Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with 192 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.

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the 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.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

The 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 the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

The 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 (NSDOC); (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization (GRHDD); and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services (MPSCS).

The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The 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 Financial and Administrative Management Department (FAMD) falls under the Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services (MPSCS) Division. It is responsible for managing the overall budgeting, accounting, treasury, assets, financial reporting, and financial services operations of the Secretariat. FAMD also provides advice and support on financial matters, including financial policies and procedures, to other departments/divisions at the Secretariat Headquarters in Geneva and to offices in regions, clusters, and countries around the world.

The Director, FAMD, leads the Finance and Administration Team covering all financial areas. In particular, the Director, FAMD, provides strategic, operational, and programmatic support to the organization. He/she leads the organization’s global financial management team comprising the Financial Controller, the Budget and Analysis and Manager, and the Finance Information Systems and Processes Managers as direct reports as well as five regional Finance and Administration Managers as indirect reports. The Director, FAMD, may be requested to act as the chief financial spokesperson of the organization.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the USG-MPSCS, and with a dotted reporting line to the Secretary-General, the Director, FAMD, provides global leadership, strategic direction, and operational services for the effective and efficient management of Secretariat financial resources. He/she articulates and implements a strategic and operational framework relating to financial risk, planning, management, monitoring, reporting, operations, and control. In this connection, the Director, FAMD, also attends meetings of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and works with members of the Global Leadership Team (GLT) to agree on and articulate strategic and operational financial priorities to enable the achievement of the Federation’s mission.

The Director, FAMD, oversees the budgeting, accounting, treasury, assets, financial reporting and financial services operations of the Secretariat, including the following: (i) establishing policy; (ii) managing internal controls; (iii) preparing statutory accounts in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards; (iv) safeguarding the assets of the organization to minimize risk of financial loss; and (v) developing and maintaining costing systems and reporting tools to provide high-quality financial information and analysis that supports governance and management decision-making.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Governance:

• Ensure that the Federation’s governance bodies (General Assembly, Governing Board, Finance Commission and Audit and Risk Committee) can discharge their statutory functions as these relate to Finance, Financial Contributions of National Societies, Budget, and Audit in accordance with the Constitution and Financial Regulations.
• Build collaborative and effective relationships with all other key internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the effective governance bodies of the IFRC, including serving as the Secretary to the Finance Commission.

Advice to the Secretary General directly or through the USG-MPSCS:

• Advise the Secretary General in the discharge of his/her statutory functions as these relate to Finance, Budget, and Audit, in accordance with the Constitution and the Financial Regulations.

• Advise the Secretary General, directly or through the USG-MPSCS, on strategic, operational, and financial risk matters, with a view to ensuring: a) Coherence and alignment between the organization’s objectives and its financial resources. b) Value for money from the effective and efficient administration of financial resources. c) Accountability and transparency regarding the management of financial resources.

Supporting Institutional Growth :

• Participate in the growth of the Federation and of National Societies through: a) Analysis and development of strategy through engagement with stakeholders. b) Identification and materialization of new funding and service opportunities. c) Expansion of existing funding sources.

Leadership, Supervision and Capacity Building:

• Lead, direct and motivate staff to ensure the highest level of performance in their respective areas of responsibility, ensuring quality service to operations globally.
• Ensure that the global finance team is adequately resourced with competent personnel who are properly recruited, trained, and managed.
• Provide technical management and leadership to a team of finance and administration managers in the field.
• Proactively champion the relevant people priorities, including talent management and succession planning activities, and act as a mentor to staff.
• Drive capacity building to strengthen National Society development in areas germane to finance and financial management.

Accountability and Transparency:

• Provide regular management reports to allow budget managers to review, monitor and effectively manage cost centres and projects and make effective operational decisions.
• Provide specific attention to the quality, completeness and accuracy of the data used in making financial decisions.
• Provide timely, robust, accurate and reliable financial information to senior management, assisting them to interpret financial information and make decisions in the best interest of the organisation in line with strategy and in accordance with the Federation’s policies.
• Oversee the preparation of statutory financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and oversee the external financial statement audit process.

Financial Strategy and Innovation:

• Develop, implement, and communicate the financial strategy for the organization to ensure its sustainability.
• Lead the development and implementation of fit-for-purpose innovative finance solutions appropriate for the Federation and its stakeholders.
• Safeguard the financial balance of the IFRC to ensure its short- and long-term viability as well as the successful execution of its programs in accordance with its policies.

Financial Controls and Risk Management:

• Develop and maintain financial systems and processes, ensuring they operate effectively and efficiently in support of core organizational objectives.
• Safeguard and optimize the use of financial resources through the maintenance of an appropriate internal control environment, focusing on: a) Finance and accounting policies and procedures, which meet the needs of the organization. b) Effective budgetary control. c) Efficient and accurate financial systems. d) Effective oversight of investments as well as the bank and cash portfolio. e) Management of financial risks.
• Oversee coordination of the budgeting process, including the preparation of program budgets.
• Oversee the management and donor financial reporting processes.

National Society Development:

• Provide analysis, advice and support on matters related to financial sustainability, policy, accountability, transparency, and governance vis-à-vis National Societies, as needed.

Administration, Insurances, Building and Office Services:

• Ensure the management of all insurances and mail services as well as the effective and efficient acquisition, management and safeguarding of the Federation’s physical assets in accordance with the Federation’s policies. This includes the proper management of building and office services.

Meetings and Conference Services:

• Ensure that IFRC statutory and other official meetings are organized and delivered to the expectations of stakeholders and that all essential corporate publications are translated in the required languages, as appropriate.

Library and Archive Services:

• Ensure the proper management of the IFRC library and archive services.

Organizational Culture:

• Embody the values of the organization and play an active role in strengthening the organizational culture.

Education

Required :

• Recognised professional qualification in accounting (Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant or equivalent qualification).
• Advanced university degree, preferably in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics or related field.

Experience

Required :

• Minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience, including managing cross-functional teams in complex organizations in finance, disaster relief and international development.
• Experience with governance processes, general management, budgeting, administrative and financial management of global membership organizations.
• Track record in the design and application of management-for-results.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a senior financial management position.
• Experience in addressing and supporting governing boards, audit, and risk committees etc.
• Experience in preparation of financial statements under IFRS or equivalent recognized accounting framework (IPSAS, GAAP etc.).
• Experience in managing and integrating complex services in a global environment.
• Experience in process, procedure, and systems development.
• Experience in treasury management.
• Experience in working in a multinational, multicultural environment, either in a major commercial company or for an international organization.
• Experience in humanitarian or other not for profit organization.

Preferred:

• Experience in IFRC Secretariat and / or a Red Cross Red Crescent National Society.

Knowledge and Skills

Required:

• Experience at Senior Management level in the formulation and development of strategy and policy.
• Excellent networking, collaborative and teamwork skills at the Executive Management level
• Service mindset together with effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to lead and collaborate with a team of people, delegate and produce results.
• Strong influencing skills and exceptional professional credibility.
• Ability to manage from a distance.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work at various or all levels of complexity.
• Good computer skills – Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook.
• Knowledge of complex financial systems and software including multi-currency accounting systems.
• Knowledge of IFRC Secretariat Geneva financial systems and software (CODA; Business Objects and Apple).

Languages

Required:

• Fluent spoken and written English.

Preferred:

• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).

Competencies and values

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.

How to apply:

Please apply via IFRC website.