The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies 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.
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.
IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.
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.
IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.
The Agenda for Renewal provides a vision for how the IFRC sees its role in the implementation of Strategy 2030. The Agenda for Renewal ensures that the IFRC provides strategic and operational membership coordination, National Society Development services and represents the collective with humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy. The IFRC Secretariat work is guided by its Plan & Budget 2026-2027, articulated around five strategic priorities: Climate and Environmental Crises, Evolving Crises and Disasters, Growing gaps in health and wellbeing, Migration and Identity, Values Power and Inclusion; and the IFRC renewal priorities.
The position will be key in promoting the IFRC renewal which prioritizes a unified, one-global-team approach to National Society Development, strengthening coherence, quality and alignment across Geneva, Regional, Cluster and Country teams. It focuses on six foundational areas essential for strong National Societies: volunteering and youth development; reinforcing the auxiliary role and legal base; safeguarding and promoting the Fundamental Principles; proactive governance and integrity-risk management; long-term financial sustainability; and robust management systems that enable quality, accountable and locally led services.
This position is based in the Africa Regional Office and leads a strategic, cross-team platform for membership services and NSD in support of IFRC 15 Cluster Delegations and 49 African National Societies, and PNS, working as part of the one global NSD team. The role operates within the IFRC Renewal’s matrix model to ensure coherent, quality-assured NSD across the region, anchored in unified planning and the Way of Working (WOW).
Job Purpose
The purpose of this position is to coordinate National Society Development and Membership Services across the Africa Region as part of IFRC’s one global NSD team. The role ensures coherent, locally led, and evidence‑informed NSD support across the six foundational areas of volunteering and youth, auxiliary role and legal base, Fundamental Principles, governance and integrity risk management, financial sustainability, and core NS management systems, integrated into operations and programmes. It strengthens alignment with Geneva on policies, standards, tools, and NSD investments (including NSIF/NSID), promotes peer‑to‑peer learning and digital transformation, and advances strong, trusted, and sustainable National Societies. The position also supports branch development, leadership development, and coordinated partner engagement, while driving the implementation of the Pan‑African NSD initiative and fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and evidence‑based decision‑making across the region.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Coordination
* Represent the IFRC with internal and external stakeholders in all aspects of National Society development.
* Provide strategic leadership and coordination for NSD support to NS across the Africa Region, ensuring a coherent portfolio of support in line with the Strategy 2030, AfR and IFRC Renewal and operating as one global team with the Geneva NSD Department.
* Promote regional adoption of global NSD policies, standards, tools and frameworks; ensure quality assurance and alignment with the NSD Framework, Policy, Compact and Results Framework.
* Lead integration of NSD priorities into Unified Country Plans and operational plans, applying the Way of Working (WOW) for partner coordination, and ensuring NS-led prioritization.
* Drive consistent use of evidence and investments for decision-making by consolidating assessments (e.g., OCA, PER, CRRA) and using the National Society Investment Framework and Dashboard (NSIF/NSID).
* Oversee region-wide support to National Societies across the six foundational NSD areas: (a) volunteering and youth (including branch strengthening and volunteer safety); (b) auxiliary role and legal base (including RCRC law, Disaster Law, and statutes work and engagement with public authorities); (c) adherence to the Fundamental Principles; (d) leadership, governance development and proactive integrity risk prevention and management; (e) financial sustainability (including emphasis on finance development, asset management and domestic resource mobilisation)
* Support in embedding NSD in emergencies by leveraging DREF and Emergency Appeals, ensuring targeted institutional strengthening alongside emergency response and recovery.
* Serve as focal point for integrity issues in close collaboration with the Governance Support team and regional leadership; ensure compliance with rules and procedures; anticipate, mitigate and address risks.
* Promote and enable peer-to-peer learning, communities of Practice, and collaboration with Reference Centers and contribute to statutory meetings and the Pan‑African Conference.
* Represent IFRC on governance/NSD with internal and external stakeholders; and lead the development, implementation and monitoring of Pan-African initiative on NSD through operational networks, peer-to-peer learning and support mechanisms for National Societies.
* Lead and manage the regional NSD team, with direct reports at regional level and technical reporting lines (matrix) across cluster and country delegations; promote a culture of performance, learning and inclusion.
* Ensure effective coordination with technical units in the Regional Office and with cluster/country delegations, Partner National Societies, ICRC and other actors.
* Foster an innovation and evidence generation culture centred on NSD support; simplify tools and methodologies and avoid duplication by adopting a single portfolio process co-owned with regions.
Effective matrix and people management
* Ensure a well-managed team while promoting a culture of performance and continuous learning.
* Contribute to the effective coordination with technical units of the Regional Office.
* Ensure effective coordination with focal points from Country Delegations, Country Cluster Delegations and Geneva focal points.
Duties applicable to all staff
* Work actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals.
* Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
* Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.
Education
* Master’s degree or equivalent in International Affairs, Political Science, Law, Economics, Public Policy, Social Studies or other relevant field of study; or a first-level university degree combined with extensive relevant experience. Required.
Experience
* At least 7 years of experience in Governance and/or National Society Development or a combination of these areas of expertise within the RCRC Movement. Required.
* At least 7 years of experience managing staff and leading multi-disciplinary teams. Required.
* Experience with National Societies on capacity building, membership services and other policy issues. Required.
* Experience working with partners and in a multicultural, international environment. Preferred.
* Experience leading region‑wide portfolios and matrix management across multiple country/cluster delegations. Preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Languages
* Highly developed leadership and influencing skills; ability to inspire NSs, governments, partners and teams. Required.
* Familiarity with IFRC and NS pledging, resource development systems and domestic resource mobilisation systems. Required.
* Able to network effectively, influence and inspire others including National Societies, governments, other agencies, peers, staff, and partners. Required.
* Professional credibility, strong analytical skills, and communication skills, and ability to work at various levels of complexity. Required.
* Superior oral and written communication, networking and representation skills. Required.
* Proven ability to motivate and manage a team; excellent collaboration and teamwork skills. Required.
* Strategic analysis, systematic planning, and implementation skills and ability to translate strategy into reality. Required.
* Proficiency with evidence-based NSD approaches, including OCA, PER, CRRA, and use of NSIF/NSID dashboards. Preferred.
* Understanding of the Way of Working (WOW), Unified Planning, and Results Frameworks. Preferred.
* Fluent spoken and written English. Required.
* Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish, or Arabic). Required.
* Other Languages. Preferred.
Competencies, Values and Comments
* 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.
* Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others.
* Managerial competencies: Managing staff performance; Managing staff development
* NSD Competency Framework: Demonstrated alignment with IFRC NSD competencies across roles.
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