Operating Manager for International Law, Policy & Humanitarian Diplomacy

Contract

This is a ICRC - Open-ended contract. More about ICRC - Open-ended contracts.

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide 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 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

The Department of International Law, Policy & Humanitarian Diplomacy ensures the ICRC remains the reference organization on International Humanitarian Law(IHL) and other relevant bodies of law that protect people in situations of violence and strives to reinforce its role in that regard. It leads the design of ICRC's influencing strategies and steers the strategic development of its policy and humanitarian diplomacy.

The Operating Manager (OM) of the International Law, Policy and Humanitarian Diplomacy Department is in charge of the department's functioning, working closely with the director, head of divisions, units and centres of expertise and other department's Operating Managers. They are the main point of contact for functional partners - Finance, People & Culture, Internal Communication, Technology & Information, Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO), etc. and represent the department in front of the institutional bodies.

Core duties and responsibilities (1/2)

• Look after the Planning and Monitoring for Results (PfR) process, overseeing the development and implementation of the department's objectives and corresponding budgets and expenditures, and defining, monitoring and reporting on the key performance indicators at the departmental/division level in partnership with the leadership team. Contribute to developing the general PfR orientations of the entire Department and related budgetary figures. If needed, proposes to the Director mitigation measures.
• Be the primary department's internal and external point of contact on systems, data and processes-related matters. Responsible for steering the continuous development, improvement and integration of digital tools, applications and processes to support the effective delivery of the services across the institution, in close coordination and partnership with the department leadership as well as ICRC-wide technical teams.
• Oversee and support the translation of the ICRC Institutional Strategy into the department's strategic objectives. Be accountable for articulating, planning and sequencing the project portfolio, supporting the Director in identifying the top priorities and collaborating closely with institutional bodies or boards overseeing project delivery (Project Management Office, Tech & Data Board, etc.).
• Ensure the monitoring, control and reporting on all projects with communication and change-management frameworks in place to ensure effective adoption. Ensure the review of projects and processes and their prioritizing, considering the resources available and the workload. Manage interdependencies between projects, escalating issues and risks to the leadership team, with mitigation actions defined and undertaken as needed.
• Implement and strengthen compliance and risk-management practices across the department, ensuring effective risk identification as well as the definition and implementation of mitigation measures.
• Be the main focal point on all People and Finance matters, on behalf of the department's leadership and in close collaboration with the functional partners. Look after the department/division's organization design (OD) and be a primary contact for all matters that need validation at the departmental level (people matters, finance, job-grading, workspace needs and OD re-design, etc.).

Core duties and responsibilities (2/2)

• Lead a specialized team, ensuring efficient support to managers, team members, and the department's overall management. Oversee and support all areas related to PfR and budget control, systems, data processes, department portfolio, change management and communication, and office space management in the departments/divisions.
• Be the department voice and representative within the Platform for Organization and Management (POM). The POM tackles issues related to ICRC's internal functioning. It is vital in ensuring coherence and efficiency in issue identification, decision-making and follow-up across departments.

Scope & Impact

• The Operating Manager report to the Director of International Law, Policy & Humanitarian Diplomacy(LDP).
• They have a high operational impact within the department.
• Geographic remit: Global and department/division-wide.
• They are members of working groups and steering committees for inter-departmental projects.
• They are a decision-making authority in select steering committees on behalf of the LDP Director.
• The team reporting directly to the Operating Manager for International Law, Policy & Humanitarian Diplomacy is typically between 3 and 8. In addition, the Operating Managers at the department level supervise and coordinate the work of Operating Managers at the division level.

Relationships

• Internally, interacts with Department and division leadership, Platform for Organization and Management, , Business Process Managers, Technology & Information Division, Project Management Office, Finance and Administration (FAD) as well as peers in other departments.
• Externally, interacts with a network of other organizations and represents the ICRC vis-à-vis key partners such as donors and suppliers.

Education and experience required

• Typically at least 15 years of professional experience, including 10 or more in project/programme management and strategic planning.
• Advanced university degree, preferably in business administration.
• Professional certification in project/programme management – e.g. Managing Successful Programmes (MSP), Projects in Controlled Environments (PRINCE) or Project Management Professional (PMP) an asset.
• Change management certification is an asset.
• Detailed understanding of the department/division business delivery requirements and external best practices in all areas under control.
• Confirmed project/programme management experience; proven track record in accompanying organizational change.
• Experience in organizational performance is an asset.
• Sound knowledge of ICRC policies and programming is an asset.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and French.
• Computer proficiency. Advanced Excel, strong PowerPoint, Word and database skills.

What we offer

• The opportunity to practice your profession in a fast-paced humanitarian environment on a global level.
• An outstanding opportunity to contribute and play a meaningful role at an executive level.
• The opportunity for personal development & growth, including access to career and further development opportunities in the future.
• Adequate compensation & benefits package with social benefits, including pension plan, etc.

Additional information

• Location: Geneva
• Type of contract: open-ended (6 years)
• Grade: D1
• Activity rate: 100%
• Estimated start date: 1 January 2023
• Application deadline: 17 July 2022

Please note that if you are selected to participate in the case study, it will be during the first two weeks of August.

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.