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Operations Manager – Libya

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs 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.” 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 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 delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

On September 10, 2023, the northeastern region of Libya was struck by Storm Daniel, resulting in severe weather conditions characterized by powerful winds and sudden heavy rainfall. This inclement weather affected multiple areas, including Benghazi, Tobruk, Toukra , Talmeitha , Almarj , Taknes (Al Jabal Al Akhdar), Al Owailia , Bayada, Albayda , Shahhat , Sousa, and Derna.

The storm had devastating consequences, including the collapse of a dam in Derna, leading to entire neighborhoods being swept into the sea. It caused significant damage to infrastructure, including the road network, disrupted telecommunications services, and buildings, resulting in the displacement of at least 44,000 individuals.

Large-scale flooding occurred in Libya’s northeast areas, resulting in the loss of lives and extensive infrastructure damage in several coastal towns and along rivers, including Derna, Benghazi, Al-Jabal Al-Akhder, Al-Marj, Batah , Bayada , Albayda , Shahat , and Sousa.

The Lybian Red Crescent Society (LRCS) teams were on the ground immediately, coordinating closely with the IFRC and local authorities to assess the situation, support the search and rescue operation and provide help to affected people.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Head of Delegation, the Operations Manager provides the technical and operational lead to ensure the optimal coordination and direct management of resources required for the effective and efficient implementation of the Libya Storm Daniel response operation.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Negotiate, plan, and mobilise IFRC resources in support of the NS in the assessment, planning, and implementation of the emergency response.
• Supervise IFRC technical leads to ensure they work closely with the managers of relevant NS departments and relevant branches’ technical personnel in all related programming roles and responsibilities, providing advice and recommendations that carefully consider local capacity and context.
• Alongside the NS, build alliances and partnerships with other emergency actors to enhance the implementation of the emergency plan of action. Support the NS to enhance their position vis a vis the national coordination mechanism.
• Support IFRC technical leads to develop programme approaches which strengthen and develop the National Society’s structures, capacity, and performance; analyze and understand their current strengths and weaknesses and to ensure provision of necessary technical and material support particularly in relation to the ongoing crisis.
• Promote and assist the integration of humanitarian priorities and interventions within all relevant programming divisions in the NS.
• Ensure that the response is 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.
• Assist the NS, IFRC membership, and external partners in the achievement of planned outcomes and deliverables following quality standards, in a timely fashion, and within budgets.
• Ensure a robust and coherent monitoring of the situation and its potential evolution and ensure that humanitarian interventions are responsive to current and emerging needs and threats.
• Work with the country DRM Coordinator and/or regional HDCC Unit to develop, implement and review contingency planning for identified threats in operational areas, as well as the development of capacities within the NS for emergency response.
• Support the NS in setting up the structure needed to ensure that all components of the response are identified, planned, and carried out in a coordinated, collaborative, and integrated manner with Movement and external partners.
• Support the NS in developing and implementing operational standards, tools and procedures that ensure quality, consistency, and sustainability of emergency response interventions. Together with the NS and the Head of Country Office, represent IFRC in coordination meetings and forums, involving national authorities, national and international agencies, donors, and other partners in the country.
• Support the NS in establishing an effective information management system for the response, including monitoring and learning approaches.
• Work with PMER leads in IFRC and the NS to ensure that planning and reporting requirements are met in a timely and efficient manner.
• Advise on the need for additional human resources in coordination with the Country and Regional IFRC offices, HR departments and/or surge desk.
• Ensure sound financial management is applied to all Federation-assisted programmes within the NS, that budgets are monitored, and any problems identified, and solutions implemented in timely and effective manner.
• Manage operational budgets to ensure that expenditure relating to IFRC-supported operations is within income and approved ceilings, in compliance with IFRC finance procedures and in line with donor earmarking requirements.

Duties applied for all staff:

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

Education

• University degree in relevant area. – Required
• IFRC emergency operations training, e.g. Emergency Team Lead, Operations Manager, ERU, IMPACT or relevant trainings. – Preferred

Experience

• 5-7 years of operations management and/or disaster management experience, including managing staff. – Required
• Field experience in coordinating and managing disaster and crisis operations. – Required
• Work experience with Red Cross Red Crescent. – Preferred
• Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting, and reporting, monitoring and evaluation. – Required
• Good knowledge and relevant work experience in the regional context. – Preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Effective team and project management skills. – Required
• Good analytical skills and solution-oriented. – Required
• Good mentoring and capacity development skills. – Required
• Ability to work well in a multicultural team. – Required
• Excellent stress management skills. – Required
• Demonstrated accountability. – Required
• Fluent spoken and written Arabic. – Required
• Fluent spoken and written English. – Required

Competencies, Values and Comments

• 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.

Note: Based: Benghazi, Libya (based temporarily in Tunis)

Note: The salary calculation is based on the internal IFRC salary scale, taking into consideration job requirements, years of experience and the applicant’s qualifications

IFRC provides equal employment certificates.