Bangladesh: Field Representative, Bangladesh

Do you want to make a difference? Join the world’s largest humanitarian network. The Canadian Red Cross Society, a not for profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to helping the most vulnerable in Canada and throughout the world, is currently seeking a Field Representative, Bangladesh.**

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Emergency Programming (EP) unit in ERT, the Field Representative is the senior Canadian Red Cross (CRC) representative in Bangladesh and is responsible for the delivery of CRC programs in Bangladesh, for the management of in-country human, financial and material resources, for implementing a robust risk management plan and security strategy and for representation to RCRC and external stakeholders based on National Society, Movement and CRC strategy and priorities.

The Field Representative will ensure that CRC programs are developed and implemented efficiently and effectively, framed by IO Strategy 2020 (S2020), and CRC’s commitment to deliver in the Last Mile. The Field Rep will also contribute to identifying and developing opportunities for expanding programs, as required and in line with the CRC vision.

The Field Representative contributes towards the mandate of the Emergencies & Recovery: oversees development, implementation and management of all CRC supported projects in the country in a timely, efficient and effective manner by mobilizing appropriate resources to meet the priority needs of the people and communities affected by crisis .

The Field Representative will contribute to the success of the matrix model, agility of the organization, delivering against the One Red Cross vision and interoperability, implement innovations/learning within Programs, and ensure robust risk management and personnel wellbeing. The Field Rep will be supported in his/her work by a team of CRC staff based in Canada and/or regionally.

Scope of CRC Programming in Bangladesh

Since August 25, 2017, violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar has caused a massive displacement of more than 650,000 people across the border into Bangladesh, with most refugees arriving in Cox’s Bazar district. Most of the new arrivals are women and children, with the most marginalised identified as: unaccompanied minors; older females; single females; those with disabilities; female headed households; pregnant females; adolescents; and people with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations.

The speed and scale of the influx has created a critical and complex humanitarian emergency. The displaced persons from Rakhine have travelled with very few possessions and are almost entirely dependent on humanitarian aid for survival. The majority of the displaced are living in makeshift settlements in dire conditions where basic services that were available to the previously displaced communities and the Bangladeshi host community are under severe strain. Significant gaps exist in the availability of essential items and services including food, water, sanitation, shelter and healthcare. IN response to the crises the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) and International Federation of the Red Cross Red Crescent (IFRC) launched an Emergency Appeal. To respond to the growing crises, CRC also launched a Pubic Appeal in Canada and sought funding from Government of Canada. CRC deployed its emergency tools to Bangladesh during the initial phase of the operation and expanding its support BDRCS operation with the launch of medium term emergency projects in the county.

RESPONSIBILITIES

CRC Representation and Coordination

• Represents CRC and maintains strong relationships with the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, other RC National Societies, the International Federation, the ICRC, national authorities, international and national organizations, Global Affairs Canada, Canadian Embassy/High Commission, other donor Governments, as well as national and international media.

• Actively provides high level representation, particularly at key coordination meetings as well as at other external meetings, and advances the strategic interests of CRC programs in Bangladesh.

• Develops CRC brand awareness, communication and marketing strategies linked to Strategy 2020.

• Actively participates in Movement fora and initiatives related to overall Movement coordination, and with regards to the security environment in the Bangladesh.

• Ensures consistent and effective communication with CRC staff in all locations in country as well as with CRC headquarters and the regional representation, where applicable.

• In close coordination with CRC National Office, represent CRC in media and public forums and conduct media interviews as requested.

• Ensure a continuous monitoring and analysis of evolving political, economic, social and security trends in Bangladesh. Provide regular real-time, cross-referenced information and analysis on humanitarian needs, operational updates and evolving contexts. Monitor new/evolving emergencies as requested.

• Provide on-going support from CRC to movement coordination and humanitarian diplomacy efforts in Bangladesh, with aim of supporting RC/RC in best addressing unmet humanitarian needs.

Relationship and Partnership Management

• Ensures that all engagements with Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and other Partners National Societies are undertaken in view of supporting their priorities and capacity.

