The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.
The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into four main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Coordination, (ii) Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, (iii) Management and Accountability and (iv) People and Strategy.
The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.
The IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.


Job Purpose
The Officer, Human Resources and Administration position supports Human Resources (HR) projects related to work force and staff wellbeing and contributes to developing and maintaining clear and efficient Administrative procedures, ensuring trust and accountability with zero tolerance for fraud and corruption.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
HR
Lead all aspects of human resources management – including talent acquisition, employment contract management, staff development, HR analytics and reporting, performance, learning and development, compensation and benefits, and compliance in close collaboration with regional HR.

Talent Acquisition, Development and Performance:
• In liaison with regional focal points, oversee transparent, timely, and equitable recruitment processes that meet strategic needs and diversity objectives.
• Ensure efficient induction, onboarding, mobility, relocation, and exit processes.
• Monitor contract periods and process extensions or separations as required.
• Maintain safe and secure confidential physical and e-filing of staff documentation
• Guide and support managers on the performance development process to maximize individual and team impact.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning, supporting managers to identify capacity gaps, coordinating learning and development initiatives, and supporting career growth opportunities.
• Monitor staff compliance of required trainings and provide support and learnings as required
• Liaise with colleagues in Africa Regional office for all staff issues including planning, recruitment, selection, paperwork, welfare, personal health, evaluations, performance management.
HR Operations, Policies and Compliance
• Ensure HR policies and procedures for national and international staff are consistent with IFRC frameworks, labour laws, safeguarding standards, and audit recommendations.
• Oversee compensation and benefits design, ensuring fair, competitive, and transparent structures in collaboration with Finance and regional HR.
• Focal point for preparation of payroll, social security, and pensions payments in accordance with IFRC standards, ensuring accuracy and compliance with local labour laws.
• Utilise effectively all IFRC HR information systems, supporting staff on training and use of these programmes as appropriate
• Support HR audits, compliance checks, and reports and metrics to ensure integrity and accountability.

Staff Engagement, Wellbeing and Relations
• Promote staff wellbeing, diversity, equity, inclusion, and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), ensuring a safe and respectful workplace.
• Monitor staff engagement and workforce climate, recommending actions to improve morale, retention, and organizational culture.
• Advise management and staff on employee relations, conflict resolution, and workplace issues, including collaboration with staff associations where applicable.
• Ensure duty of care obligations are embedded in HR processes and support mechanisms.
• Serve as focal point for national staff medical insurance scheme
National Society Engagement and Capacity Strengthening
• Support National Societies to review, develop, and implement HR policies, systems, and tools aligned with best practice and local labour laws as required
• Provide capacity building, peer exchange, and technical support to strengthen NS HR functions in areas such as performance management, staff development, succession planning, and talent retention.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and capture lessons learned to enhance HR practices across the network.
• Ensure HR readiness and business continuity in emergencies, crises, and incidents and provide timely and effective support to NSs as required


Administration
The Officer, Human Resources and Administration will work closely with the Coordinator, Finance & Administration, to ensure that effective and efficient administrative services are provided to users/stakeholders of the Country Cluster Office, as well as the National Societies and Partner National Societies present in the Cluster.

In close consultation with the Coordinator, Finance & Administration:
• Ensure all requested administrative services are provided to users/stakeholders as mentioned in the administrative procedures.
• Focal point for Welcome related matters, such as planning and management of events and meetings, preparation of visas, flight and accommodation reservations, pre-travel documentation (welcome and security packages), provision of health-related guidelines, in-country support and so on
• Provide timely and quality administrative services to PNSs as required under Integration or Service Agreements, providing prompt solutions if issues arise.
• Support the efficient and effective management of contracts, agreements, MOUs and other legal documents and maintain confidentiality about the contents of such documents ensuring IFRC procedures are followed
• Support the management, maintenance, and cleanliness of office premises, following BCP protocols for office cleaning and the implementation of a green and sustainable strategy.
• Support the provision of local procurement of office necessities such as furniture and consumables and ensure sufficient stock is maintained for office supplies, promoting efficient usage to eliminate waste.
• Support longer term accommodation for international staff as needed, ensuring periodic maintenance schedules, maintenance of supporting documentation and following IFRC housing policies.
• Maintain systematic physical and online filing for all administrative documents for quick and easy retrieval of information.

Other responsibilities
• Ensure HR compliance with national legal frameworks, government regulations, and IFRC standards.
• Liaise with legal advisers to address HR-related legal matters and resolve disputes.
• Serve as focal point on staff well-being and provide support for medical incidents as required


Lateral Relationships
Ensure effective working relationships with HR unit colleagues via all HR related discussions and regular meetings, and with client groups at all levels within the Africa region and at Geneva Secretariat level.

Duties applicable to all staff
• Work actively towards the achievement of IFRC’s goals.
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.


Job requirements
Education
• University Degree in Human Resources or a Relevant field
• Professional qualifications in Human Resources
• Post Graduate qualification in relevant field is an added advantage

Experience
• Minimum 3 – 5 years relevant professional HR practice
• Minimum 3 -5 years’ relevant experience in administration
• Experience working with international non-governmental organizations, authorities and agencies
• Experience facilitating the employee life cycle
• Experience handling confidential information
• Experience handling employee relations matters
• Experience in compensation and benefits
• Experience working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Languages
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
• Excellent organizational and planning skills
• Diplomacy skills
• Skills in training and developing staff
• Advanced HRIS
• Excellent customer service skills
• Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spread sheets, etc.)
• Fluently spoken and written English and French
• Good command of Portuguese is an added advantage
• Good working knowledge of another official IFRC language (Spanish, Arabic)