Regional Advisor, National Society Governance, Leadership and Integrity

Organizational Context The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-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 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. The National Society Development and Coordination Division is in turn organized in three Departments, each of them led by a Director, National Society Development Department (NSD) is one of the departments comprising the unit on Organizational Development (OD) with responsibility for the support provided by the Secretariat to its members in building their foundational institutional capacities, so they become strong, trusted and sustainable organizations delivering local humanitarian action, with strong governance, leadership and integrity mechanisms as core. This position is based in the Americas and provides strategic and technical support to National Societies, in coordination with country and cluster delegations and in close collaboration with the global NSD team, including Geneva-based colleagues. Job Purpose Strong, accountable and ethical National Societies with effective governance and leadership are essential to trust, accountability and the delivery of principled, sustainable humanitarian services. In line with IFRC Strategy 2030 and the Agenda for Renewal, the IFRC Secretariat plays an enabling role in supporting National Societies to strengthen their governance, leadership and integrity, while respecting National Society ownership. The Regional Advisor, National Society Governance, Leadership and Integrity contributes to IFRC Renewal by providing strategic, policy and technical guidance to support National Societies in strengthening their governance, leadership and integrity systems and capacities. The role supports the development, adaptation and scaling of coherent, evidence-informed and locally owned approaches that address priority governance and leadership challenges across the Americas. Working closely with country and cluster delegations and as part of the global NSD team, the position supports National Societies to identify gaps, co-create solutions, manage integrity risks and foster peer learning, contributing to strong, trusted and sustainable National Societies across the region. The position reports to the Regional Head of NSD, with a matrix reporting line to the Manager, Organizational Development Unit, Geneva. Job Duties And Responsibilities Work closely with the country delegations to provide technical guidance and quality support that strengthens National Societies’ governance, leadership, and integrity in line with IFRC behavioral expectations, Fundamental Principles, and NSD standards. Build an enabling environment for leadership, governance and integrity strengthening in the Region
- Promote a shared understanding across the Region of the leadership, governance, and integrity capabilities (skills, behaviours and mindsets) required to deliver Strategy 2030, the Agenda for Renewal, and IFRC Renewal priorities.
- Contribute to the positioning of governance, leadership, and integrity strengthening as core enablers of National Society Development, trust, accountability, and sustainable service delivery.
- Promote the strengthening of ethical leadership, accountability, and continuous learning as foundations of enhancing localization and locally led action. Facilitate the adaptation and co-creation of NS-led governance and leadership development service aligned to NS priorities and context
- Work closely with country teams to identi