• Builds collaborative and effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to Bangladesh Red Crescent, all Red Cross Movement partners, Global Affairs Canada in-country presence, and other relevant organizations.

• Liaises with Partners National Societies, IFRC and ICRC on operational matters pertaining to the CRC.

• Identifies opportunities for innovation and new areas of work according to CRC and Asia region

priorities.

• Identifies new funding sources and negotiates funding opportunities.

• Identifies and develops relationships, ensuring regular engagement and coordination, with key strategic partners in government and International/local NGOs.

Quality Program/Project Management

• Ensures consistency in the CRC program development and implementation in Bangladesh and works in close collaboration with CRC support teams at National Office including QALI, GHU, ERT, Risk Management, Global Programs and Security, Logistics, Legal and Finance Services as required.

• Recommends programming opportunities to expand CRC’s impact based on situation in the field and in line with Strategy 2020 and the vision set for the country.

• Leads the development of project/program proposals (in co-creation and with the support of NO) and contributes to the development of ideas generated from NO

• Develops PIP with support from NO. Ensures effective development and successful implementation of CRC program activities according to approved plans, budgets, regulations and policies, and adapts activities and outputs as needed (in consultation with NO) to ensure the achievement of expected outcomes.

• Oversees effective project management and tracking tools, ensuring real-time access to information on CRC programming. Ensure development and implementation of project work plans and timelines, with continually assessed contingency plans and alternative activity/budget options. Identifies opportunities to strengthen and improve CRC supported projects effectiveness and efficiency in Bangladesh.

• Ensure Senior Manager or his/her designate is regularly informed and updated on major project activities and milestones, and is notified immediately of any critical constraints, changes or challenges to project implementation that could result in delays or risk to relationships with key stakeholders.

• Ensures CRC in country delegation planning, budgeting and reporting is carried out in a timely manner and in accordance with CRC and donor requirements, formats and standards.

• Ensures appropriate identification and planning of required logistics support for effective and efficient delivery of programs.

• Promotes internal lessons learned including best practices from the CRC in-country and or regional projects.

• Meets financial objectives by forecasting requirements.

• Prepares and monitors annual budget in coordination with program colleagues at NO.

• Monitors, reports expenditures and analyzes variances.

• Ensures oversight and control of spending against budget, and manages budgets within variances set by project charter and approved by NO.

• Oversees good financial controls, adherence to processes and policy, monitoring of budget and development of accurate and timely financial and performance to budget reports.

• Flags financial risks (including forecasted slippage) and recommends corrective actions.

• Produces project reports and delegation reports according to the schedule set by NO and/or Donor.

Security and Risk Management

• Is accountable for the safety and security of all CRC personnel (including visitors) in country, which includes operational, movements, communications and decision-making informed by the evolving security situation.

• Ensures consistent Risk and Security management including continuous monitoring and assessment, comprehensive and current mapping and understanding of the socio-political context, and ongoing analysis.

• Ensure security risk prevention and contingency planning, including safety, well-being.

• Ensure risk monitoring and prevention related to financial and reputation risks, and unwarranted delays.

• Ensure early warning communications to NO (Senior Management, Risk and Security Manager) of any significant risk, clear and timely communication, and incident reporting.

• Develops plans and procedures to meet or exceed Minimum Security Requirements (MSR) set by NO.

• Ensure that CRC policies, procedures, guidelines and quality standards are known and adhered to within the country(s) of operation.

• Negotiates country-level security agreements with Movement partners as applicable.

• Develops and keeps updated a risk matrix per project and for the delegation.

• Ensures effective security management according to the RCRC movement and CRC security protocols including, but not limited to, the development and maintenance of business continuity, and all security planning.

Personnel and Resource Management

• Recommends overall staffing plan for project cycle.

• Recruits and selects national staff, and makes final selection on delegates.

• Sets objectives for all delegates and national staff in Bangladesh, builds capacity, and manages performance.

• Terminates employment as required (seeking approval from NO for all delegate contracts held by NO).

