Head, Corporate Services

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network, with 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. IFRC uses the Triple R – response, resilience and respect – to deliver on Strategy 2030. IFRC responds to disasters and crises, ensuring timely, coordinated and locally led humanitarian action. IFRC supports its members in building community resilience in the areas of climate and environment, health and wellbeing, and migration and displacement. IFRC promotes respect for our fundamental principles
of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality, including in our work on values, power and inclusion. The IFRC focuses throughout on our core mandate – our raison d’être – of strategic and operational coordination, humanitarian diplomacy, National Society development, and accountability.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General and has its Headquarters in Geneva and five regional offices in Africa (Nairobi); the Americas (Panama); Asia Pacific (Kuala Lumpur); Europe (Budapest); and MENA (Beirut), as well as representation offices, service centers and delegations across the globe.

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.

The Agenda for Renewal provides a vision for how the IFRC Secretariat sees its role in the implementation of Strategy 2030. The IFRC Secretariat focuses on its constitutional functions, strengthen National Societies as the primary humanitarian actors, move resources and authority closer to the local level, coordinate the Network more effectively, leverage digital transformation, and become a smaller, more agile and higher-performing organization.

In line with the Kinshasa Delegation Renewal 3.0 plan, the Manager, Corporate Services, leads digital transformation to help the delegation become smaller, more agile and higher performing.

The post holder reports to the Head of Delegation and is a member of the Delegation’s Management Team. The Head of Delegation retains overall accountability for the Delegation’s corporate service management and may directly engage on selected strategic, sensitive or high-risk matters as required.

The Head, Corporate Services, leads the delegation’s corporate services architecture, driving organizational effectiveness, strong governance, operational performance and continuous improvement. The role is accountable for ensuring a robust internal control environment, sound risk management, compliance, business continuity, digital transformation and high-performing support services that enable programme, operational and organizational excellence. The incumbent provides strategic leadership and oversight of Finance, Administration, Human Resources, Legal, Information Technology and Digital Transformation, Logistics and Procurement, Business Continuity
and Security functions, while supporting National Society development through strengthened corporate service capacities.

Coordination of Corporate Services

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Head of Delegation and delegation Management Team on corporate services, organizational effectiveness, risk management, compliance and internal controls.
• Lead the strategic direction, coordination and continuous improvement of corporate services.
• Lead the development and implementation of corporate systems, policies, procedures, tools and service delivery models that enhance organizational effectiveness and operational performance.
• Direct and support multidisciplinary technical teams, ensuring compliance with IFRC policies, global standards and delegated authorities.
• Lead initiatives to improve organizational effectiveness, service quality, cost efficiency and accountability through continuous improvement, simplification of processes and evidencebased decision-making.

Internal Control, Risk Management and Compliance

• Establish and maintain a robust internal control framework across all countries, programmes and operations, including areas of engagement with National Societies.
• Lead the implementation and follow-up of audit recommendations, internal control deficiencies and performance improvement actions identified through internal and external reviews. Identify, monitor and assess corporate and operational risks within the scope of responsibility
  and implement mitigation measures or escalate significant risks as appropriate
• Promote a culture of accountability, compliance, risk awareness and ethical conduct throughout the delegation.
• Ensure effective systems and controls are in place to support donor compliance, financial stewardship and organizational accountability

Corporate Services Delivery and Transformation

• Act as a strategic business partner to project and operations managers to ensure that corporate services solutions effectively support operational priorities, people, assets and equipment mobilization objectives and organizational performance.
• Oversee financial planning, resource allocation, financial management and performance monitoring to ensure efficient and effective use of resources.
• Oversee the effective and efficient provision of administrative services, including travel, meetings and conferences, translation and interpretation, archiving, insurance, facilities and office management.
• Oversee the development and implementation of a cohesive approach to human resources management, including workforce planning, talent acquisition, performance management, staff development, learning, compensation and benefits, HR analytics and compliance.
• Oversee the provision of high-quality legal advisory services and fit-for-purpose contracting frameworks, processes and tools.
• Lead the delegation's digital transformation agenda through process automation, business process re-engineering, adoption of digital tools, data-driven decision-making and AI-enabled productivity solutions where appropriate.

