Hiring Operations Manager Delegate (International Readiness), International - Various

Title: Operations Manager (International Readiness)
Employment type: Casual (3 months mission with possibility of extension)
Employee Working Location: In-person (International Deployments)

The Canadian Red Cross (Red Cross) – an inspirational not for profit organization, helps people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need and supports them in strengthening their resilience. As a Canada’s Best Employers 2024, we are committed to having an accessible, diverse, inclusive, and barrier-free work environment.

Reporting to the International Federation Red Cross Red Crescent (IFRC) regional Disaster Management (DM) unit or an IFRC Operations Coordinator, the Operations Manager will oversee the coordination of timely, efficient and effective IFRC support to a host National Societies (NS) in responding to sudden and slow onset disasters and crises events. Delegates seconded to the IFRC will provide leadership for management of IFRC disaster and crises assistance in support of a local National Society in an affected country. She/he supports the National Society in successful planning and implementation of appropriate response. To achieve this aim, the Operations Manager works collectively and closely with the Disaster Management and technical units, regional and country offices of the IFRC, and focal points from the local National Society. The Operations Manager is often the only delegate deployed to directly support the national society in the management of relief operations and must therefore be able to work independently and with minimal supervision. Typical deployments are 3 months in duration, with the possibility of extension. While delegates are recruited to deploy internationally with the IFRC, the CRC may use its register of Operations Managers for domestic disaster management opportunities. Within domestic operations, Operations Managers could be inserted into senior level positions resulting in the need to be able to rapidly understand and navigate new and complex operations. We ask all candidates who are engaged in this register to be available for domestic operations or other relevant assignments.

As an Operations Manager Delegate you will:

• Assume responsibility for leading IFRC’s contribution to the operation in the affected country in partnership with the local National Society, ensuring appropriate links with IFRC structure (Resource management and Program management).
• Constantly monitor the disaster situation and overall context and adapt the orientation or set-up of IFRC’s support
• Act as a link between the National Society (NS) and IFRC secretariat in case new assistance is required for responding to a new threat.
• Analyse and adapt Movement systems and standard operating procedures and innovates with the National Society where needed to meet the needs of affected communities.
• Support the National Society in leadership and decision making related to response, in accordance with the Principles and Rules for Red Cross and Red Crescent Humanitarian Assistance
• Alongside the National Society, co-lead the operational strategy to develop program approaches which strengthen and develop the National Society’s structures, capacity and performance; accompany the National Society in analysis of its current strengths and weaknesses and ensure provision of necessary technical and material support particularly in relation to the ongoing crisis.
• Ensure rigorous monitoring and management of budgets to all Federation-assisted programs within the NS, ensuring compliance with IFRC and National Society finance procedures and that expenditure is within income and approved ceilings and within donors earmarking requirements. Work with the National Society to identify problems and solutions in a timely and effective manner.
• Accompany the National Society in ensuring the safety and security of staff in the operation by supporting operational decisions based on changing risk levels, providing relevant updates to stakeholders and factoring in risk management into planning, through existing security structures when possible.

What we are looking for:

• Prior experience of working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, managing or coordinating complex disaster response and recovery operations
• 5 years’ experience of working for a humanitarian aid organisation in disaster management in developing countries.
• 3 years’ experience of managing, coaching, and supporting staff including experience working with local actors
• Excellent command of English and Arabic required.
• Experience working in conflict-affected or protracted crisis settings

What will be considered an asset:

• IMPACT training (delivering by RCRC Movement) or equivalent
• Completed advance Security Management training (e.g., Hostile Environment Awareness Training / HEAT).
• Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish
• Experience working in MENA region a strong asset

Working conditions:

• This is a field-based position. Working in-country is very demanding, both physically and psychologically. Difficult working conditions are expected, including the following: Access and mobility issues due to the dynamic nature of emergency situations 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, stressful, potentially ambiguous conditions, and fluid and evolving situations is required. Basic living conditions that may include intermittent electricity and Internet and other basic levels of services
• CRCS 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 CRCS delegates must be cleared by the Travel Health Team with full medical and vaccination clearance

Last day to apply: 13 March 2026 until 11:59 pm EST