Senior Liaison Officer - Office of the Regional Director (Strong candidate identified)

Organizational Context

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 the 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.” The 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 the 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 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. The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The 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.

Job Purpose

The Senior Liaison Officer will support MENA Regional Director in ensuring focus on strategic priority files, timely decisions/actions, and provide early warning of key matters pertaining to all of MENA operations and with other Movement partners, I envision a support role functions that goes beyond EA with more senior duties and responsibilities. The role includes liaison, oversight, and conflict resolution functions needing a very energetic and proactive person with highly evolved diplomacy skills, patience, and attention to detail. The job would be 60% strategic support to the Regional Director, and 40% Office Management.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The function would have three main Responsibilities:

1. Monitoring, Planning and Prioritization

• Act as gatekeeper, quality assurance, and liaison for the office of the RD with all of IFRC, Movement and external partners
• Follow up with key staff on deliverables, deadlines, and meeting decisions. Suggest ideas to resolve issues when needed.
• Liaise with and support RD to strengthen relations with MENA NS leaders (or their designated staff) on behalf of the RD to set up meetings, agendas, follow-up as needed with all teams.
• Ensure that the Regional Director is informed of the views, concerns and ideas of senior management and staff at large for strengthening MENA wide performance, achieving results, instituting innovative solutions and mitigating risks.
• Liaise with country reps to ensure deliverables and outcomes as per regular or specific reporting
• Liaison with Other IFRC region and Geneva departments as needed
• Liaison and support to the OSG on various files including translation of sensitive documents.
• Advise the RD on matters and issues pertaining to MENA/IFRC historical contexts, institutional experiences, teamwork, and anticipated events.

2. Coordinate Meetings, Events, and Presentations

• Anticipate and coordinate (with key stakeholders) thorough preparations for meetings including venue, technology, agenda, attendees, and other matters as they arise. And including final approval of agendas and documentation prior to submission to the Regional Director.
• Ensure optimal engagement of the Regional Director’s time and schedule on behalf of the Federation, including planning and securing meetings with international, national and community leaders.
• Prepare and/or edit/standardize presentations on key files and thematic areas overseen by the RD
• Attend & summarize select meetings or pre-meetings to represent the RD
• Join the RD on key external engagements and ensure follow up with teams as needed.
• Read and summarize select documents or files as tasked by RD
• Oversee IFRC MENA staff on select topics and report on compliance
• Develop and maintain effective liaison with senior staff (e.g., Deputy Director, Directors, Cluster and Country office Heads and Senior Management Team.). 

3. Admin and Office Management

• Chair the admin assistants working groups
• Promote and be a champion of teamwork, culture of respect and values
• Daily tasks to manage calendars, visitors, trips, meetings, virtual communications, draft correspondence in English/Arabic, arrange transport, and other matters as they arise
• Administration support to the office to ensure full functionality in Lebanon and on the road in coordination with RO Admin and CO’s.
• Supervise administration support staff as needed.
• Work behind the scenes with team leads and country reps to resolve matters before they come to the attention of the RD.
• Update the #SGs of MENA NSs mail list
• Duties applicable to all staff
• 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

• Degree or Diploma in l/Business/Social Science Studies/ Public Relations – required
• Additional advanced university degree (master's) in a second relevant field of study; or training or certifications in relevant fields – preferred

Experience

• More than10 years’ experience in an administrative or secretarial role, with sound skills in typing, filing and translation – required
• Experience in dealing with government officials and diplomatic community preferred – required
• Demonstrated professional experience working in an advisory role or coordinating activities in support of executive leaders or other senior officials at the international or national level, including representational experience – required
• Demonstrated professional experience in a field-based location in humanitarian response or economic and social development – required

Knowledge, skills and languages

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail – required
• Good interpersonal skills; self-supporting in computers (windows, spreadsheets, word-processing – required
• Ability to work in stressful situations – required
• Ability to work in multi-cultural environment – required
• Willing and able to work within established policies & procedures – required
• Independent, pro-active and highly organized – required
• Discretion, loyalty and ability to identify and handle sensitive issues and confidential information – required

Languages

• Fluently spoken and written English – required
• Good command of Arabic and French – required

Competencies and values

• Core competencies: Communication, Collaboration &Teamwork, Judgement &Decision Making, National Society &Customer Relations, Creativity &Innovation, Building Trust
• Functional competencies: Strategic Orientation, Building Alliances