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.

The Resolution on Movement-wide Principles for Resource Mobilization CD/17/R2 (the Principles), and the deliverables, were adopted by the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement Council of Delegates in 2017, promoting transformational change in the Movement’s collective resource mobilization efforts. The Movement components committed to collaborating to maximize their potential in resource mobilization for the sustainability and fulfilment of their respective mandates and that of the Movement as a whole, in a spirit of good partnership.

Job Purpose

The job holder will drive implementation of the Movement-wide Principles for Resource Mobilization and its deliverables led by the IFRC, ICRC and National Societies. The incumbent leads VFH Movement related fundraising, working closely with the VFH technical groups, National Society fundraising directors, and IFRC and ICRC senior
leadership. The incumbent will lead the development of the VFH, and its projects currently structured around digital fundraising, data, learning and development, international fundraising development and investment to achieve:

• growth of the Movement’s collective digital fundraising.
• additional funds for the Movement from foundations, corporates, and philanthropists.
• growth of National Society fundraising capacity (and therefore income).

The Virtual Fundraising Hub (VFH) help achieve transformational change and fulfil the Movement’s collective fundraising vision. A Steering Committee consisting of National Society, IFRC and ICRC leadership has been established to oversee implementation of priority workstreams.

The position Global Lead, Virtual Fundraising Hub (VHF) functionally reports to the Chairs of the Committee. The Global Lead, Virtual Fundraising Hub (VFH) will coordinate on a technical level with focal points in the IFRC, ICRC and those national societies actively involved in Resource Mobilization Capacity Building (RMCB). The Global Lead,
Virtual Fundraising Hub (VFH) will be directly managing other roles depending on funding, as well as be supported by National Society, IFRC and ICRC technical staff.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Beyond the founding objectives and initiatives of the VFH, further develop an ambitious strategy (representative of the individual and collective endeavours of Movement components in resource mobilization) and implement the program of work; create and manage medium and long-term goals in consultation with and the support of Movement partners.

• Develop and manage a budget and operating plan for the program.

• Lead the VFH program of work. Initiate and design projects relating to the development of the hub and its activities, in line with the Movement-wide Vision and Principles for Resource Mobilization.

• Ensure coordination between workstreams, and alignment with overall aims of the hub.

• Manage and provide guidance to a blended team operating from various locations. Create a working environment that ensures growth, motivation, and satisfaction. Develop and manage relations with National Societies and other Movement components, including existing (regional) fundraising networks, expertise groups and initiatives, to ensure and lead on Movement-wide cooperation and coordination in resource mobilization and fundraising capacity building investment through the VFH; set up new (think tank) groups where necessary.

• Engage Movement partners to mobilize support for the program of work among different Movement partners and write funding proposals to guarantee uninterrupted delivery of projects.

• Develop a monitoring and evaluation method to assess strengths, identify areas for improvement and to keep track of progress of all work related to the VFH and how it contributed to the operationalization of the principles.

• Produce accurate and timely reporting of program status throughout its life cycle for both line management (Chairs’ group) and wider governance audience (e.g., Steering Committee).

• Support the Chairs’ Group and Steering Committee in between meetings, including engaging members, provide regular updates on progress and issues, ensure the appropriate level representation at relevant Movement meetings and networks.

• Represent the VFH with diverse audiences including National Societies, ICRC and IFRC, and develop effective advocacy and communications to promote the Hub’s priorities.

• Coordinate the drafting of the progress report to the Council of Delegates, ensuring input from relevant stakeholders and liaising with IFRC and ICRC governance teams.

  Education

  Required

• Master’s degree in business administration, International Development, Project
  or Programme Management, or other relevant fields.

  Experience

  Required

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in fundraising and partnerships management
  at a global level for an international organisation.

• Proven experience of managing programmes of work and multiple, complex
  projects, and integrating workstreams, ensuring progress, coordination and
  alignment across workstreams.

• Experience in the development and implementation of strategies, workplans and
  budgets in a global organization and in partnership with multiple organisations.

• Experience of preparing and implementing communication plans effectively
  through a variety of media in a compelling way.

• Experience of identifying and articulating strategic issues, risks and priorities to
  provide sound advice to senior management.

• Proven experience of drafting successful funding proposals.

• Experience of inspiring leaders and engaging partners to work together and pool
  resources for a shared goal.

  Preferred

• Experience in managing a diverse team in a context of dotted reporting lines.

• Experience in a Red Cross or Red Crescent National Society.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Knowledge and Skills

Required

• Proven ability to translate strategy into action.
• Results-oriented individual, entrepreneurial, ability to lead in unprecedented and/or ambiguous situations.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including the ability to lead teams within a matrix management structure and utilise talent and experience of team members working remotely in a productive way. Leading via persuasion is more important than exercise formal authority.
• Outstanding representational, communication, networking and negotiation
  skills. Proactive and persuasive.
• Track record in producing high quality work within short deadlines and ability to make effective, timely decisions.
• High degree of discretion, tact and sensitivity in dealing with internal and
  external clients and internal stakeholders at all levels where possible conflicting agenda might materialize.
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural, multilingual, multidisciplinary
  environment.
• Fluency in Microsoft office tools.

Languages

Required

• Fluent spoken and written English

Preferred

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

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