Chief Ombuds Officer

Contract

This is a ICRC - Max term contract. More about ICRC - Max term contracts.

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and, at the same time, promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Purpose of the position

Launched in 2005, ICRC’s Ombuds Office/Network (ON) has grown and professionalized ever since. In line with the institutional strategy, the ON supports the over 20’000 resident and mobile staff members with its unique services of ensuring dignity and respect at work while contributing to the advancement of an organizational culture fit for purpose and the current age. It is comprised of the Chief Ombuds Officer and up to four full-time Regional Ombuds Officers based in Geneva, Bangkok, Kuwait, and a yet-to-be-confirmed location in Africa covering the geographic regions areas, as well as a team of “ombuds relays” both at HQ and in various field delegations. “Ombuds relays” are resident and mobile employees from across different sectors, who offer up to 10% of their work time on Ombuds tasks, including proximity and linguistic connection, as well as the promotion of the ecosystem of staff support as well as key organizational approaches and values (including the Ethics, Risk & Compliance Office (ERCO), the Global Independent Board of Appeals, (GIBA), staff representations, Diversity and Inclusion, Values Compass, Mental Health Support, etc.) throughout the organization. The ombuds network is placed under the overall responsibility of the chief ombudsperson.

The purpose of the ombuds network is to enhance amicable and interest-based communications throughout the organizations in order to increase a positive and high-quality workplace experience and assure individuals, teams and the organization have all possible support in handling conflicts related to the workplace, at any and every level of the organization. The ombuds officers are independent of the ICRC’s management. The Chief Ombuds Officer is, for administrative reasons, affiliated with the Executive Office of the Director-General. Ombuds services are confidential, neutral and informal. The chief ombuds officer presents a yearly report to the Joint Commission (“commission paritaire” comprised of representatives of the employer and the Geneva-based staff association), the Global Staff Representation and other relevant internal bodies, on the ombuds activities and issues identified. The same report is subsequently presented to the Directorate and the Governance. This report is supported by both regular and as-needed communications with all parties involved in the management, leadership and governance of the ICRC.

Selection Process

The applications will be studied by a selection committee consisting of two staff representatives (Geneva-based Staff Association Committee (COMAP) as well as the Global Staff Representation structure) as well as two representatives of the employer. The choice will be based on the committee’s proposal.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Represent the ombuds network both internally and externally;
• Deliver direct ombuds services for the personnel at HQ as well as for any field personnel as needed;
• Receive individual members of staff, listen to them, and respectfully help them choose from co-generated options the modes of action (formal or informal) needed to advance the individual and the organization; stand by to help them during the process of handling the conflict, and, if necessary, accompany them through crises;
• Form constructive and respectful links with all relevant ICRC personnel (managers, unit heads, directors, leaders, Assembly members) and relayed functions:HR, Ethics Risk and Compliance Office (ERCO), Global Independent Board of Appeal (GIBA), Office of Corporate Legal Affairs (OCLA), staff representations (COMAP & GSR), Executive Office of the Director General, Presidency, Assembly;
• Complement the overall advancement efforts of the HR ecosystem of support by identifying critical systemic challenges and proposing practical measures to address these;
• Work with line managers and human resources in order to promote training in conflict-resolution skills, communication skills, principled conduct, and teamwork in culturally and professionally sensitive environments;
• Participate and contribute in transversal meetings and remain in contact with people occupying other ICRC functions that furnish individual and confidential help for staff members such as those engaged in staff health/mental health, ERCO, GIBA, OCLA, COMAP, GSRs, ER, and Human Resource Managers;
• Keep accurate and appropriate statistics in accordance with the standards of the International Ombudsman Association;
• Coordinate the drafting of the annual ICRC ombuds report, an internal document, which is addressed to the “commission paritaire” (joint commission of employer and mobile staff association), the Global Staff representation, the Directorate, Governance and management generally;
• Remain in contact with ombuds persons from other organizations and from private companies as well as with relevant parts of the academic world.

Education and experience required

• University degree, ideally in social science related to the work of ombuds, or equivalent training;
• Successful working experience, within the ICRC or another humanitarian or international organization or successful experience as an ombuds in a large sophisticated organization;
• Experience, knowledge and talent in the fields of mediation and coaching;
• Working experience in different geographical and cultural environments;
• Good knowledge of the ICRC and the International Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement an asset.

Desired profile and skills

• Strong identification with the ICRC’s mission, culture and principles;
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills (including being a good listener), as well as networking and negotiation skills;
• Strong team leadership skills;
• Open-minded and empathetic, with a proven sense of fairness and justice and a personal set of values that reflect respect and compassion for others;
• Intercultural sensitivity.

Additional information

• Location: Geneva
• Type of contract: Maximum duration contract 4 years (renewable 4 years)
• Grade: C3
• Activity rate: 100%
• Estimated start date: 1 February 2023 (to be discussed)
• Application deadline: 13 November 2022

Are you ready to explore the next chapter of your career? Apply now!

The ICRC values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all regions of the world.