The Swiss Red Cross (SRC) is an integrated national society under the framework of the International Federation of Red Cross / Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement, our work is guided by seven Fundamental Principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), as an auxiliary to the Government of Bangladesh and guided by the same Fundamental Principles, is one of the leading humanitarian organizations in the country. BDRCS has 68 branches and activities that cover the entire country.

SRC has a long-term presence in Bangladesh and continues to provide support to BDRCS through multilateral and bilateral programs in line with the BDRCS Strategy 2021-2025, IFRC Strategy 2030, and Swiss Red Cross Strategy 2030.

While the SRC Country Programme 2021-24 focuses on the three pillars Disaster Management, Health and National Society Development, the thematic framework of the international engagement of the SRC 2025-28 defines three core areas of engagement in: disasters, climate and crisis; health and care; and migration, with the emphasis on building a strong and efficient Sister National Society.

The duty station of this assignment is the Population Movement Office (PMO) of the BDRCS and IFRC in Cox’s Bazar (CXB).

Since 2018, BDRCS with the support of the SRC established and operated five Primary Health Care Centres (PHC) in five different camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar. The focus of this support is to improve access of guest and host communities to health and protection services (e.g., SGBV counselling and case management, Restoring Family Links and Psycho-social Support Services).

While the PHCs provide preventive, promotive, and curative services along with simple diagnostic investigations and access to referral facilities, the community-based health volunteers are the backbone of prevention and promotion components.

The SRC-supported portfolio in Cox’s Bazar also comprises a Solid Waste Management (SWM) component, with two well-established and operational waste management systems are operated in camp 15 and in the Palongkhali Union and comprehensive outreach and behavior change activities in communities, markets and schools. In Palongkhali, the project works closely with local authorities with the aim to achieve sustainability by the end of the project phase.

Job Purpose:

The Senior Manager, Program Operations has the overall responsibility of the management of the SRC Sub-Office in Cox’s Bazar and contributes to the overall position and institutional learning of the SRC in Bangladesh. The position will ensure communication, coordination, and reporting to the SRC Office in Dhaka.

The position will be responsible for the management and coordination of SRC supported programming in CXB within the framework of the Population Movement Office (PMO) and BDRCS Cox’s Bazar unit and ensuring that the programs are well aligned and coordinated with the wider response and RCRC Movement partners. The position is responsible for enforcing and monitoring compliance of policies including IFRC security rules and regulations. In particular, the position is responsible for managing the SRC Cox’s Bazar team.

In addition, the position will contribute to initiatives of strengthening the capacity of the SNS, proactively coordinate with RCRC Movement Partners, relevant ISCG Sectors and other government and non-government actors.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Management & Technical Support

• Management of the SRC sub-office in Cox’s Bazar, staff supervision and technical support
• Professional planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluating SRC’s activities in Cox’s Bazar in coordination with Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement Partners and other stakeholders.
• Monitoring progress, overseeing and controlling budgets, regular narrative and financial high-quality reporting to donors and SRC Headquarters
• Representing and advocating in governmental and non-governmental meetings
• Provide strategic guidance and operational support to the project teams of SRC and BDRCS.
• Supporting the BDRCS on the development of strategies and program initiatives (and tools) in collaboration with IFRC, RCRC partners, PMO sector leads and external partners.
• In coordination with the Country Representative explore new in-country funding opportunities, positioning of BDRCS-SRC and the development of new proposals.
• Contributing to the movement-wide support mechanisms for strengthening the BDRCS PMO operational capacity.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Ensure excellent program management skills are applied to all aspects including, but not limited to, applying best practices in program design; monitoring of project implementation;
• Jointly with SRC Head of Finance and Administration of SRC Country Office ensure financial compliance with budget management to generate relevant, accurate and timely information and reports for informed decisions.
• Ensure mainstreaming of all transversal themes, defined in the SRC IC programme (Linking Relief, Rehabilitation and Development (LRRD), Conflict- Sensitive Programme Management (CSPM), gender and diversity) in CXB projects.
• Contribute to the overall documentation to enhance programmatic quality and visibility as well as to build/strengthen institutional memory of SRC and partner organisations.

Coordination and Partnership Management

• Provide regular updates to and consultation with SRC County Representative and SRC SMT.
• Represent SRC in meetings and platforms both within and outside the RCRC Movement.
• Ensure regular and effective coordination with BDRCS, IFRC, RCRC partners and project counterparts in the PMO.
• Network and establish functional relationships with key stakeholders including government and non-government agencies, ISCG Sectors and I/NGOs in implementation of programming in CXB.
• Ensure adherence by all parties to the terms of engagement as defined in the various agreements/MoUs and strengthen capacities of BDRCS to maintain and strengthen existing partnerships.
• Ensure regular and transparent communication with programme donors, among others, the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) office in Cox’s Bazar.
• Ensure and promote teamwork through transparent, trustworthy, consistent decision-making and through maintaining strong communication and establishing knowledge exchange platforms.

Education Requirements:

• Master’s degree in social science, development studies, environment/public health   or related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of budgeting, budget oversight, accounting principles and practical application of financial systems, experience in administrative and human resource management;
• At least 10 years working for a humanitarian aid / development organisation(s) with strong project management and proven coordination skills.

Experience:

Required

• Minimum of 10 years professional experience with proven management/supervisor responsibilities, with the ability of creating an environment of trust and learning.
• Demonstrated experience and achievements in humanitarian and/or development programme management and management of complex emergency (protracted) health programs (preferred demonstrated experience in CXB.
• Demonstrated experience in donor management including quality and timely report submissions
• Demonstrated experience in proposal and concept development.
• Demonstrated experience working in a consortium and/or partnership implementation modality.
• Demonstrated experience in managing small- to medium scale disaster-emergency response programs.
• Demonstrated experience in financial management.

Prefered

• Red Cross Red Crescent Movement experience
• Working experience in the displacement crisis response in Cox’s Bazar
• International working experience in the humanitarian / development sector

Knowledge and Skills:

• Organizational skills, problem solving mind, analytical, flexible, rigorous, partner-orientation, with common sense and autonomous.
• Mobility and flexibility, willing to work in the multi-cultural team and gender sensitive.
• Proven skills in networking, negotiation and stakeholder management.
• Good interpersonal and intercultural skills, the ability to communicate clearly and effectively and build relationships at all levels.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• High level of attention to details in all aspects of work responsibilities.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to priority multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Good knowledge of the RC/RC principles, Code of Conduct, Humanitarian standards

Languages:

• Advanced knowledge of written and spoken English.
• Fluent in speaking and writing Bangla.

Salary Range: Negotiable.

Other Benefits

• Festival Bonus
• Life & Medical Insurance
• Provident fund & Gratuity
• Medical reimbursement for staff and immediate family members.
• Other benefits as per Staff Regulation.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are requested to apply with Motivational Letter, CV and Employment Certificates sending an e-mail to bangladesh.delegation@ifrc.org on or before 07 January 2024. IFRC reserves the right to fill the role prior to the advertisement end date. As such, candidates are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience.

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

About us:

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation. The IFRC Country Office in Bangladesh has worked alongside the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) for more than 30 years in humanitarian fields including disaster management, with a focus on the cyclone early warning and response programme in the coastal belt, and disaster preparedness and response during natural disasters.

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