International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent SocietiesManager, Operations, Evolving Crisis and Disasters At

Job Purpose

“This is a national staff position open to nationals and others who are legally eligible to work in countries where IFRC has legal presence: Buenos Aires (Argentina), San José (Costa Rica), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), Guatemala City (Guatemala), Tegucigalpa (Honduras), Kingston (Jamaica), Managua (Nicaragua), Panama City (Panama), Lima (Peru), or Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago). Candidates must be able to provide proof of their eligibility to work in those countries during application phase”

Operations Manager provides technical support to ensure the optimal coordination and direct management of resources required for the effective and efficient implementation ongoing of IFRC-supported emergency preparedness and response activities

Key to the position is to ensure the quality of operations based on timely response, effectiveness, efficiency and relevance according to adequate Standard Operating Procedures.

This position is also the senior coordinator in the DCCPRR department and backfills the Head of DCCPRR when out of office or on leave.**

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Coordination of operations

• Ensure sound project and financial management is applied to the emergency operations and programmes.
• Support and monitor CCD and CO DM Coordinators in the management of DREF and Emergency Appeals.
• Ensure that Operational Strategy and budget for DREF and/or appeals presented to Geneva meet the quality criteria and required guidance. Ensure disaster and crisis response operations are appropriate and aligned with International Federation guidelines and policies (SPHERE, Code of Conduct, Principles and Rules, Seville agreement, etc.). Present a ready-to-sign DREF or appeal request to the Unit Coordinator.
• Oversight of the Operations PMER, Informational Management, Sector/Strategic
• Priorities components of disaster operations as well as PER program.
• Ensure regular and effective communication lines with the CCD/CO and NS in the region
• Ensure, in coordination with other DCCPRR colleagues and ARO units, quality linkages for programme integration in times of disasters, and immediate early recovery by maximizing National Society ownership from the onset
• Coordinate with Geneva counterparts, regional and country clusters, PMER & Communication officer and finance unit the necessary communication for a prompt and adequate proposal.
• Maintaining strong relationships and cooperation with other ARO units, in particular those directly involved in the disaster management process, as well as PNS and ICRC to ensure a rapid and coordinated response.
• Coordinate operations weekly operations update meeting and when activated by the Head of Department, leads the Emergency Operation Center as well as regional or joint task force meetings.
• Ensure accurate, rapid and updated information on ongoing operations through info bulletins, fact sheets, etc.
• Provide coordination and communication on disaster response issues to international organizations in the Americas in coordination with the regional DM Coordinators and country/regional offices.
• To facilitate the pre-deploy and/or deployment of IFRC staff to disaster location in coordination with CCD/CO and surge officer.
• To request in agreement with the Head of DCCPRR department the deployment of relevant International Federation disaster response tool (Rapid Response Personnel, HEOps, FACT, ERU), in support of National Society disaster management structures when agreed with the National Society and when the disaster exceeds their capacity.
• Coordinate with the DM system support team the deployments of regional and global tools such as Rapid Response Personnel, HEOps, FACT, ERU and the support from all specialized sectoral leads such as Shelter, Livelihoods, Health, Water and Sanitation, and specific interventions of Disaster Law where needed.
• Monitor disaster response operations outcomes/deliverables are achieved in a timely fashion, within budgets and maintaining the minimum ratios of relief, early recovery and longer-term development goals.
• Lead continental efforts to develop and implement regional contingency plans according to the most disaster-prone scenarios, such as those provided by hurricane season and El Niño/La Niña.
• Conduct a robust and coherent monitoring of context and operations, ensuring that humanitarian interventions within the emergency response are responsive to current and emerging needs and threats.
• Ensure compliance with the IFRC Code of Conduct and Fraud and Corruption Prevention and Control Policy.
• Ensure the appropriate and proper use of IFRC disaster response tools such as Emergency Appeal, DREF, rapid response and GO platform.
• Lead processes related to conducting internal and external reviews and evaluations as well as other learning or evidence-gathering initiatives under emergency operations.
• Ensure regular management reporting and updates are provided to line and technical manager on the implementation of the emergency operations.
• Monitor the progress and coordinate analysis of implementation rates of operations and ensure that the deliverables are on track and in line with IFRC project management procedures and pledge
• Coordinate Federation activities on disaster response and early recovery with Red Cross partners, CEPREDENAC, CEDEMA, UN and other agencies to ensure adequate preparedness and appropriate, efficient and timely emergency response and early recovery.
• Represent, under the request of the Head of DCCPRR unit, the Federation in disaster response fora.

Management

• Select, lead and manage the team members under his/her direct responsibility.
• Ensure that the technical team under his/her responsibility has well defined results-based priority plans and maintain updated capacities to respond to operations and programs at any time.
• Establish operation units’ key performance indicators in collaboration with HoDCCPRR
• Management and oversight of regional appeals and DREFS, to include appeal management and budget holder responsibilities for on average 20-30 DREFs and 3-5 Emergency Appeals per year.
• Prepare accurate and timely reports in accordance with Secretariat requirements, formats and standards.
• In the absence of the Head of DCCPRR, to be able to act as the Head of DCCPRR.

Education

• Superior technical title or university degree
• Advanced training in disaster management/relief/logistics

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience working for a humanitarian aid organisation in a developing country in the area of disaster management with preferably some of that time in the Americas. Areas of expertise include assessment, relief, logistics and communication
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience analysing, planning and managing disaster response operations, programmes and resources
• Minimum of 5 years of experience of managing and supporting staff
• Experience working with the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement
• Experience planning and managing budgets
• Experience writing narrative and financial reports

Knowledge, Skills and Language

• In-depth knowledge of complex DM operations management including preparedness and recovery programming
• Ability to work in a team, good communication and management skills
• Ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment
• Problem solving skills
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks in a stressful environment

Languages

• Fluent spoken and written English and Spanish
• Good command of another language (French or Portuguese), preferred

Competencies and Values

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: Strategic Orientation; Leadership; Empowering Others