Director, Health and Care Department

Under the overall direction of the Under Secretary General, National Society Development and Operations Coordination, the Director, Health and Care Department, is responsible for overall management of the design of policies, strategies, planning, and implementation of Headquarter (HQ) files as well as for the monitoring and evaluation of the health program across the IFRC network in support of the work of National Societies and IFRC efforts to contribute to safer and more resilient communities, to address the needs of the most vulnerable, and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Director, Health and Care Department, leads the Federation’s global health team and is responsible for providing effective technical leadership to regional IFRC teams, clear management guidance and innovative program support for the development, adaptation and implementation of comprehensive health initiatives and solutions. The global health team focuses on the following priority areas: community health, emergency health, and water and sanitation.

Under the guidance of the Under Secretary General, National Society Development and Operations Coordination, the Director of the Health and Care Department has the following duties and responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for results and linkages along the full continuum of health-related activities – from development, volunteer and community preparedness and mobilization, risk reduction and health systems strengthening, to emergency health and epidemic/pandemic response - including in the areas of public health, maternal and child health, communicable and non-communicable diseases; nutrition and food security; first aid; voluntary non-remunerated blood donation; water and sanitation; prevention of violence, including gender-based violence; and social services, consistent with the priorities of Governance and the Secretary General.
• Lead and facilitate the provision of technical leadership and expertise in health and related areas to inform evidence-based sectorial policies, strategies, guidance and planning, situation analyses, program goals and design, program implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Promote innovative approaches relevant to the specific portfolios within the department in order to provide National societies with state-of-the-art, effective and efficient tools for the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of their respective sectorial programs.
• Lead the implementation of a strategic operational plan and the co-creation with IFRC network for supporting National Societies in the implementation of IFRC Strategy 2030 and of the IFRC Health and Care Framework 2030.
• Ensure coherent linkages and coordination with IFRC Reference Centres working on specific health priorities (e.g., psychosocial support, climate change and health), and represent the Secretariat in steering committees and other bodies as well as provide strategic guidance and promote innovative approaches within the network.
• Advise Senior Management on measures to ensure overall organizational coherence and coordination in the various sectors and portfolios and support the organization’s results-based management systems.
• Ensure effective strategic support to Governance bodies and follow-up on Governance resolutions and decisions.
• Act as a dynamic advocate and champion of health and related sectors as a core function of the IFRC and its membership, including representation of the organization in high-level global forums, engaging with and expanding strategic partnerships, and mobilizing resources.
  
• Collaborate with colleagues from different departments within the Federation to address multidimensional risks where Health and Care links with other services in times of emergencies, resilience and long-term approaches is needed, to ensure that the Federation has the appropriate capacity for assisting National Societies in responding to public health crises and emergencies.
• Support the development of resilience-based approaches and holistic health approaches.
• Increase stronger actions towards tangible results on commercial first aid, delivery of first aid and development of legal frameworks to support the work of National Societies in this field.

Key Tasks:

• Lead the Secretariat’s global health team, including line management and oversight within the department, matrix management with sectorial coordinators and colleagues in regional and country offices, and engagement with Global Reference Centres and expert groups.
• Manage the department in a professional manner with clear objectives, targets, results, and timelines, and ensure staff growth, motivation, and satisfaction, contributing to effective organizational talent management and overall institutional discipline.
• Foster and contribute to an ethos of learning, accountability, and transparency within the department and in broader organizational relations.
• Lead the global work planning and budgeting processes for the sectors and portfolios within the department.
• Work continuously to bring the Secretariat closer to National Societies and to foster Movement coordination and collaboration in related areas of work.
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the Secretary General or Under Secretary General.

Required:

• Post-graduate (i.e., Master’s or Ph.D. degree or equivalent) in public health /community health.
• University degree or professional qualification in medicine, nursing, or other medical field.

Required:

• Minimum 10 years of work experience, at management level, in health, social or economic development, epidemic response, or related field.

• Relevant experience at field level in health, social or economic development, epidemic response, or related field.

• 5 years of work in a multicultural environment or other relevant international organization.

Preferred:

• 5 years of work experience including management in a Red Cross/Red Crescent National Society, IFRC or ICRC.

Required:

• Knowledge of public health or other relevant sector, and experience in practically applying this knowledge.
• Strategic planning in a complex organizational environment and ability to formulate policies at a senior level.

• Ability to formulate policies at a senior level.

• Strong analytical skills.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and networking skills.

• Fluent spoken and written English.

Preferred:

• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).

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.