Offre d’emploi 2026 : Senior Officer – IFRC

15 October 2026

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IFRC Recruitment October 2026: Senior Officer, National Society Investment and Localization

Job Purpose

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is seeking a qualified professional to serve as Senior Officer, National Society Investment and Localization within its Yaoundé Delegation. The successful candidate will lead and coordinate strategic planning and institutional development initiatives, serving as the Delegation’s main technical resource for strengthening National Society capacities and advancing localization efforts. The position reports directly to the Programme Coordinator.

In line with IFRC Renewal 3.0 and the National Society Investment Framework, the Senior Officer will provide technical guidance and coordination to support four National Societies in implementing their institutional investment plans for 2026–2027. These plans address shared organizational priorities, including governance reform, branch development, volunteer management, financial sustainability, digital transformation and safeguarding.

The role will also support country-specific institutional priorities. These include the statutory review and resource mobilization strategy of the Central African Republic Red Cross (CRC), humanitarian diplomacy and communications initiatives of the Gabonese Red Cross (GRC), the development of income-generating activities for the São Tomé and Príncipe Red Cross (CRSTP), and organizational recovery and preparations for an elective General Assembly within the Equatorial Guinea Red Cross (EGRC).

The Senior Officer will facilitate inclusive stakeholder consultations, coordinate evidence-based assessments and help translate identified needs into practical institutional development strategies. The position will ensure that these initiatives remain consistent with national priorities and broader regional and international commitments, including IFRC Strategy 2030, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the National Society Investment Framework, IFRC Renewal 3.0, the National Society Investment and Localization Framework, the National Society Investment and Localization Compact, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Acting as a strategic adviser and facilitator, the postholder will contribute to strengthening organizational structures, leadership capabilities and institutional coordination across the Country Cluster. The role will also promote collaboration among Movement partners to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of humanitarian action.

Ultimately, the Senior Officer will help the National Societies become stronger, more accountable, financially sustainable and community-driven humanitarian organizations, better equipped to respond to local needs and deliver lasting impact.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

1. Strategic Planning and Institutional Development

Lead and coordinate an inclusive, evidence-based process for developing strategic development plans for the National Societies within the Country Cluster.
Analyze and consolidate findings from previous strategic plans, Organizational Capacity Assessment and Certification (OCAC) self-assessments, Preparedness for Effective Response (PER) assessments, financial development reviews and audit reports.
Organize and facilitate strategic planning workshops and consultations involving governance bodies, senior management, technical teams, local committees, Movement partners and other relevant stakeholders.
Ensure that strategic plans align with National Society Investment and Localization priorities and relevant international and regional frameworks, including IFRC Strategy 2030, the ECOWAS Humanitarian Strategy and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Provide technical guidance throughout the drafting, review, finalization and internal validation of strategic plans, ensuring the inclusion of clearly defined objectives, measurable performance indicators and results-based implementation frameworks.

2. National Society Development (NSD) Support

Contribute to the design and preparation of long-term National Society Investment and Localization Plans based on identified institutional priorities, organizational performance gaps and a shared vision for sustainable development.
Provide technical expertise in developing, reviewing and updating institutional strategies and policies relating to governance, leadership, branch development, youth engagement, volunteer management, digital transformation and financial sustainability.
Support organizational change management processes by strengthening leadership accountability, encouraging innovation and promoting institutional ownership of reforms and development initiatives.

3. Coordination and Movement Engagement

Act as the technical focal point for National Society Investment and Localization within the Country Cluster, coordinating and harmonizing contributions from the IFRC, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Partner National Societies (PNSs).
Promote effective coordination and complementarity among Movement partners to ensure that their contributions to institutional development are coherent, aligned and mutually reinforcing.
Encourage joint planning and coordinated implementation of National Society development initiatives whenever appropriate.
Represent the Cluster’s National Society Investment and Localization activities in technical working groups, Movement coordination mechanisms and relevant external forums at national and regional levels.

4. Capacity Strengthening and Peer Learning

Design and facilitate peer-learning sessions and workshops to strengthen institutional collaboration, exchange good practices and improve leadership and management capacities across Cluster headquarters and branch networks.
Support the development and implementation of targeted capacity-building programmes covering strategic planning, governance, accountability, performance monitoring and resource mobilization.
Contribute to youth engagement and leadership development initiatives across the Cluster by supporting the implementation of relevant programmes and activities aligned with institutional strategic plans.

5. Monitoring, Reporting and Knowledge Management

Contribute to the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation tools for assessing progress against strategic plans and National Society Investment and Localization objectives.
Systematically document and share lessons learned, successful approaches and case studies emerging from strategic planning and institutional development activities.
Prepare and present comprehensive progress reports and technical updates in accordance with IFRC reporting requirements and deadlines, ensuring consistency with the institutional development objectives of the relevant National Societies and the broader Movement coordination framework.
Support the Delegation in using the National Society Investment Framework (NSIF) Dashboard as a key source of information for strategic planning, risk assessment and the prioritization of institutional investments.
6. Relationships and Representation
Establish and maintain productive professional relationships with national and international colleagues, regional and global offices, National Society representatives, Partner National Societies, the ICRC and donor organizations.
Foster a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration across the Cluster by identifying, documenting and promoting good practices, innovative approaches and lessons learned from National Society Investment and Localization initiatives.
Provide technical advice and contributions to strengthen the Cluster’s external representation on strategic development, institutional capacity building and long-term organizational sustainability.
Serve as a trusted adviser and liaison between National Societies within the Cluster and external stakeholders on institutional development matters, promoting transparency, effective partnerships and strategic alignment.

Education: Applicants must hold an advanced university degree in Organizational Development, Strategic Management, Public Administration, International Development or a related discipline.

Experience

Applicants should demonstrate the following professional experience and qualifications:

At least 3 to 5 years of progressively responsible experience in a comparable position.
A minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in organizational development, capacity strengthening, and community or volunteer development.
At least 5 years of professional experience within international humanitarian organizations or non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Previous experience within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an advantage.
At least 3 years of experience in coaching, institutional capacity development, and staff development.
Experience in senior or middle management, or in consulting, facilitating organizational development, and managing change processes within a National Society or a comparable volunteer-based organization.
Experience designing and implementing resource mobilization strategies and initiatives aimed at improving financial sustainability is an asset.
Practical knowledge of IFRC organizational development and volunteer development policies, frameworks, and tools, including the National Society Investment and Localization Framework, related policies and compact, National Society strategic planning processes, and National Society self-assessment methodologies.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Candidates should possess the following competencies:

Strong analytical abilities and strategic thinking skills, with the capacity to assess complex institutional challenges and develop practical solutions.
Good understanding of financial management, project design, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with the leadership and management teams of National Societies and other supported organizations.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, combined with cultural awareness and the ability to collaborate effectively in multicultural, multidisciplinary, virtual, and geographically dispersed teams.
Proven competencies in coaching, mentoring, training, and professional development.
Strong negotiation, consultancy, coordination, and management skills.
Ability to foster teamwork, build trust, and maintain inclusive and constructive relationships with National Societies and partners.
Strong commitment to quality standards, results-oriented performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Proficiency in digital tools and software, including Microsoft Office applications, internet-based tools, email, and collaborative digital platforms.
Fluency in both written and spoken English and French.
Working knowledge of an additional official IFRC language, such as Arabic or Spanish.
Knowledge of Portuguese and/or Spanish is an added advantage.