IFRC Country Coordinator for Guatemala & El Salvador

The International Federation is guided by its Strategy 2020 which voices our collective vision and determination to move forward in tackling the major challenges that confront humanity in the present decade.

The Country Coordinator provides technical support and liaison role related with the Federation Secretariat relationships in Guatemala & El Salvador. The Country Coordinator is accountable for planning and monitoring the implementation and to ensure timely reporting of IFRC funding initiatives. The Country Office Coordinator will give special attention to: • Increase Secretariat timely monitoring of quality of program implementation and its efficient reporting. • Provide regular support for capacity building of the national societies with special attention to services development and quality programming. • Facilitate the IFRC support to national societies in their work with vulnerable people and the relationship with government authorities technical teams. • Coordinate, follow up and monitor country support plans in Guatemala & El Salvador.

The Country Coordinator reports to Director of Zone. In general, the tasks and responsibilities of this position are as follow:

• Advice the national societies or Secretariat on areas where the NS needs a focus of support for its active humanitarian diplomacy; • Identify and prioritized capacity building support at NS head quarters and branch levels; • Make visible the work the NS is doing to better position itself within the country; • Lead the country support plan implementation process and increase NS usage of quality standards; • Facilitate technical support in times of disaster response operations and serve as antenna for additional IFRC support for political or strategical matters; • According to SOPs ensure timely reporting and regular monitoring of program activities

The priority areas of ongoing concentration includes: the promotion of program integration for a wider community resilience; operational dialogue with relevant stakeholders; enhancing the understanding by government authorities technical teams of the Red Cross auxiliary role; strengthen a culture of accountability and timely reporting; influence and support efforts for the modernization of the assigned national societies.

Job duties and responsibilities

A. Operational support to respond to NS strategic directions:

1. Promote usage of Federation policies and guidelines in programming and for institutional governance and management.
2. Support activities that increase volunteering development, diversity and innovation at central and at local Red Cross branch levels.
3. Increase opportunities to link program initiatives to better regularly position the RC auxiliary role helping guarantee humanitarian space and access.
4. Provide relevant support for the implementation of the Interamerican Framework for Action 2012 - 2016 and its alignment with S2020.

B. Customized support to the needs of the NS and its local branches:

1. Reflect in the country support plans those needs and priority areas for improving the quality of the programs to address main humanitarian challenges and serve as IFRC liaison to support NS in the elaboration of strategic plans for NS development.
2. Dedicate efforts as a priority for effective monitoring and evaluation to measure programme implementation, to improve institutional and individual learning, and to increase performance and accountability.
3. Identify key systems and services that need to be better modernized in order to increase opportunities for income generation, fund raising and NS self sustainability.

C. Facilitate appropriate operational or technical support:

1.Promote program integration and serve as focal point for IFRC initiatives in the country. 2. Encourage regular presence of branch staff and volunteers in training opportunities, technical meetings and networks, as well in the participation of learning initiatives, within the country or internationally.

D. Operational coordination

1.Facilitate the process for the production of a movement cooperation framework in close consultation with RRO and aligned to overall zone directions; 2. As appropriate, actively support a Cooperation Strategy with movement partners, focusing on priority areas within the NS Strategic Plan, the CSP and Operational Plan; 3. Put in place coordination mechanisms for operational matters with movement partners and ensure zone office virtual participation in Movement strategic meetings; 4.Support the federation wide reporting efforts. 5. Participate in Movement Coordination meetings, previous consultation with supervisor 6. Facilitate coordination among the Federation and NS technical staff in all issues related to programs and projects under the CSP and ensure an integrated approach 7. Ensure coordination with RRO or Zone Office in order to support the development and implementation of a cohesive and coherent technical and strategic approach to resource mobilisation based on the CSP and the 2012-16 Framework for Action.

E. Promoting a culture of knowledge (information) management:

1. Capture leanings from program implementation/development and systems development and generate ongoing opportunities for knowledge sharing within the NS and – under the auspices of the regional or Zone Office - between NS.

