Job Description | SECRETARY GENERAL |
Function: | Secretary General | Grade: | A |
Department: | Administration | Unit: | |
Place of Employment: Duty Station: | Monrovia HQ | Contract: | Fix term |
Direct Supervisor | National Executive Committee | Duration | fix term |
Technical Supervisor: | President |
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
The Secretary General (SG) is accountable and responsible to the National Executive Committee through the President for his/her performance.
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The Secretary General is responsible for the day-to-day management of the National Society, which includes all paid staff and volunteer of the Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) and coordination with partners. The Secretary General has overall responsibilities for the implementation of policy decisions of the Governing Board through the National Executive Committee.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
As the Chief Executive Officer of the Society, the Secretary General is required to work with the National Executive Committee, Staff and all Chapters and Branches of the LNRCS to advance its mission and goals. At all times, the Secretary General is to ensure that the activities of the National Society are; in conformity with the Seven Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement as expressed by the Statutes; and in conformity with the Constitution of the LNRCS and its relevant laws and policies and procedures and relevant laws and policies of the Republic of Liberia.
Without limiting specific responsibilities that may be negotiated between the SG and LNRCS or reasonable directions of the LNRCS, the SG will be overall responsible and required to:
POSITION DUTIES
Leadership
- Lead the development and implementation of LNRCS strategy, including the design of annual action plans and budgets and monitoring of its implementation.
- Prepare reports for the National Executive Committee and Board Meeting and attend as Chief Executive Officer of the National Society; Ensure that the Executive and other Committees are fully informed of the activities of the National Society;
Organizational Strengthening and Sustainability
- Ensure that the National Society has a functional Disaster Risk Management System which is well – restructured with a robust preparedness and response plan and being overall responsible for the organization and management of response and recovery materials and reporting same.
- Support the development of LNRCS branches and Chapters
- Oversee and contribute – Resource Mobilization and fundraising activities for LNRCS including corporate sponsorship and managing relationships with donor organizations.
Policies and compliance
- Ensure that LNRCS has effective financial, logistical, personnel, operational and administrative procedures and processes approved by the National Executive Board and General Assembly.
- Ensure organization – wide compliance with LNRCS policies and manuals as well as relevant intercultural and national laws.
Finance and Administration
- Supervise the preparation of the National Society annual budgets and reports and ensure that the accounts are audited annually by an external auditor;
- Ensure that all funds entrusted to the National Society are accounted for and used for their expressed purpose;
- Ensure effective and efficient use and management of all resources of the Society with particular reference to Financial and Human resources;
- Ensure that all assets of the National Society at National and Chapters, including vehicles, office equipment, lands and buildings are accounted for and properly maintained maximize functional utility and promote positive image of Red Cross.
Liaison with government, partners and donors
- Establish sound working relationships as an auxiliary to government with the ministries of Health and Internal Affairs.
- Interact with government authorities and any other agencies to assist LNRCS to prepare for respond to Disaster / emergency situations;
- Negotiate with National and International Government representatives, business, industry and organization for financial and in – Kind support for LNRCS;
- Build and maintain excellent working relation with donors and partners.
Team Management
- Line manage the following: Head of Programs, Asset & Resource Mobilization Manager, Admin / Finance Manager, Planning Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting Officer and Fifteen (15) Chapters Field Officers
- Undertake annual performance evaluations and provide coaching to the team to strengthen their competencies.
Red Cross Advocacy and Representation
- Promote the Red Cross through the media, through presentations of activities of the National Society and by public engagement and addresses – being the focal point for the Society with the media
- Represent LNRCS at National and International forums
- Maintain close working relationships, and collaboration with government and non – government organization, in respect to the work of the Red Cross.
- Provide orientation to governance, volunteers and staff of LNRCS and key community leaders on the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
QUALIFICATIONS
- University studies, preferably at master’s degree level in relevant Social Science and or Business Management
- Over 5 to years’ work experience at senior management level, preferably with non – governmental organization
- Progressively responsible positions in development assistance, institutional capacity building, administrative, preferably in a humanitarian organization.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- Ability to provide direction and leadership in a way that inspires confidence and commitment and encourages ideas and initiative from others
- Sound financial management skills including the ability to supervise finances and budgets.
- Ability to oversee the development of project proposals and to supervise the implementation of projects.
- Excellent team builder and leader experience in managing an office and building and maintaining a cohesive team of staff.
- Experience working with a board or management committee.
- Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and written, at a high level in English at all levels of the organization and with external stakeholder.
- Ability and experience in meeting deadlines and reporting on time.
- Ability to inspire and motivate staff and volunteers to meet program and project objectives and outcomes.
- Experience in public speaking and good skills in representation.
- Skilled and experienced in fundraising.
- High-level ability and experience in using computers. Able to use Microsoft computer systems – Word, Excel and Database Management
- Experience in working with government and non-governmental organizations.
- Able to think strategically, and be result oriented.
DESIRABLE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- Understanding of difference between governance and management.
- Experience in working with people of other cultures.
- Experience and skills in the field of training.
- Experience in working with volunteers
- Experience in working in the area of private business/commerce.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
The Secretary General must:
- Be a person who can live by and display commitment to the Seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross Movements being; Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality.
- Be a person with a high level of integrity, honesty and professionalism.
- Be culturally sensitive and have strong interpersonal skills.
- Be proactive and professionally committed.
- Be comfortable with operating in a challenging environment
- Be able to be away from home for 3 or 4 times a year at up to 3 weeks at a time
- Be able to function with political neutrality.
FOR APPLICATION: The deadline for submissions of letters of Application, CV and all other relevant certificates and documents is November 20, 2021 4:30 PM. All applications should be submitted to lnrcs.recruitment2016@liberian-redcross.org Please mention “SECRETARY GENERAL” in the subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted further.