Regional Operations Team Lead

About the Centre of Competence on Humanitarian Negotiation

The Centre of Competence on Humanitarian Negotiation (CCHN) is a joint initiative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Médecins sans Frontières Switzerland, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the UN World Food Programme.

We facilitate the capture, analysis, and sharing of experiences and practices around humanitarian negotiation and to provide a space for dialogue across humanitarian organisations. At the core of our activities is the CCHN community of practice, a global community of humanitarian workers negotiating at the frontlines of humanitarian action.

The CCHN is administratively hosted by the ICRC and is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Purpose of the position

The Regional Operations Team Lead is part of the CCHN Management team, which also comprises the CCHN Executive Director, the Deputy Director, the Chief Finance Officer, the Transversal Operations Team Lead, the Head of Support and the Head of Communication.

S/he reports to the CCHN Deputy Director.

The Team Lead is responsible for guiding the implementation of CCHN’s operational strategic plan and ensuring maximal operational effectiveness across five world regions. S/he supervises a team of four to five Operations Managers. Four Operations Associates (1-year internships) are also part of the team.

The Team Lead oversees the implementation of CCHN operational and thematic projects across regions and ensures that they are streamlined and aligned with the strategic mission and orientations of the CCHN.

S/he leads the implementation arm of the CCHN for all regional programming, striving to create coherence and facilitating the exchange of experiences and learning across the different regions within the CCHN Community of Practice of frontline negotiators.

S/he is responsible to create synergies and collaborate closely with the Transversal Operations team to jointly contribute to the analysis of humanitarian negotiation practices globally, to develop new negotiation tools, and to ensure an integrated approach across CCHN programs to maximize impact.

Besides supervising the Operations Managers, s/he will also be in charge of her/his own projects depending on the operational support needed and the demands received by the CCHN. This position therefore requires a solid level of flexibility, agility, and the capacity to dynamically shift from one project to the next.

An important part of the role consists in facilitating different types of negotiation workshops in field locations and online, while also contributing to operational research and advisory support demands.

Responsibilities

Supervising, overseeing and contributing to CCHN’s regional operations

• As part of the CCHN Management team, contributes to defining CCHN’s overall direction and ensures smooth implementation and follow-up of Management decisions within the Regional Operations team;
• Ensures the leadership of and supervises the Regional Operations team, comprising of Operations Managers and Associates;
• Supports the team in the definition of regional operational strategies based on a solid needs assessment and ensures the alignment of regional workplans with the overall priorities of the organisation;
• Oversees the implementation of community engagement strategies by the Operations Managers and Associates, working in close collaboration with the Communication team to maintain a vibrant and diverse community of practice of frontline negotiators;
• Coordinates the day-to-day activities of the Operations team, ensuring the application of the project management system and the smooth implementation of operational policies and frameworks;
• In collaboration with the Head of Support, encourages effective collaboration and coordination for the successful logistical implementation of the CCHN Annual Workplan;
• Provides support to the Operations team for the facilitation of peer-to-peer exchanges;
• Supports and contributes to the team effort in the design and organisation of the CCHN World Summit on Frontline Humanitarian Negotiations;
• As a member of the Operations team, oversees his/her own project by facilitating negotiation workshops onsite and online and leading operational research on specific themes.

Fostering knowledge management, content development and value creation across regions

• Supports Regional Operations Managers in fostering the continuous capture and analysis of negotiation practices on the ground, through operational research and co-creation of tool with members of the CCHN Community of Practice;
• As team leader, supports the Regional Operations Managers to ensure proper knowledge management in their region and facilitates synergies and value creation across regions;
• Supports Regional Operations Managers by working closely with the Transversal Operations team to develop new negotiation content and tools;
• Collaborates closely with the Transversal Operations Team Lead to ensure the sharing of expertise, joint analysis and integrated approaches to maximize the impact of CCHN operations globally;
• Works closely with the Communication team to develop and flag specific knowledge and content of interest to the community.

Developing a solid multi-stakeholder network and fostering partnerships

• With the Operations Managers, establishes and maintains strong relationships and collaboration with the operational departments of CCHN’s strategic partners as well as other UN agencies and key international and local NGOs, at both Headquarters and field level;
• Supports the CCHN Executive Director and the Deputy Director by ensuring smooth communication and representation with CCHN stakeholders on operational issues (strategic partners, academia, donors, negotiation training centers…);
• Supports the Operations Managers in enlarging the CCHN network in priority contexts, including local humanitarian agencies and academic partners.

Requirements

• University degree in international relations, political science, law or equivalent;
• At least 8 years of professional experience with either governmental / international organisations or NGOs;
• Fluent command of English and French. Spanish and/or Arabic are an asset;
• Confirmed field experience in humanitarian negotiation on the frontlines;
• Excellent understanding and knowledge of the humanitarian system and trends affecting humanitarian action;
• Solid and proven capacities in leadership, people management, project management, teamwork and collaboration within a multidisciplinary and multicultural team;
• Agility, flexibility and capacity to work under pressure with tight deadlines;
• Excellent communication skills and advanced facilitation skills for onsite and online workshops;
• Excellent writing, editing and analytical skills, with the ability to think critically, succinctly and creatively;
• Familiarity with the CCHN’s mandate and Community of Practice is an asset;
• Good knowledge of online interactive community platforms;
• Available for up to 50% for field missions.