Malaysia Liaison Coordinator to MRCS

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 (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs 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 three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

As one of the five decentralised Regional Offices, Asia Pacific region supports 38 National Societies to strengthen their humanitarian and development efforts, helping them to remain partners of choice within their country and sustainable and accountable for their actions.

The Malaysia Liaison Coordinator to MRCS (Malaysian Red Crescent Society) is the senior representative of the Secretariat and the director of operations (if any) with clear authority for management and accountability. Under the direction and guidance of the Regional Director, he/she will fundamentally facilitate coordination and technical assistance within and between the Federation and the respective NS in the country.

The Malaysia Liaison Coordinator to MRCS (Malaysian Red Crescent Society) is the senior Secretariat representative and business manager with clear authority and responsibility whose main purpose is to lead Federation support to the local National Society with a strong focus on development, capacity building, disaster preparedness, response and recovery coordination with Movement and Non-Movement partners and assist the NS enlarging its partnership base and resource development. Under the leadership and guidance of the Regional Director, s/he will, in particular, assist the National Society in coordination of programs and humanitarian diplomacy activities as well as be accountable for developing the Secretariat’s support strategy for the National Society (NS) in this country covering the key tasks set out below and as updated from time to time.

• Understand the needs and concerns of the MRCS, establish, and maintain a close working relation with MRCS leadership, related to issues of NSD and programmatic directions and strengthen the capacity of MRCS (through ongoing Red Ready Project and other initiatives) to ensure that they continue to deliver efficient humanitarian services to the most vulnerable as a part of Project activities /development Programs.
• Support the MRCS in its plans to strengthen their financial sustainability, the volunteer growth and international cooperation capacities.
• Facilitate cooperation and coordination in all programmes and operations between MRCS, and ICRC to ensure the most effective mobilisation and utilisation of resources across the country.
• Build effective cooperation and partnerships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders in government, civil society, academia and the private sector.
• In coordination with the regional Partnership and Resource Development team, support MRCS to develop concrete Partnerships, Development and Humanitarian Diplomacy objectives.
• Formulate policy objectives for advocacy, communications and external relations for Malaysia in line with Federation global priorities.
• Provide assistance to MRCS to enhance the auxiliary role in the humanitarian field and to develop effective humanitarian diplomacy, communications and external relations, and ensure that these are also build on and promote Federation priorities.
• Ensure that an effective and relevant organisational structure is in place for effective support towards MRCS and manage all staff under his/her authority in the Malaysia Country team.
• Support the MRCS Chairperson for IFRC GB role and other related engagements.
• Maintain regular management reporting to the Regional Director

Response to disasters

• Provide effective support, including technical advice, to ensure that appropriate disaster preparedness and response mechanisms are established in each NS and IFRC offices, both to facilitate effective disaster response, coordination with national response mechanism and to build on and strengthen NS capacities in the country.
• Ensure that national resources from the country are made available rapidly and efficiently to support Federation disaster response.
• Work with the Regional Emergency and Crisis team on the management of international appeals and international response coordination where and when appropriate. Ensure that the response is based on frameworks and approaches that are consistent with or have considered national and international standards and guidelines, as well as IFRC policies, procedures and tools.
• Ensure sound financial management is applied to all IFRC-supported operations in Malaysia, including ensuring that budgets are monitored, problems are identified, and solutions implemented in timely and effective manner.
• Manage operational budgets to ensure that expenditure relating to IFRC-supported operations is within income and approved ceilings, in compliance with IFRC finance procedures and in line with donor earmarking requirements.
• Ensure the quality and timeliness of the reporting of the Federation Secretariat's programming.

Support IFRC Global initiatives

• Build global alliances and develop interest in and support to the global work of the IFRC. Represent IFRC at national events taking place in the country – also at meetings which are of global relevance.
• Support and lead global partnerships with the Government and other institutions in the country, in close consultation with the MRCS.

Required

• University degree in relevant field

Preferred

• Post-graduate (i.e., Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences/development studies, strategic/programme management, management studies or other relevant discipline
• IMPACT course or equivalent knowledge

Required

• 10+ years of work experience in managing operations for a humanitarian aid organisation and or development cooperation organisation
• 5+ years of experience at a senior management level
• 5+ years of work experience including management in a Red Cross/Red Crescent National Society, IFRC or ICRC
• 5+ years of experience of proven high-level communication skills backed by
• proven track record in programmes management
• Proven results-based experience on relationship management and resource mobilisation
• Proven experience in people management
• Proven record of security regulations implementation
• Proven experience in governance and leadership support
• Proven experience of acting in a representational role and maintaining donor and partner relations

Preferred

• Proven experience of working in the region

Required

• Strong management and organizational skills, including ability to delegate authority and responsibility
• Good intercultural communication skills
• Ability to work in a cross cultural and cross functional environment
• Strong financial management skills
• Computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office
• Excellent interpersonal negotiations skills, including ability to effectively communicate a vision, solve problems and manage conflict
• Proven people management skills in a multi-cultural environment and strong track record of developing people
• Demonstrated ability to undertake high-level representational and advocacy role
• Drive change and improvements and ability to deliver strategies in a challenging environment
• Understanding of and commitment to the IFRC’s mission and values
• Demonstrated initiative and creativity, and substantial experience of strategic thinking, including identifying, analysing, problem solving and responding to opportunities and challenges and the ability to translate these into practical plans of action
• 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