The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network, with 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. IFRC uses the Triple R – response, resilience and respect – to deliver on Strategy 2030. IFRC responds to disasters and crises, ensuring timely, coordinated and locally led humanitarian action. IFRC supports its members in building community resilience in the areas of climate and environment, health and wellbeing, and migration and displacement. IFRC promotes respect for our fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality, including in our work on values, power and inclusion. The IFRC focuses throughout on our core mandate – our raison d’être – of strategic and operational coordination, humanitarian diplomacy, National Society development, and accountability.
IFRC is led by its Secretary General and has its Headquarters in Geneva and five regional offices in Africa (Nairobi); the Americas (Panama); Asia Pacific (Kuala Lumpur); Europe (Budapest); and MENA (Beirut) as well as representation offices, service centres and delegations across the globe.
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.
The Global Humanitarian Services and Supply Chain Management Department is one of the key humanitarian and enabling services of the IFRC, providing procurement, supply chain, vehicle fleet, transportation management and related services to the National Societies for their operational and programmatic activities and needs. It comprises of staff in the HQ and in several hubs across the world-currently: Panama, Nairobi, Dubai, Beirut, Budapest, and Kuala Lumpur, with several sub-hubs under development and optimization.
The role ensures effective operational coordination for emergency supply chain, connecting operational response, surge mechanisms, partnerships, and resource mobilization across the IFRC network.
The role focuses on pipeline visibility, surge and ERU mechanisms, while supporting donor engagement, partnerships, and innovation initiatives in alignment with the strategic vision of the department.
Emergency Supply Chain Coordination
- Serve as the supply chain coordination focal point connecting Geneva (coordination taskforce), Regional Offices, and field operations during emergencies and major crises.
- Provide operational and mechanisms coordination for emergency task forces ensuring timely information sharing, analysis, and functional coordination to enable effective decision making and response.
- Lead the coordination of operational pipeline visibility, supply chain situation reporting, and cross-functional supply chain information management during RED emergencies.
- Coordinate the Supply Chain Surge mechanism, selection & deployment with the Surge team and countries.
- Coordinate the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) mechanism, including readiness, deployment, operational support, performance evaluation, lessons learned, and future development. Support & coordinate the working groupG for the long-term development with PNS of that ERU to stay fit for purpose.
- Be the interface between Partner National Societies (PNSs) logistics resources and IFRC needs.
- Support the standardization and inter-operability of emergency response supply chain capabilities, tools, and deployment models between all regions
- Manage relationship with the UN cluster or inter organisation coordination mechanism globally.
Grant and Emergency Appeal Coordination
- Coordinate supply chain inputs to Emergency Appeals or DREF operations with Regional Supply Chain teams.
- Maintain visibility of upcoming grants, funding opportunities, and strategic projects to ensure timely supply chain engagement and planning.
- Oversee the implementation rate and reporting of major supply chain grants and projects (above CHF 5 million) in coordination with Regional teams, providing consolidated progress updates and reporting to the Headquarter.
Partnerships, Private Sector Engagement and Innovation
- Build and strengthen partnerships with private sector organizations (logistics providers, transport companies, technology firms)
- Identify and secure opportunities for pro bono support, in-kind contributions, technical expertise, transportation services, and innovative supply chain solutions.
- Coordinate the activation and use of private sector support during emergencies, including donated transportation, airlift services, warehousing, technical assistance, and other operational capabilities.
- Represent IFRC supply chain towards private sectors partners.
- Identify innovation opportunities with private sector and collaborate with Supply Chain colleagues to implement the change (i.e. sustainable standardized stock products).
- Lead the development of interoperable emergency supply chain capabilities across National Societies, Regional Offices, IFRC and Movement partners, advancing the ONE RED Supply Chain approach.
- Participate in the hulo Strategic committee as IFRC representative.
Communication, Visibility and Stakeholder Engagement
- Support in the development and implementation of a comprehensive communication plan to promote the Supply Chain Department’s strategic priorities, partnerships, and achievements.
- Lead the communication and visual representation of the Supply Chain Department’s strategy, creating and implementing a comprehensive communication plan.
- Develop compelling visual and multimedia content, such as infographics, dashboards, and videos, to effectively communicate the department’s goals and innovations to diverse audiences, including donors and partners.
- Coordinate the preparation of supply chain content for emergency situation for media.
- Represent the Supply Chain function in internal and external coordination forums related to emergency response, logistics, transportation, partnerships, and resource mobilization, as needed.
- Act as the primary focal point for supply chain communication and visibility initiatives.
Donor Engagement and Resource Mobilization
- Identify and pursue new funding opportunities aligned with IFRC’s strategic goals for supply chain management.
- In coordination with SPRM, establish new donor partnerships with a variety of partners including government agencies, emerging governments, philanthropic arms, private corporations, research and academic Institutes.
- Engage donors to secure investments in innovative supply chain solutions, focusing on sustainability and impact.
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Public Administration, or a related field.
Preferred
- Professional certification in Humanitarian Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Project Management, Emergency Management, or related disciplines.
- Additional qualifications in Fundraising, Donor Relations, or Strategic Partnerships (media) are advantageous.
Required
- 5 to 7 years of experience in humanitarian supply chain management, emergency operations, logistics coordination, or related fields.
- Proven experience coordinating supply chain activities during large-scale emergencies, disasters, or complex humanitarian operations.
- Demonstrated experience working with multiple stakeholders across headquarters, regional offices, field operations, and external partners.
- Experience developing and managing strategic partnerships with private sector organizations, logistics providers, technology companies, or humanitarian actors.
- Experience delivering results in communication, media engagement, advocacy, and visibility initiatives within the humanitarian supply chain sector. Ability to speak confidently and effectively in media interviews and external forums.
Preferred
- Experience contributing to grant proposals, emergency appeals, donor reporting, or resource mobilization initiatives.
- Experience working within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and knowledge of Movement coordination mechanisms.
- Experience managing or coordinating surge mechanisms, emergency deployments, or humanitarian response teams.
Knowledge and Skills
Required
- Strong knowledge of humanitarian supply chain management, emergency logistics, preparedness, and response operations.
- Strong understanding of supply chain resilience, interoperability, localization, and humanitarian coordination mechanisms.
- Ability to coordinate complex multi-stakeholder initiatives across geographically dispersed teams and operational environments.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain partnerships with donors, private sector actors, National Societies, humanitarian organizations, and other stakeholders.
- Ability to engage private sector actors to mobilize resources, pro bono services, and enhance supply chain resilience.
- Excellent communication, presentation, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills including media interaction. Demonstrated excellence in both written and oral English, with the capacity to convey complex information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills, a strong can-do attitude, and the ability to deliver practical solutions in complex and fast-paced environments.
- Demonstrated ability to identify innovation opportunities and support the implementation of transformative supply chain initiatives.
- Strong networking, negotiation, and influencing skills, with the ability to build partnerships across private sector, government, academia, and humanitarian organizations
- Ability to translate complex operational and technical supply chain topics into clear strategic messages for non-technical audiences.
- Demonstrated core proficiency in (a) digital communication and collaboration, (b) basic digital content creation, (c) digital safety and security, (d) data literacy, and (e) problem solving with technology (including responsible use of AI assistants).
- Understanding of and commitment to IFRC’s mission and values.
Languages
Required
- Fluent spoken and written English
Preferred
- Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)
Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability
Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust
Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Empowering others
