The Standing Commission is the Movement’s only permanent statutory body and brings together representatives of all its components. The Standing Commission comprises nine members: five members of different National Societies elected in a personal capacity by the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent and two representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), one of whom shall be the President and two representatives of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) ), one of whom shall be the President. The Commission meets regularly and is supported by a small secretariat based in Geneva, currently hosted by the ICRC.
As trustee of the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent—the Movement’s supreme deliberative body, which convenes every four years—the Standing Commission provides strategic guidance between Conferences in the interests of the Movement as a whole (www.standcom.ch.)
In fulfilling its mandate, the Standing Commission oversees the preparation, conduct and follow-up of the Movement’s statutory meetings, while promoting the Movement’s vision, unity and harmony. It addresses issues of strategic importance arising from global humanitarian trends and their implications for the Movement. Through its work, the Commission seeks to anticipate challenges, foster Movement-wide dialogue, and encourage the development of common policies where appropriate. These matters may then be considered by the Council of Delegates, helping to strengthen coordination, coherence and collective action across the Movement while respecting the distinct mandates and strengths of each component.
Due to recent staffing changes and the workload associated with the preparation of the Council of Delegates in December 2026, the Standing Commission requires support to ensure the effective functioning of its Secretariat.
The Senior Consultant will provide strategic and operational support to the Standing Commission and contribute to the efficient management of its Secretariat and activities. The consultant is expected to work with a high degree of autonomy, exercise sound judgment, and assume responsibility for assigned areas of work.
The Senior Consultant will report functionally to the Chair of the Standing Commission and administratively link to the General Counsel of the IFRC.
The Secretary is supported by an Assistant within the Secretariat.
The Secretary is responsible for the overall management and coordination of the Secretariat of the Standing Commission.
The Secretary facilitates and supports the work of the Standing Commission, including the discharge of its statutory functions, the organization and follow-up of its meetings and those of its working groups, as well as research initiatives and other projects mandated by the Standing Commission.
The Secretary also promotes the work and activities of the Standing Commission and strengthens engagement between the Standing Commission and the International Conference membership, including through communication and outreach initiatives such as the regular Bulletin and other information-sharing mechanisms.
The Secretary plays a central role in the preparation, organization and follow-up of the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent and the Council of Delegates, though the engagement to the Joint Organizing Committee and other relevant stakeholders.
Under the guidance and according to the priorities established by the Standing Commission and its Chair, the expected outputs will be in line with the following:
1. Effective Management of the Standing Commission Secretariat
- Ensure the efficient day-to-day management and coordination of the Secretariat of the Standing Commission.
- Plan, organize and support all meetings of the Standing Commission and its working groups, including the preparation of agendas, background documents, presentations, decisions, records and minutes.
- Ensure the provision of all administrative, logistical and travel-related support required for meetings and activities of the Standing Commission.
- Supervise and coordinate the work of Secretariat staff, as well as the contributions of secondees, consultants and volunteers engaged in support of the Standing Commission.
- Manage the Standing Commission's correspondence and records.
2. Financial Management and Resource Mobilization
- Prepare and manage the annual budget and accounts of the Standing Commission.
- Monitor expenditures and ensure sound financial management and reporting.
- Maintain and coordinate relations with donors, including National Societies, the ICRC and the IFRC, regarding contributions to the Standing Commission budget.
3. Delivery of the Standing Commission Work Plan
- Support the Chair and members of the Standing Commission in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the Standing Commission's work plan and decisions.
- Coordinate and facilitate the work of Standing Commission working groups and ad hoc initiatives.
- Prepare substantive background papers, policy briefs, discussion papers, draft decisions and other documents required to support the Standing Commission's deliberations and decision-making.
- Conduct research and analysis on statutory, governance and policy matters relevant to the Movement.
4. Support to Statutory Meetings
- Contribute to the preparation, conduct and follow-up of the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent and the Council of Delegates.
- Represent the Standing Commission through the engagement to the Joint Organizing Committee and liaise with relevant stakeholders on matters relating to statutory meetings.
- Monitor developments and provide advice to the Standing Commission on issues related to statutory processes and governance.
