The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is seeking a Regional Head of Membership Services to provide strategic leadership and coordination for National Society development (NSD) support across the Africa Region. This role ensures a coherent portfolio of support in line with Strategy 2030, AfR, and IFRC Renewal, operating as one global team with the Geneva NSD Department.
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; (b) auxiliary role and legal base; (c) adherence to the Fundamental Principles; (d) leadership, governance development and proactive integrity risk prevention and management; (e) financial sustainability.
- 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.
Standard Duties
- Work actively 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.
Qualifications and Experience
- 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).
- Movement 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).
- Management Experience: At least 7 years of experience managing staff and leading multi-disciplinary teams (Required).
- Strategy & Policy: Experience with National Societies on capacity building, membership services and other policy issues (Required).
- International Context: Experience working with partners and in a multicultural, international environment (Preferred).
- Portfolio Leadership: Experience leading region-wide portfolios and matrix management across multiple country/cluster delegations (Preferred).
Skills, Knowledge, and Languages
- Highly developed leadership and influencing skills; ability to inspire NSs, governments, partners and teams.
- Familiarity with IFRC and NS pledging, resource development systems and domestic resource mobilisation systems.
- Able to network effectively, influence and inspire others including National Societies, governments, other agencies, peers, staff, and partners.
- Professional credibility, strong analytical skills, and communication skills.
- Strategic analysis, systematic planning, and implementation skills.
- Proficiency with evidence-based NSD approaches (OCA, PER, CRRA) and NSIF/NSID dashboards (Preferred).
- Understanding of the Way of Working (WOW), Unified Planning, and Results Frameworks (Preferred).
- Languages: Fluent spoken and written English (Required). Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish, or Arabic) (Required).
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the IFRC careers portal at careers.ifrc.org or via the direct application link provided below.
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