Switzerland: Head of Health

Purpose of the position

In line with the ICRC's Institutional Strategy, the Head of Unit sets the strategic direction and orientations for the evolution of health programmes, designing and developing related strategies and policies, and ensuring that they are integrated and consistent with institutional, regional and other operational objectives.

The Head of Unit is responsible for ensuring that field operations receive the required operational and technical support from the Units’ Heads of Sector and programme specialists, thus ensuring the delivery of quality services to affected populations. S/he oversees a team of over 40 professionals at Headquarters and approximately 480 staff members in the field.

The Head of Unit represents the Unit internally at institutional decision-making levels and externally in relevant international and multi-stakeholder meetings and fora. S/he is responsible for mobilizing and harnessing field and headquarters expertise to update and further develop strategic policies and guidelines.

General responsibilities

Based in Geneva, the Head of Health Unit leads and manages the Health Unit. To this end s/he will:

• Lead institutional debates on the challenges and opportunities in relation with ICRC Health programmes;
• Develop the Unit’s strategies, define priorities and managing the allocation and monitoring of human and financial resources;
• Manage the Unit’s programs and transversal files at HQ, consisting of more than 40 staff;
• Lead in the development and implementation of ICRC’s humanitarian policies relating to health, shaping the humanitarian debate on health issues;
• Reinforce peer to peer exchanges and cooperate with relevant organisations involved in the field of health and develop partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders.

S/he reports directly to the Deputy Director of Operations.

Main duties and responsibilities

The Head of Health Unit is required to:

• Analyse the evolution of health trends and needs in armed conflict and other situations of violence;
• Manage the Health Unit at HQ and mobilise its personnel, including by ensuring optimal information flows internally and with health colleagues in the field, steering the planning exercises and managing financial and human resources;
• Ensure that ICRC health policies and strategies are informed by ICRC programs and practices in an evidence-based manner;
• Actively contribute to the planning, supervision and evaluation of ICRC health programs in the field; ensure that they are conducted according to professional standards, integrated into ICRC’s multidisciplinary approach and that service-delivery quality assurance mechanisms are in place;
• Develop, monitor and implement strategies to consolidate a strong global workforce of health professionals (recruitment, sourcing, training, talent management);
• Interact closely with other Heads of Unit to maintain and promote a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach;
• Ensure the quality of ICRC health programs and the development of innovative solutions, notably through partnerships with health organisations and institutions, with academics as well as with the private and public sectors;
• Maintain and further develop a network of health practitioners, within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners, other humanitarian organisations, academic institutions and the private sector, ensuring that ICRC is informed about and actively contributes to relevant debates and policy setting;
• Represent the institution and promote ICRC health programs and strategies to a large range of external stakeholders.

Education and experience required

• Medical Degree (MD), specialisation in Public Health or equivalent experience, with knowledge in health policies and strategies;
• At least 15 years of professional experience in the health sector and humanitarian action;
• In-depth knowledge of the humanitarian landscape and of the health environment in conflict settings;
• Good knowledge of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and of the humanitarian sector;
• Experience in coordinating both emergency and development health programmes for the ICRC or other humanitarian organizations;
• Proven representational and negotiation experience.

Desired skills and profile

• Proven senior management and leadership skills, with strong emphasis on people management and leading a multidisciplinary and multicultural team;
• Clear planning, project management capacities with a focus on delivering results;
• Capacity to negotiate with and influence a wide range of medical and non-medical stakeholders;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and capacity for collaborative team work;
• Ability to lead, manage, motivate and develop people;
• Ability to develop and strengthen partnerships within and outside ICRC;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (English and French, other languages an asset).

Additional information

• Location: Geneva
• Type of contract: Required Rotation
• Length of assignment: 5 years
• Activity rate: 100%
• Estimated start date: July 2020
• Application Deadline: Sunday, the 19th of January 2020

Follow the link to our Career Site and apply: https://careers.icrc.org/job/Geneva-%28GVA%29-Head-of-Health-14170/575982501/