economy, the French Red Cross runs a network of more than 600 establishments and services in the health, medical and social sectors and in training.

It also runs 12 regional health and social training institutes.

As a member of the world’s largest humanitarian network, the French Red Cross employs more than 17,000 people who, through more than 70 professions, put their professionalism at the service of the most vulnerable in medical-educational institutes, day-care centres, retirement homes, functional rehabilitation centres, emergency accommodation centres, training centres, international missions, etc.

The lack of infrastructure in basic services (roads, electricity, telecommunications and water networks, health services, waste collection, ports and airports) reinforces the vulnerability of the population, whose poverty level exceeds 42%.

The economy of the Comoros is marked by the predominance of the primary sector (agriculture, fishing, livestock), which provides the bulk of export earnings (more than 90%) and employs around 65% of the active population.

The Comoros archipelago is particularly exposed to natural risks. Its territories are highly vulnerable to hydro-meteorological hazards such as floods, landslides, tidal surges and storms/cyclones. The island of Grande Comore is also threatened by the presence of an active volcano, Karthala. In less than ten years, the Comoros have been affected by more than 20 natural disasters. These disasters are not without consequences for the health of the population.

The Union of the Comoros is also one of the poorest countries in the world, with an HDI ranking of 159 out of 1883. The Comorian health system is confronted with a low quality of health services, a poor distribution of medical and paramedical human resources in terms of quantity and quality, weak institutional capacities as well as a very insufficient public funding for the implementation of primary health care.

In this context, CRF is developing new programmes to help improve the living conditions of the Comorian population and reduce the impact of disasters and the effects of climate change.

Position Reporting to the Head of the Regional Delegation for the Indian Ocean, the Head of Delegation is responsible for :

✔ Overall responsibility for the FIU teams and actions in the country of mission, including security;

✔ Coordinating the FIU’s action with other actors: other components of the movement, the UN, other NGOs;

✔ Institutional and operational relations with local authorities and institutional donors in the country.

✔ In case of an emergency situation in the country, the FIU Head of Delegation in Comoros may, as notified in the PIROI DROP, represent PIROI to the National Society, local partners and authorities in order to coordinate FIU-PIROI support.

Reporting relationship

Works under the responsibility of the Head of Regional Delegation for the Indian Ocean, based at PIROI on Reunion Island.

The teams for which he/she is responsible are composed of all national (51) and expatriate (6) staff of the mission as well as 2 VSI deployed via France Volontaires Réunion.

Functional links

Collaborates internally with: the members of the Regional Intervention Platform for the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean/Indian Ocean Geographical Desk, the support services and technical services at headquarters. Collaborates externally with :

– Members of the RC movement: ICRC, IFRC

– Donors: French Embassy, French Development Agency, European Union, United Nations System, World Bank etc.

– Other humanitarian partners: INGOs

– Local authorities, in particular representatives of the Ministries of Health, Education and Civil Protection.

Candidate profile Linked to the function of Head of Delegation :

– Autonomous, versatile, adaptable

– Ability to manage teams

– Organisational and coordination skills

– Ability to work in a team

– Good project management skills

– Driving licence

– Computer skills (full autonomy on Word and Excel).

– Writing skills and experience in project writing and report drafting. – Good analytical and synthesis skills.

Linked to the specific environment of the mission :

– Ability to adapt (culture and insularity)

– Ability to cope with various pressures and to negotiate

– Experience in managing staff from different cultures

– Availability for field assignments

– Honesty, flexibility, patience and thoroughness

– Comfortable and flexible in institutional relations

– Good knowledge or experience of the Red Cross Movement (functioning, mandates)