Operating Manager for Operations

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ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross

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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 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

The Department of Operations oversees ICRC field operations worldwide, leading regions and delegations, with due regard for staff security. It oversees the global analysis of key trends. It leads the design, prioritization, budgeting, planning, and delivery of operations and partnered multi-year activities and projects. It collaborates transversally with other departments to ensure effective outcome-focused and people-centric delivery.

The Operating Manager (OM) for the Department of Operations ensures the department's optimal internal/HQ functioning of the department, in terms of its HQ/corporate services network (CSN) budgets, Planning for Results (PfR), systems, data, processes, change and organizational development portfolio management, as well as risk and compliance. They work in close partnership and collaboration across the Department. On matters related to the internal (HQ) functioning of the department, they are the main speaking partner for functional partners (such as Finance, People & Culture, Technology and Information (T&I), Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO), etc.), Operating Managers in other departments, and represent the department in institutional bodies.

Core duties and responsibilities (1/2)

  • Supervise the department's yearly headquarter Planning and Monitoring for Results (PfR) process, oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of the department's objectives and corresponding budgets, and define, monitor and report on the key performance indicators at the departmental level, along with the Operations leadership team.
  • Be the leading department's internal and external conduit 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 services across the institution, in close coordination and partnership with the department leadership as well as ICRC-wide technical teams. Ensure that relevant Business Intelligence support tools are developed and available for the steering of the department and the implementation of the Institutional Strategy roadmap.
  • Be accountable for supporting key institutional initiatives from a process point of view - articulation, planning and sequencing of the internal change and organizational development portfolio. Support the Director in identifying 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.
  • In close coordination with the Department management, implements and strengthens compliance and risk-management practices, ensuring effective risk identification and the definition and implementation of mitigation measures. This includes handling the portfolio of Major Institutional Risks (MIR) at the department level and ownership of the consolidated follow-up of internal audit recommendations for the Department of Operations.

Core duties and responsibilities (2/2)

  • Coordinate learning and development initiatives across the department, liaising with the Learning and Development Division.
  • Maintain an overview of the evolution of staff well-being within the department and orchestrate efforts to promote well-being and positive engagement.
  • 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.
  • Directly manage a specialized team, ensuring efficient support to managers, team members and the department's overall management. Oversee and support all areas related to HQ PfR and budget control, systems, data processes, department portfolio, change and communication, administrative assistance and information management, etc.

Scope & Impact

  • The Operating Manager report to the Director of Operations.
  • 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 Operations Director.
  • The team reporting directly to the Operating Manager for Operations is typically between 3 and 8.

Relationships

  • Internally, interacts with Department and division leadership, Platform for Organization and Management, Business Process Managers, Technology & Information Division, Ethics, Risk and Compliance Office (ERCO), Project Management Office, People and Culture (PAC), Finance and Administration (FAD) as well as peers in other departments. Regularly interacts with business partners across the organization (e.g. Controller, Finance Business Partner, HR Business Partner, Working Environment Group and Finance & Administration General Services Unit).
  • Externally, represents the department as required.

Education and experience required

  • Typically at least 15 years of professional experience, including ten or more in project/programme management and strategic planning.
  • At least 5 years of team management experience and proven ability to develop and empower a diverse workforce.
  • Advanced university degree, e.g. in business administration.
  • Detailed understanding of the department’s business delivery requirements and external best practices in all areas under control.
  • Confirmed project/programme management experience; consistent track record in accompanying organizational change. Change management certification is an asset.
  • Experience in organizational performance (monitoring and evaluation) and organizational development is an asset.
  • Sound knowledge of ICRC policies and programming is an asset.
  • Experience in budget and planning responsibilities.
  • Portfolio management experience is an asset.
  • Professional certification in project/programme management an asset – e.g. Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) or Project Management Professional (PMP).
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and French is a strong asset.
  • Computer proficiency. Advanced Excel, strong PowerPoint, Word and database skills.

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.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: careers.icrc.org