Deputy Head of Delegation - Syria

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.

 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. 

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

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) is the primary provider of humanitarian services in Syria and has a lead operational role within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, responding to the biggest humanitarian crisis in decades. Through its 14 branches, and extensive sub-branch and volunteer network, SARC is present in most parts of the country and works according to the seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. SARC support is primarily focusing on relief, emergency and basic health, water and sanitation and psychosocial support. 
Since July 2012, IFRC has been closely working with SARC to support its capacity in assisting populations affected by the various complex crisis in Syria. Following the February 6th 2023 earthquake in Turkey SARC with support from IFRC continues to scale up in Syria despite the challenges that the 12-year-old civil war precipitated: ruined country, destroyed vital services of health/water/transport/comms, cholera, and collapsing/ed infra-structure, IDPs, Refugees, high inflation, sanctions, severe fuel shortages, etc. coupled with years of drought, floods, severe weather, COVID and Cholera. Priority areas have been food and relief items, livelihoods, health, human resources and capacity development on information management and reporting, logistics, communication, finance, and volunteer and disaster management. With the protracted nature of the crisis, and while focus still is the emergency response, mid-term/long-term planning is becoming increasingly important to ensure quality, sustainability and appropriateness of services. Currently, the IFRC operates through the Earthquake Emergency Appeal and the Syria Crisis Country Plan. 

IFRC is represented in Damascus by a Head of Delegation (HoD) who is supported by a team of delegates and officers based in Syria and at the Regional Office in Beirut.

Job Purpose

While the HoD is responsible for the overall IFRC strategy in Syria, diplomatic and partnership relations and management of the IFRC Syria Delegation, the Deputy Head of Delegation, Syria (DHoD) will act as the Focal Point for all technical and day to-day management aspects of the Syria Crises Country Plan and the Earthquake Emergency Appeal to ensure efficient, effective, coordinated and timely implementation. This includes support and supervision of IFRC technical delegates, close collaboration and coordination with Movement partners, and networking at the programmatic level within the wider humanitarian network. 

The DHoD will work under the supervision of the Syria HoD and in close collaboration with SARC heads of programme 
departments. S/he will take a leading role in ensuring IFRC’s supported programmes and operations address the most 
urgent needs, lead the unified planning processes, oversee the earthquake operation and provide guidance and support to 
the Emergency Appeal Operations Coordinator, and collaborate with IFRC colleagues on design and development of funding 
proposals.

The DHoD will also take on project management responsibility for designated contracts/consortium partnerships, working 
with technical delegates (programmatic, financial, PRD and PMER) to ensure compliance and timely communication with 
contract and consortium leads.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The deputy Head of Delegation

• Ensures strong support and follow-up in the implementation of the programs supported by IFRC in Syria.
• Acts as a focal point to support the SARC, managing programmes and coordinating inter-disciplinary projects or 
• initiatives.
• Works closely with SARC to mobilise resources and develop partnerships required for effective programme development 
• and programme implementation.
• Provides leadership support to ensure implementation of the IFRC Agenda for Renewal in Syria.
• Acts as acting Head of Delegation (HoD) in the absence of the HoD and performs other duties assigned by the HoD.

Programmes:

•  Ensures robust and coherent analysis and monitoring of the operating environment and its potential evolution.
• Leads planning, monitoring and reporting for the Syria unified plan and implementation strategy.
• Supports the Operations Manager in the revision of the EA and its Operational Strategy and budget.
• IS responsible for approving expenses related to the projects and budgets under her/his responsibility, including the approval of transfers to SARC as well as their reports on expenditures.
• Ensures that humanitarian and longer-term interventions are reflective of current and emerging needs and threats.
• Supervises and supports IFRC technical leads under the long-term programming and the Operations Manager for the earthquake response to ensure they work closely with their counterparts of relevant SARC departments in all related 
• programming roles and responsibilities, providing advice and recommendations that carefully consider local capacity and context.
• Assists SARC, Movement and external partners in the achievement of planned outcomes and deliverables following quality standards, in a timely fashion, and within budgets.
• Ensures that programme initiatives are based on frameworks and approaches that are consistent with or have considered national and international standards and guidelines, as well as IFRC policies, procedures, and tools.
•  Provides and coordinates information for accurate, regular, and timely narrative and financial reports. 
• In coordination with the HoD and Regional Office, support the promotion of IFRC's programme’s strategy among internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensures effective and efficient liaison between the IFRC Syria Delegation, in-country counterparts, and the IFRC MENA Regional Office in managing projects and programmes.
• Provides effective coordination and communication on programmes issues, within the Movement and with international organizations, donor societies and other stakeholders.
• Supports the HoD in the implementation of the IFRC Syria Crisis Operational Plan and the Syria Earthquake Appeal.
• Ensures the generation of more efficient, effective and consistent standard operating procedures, protocols and practices, including those related to the requirements of the membership and external partners.
• Ensures that monitoring and evaluation are relevant, effective and implemented to the best international practice of shared learning and accountability.
• Ensures that there are appropriate assessments and “lessons learned” processes (incl. the RTE) and exit strategies to optimise sustainability and ownership in the various programmes supported by IFRC

