Delegate, National Society Development

Position description

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 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.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

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 IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into four main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Coordination, (ii) Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, (iii) Legal, Governance Support and Accountability and (iv) People and Strategy.

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

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 Côte d’Ivoire Red Cross (CRCI) is a recognized auxiliary to public authorities and a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. With a nationwide presence through regional branches and thousands of active volunteers, CRCI plays a central role in delivering humanitarian services and strengthening community resilience.

Having successfully implemented its 2021–2024 Strategic Development Plan, CRCI is now entering a new phase of institutional transformation. This new phase is supported by the Netherlands Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and other Movement partners, as part of a coordinated effort to strengthen National Societies in West and Central Africa.

The National Society Development (NSD) Delegate will play a key role in this transformation. Embedded within the Movement’s coordinated support framework, the NSD Delegate will contribute directly to CRCI’s long-term development goals. These include enhancing leadership and governance structures, driving digitalization, improving domestic resource mobilization, and reinforcing the capacity and sustainability of local branches across Côte d’Ivoire.

Job purpose

The National Society Development (NSD) Delegate will lead and coordinate the strategic planning and institutional development process of the Côte d’Ivoire Red Cross (CRCI). The primary goal of the role is to support the design and validation of CRCI’s 2025–2028 Strategic Development Plan and lay the foundation for a long-term National Society Development (NSD) Plan. This includes facilitating inclusive consultations, guiding evidence-based analysis, and aligning strategic priorities with national, regional, and global frameworks such as IFRC Strategy 2030, African Union (AU) Agenda 2063, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Delegate will serve as a key advisor and facilitator strengthening CRCI’s organizational systems, leadership capacity, and internal coherence while fostering collaboration with Movement partners. Ultimately, the role supports CRCI’s transformation into a more sustainable, accountable, and community driven humanitarian actor.

Job duties and responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Institutional Development

• Lead the design, coordination, and facilitation of an inclusive and evidence-based process for the development of the CRCI 2025–2028 Strategic Development Plan.
• Synthesize and integrate findings from evaluations of the 2021–2024 Strategic Plan, OCAC self-assessment, PER (Preparedness for Effective Response), financial development reviews, and audit reports.
• Facilitate a series of strategic planning workshops and consultations with CRCI governance, senior management, technical staff, local committees, and Movement and non-Movement partners.
• Ensure strategic alignment with national developmentNSD priorities and international frameworks, including IFRC Strategy 2030, ECOWAS Humanitarian Strategy, and the AU Agenda 2063.
• Provide technical guidance for the formulation, finalization, and internal validation of the Strategic Plan, including the development of clear objectives, performance indicators, and a results-based implementation framework.

National Society Development (NSD) Support

• Support the conceptualization and drafting of CRCI’s long-term NSD Plan, based on identified institutional priorities, performance gaps, and a vision for sustainable transformation.
• Provide high-quality technical support in the development or revision of key internal strategies and policies —covering areas such as governance and leadership, branch development, youth and volunteer engagement, digitalization, and financial sustainability.
• Facilitate internal change management efforts, fostering leadership accountability, promoting a culture of innovation, and enhancing internal ownership of institutional reforms.

Coordination and Movement Engagement

• Serve as the technical focal point for NSD within CRCI, coordinating and harmonizing inputs from IFRC, ICRC, and Partner National Societies (PNSs).
• Ensure effective coordination and complementarity of all Movement contributions to CRCI’s institutional development and promote joint planning and implementation when appropriate.
• Represent CRCI’s NSD initiatives in technical working groups, Movement coordination mechanisms, and external platforms at the national and regional levels.

Capacity Strengthening and Peer Learning

• Design and facilitate peer-learning workshops to foster institutional cohesion, share best practices, and build leadership and management capacity across CRCI’s HQ and branch network.
• Support the development and delivery of targeted capacity-building initiatives in areas such as strategic planning, governance and accountability, performance measurement, and resource mobilization.
• Contribute to CRCI’s youth and leadership development agendas by supporting the rollout of relevant programs and initiatives linked to the Strategic Plan.

Monitoring, Reporting and Knowledge Management

• Support the development of monitoring and evaluation tools to track the implementation of the Strategic Plan and NSD milestones.
• Regularly document and disseminate lessons learned, good practices, and case studies from the strategic planning and development processes.
• Prepare and deliver high-quality progress updates and technical reports in accordance with IFRC reporting standards and timelines, ensuring alignment with CRCI’s institutional development objectives and the broader Movement coordination framework.

Relationships and Representation

• Establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with national and international staff in-country, regional and global offices, and, with counterparts in NS, PNSs, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and donors.
• Contribute to building and maintaining a knowledge-sharing culture within CRCI and among Movement partners by identifying and promoting best practices, innovation, and lessons learned from NSD efforts in Côte d’Ivoire and beyond.
• Provide technical input to support CRCI’s external representation on issues related to strategic development, institutional capacity building, and long-term sustainability.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and liaison between CRCI and external partners on matters of National Society development, promoting transparency, partnership synergy, and strategic alignment.

Duties applicable to all staff

1. Work actively towards the achievement of IFRC’s goals.

2.Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.

3.Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in Organizational Development, Strategic Management, Public Administration, International Development, or related field.

Experience

A minimum of 3 – 5 years of progressive experience in a similar role.

A minimum of 3 – 5 years of experience working in organizational development, capacity strengthening and community or volunteer development.

A minimum of 5 years of experience in international humanitarian or non-governmental organizations.Red Cross Red Crescent Movement experience

A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in coaching, institutional capacity strengthening and staff development.

Experience in management at senior/ mid management level and/or in consulting and facilitating organizational development or change management in a National Society or similar voluntary organization.

Experience in development of approaches for resource mobilization and financial sustainability.

Working knowledge of IFRC’s Organizational Development and volunteer development policies and tools including the NSD Framework, Policy, Compact, National Society Strategic Planning and National Society Self-Assessment.

Knowledge and Skills

Proven analytical skills and the ability to think strategically.

Sound knowledge in financial management and in project design, budget, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.

Ability and track record working with and inter-relating to the leadership of the National Societies and supported organizations.

Cultural sensitivity and ability to work and communicate effectively in a multi-cultural and cross-functional environment and virtual or/and dispersed teams.

Skills in coaching, mentoring, and training.

Excellent negotiation, consulting, and management skills.

Teamwork and trust-building for inclusive National Society relations.

Focused on quality and standards, results, and accountabilities.

Self-supported in digital and software (including Microsoft Suite, internet, email) and good command and ease with digital platforms.

Languages

Fluent spoken and written French

Fluent spoken and written English

Good command of another IFRC official language (Arabic/Spanish)

Good command of Portuguese is an added asset

Competencies

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

 

Application instructions

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