• Oversee the provision of secure, reliable and fit-for-purpose information technology, telecommunications and digital services, ensuring alignment with IFRC digital transformation priorities.
• Oversee supply chain, procurement and payment processes, ensuring timely service delivery, supplier confidence, value for money and compliance with IFRC policies and donor requirements.
• Lead the implementation, maintenance and continuous improvement of business continuity systems and plans across the delegation and country offices, ensuring alignment with IFRC policies, national legal frameworks and operational requirements.
• Oversee security coordination across the cluster and ensure implementation of IFRC security risk management systems in accordance with IFRC policies and delegated authorities.
• Ensure that security policies, procedures and resources are fit for purpose, adequately resourced and supportive of operational effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with Minimum Security Requirements (MSR) and maintain effective measures to protect personnel, assets, information and operations.

Membership Services

• Support National Societies in strengthening corporate services capacities, including finance, human resources, procurement, internal controls, digital transformation, security and business continuity, in line with National Society Development priorities.
• Support Participating National Society (PNS) service arrangements, integration agreements and related coordination mechanisms to ensure effective corporate services support across thenetwork.
  • Facilitate the exchange of good practices, knowledge sharing and organizational learning in
  areas related to corporate services across the network.
  

Representation and Partnerships

• Represent IFRC in external forums and networks relating to finance, human resources, procurement, digital transformation, risk management, legal affairs, security and corporate services.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with donors, financial institutions, auditors, legal advisors, suppliers, logistics providers, service providers, government authorities and other relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to partnerships and initiatives that promote innovation, service excellence and the sharing of best practices in corporate services.

Leadership and Matrix Management

• Contribute as a member of the delegation Management Team to strategic decision-making, organizational planning, resource allocation, risk management and organizational change initiatives.
• Provide leadership to multidisciplinary teams, fostering a culture of accountability, high performance, continuous learning, staff wellbeing and inclusion.
• Promote effective coordination and collaboration across IFRC offices, technical functions and National Societies operating under integrated status agreements.
• Ensure effective matrix management, clear accountability, staff development and succession planning within areas of responsibility.

• Master´s degree in management, public administration, business administration, international relations, law, finance, HR, logistics or other relevant field of study; or a first-level university degree combined with extensive relevant experience (Required)
• Qualification or certification in project management(Preffered)

• At least 7-8 years of progressively responsible management experience across multiple corporate service functions, including substantial experience overseeing multiple functional areas such as finance, HR, administration, supply chain, procurement, digital transformation, legal, risk management and/or security(Required)
• At least 5 years of demonstrated people management experience, including leadership of multi-disciplinary, complex and remote teams(Required)
• Demonstrated experience establishing, strengthening or overseeing internal control, risk management and compliance frameworks, including follow-up to internal/external audits and implementation of corrective actions(Required)
• Experience leading organizational transformation, business process improvement or digital transformation initiatives (Required)
• Strong experience working in an international, multicultural, and multidisciplinary environment(Required)
• Demonstrated experience in financial management, budgeting, resource planning and financial oversight, including responsibility for ensuring appropriate controls and efficient use of organizational resources (Preferred)
• Experience working in complex international, humanitarian and/or development environments, including in decentralized or field-based operations(Required)
• Experience working with Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, international organizations, NGOs or comparable membership-based organizations(Required)

Required

• Result-oriented, ability to lead transitions within a matrix management structure.
• Leadership skills.
• Professional credibility, strong analytical skills, and ability to work at various levels of complexity.
• Good communication, networking, and representation skills.
• Proven ability to motivate and manage a team.
• Strategic analysis, systematic planning, and implementation skills and ability to translate strategy into reality.
• Advanced knowledge of financial management and reporting applications.
• Advanced knowledge of internal control, risk management and compliance concepts and their practical application.
• Sound understanding of organizational governance, delegated authorities, accountability frameworks and segregation of duties, with the ability to balance operational agility with appropriate controls.
• Excellent collaborative and teamwork skills.
• Highly organized and results-oriented.
• Strong understanding of governance, risk management, internal controls and organizational performance improvement.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills and ability to negotiate while maintaining effective working relations.
• Ability to effectively provide training/capacity building sessions on corporate services management matters, contributing to a learning culture, sharing knowledge and engaging partners.
• Proven good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality, acting as a model of highest integrity in personal capacity and at team level.
• Demonstrated core proficiency in (a) digital communication and collaboration, (b) basic digital content creation, (c) digital safety and security, (d) data literacy, and (e) problem solving with technology (including responsible use of AI assistants).
• Understanding of and commitment to IFRC’s mission and values.
• Good understanding of business continuity, duty-of-care and security risk-management principles in complex operational environments.

• 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