Coordination, cooperation and strategic partnerships:

• Supports and deputize the HoD for IFRC Membership Coordination notably on technical programme issues.
• Supports SARC in strengthening the Red Cross & Red Crescent technical coordination in Syria.
• Supports and deputize the HoD in developing and maintaining the relationship with intergovernmental, regional and non-governmental organisations including the EU and UN.
• Supports SARC, in building effective cooperation and strategic programmatic partnerships and operational alliances with non-RC/RC organizations, such as UN, EU agencies as well as to support the IFRC programming.

General Management responsibilities

• Ensures strict adherence to accountability and transparency and that the delegation planning, budgeting and reporting is carried out in a timely and appropriate manner in accordance with IFRC Secretariat requirements, formats and standards.
• Provides day to day management of all staff reporting to the position in the Syria Delegation whether in-country or working remotely.
• Coaches and mentors, all programme staff within the Syria Delegation, and be available for similar support to SARC programme counterparts, to strengthen the promotion, coordination and management of programming within SARC.
• Ensures compliance with applicable laws and agreements to minimize risk of harm to the IFRC and its Secretariat personnel, properties and resources. Special attention is to be given to compliance with procurement procedures and standards.
• Contributes to upholding the Secretariat’s policies, procedures and management system within the Country Office and support their improvement and review as necessary.
• Promotes a culture of performance and continuous learning to improve the accountability and impact for vulnerable people.
• Supports the Head of Delegation in representing the IFRC in relevant national and international engagements and meetings.
• In coordination with the HoD and Regional Security unit, analyse relevant security information and assume security responsibility of IFRC personnel and assets in Syria when acting for the HoD.

Duties applicable to all staff

1. Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals
2. Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles
3. Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

Education

• Relevant University Degree - Required.
• Basic Delegates Training Course or IMPACT training or equivalent knowledge - Required.
•  
• Experience
• Minimum 5 years’ experience working in large and complex operations in positions relevant to the post - Required.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience working in large and complex operations in positions relevant to the post - Required.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in staff performance and development management - Required.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in high-level representation in international environment - Required.
• Experience in IFRC planning and budgeting systems or comparable systems - Required.
• Experience in producing international standard narrative and financial reports - Required.
• Ability, willingness and flexibility to work in Syria within the added complexity of an active pandemic environment - Required.
• Previous work experience in the MENA region and/or extensive knowledge of the region - Preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including the ability to utilise talent and experience of team members in a productive way - Required.
• Outstanding networking, representational, communication, and negotiation skills. An ability to be proactive and persuasive - Required.
• Experience or familiarity in developing and/or revising Emergency Appeals, Operational Plans as well in dealing with EU funded projects - Required.
• Proven ability to work in volatile security environments with strict security conditions as well as possessing communication and relationship skills to collaborate with the Host National Society, other National Societies and the ICRC - Required.
• High degree of discretion, tact and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external stakeholders at all levels - Required.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks - Required.
• Ability to prepare reports, plan of actions and budgets, programme updates, country operation plan, etc - Required.
• Valid international driver's license - Preferred.
• Fluent spoken and written English - Required.
• Working knowledge of Arabic - Preferred.

Competencies, Values and Comments

National Society Relations, Professionalism, Negotiation, Accountability, Teamwork, Communication, Innovation, Professional Mastery, Building alliances, Influencing