Head, Red Cross European Union Office

Under the overall guidance  of the Regional Director, Europe, the Head, RC EU Office provides leadership and effective management for the Secretariat’s work and resources in the areas of expanding, strengthening and maintaining partnerships between the IFRC/EUNSs with EU institutions and other international organizations in Brussels. The incumbent is responsible for the implementation of the annual work plan and management of the EU Office, including support to the Coordination Group, working closely with concerned National Societies consistent with the Terms of Reference for the Office.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Regional Director, Europe, the Head, EU Office has the following duties and responsibilities:

Advocacy

• Articulate and represent the EUNS’s and the Federation’s positions on relevant priority issues to the EU institutions and other pertinent Brussels based organizations, in order to enhance the Federation’s and EUNS’s visibility and advance the policy and operational goals of each.

• Lead and facilitate on behalf of the EUNS (members) and Federation high level strategic consultations with EU institutions to profile the interests and activities of RC.

• Lead the preparation of strategic position papers on emerging humanitarian issues which are priority for EU, EUNS and the Federation.

• Coordinate relationships with the various interlocutors within the EU institutions and ensure that the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is coherently portrayed.

• Collaborate with the ICRC delegation in Brussels to facilitate the development and presentation of coherent Movement positions.

• Advocate for EUNS and IFRC policy positions and interests with regard to EU  rules and regulations, policy initiatives and political agendas.

Information analysis sharing

• Remain informed about key issues and debates and provide strategic and practical advice to the EUNS (members) and Federation as appropriate.

• Ensure that effective communication lines are in place to disseminate and exchange timely, relevant and quality information on EU issues between the Federation, the EUNS (members) and the EU institutions.

• Develop and maintain a strong relationship of information and analysis sharing with the ICRC delegation in Brussels.

• Ensure that regular reports on its activities and areas of interest are provided to relevant interlocutors in the EUNSs (members) and the Federation.

• Liaise with the Europe Regional Office to sustain proper information flow on issues related to EUNS.

Partnerships and networking

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key decision and policy makers, high level officials, EU parliamentarians, representatives of civil society and think tanks to put forward and promote the strategic interest of the EUNS and the Federation.

• Develop a framework to strengthen collaboration and foster partnerships among EUNS, other National Societies eligible for specific programmes and the Federation, thereby facilitating joint and combined proposals to EU institutions.

• Support EUNS (members) and the Federation to understand EU current and future priorities with the aim of matching these with RC proposals in order to harness more funds with a more targeted and strategic approach following the non-competition clause.

An EU House for National Societies

• Provide a working environment and base for EUNS (members) and the Federation to further develop relations with the EU institutions, including by ensuring regular opportunities to participate in the activities of the office.

• Ensure that adequate training and briefing sessions are available to EUNS (members) and Federation colleagues and staff.

Management

• Ensure that Secretariat’s strategies, plans, regulations, procedures and standards are in place and implemented in compliance with IFRC policies.

• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and status agreements to minimise the risk of harm to the IFRC and its Secretariat personnel, properties and resources; this includes ensuring staff security. Monitor risk management and take proactive actions and contribute to Secretariat’s risk registering process.

• Manage the plans and budget, and ensure sound financial management.

• Provide leadership to all staff under direct and indirect supervision. This includes recruitment, supervision, support and development of staff, as well as team building.

• Provide leadership to the monitoring and reporting process on global performance indicators and promote a culture of performance and continuous learning to improve the accountability and impact for vulnerable people.

Education

Post-graduate (i.e., Master’s or Ph.D. degree or equivalent) in social sciences/development studies, strategic/programme management, international relations, management studies or other relevant discipline is required.

Experience

Required:

Minimum of 10 years work experience in humanitarian operations for a humanitarian aid organisation and or development cooperation organisation, 5 of which should be in a management position.

5 years of experience of analysing, planning and managing programmes and resources and  resource mobilisation.

Experience of acting in a representational role and maintaining donor and partner relations.

Preferred:

Experience in government relations at national or multilateral levels.

Experience including management in a Red Cross/Red Crescent National Society, IFRC or ICRC, or a relevant international organization.

Experience working with the EU institutions.

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Application deadline: 05 August 2015

Read more and apply here.