Head of Sub-Delegation

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.

The 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.

The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into four main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Coordination, (ii) Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, (iii) Management and Accountability and (iv) People and Strategy.

The 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.

The 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.

In Myanmar, IFRC is supporting the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) through a 100 million Swiss franc emergency appeal operation in response to the 28 March 2025 earthquake alongside longer-term programmes, to reach 20,000 households. To effectively accompany the MRCS in addressing immediate to recovery humanitarian needs wrought by the earthquake, the IFRC Country Delegation in Myanmar is bolstering its operational capacity through a sub-delegation in Mandalay.

The Head of Sub-Delegation is a representative of the Head of Delegation and business manager of the IFRC in Mandalay with delegated authority and responsibility. Under leadership and guidance of the Head of Delegation, s/he assists the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) in strategic coordination of operation, NSD and external engagement and humanitarian diplomacy activities relating to the Earthquake Response as well as developing the IFRC strategy for supporting the MRCS in covering the key tasks set out below and as updated from time to time.

Management of Secretariat Resources

• Accountable to the Head of Delegation on achievement of results of the EQ response as a proactive manager and dynamic member of the IFRC Myanmar Country Delegation senior management team.
• Ensure that the IFRC Secretariat's gender and diversity policies, Code of Conduct, and all established HR policies and procedures are followed, and that staff are employed in accordance with local laws and practices.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning, individual and team accountability by ensuring that each team member has set objectives, team performance is monitored, and performance reviews are conducted timely.
• Ensure that the team works closely with the wider IFRC Myanmar Country Delegation team as well as counterparts in MRCS, Partner National Societies, ICRC and key external stakeholders (in particular humanitarian ones) throughout the programming cycle.
• Ensure that financial resources and facilities available are mobilized, managed and monitored for delivery of agreed activities in line with approved ceilings and finance procedures.
• Support the Head of Delegation in ensuring strategic coherence, alignment and programmatic coordination, longer-term programmes and other emergency operations implemented in Mandalay and Sagaing, as well as Chin and Magway as necessary (North-West).
• Ensure regular management reporting to the Head of Delegation.

Strategic Direction:

• Lead definition of the overall strategic vision and planning under guidance of the Head of Delegation and in collaboration with MRCS regional and hub leadership, Head of ICRC Sub-Delegation and other humanitarian actors.
• Ensure effective analysis of how the five IFRC global strategic priorities identified in Strategy 2030 can be factored in on practical solutions to respond to the needs derived from humanitarian challenges that are most relevant to Myanmar.
• Lead the sub-delegation team, including being a broker of technical guidance and mobilization of solidarity, by ensuring that relevant IFRC technical leads work together in mobilizing and coordinating assistance to MRCS, in line with the Federation-wide emergency appeal and the MRCS three-pillar earthquake response strategy.

Programmatic Coherence, Quality, Learning and Reporting:

• In close coordination with the Operations Manager, responsible for ensuring the application of IFRC and agreed Movement-wide policies, frameworks, procedures, standards, guidelines and methodologies in delivering assistance under the Emergency Appeal.
• Ensure that timely policy, strategic and technical advice is provided to MRCS and engaged on issues across preparedness, response, recovery, development programming continuum, in coordination with relevant IFRC management and technical staff.
• Lead processes at the sub-delegation related to conducting internal or external reviews and evaluations as well as other learning or evidence-gathering initiatives to inform institutional adjustments building on what is working well, improving on what could work better and discarding or modifying what is not working.
• In coordination with the PMER Coordinator, ensure an adequate monitoring system to track progress or deviation of implementation vis-à-vis the approved plan of action, and where there is deviation ensure corrective measures are taken or the plan of action is updated accordingly.

• In coordination with the PMER Coordinator, ensure that that all standard and pledge-based Appeal reporting deadlines are met and that a Federation-wide approach is taken to reflect the collective deliverables and impact of the IFRC network.
• In close coordination with the Head of Delegation and Operations Manager, advise and host staff and visitors from the country delegation, providing relevant briefings and necessary strategic, programmatic or administrative support.

Resource Mobilization:

• Engage with the Head of Delegation, Operations Manager and Strategic Partnership and Resource Mobilisation Unit in development and implementation of a fundraising strategy.

Risk Management:

• Ensure that risk management aspects of the operation – including but not limited to legal risk management, case management, compliance with applicable legal framework, reputation risk management and crisis communications management – are addressed proactively and effectively involving relevant IFRC colleagues.
• Ensure identification of risks and challenges to the ongoing programmes and provide advice to the Head of Delegation on mitigation strategies.

Security:

• Ensure that the Mandalay sub-delegation maintains a comprehensive and effective 24/7 security management that will have a positive impact on, and enhance, personnel as well as asset safety and security.
• Ensure that all personnel and assets under IFRC responsibility are adequately protected and that identified security risk are mitigated and much as possible.
• Ensure that appropriate context-specific security briefings and debriefings are provided to IFRC personnel and visitors arriving or exiting Mandalay, as well as any other visitors under IFRC security umbrella.

Coordination and Networking:

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with MRCS and the ICRC, as well as Partner National Societies, in decision-making to foster a culture of continuous engagement, consultation and coordination, and subsequently elevate recommendations on enhancing strategic and operational impact to the Head of Delegation.
• Network and coordinate with Movement partners, local authorities, UN agencies, international organizations, INGOs, inter-governmental organizations, local civil society organizations and other established stakeholder coordination groups to ensure that the Red Cross Red Crescent operation contributes to the overall humanitarian action, to avoid any duplication of effort and resources, and that the Red Cross Red Crescent is well informed on best practices and key developments in Mandalay.
• Working with MRCS on Federation-wide approach while ensuring Membership Coordination in supporting the Head of Delegation.

Representation:

• At the request of Head of Delegation, and in collaboration with MRCS, represent the IFRC network in inter-agency events with a view to influencing humanitarian advocacy and approaches.
• As delegated by Head of Delegation, be the IFRC representative in Mandalay for engagements with Movement and external stakeholders such as the local authorities, UN agencies, donor agencies, international organizations, INGOs, inter-governmental organizations, local civil society organizations.

• Relevant university degree is required.
• Basic Delegates Training Course (BTC), WORC, IMPACT or equivalent knowledge is preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years of programme management including human and financial resources, including at least 2 years of team management is required.
• Substantial experience in humanitarian operations and community led processes is required.
• Experience in representing a humanitarian organisation at a local, regional or national level is required.
• Experience in working for a humanitarian organisation internationally is preferred.
• Experience working in a membership organisation is preferred. 
• Experience of implementing recovery programmes is preferred. 
• Volunteer and/or work experience at national and/or international level in the Red Cross Red Cross Movement is preferred. 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills is required.
• Well-developed diplomacy and negotiation skills in a cross-cultural setting is required.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure is required.
• Ability to provide effective performance feedback is required.
• Ability to foster a spirit of teamwork and unity is required.
• Self-supporting computer literacy skills within a Microsoft Office environment is required.
• Valid international driving licence (manual gears) is required.
• Familiar with IFRC policies, procedures and systems is preferred.

Languages.

• Fluent spoken and written English is required. 
• Fluent spoken and written Burmese is required. 

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.

Managerial Competencies: Managing Staff Performance; Managing Staff Development.

Functional Competencies: Strategic Orientation; Building Alliances; Leadership; Empowering Others.