Secretary General, Jobs in Uganda, at The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) - 2015

Position Title:Secretary General – Uganda Red Cross Society Duty station:Kampala

Organization: The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS)

Employment Type:Full Time Permanent Duration:5 years

Mission dates: 01 March, 2015 - Category of Staff: National Staff Vacancy No:IFRC00428 Application Deadline:2nd February 2015.

Background Information:

About this job

The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) is the leading humanitarian organization in Uganda. The National Society was incorporated on 30th July 1964 by the enactment of The Red Cross Act, Cap 57 of the Laws of Uganda and is recognized as the sole National Red Cross Society in Uganda. URCS’ vision is “an empowered, healthy and self-sustaining community that responds to the needs of its most vulnerable”.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with 189 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 189 member National Societies. The Organization acts before, during and after disasters and other crisis in order to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. Our work is guided by seven fundamental principles (humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unit and universality) and our humanitarian values (the people, integrity, partnerships, diversity, leadership, innovation) and by Strategy 2020, which voices our collective vision and determination to move forward in tackling the major challenges that confront humanity in the present decade. The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) is the largest indigenous humanitarian organization in Uganda with 51 branches across the country. Starting as a small women’s emergency organization in 1939, it became a branch of the British Red Cross in 1941. The Society was incorporated on 30th July 1964 by the enactment of The Red Cross Act, Cap 57 of the Laws of Uganda and recognized as the sole National Red Cross Society in Uganda. Its constitution is based on the Red Cross Act and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The Society was admitted as a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in 1965.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Chairman of Uganda Red Cross Society Board, the Secretary General provides vision, leadership, management and effective high-level national representation for the National Society, in line with: established policies, principles and operating practices of URCS & IFRC, good management practice, and the political, social, cultural and economic environment of the country.

The Secretary General will be responsible for developing the National Society’s business/strategic plans and oversee their implementation; ensuring resources are in place to achieve budgeted performance targets and monitoring overall performance against these.S/He will play a key role in influencing decisions of stakeholders – speaking to persons and institutions who influence, contribute and underpin the operations of URCS, that are outside of his/her direct sphere of authority across the organization.

The Secretary General’s role requires broad organisational experience (enabling them to manage large teams); a deep knowledge across a professional discipline (enabling the role holder to make significant improvements to policies and processes that lead to mid- to long-term success.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

A. Organisational and Corporate Development

·Represent URCS in a variety of forums and maintain external relationships within a diverse range of stakeholders in the emergencies and development sector including national government, key national and international NGOs, donors, academics, social movements, CBO’s, media and other relevant institutions and beneficiaries.

·Implement and further deepen URCS’ vision, mission, philosophy and principles in line with agreed URCS corporate strategies and organisational priorities.

·Maintain regular communication with the Board Chair, relevant URCS Board Sub-Committee Chairs, Staff across locations, Partner National Society support staff and other Country Secretary Generals.

B. Membership Development

Promote and create nation-wide interest in the work of the society.

Encourage Red Cross activities/initiatives throughout the country by leading the development of the URCS institutional and branch development strategy.Facilitate the election of the URCS Governing Board members and volunteers, their orientation, development and training in the aims, objectives and principles of Uganda Red Cross Society.

C. Strategy Development and Implementation

Lead the URCS Strategy development to highlight the focus and strategic priorities for the period in question, taking into account national policies, constituencies, and civil society and in line with IFRC and ICRC strategies and organizational priorities.

Ensure the delivery of the URCS strategic plan; oversee its implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

D. Technical

·Lead and direct the work of URCS in accordance with sound management practices and URCS’ policies and accountability systems/ mechanisms.

·Ensure URCS has a well-balanced, well documented and cost effective programme.

·Expand URCS’ capacity to document, disseminate and learn from development work and ensure all reporting is of the highest standard in line with URCS’ and specific donor reporting requirements.

·Manage and encourage the co-operative relationships established with various Partner National Societies, Development Partners, Specialist institutions and ensure that these joint initiatives conform to URCS’ programme objectives.

·Ensure all URCS’ programme activities strictly adhere to the Red Cross Principles, are sensitive to and responsive to changes in the political, social, and economic environments.

·Lead the development of appropriate research with a view to improving the quality of URCS’ service delivery and influencing change in policy to improve the quality of life for the vulnerable and marginalized Ugandans.

E. Appreciate and fully commit to the idea of an independent Board and avoid actions and tendencies that cause disunity in Board membership.