2. Promote country wide access for learning and knowledge sharing, including the Federation learning platform and fednet.

F. Relationship management:

1.Monitor and analyse political, economic and social trends in the assigned country(tries). 2.Support the NS in building good relations with national authorities, international and national organisations, donor governments and other organisations represented in the country, as well as with national and international media. 3. Ensure effective working relationships with the national society’s governance and senior management, volunteers and employees and Movement partners; with external partners; and with Secretariat technical departments, units and offices at all levels. 4.Inform, advise and request support of RRO or Zone Office concerning Humanitarian Diplomacy and advocacy priorities, opportunities and related initiatives in country.

G. Effective response to disasters:

1.Inform the relevant IFRC teams about conditions of a disaster or emergency and advise the National Society about the IFRC support mandate and technical resources; 2.Organize the logistics for mobilization of an immediate operational capacity of Zone or IFRC international response teams in accordance with Movement policies and Federation standard operating procedures; 3.Facilitate a rapid, well-coordinated and professional disaster response support for NS and for immediate assessments according to agreed SOPs; 4.Actively engage with the RRO and/or Zone Office and the operational teams in-country to ensure the most-timely early-recovery and recovery process respecting the NS strategic directions and Federation policies. 5.Be available up to 10 days to support the IFRC response whenever required by the system in the Americas.

General management:

1.Monitor and be responsible for the Federation budget and funding allocated to the countries and manage personnel, security, fixed assets, financial assets and other resources under his/her responsibility, in accordance with Secretariat procedures and regulations. 2.Ensure that planning, budgeting and reporting (both management and donor reports) is carried out in a timely and appropriate manner in accordance with Secretariat requirements, formats and standards. 3.Advise the RRO and/or Americas Zone management on the country main humanitarian needs that requires Zone attention. 4.While the services provided to NS will vary according to an articulated need reflected in country support plans, special attention will be given to the provision of the following service priorities to enhance national societies system development on: •resource mobilisation development •finance development •knowledge (and information) management •Reporting and Capacity building •Country Support Planning 5.Be responsible for the safety and security of all Federation personnel in the geographic area of responsibility, in coordination with ICRC (if applicable). This includes: update and maintain security regulations, establish contingency plans including evacuation, share information and coordinate with ICRC, UN, local authorities and other humanitarian actors as regards security.

Structure, Staffing and Administration:

1.Facilitate renovation of an agreement with the with the host national society. 2.Ensure in their planning, budgeting and programming that the office structure is optimal, efficient, adequate and manageable and operates from within the host NS structure. 3.Potential deficits and exposure must be addressed in advance. 4.Coordinate with the RRO and the Zone Office any technical and programmatic support that is required. 5.Work towards the achievement of Federation goals in the country of operation through effective managerial and lateral relations and team work. 6.Perform other work related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the supervisor / line manager

Duties applicable to all staff 1.Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals 2.Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles 3.Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

Education Relevant University degree; Relevant advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) or equivalent qualification Experience At least 4 years senior management experience in a similarly wide-ranging role; Minimum of 3 years high-level representation experience Proven skills and experience in programme development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; At least 4 years field experience in complex humanitarian work, preferably in the region and with the RC/RC; Demonstrated success in planning, project management and reporting; Experience in relation to organisational development and capacity enhancement, change management, and related aspects. Knowledge and Skills Excellent communication skills

Good analytical skills and solution focused person

Demonstrable accountability

Ability to work well in a multicultural team

Excellent stress management skills

Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spreadsheets, word-processing, email, etc.) Languages Fluently spoken and written English and Spanish Good command of another IFRC official language (French or Arabic) (preferred)

How to apply:

Please send your CV and Motivation Letter in English to: hr.americas@ifrc.org with reference to “12AM17 Country Coordinator”. Applications will not be accepted after Tuesday, October 2, 2012. Applications without a Motivation Letter will not be considered *Take note that this position is only for national citizens.