5. Policy Development and Institutional Strengthening
- Support the Standing Commission's work on the review and development of Movement policies and governance frameworks and internal procedures, including:
- the Standing Commission Rules of Procedure,
- the Standing Commission Integrity Framework; and
- the Movement Policy Framework.
- Coordinate research, consultations and drafting processes related to governance and policy initiatives mandated by the Standing Commission.
6. Management of Movement Awards
- Coordinate and support the review of the regulatory framework governing Movement awards administered by the Standing Commission.
- Manage the nomination, assessment and review processes for the Henry Dunant Medal and the Prize for Peace and Humanity, as awards entrusted to the Standing Commission.
- Prepare analyses, recommendations and draft decisions for consideration by the Standing Commission.
7. Communications and External Relations
- Coordinate the preparation and dissemination of the Standing Commission Bulletin and other communications products.
- Manage and update the Standing Commission website and other communication channels.
- Draft speeches, statements, briefing notes and speaking points for the Chair and members of the Standing Commission.
- Strengthen engagement and information-sharing with National Societies, the ICRC, the IFRC, Permanent Missions and other relevant stakeholders
8. Liaison and Representation
- Represent the Secretariat of the Standing Commission in meetings and forums relevant to its mandate.
- Maintain effective liaison with Geneva-based institutions, Permanent Missions and humanitarian organizations on issues identified by the Standing Commission, in close coordination with the ICRC and the IFRC.
Advanced university degree (Master’s level or equivalent) in law, international relations, political science, public administration, humanitarian affairs, or another field relevant to the consultancy.
- Minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in the humanitarian and/or development sector, including experience within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
- Demonstrated experience supporting governance bodies, senior leadership, boards, councils, committees, or statutory processes within an international organization.
- Proven experience in the preparation, coordination and follow-up of high-level meetings and governance processes involving multiple stakeholders.
- Experience managing complex projects and workstreams with competing priorities and tight deadlines.
Required
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Sound understanding of governance structures and decision-making processes within international organizations, particularly in the humanitarian and development sectors.
- Excellent legal research, analytical, drafting and problem-solving skills.
- Service-oriented approach, with strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills.
- Strong negotiation and consensus-building skills, coupled with a solution-oriented mindset.
- Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously under tight deadlines and high workloads.
- Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues at all levels of an organization, as well as with external stakeholders.
- High level of discretion, integrity and professionalism, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
- Sound judgment, tact and diplomacy in complex and multicultural environments.
- Demonstrated proficiency in digital communication and collaboration tools, digital content creation, digital safety and security, data literacy, and the effective use of technology to support problem-solving, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence tools.
- Excellent command of written and spoken English.
- Good command of at least one other IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).
Method of delivery and reasons for selecting that method
The Senior Consultant will perform the assignment primarily in person at the Secretariat of the Standing Commission, which is currently in premises hosted at the headquarters of the ICRC in Geneva. Given the nature of the role, a regular on-site presence is necessary to ensure effective coordination, responsiveness and support to the Standing Commission's activities.
The IFRC's Flexible Working Arrangements Policy will apply, allowing the Senior Consultant to work remotely for up to two days per week, subject to operational requirements and the priorities set by the Chair.
Support to be provided to the consultant
Administrative support will be provided by the Secretariat of the Standing Commission, as well as ICRC and IFRC, as needed.
Schedule for payment of fees
Monthly invoices with activity reports, to be paid upon validation by reporting line.
Time Allocation, for budget purposes
Full time (5 days a week) from 20 June to 31 December 2026.
Management of consultancy
The Senior Consultant reports functionally to the Chair of the Standing Commission and is responsible for delivering services in a timely, professional and effective manner, while maintaining a high standard of quality in all work products and deliverables.
For contractual and administrative matters, the Senior Consultant is associated with the General Counsel and Director of the Legal Department and Data Protection of the IFRC.
Notes
- The consultant will be contracted by the IFRC, and the standard contractual terms will apply.
- Agreed travel expenses, if any, will be reimbursed at cost in accordance with in the Standing Commission Travel policy.