·Work with the URCS Board/National Council in ensuring the organisation is aligned with good practices of governance and the Uganda legal context.

·Develop and manage sound relationships with Board Chair/Board members and National Council members.

·Collaborate with the URCS Board to identify and manage risks and inform the URCS Board of any developments that may have policy implications for the National Society.

·Attend Board meetings, as Secretary and prepare and distribute Board minutes in line with instructions from the Board.

Effectively implement Board resolutions.

Keep abreast of national, regional and international issues and provide the URCS Board with periodic policy advice/briefs by providing research and background papers on issues that require the development of policies for adoption by the URCS Board.

F. People Management

·Maintain effective and appropriate staff recruitment, induction, appraisal, and remuneration and development policies, systems and practices at all levels to ensure the optimum utilisation and development of URCS’ human resources.

·Create a dynamic atmosphere to retain and build a loyal team of workers.

·Work with the URCS Board to appoint, develop and manage all senior staff. Ensure a high calibre of staff is recruited while promoting a gender balance in the organisation, and that optimum investments are made in their development.

·Oversee and be accountable for the recruitment and management of volunteers of URCS in line with URCS’ policies and standards.

G. Operations & Finance

·Ensure that the control of expenditure and the disbursement of resources are in accordance with the established procedures and maintain the financial and legal integrity of the organisation in country.

·Provide progress and financial reports as required by the government, Donors, the URCS Board/Assembly and URCS’ accountability procedures and as required by other organisations.

·Maintain an efficient resource management internal control framework and good practice with regard to the identification and management of risk through the development and implementation of robust resource management and accountability policies, systems, procedures and tools.

·Lead the development of the URCS resource mobilization strategy in consultation with the URCS Board and supervise/oversee its execution.

H. External Communication

·Ensure a regular flow of information is available to the funding Agencies and to donors and official funders as required by the various funding mechanisms.

·Establish and develop working relationships with Partner National Societies, key donors in Country and actively seek new sources of funding, develop local funding sources appropriate to URCS’ resource needs.

·Develop and manage a sound relationship with all sections of the media and ensure that any published material accurately reflects the views of the organisation.

·Establish an appropriate public image for URCS that is in keeping with URCS’ values and culture by acting as the official channel of communication between URCS, ICRC, IFRC and other National Societies.

·Oversee the implementation of mechanisms of regular communications with all URCS stakeholders including donors, branches, members and volunteers.

·Proactively seek Board input within or outside of Board meetings with the knowledge of the chairman.

Education

Masters’ Degree level qualification with relevant Professional and management qualification.

Experience

A minimum of 12 years relevant experience with at least 7 years in Executive Management position in the management of humanitarian and development work and poverty alleviation programmes.

Demonstrated senior management expertise, including proven ability to develop the capacities of multi-disciplinary professional teams undertaking comprehensive humanitarian and poverty alleviation strategies.

·Project management experience.

·Monitoring and evaluation experience preferred.

·Experience on institutional governance and working with Board/Assemblies (where applicable)

·Demonstrated ability in resource mobilisation.

·Experience in managing change and staff

Knowledge, skills and languages

·Excellent negotiation and communication skills, including demonstrated ability to handle sensitive Diplomatic and Government level negotiations on matters affecting URCS’ programme activities.

·Sound and up to date knowledge of development concepts, methodologies and techniques including demonstrated expertise in at least one specialist development field especially emergencies.

·Ability to properly manage complex financial control and management systems.

·Proficiency in English and a familiarity with the context of the country as it affects development strategies.

·Strong leadership and management skills

·Strong analytical/Problem solving, emotional intelligence and management of crisis, conflict and risk

·Proven initiative, flexibility, dynamism and enthusiasm in managing complex activities in a changing environment.

·Proven initiative, flexibility, dynamism and enthusiasm in managing complex activities in a changing environment.

·Demonstrated expertise in strategic and long term planning and the ability to ensure that operational plans and activities meet targets and appropriately reflect longer term perspectives. Capacity to reflect and examine programmes to ensure innovation and to encourage this from others.

·Sound awareness of the political, social, economic and historic environment in which URCS’ programmes are operating at both national and community levels.

Competencies and values

·Planning

·Innovation

·Communications

·Collaboration

·Leadership & Management

·National Society relations

·Decision and judgement

·Managing performance

Comments

Whilst all applicants will be assessed strictly on their individual merits, qualified women are especially encouraged to apply.