• Provides strong leadership, expertise and innovation in human resource planning in the management of the staff.

• Manages diverse and multicultural personnel through objectives setting, coaching and the provision of support to effectiveness and accountability.

• Plans for personnel changes and ensures that knowledge is transferred during the transition period.

• Ensures ongoing skills development for team members, with a view towards transfer of any international delegates’ capacities to local actors.

• Creates and maintains an environment of effective teamwork.

• Engages, builds and maintains ongoing relationships with colleagues at National Office to ensure effective collaboration in program delivery.

• Provides training to local staff and delegates to enhance their knowledge and skills and ensure compliance of established policies and practices, including CRC, IFRC and BDRCS Codes of Conduct.

• Support, promote and facilitate an effective matrix management structure with country team and CRC national office units.

Supports an Effective Team

• Develops and maintains membership in the functional department, Emergencies and Recovery Team, and designated project teams.

• Collaborates to fulfill the agreed objectives, needs and expectations. Fosters team work through a professional exchange of experiences and expertise that can be transferred to other areas of work. Ensures sharing and dissemination of services related materials to all concerned actors.

• Identifies opportunities for the development of delegates, national staff and IO staff on professional development assignments.

• Provides back-up to colleagues as required.

• Mentors colleagues on sourcing processes and systems for back up purposes.

• Follows all CRC’s policies and procedures required to maintain a healthy and safe working environment.

• Participates in disaster planning, preparation and response, as required.

• Contributes to a healthy and safe working environment.

• Contributes to internal growth and capacity building through mentorship of interns and junior delegates.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Post graduate level education in a related discipline is preferred or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Previous Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement experience is required along with a demonstrated commitment to the principles of the RCRC Movement.

• 8-10 years experience working in the challenging humanitarian context, including conflict prone and complex environments.

• Experience in proposal/ program development.

• Demonstrated experience in developing and using RBM frameworks.

• Experience in the management of projects funded by donors. Experience with Government of Canada funded projects is a strong asset.

• Experience in and knowledge of the region a strong asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated experience in senior level representation, relationship building and management, and strong diplomacy and negotiation skills.

• Proven experience in effective country-level planning and coordination with a range of different stakeholders.

• Solutions oriented with demonstrated analytical skills.

• Proven experience in overseeing program or operation budgets.

• Demonstrated experience in managing and motivating teams in complex and high stress environments.

• Excellent English communication skills, both verbal and written.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This is an unaccompanied position based in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Bangladesh suffers from a lack of basic infrastructure and social services and a significant percentage of the population lives in poverty. The security situation is considered volatile and unpredictable. Security rules and regulations are outlined by IFRC whom the CRC comes under for security and must be adhered to. Bangladesh experiences a range of natural disasters which can include flooding, landslides, earthquakes as well as manmade emergencies.

This is a field based position. Working in countries of operation is very demanding, both physically and psychologically. Difficult working conditions are expected, including the following:

• Issues of access and mobility due to the dynamic nature of an emergency situation and proximity to disaster-affected area.

• Long hours of work in a demanding context with limited resources.

• The ability to work in a high risk, fluid and evolving situation may be required, as is the ability to work in stressful and often ambiguous conditions.

• Basic living conditions that may include intermittent electricity, Internet and other basic services

• CRC supports a safe working environment and comfortable accommodation, however, as in all contexts, delegates must be aware and responsible for their personal safety and that of employees under their supervision.

• In some contexts, legal frameworks and institutions to enforce the rule of law are largely undeveloped.

• In some remote areas access to healthcare could be limited or non-existent.

• All CRC delegates must be cleared by the Travel Health Team with full medical and vaccination clearance.

Please note that there is no relocation package for this position.

This position requires a successful Canadian criminal record, reference check, valid provincial driver’s license, valid passport and First Aid certification.

The Canadian Red Cross Society is an equal opportunity employer.

Interested parties may submit their application by applying on the Canadian Red Cross Online Career Website by midnight EST on February 15, 2018.