Head of National Services

JOB DETAILS

Title: Head of National Services

Duration: Five year fixed term contract (renewable)

Salary Range: In the range of €78k - €90k

This role is assigned to the Job Family of: Senior Manager

Reporting to: Secretary General

Responsible for the following teams:

- Disasters and Emergencies
- First Aid, Training & Units (incl. Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council related plus other support and admin re first aid and ambulance services)
- Specialist mental health (psychotherapy )
- Healthcare awareness and personal wellbeing in detention
- Volunteer Membership Programme development and support to branch structure
- Community development incl. health & wellbeing and youth programmes

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Irish Red Cross Society (IRC) is part of the world’s largest independent humanitarian network, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The IRC is committed to and bound by, its Fundamental Principles of Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality. The vision of the Irish Red Cross is to be a leading humanitarian organisation, providing impartial services and support to vulnerable communities both at home and abroad. Our mission is to identify and deliver humanitarian assistance to those who are most in need.

Domestically , a significant part of our programmes are delivered by our 3,400+ volunteers and associated 70+ branches around the country as well as a staff cohort of over 150 staff.

Internationally , we create impact through our partnerships with our fellow Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies as well as with the global humanitarian organisations that we affiliate to: the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

SUMMARY OF ROLE

Reporting directly to the Secretary General, this leadership role is a member of the Senior Management Team. The overall purpose of this position is to provide leadership and direction for Irish Red Cross programmes delivered by the following teams:

- Disasters and Emergencies
- Training & Units (incl. Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council related plus other support and admin re first aid and ambulance services)
- Specialist mental health (psychotherapy )
- Healthcare awareness and personal wellbeing in detention
- Volunteer Membership Programme development and support to branch structure.
- Community development incl health & wellbeing and youth programmes

whether they be delivered by volunteers supported by staff or directly by staff or (ideally) a combination of volunteers and staff together.

The Head of National Services will oversee and guide the development and transformation of our membership programme in partnership with a dedicated advisory committee. This will involve a change management process across structure, systems, programmes and processes with a focus on culture as well as programmes development. It will also involve enhanced and impactful integration of the membership (volunteers) with other aspects of our work e.g. the migration accommodation and integration programmes (led by the Head of International & Migration).

The post holder will have significant engagement with the senior volunteer leadership within the organisation and will support and build effective relationships with many internal and external partners and stakeholders, including the senior management team (SMT) of which they will be a member.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

National Services Programmes

- Lead the implementation of the organisation’s strategic plan 2025-2030. Support and maintain the strategic delivery framework with the teams and the whole department to monitor progress, identify dependencies and ensure alignment between strategy, operational plans and resource allocation.
- Develop and implement the Irish Red Cross’s (IRC’s) volunteer-led programmes: first-aid/units and training, community services (incl mental health) and youth programmes. This also includes specialist programmes such as Disasters Response Management, community based health & first aid in detention; mental health and youth - to achieve strategic goals as well as enable continuous improvement.
- Work to ensure that the volunteer structures within the organisation operate effectively so as to ensure timely and effective planning, delivery and accountability for volunteer-delivered operations.
- Ensure that all programmes, whether delivered by volunteers or staff or both, have a full suite of operational protocols, manuals and training available for staff and volunteers, to ensure the highest quality and regulatory standards are met and that all staff and volunteers are adequately trained and supported to operate as per the latest guidance and requirements.
- Proactively build and grow the IRC’s domestic network to identify, build and negotiate relationships with key stakeholders to raise the profile of the Irish Red Cross domestic work and to secure funding for key programmes of work.
- Provide leadership and management support to the relevant operational areas and represent the Irish Red Cross with statutory authorities, international/national organisations and key donors.

People

- Lead and manage a number of direct reports (and, by extension all staff of the department).
- Ensure that the highest standards in Safeguarding are reached and maintained and proactively work to ensure the National Safeguarding Manager is enabled to be effective across the volunteer and staff network.
- Work closely with the Head of Fundraising to secure required resources, ensuring their effective use, while promoting an accountable team approach with a focus on creating quality impacts for our beneficiaries and reporting on same in a comprehensive and timely manner.
- Ensure financial accountability for all programmes both internally to Irish Red Cross and externally to donors, regulators and other stakeholders.

Membership (volunteer) Programme

- Working with the board and the relevant volunteer leadership and structures within the organisation, to develop and implement a plan to for the transition of our membership programme as set out in the Taskforce on Membership Programme’ report and process currently underway.
- Support the growth in our membership and volunteer numbers so as to increase the impact of our collective work – ensuring a high quality and meaningful volunteer experience for all volunteers.
- Provide leadership for the programme of change and upgrading of the information systems and other technology used within National Services area (and across the organisation). Such a change also requires the Head of National Services to provide leadership in promoting changes in culture and the traditional operational ways of working that come with a ‘digital transformation’.
- Support the work of the voluntary National Directors (non-board senior volunteers) ensuring resources and accountability for work relevant to their remits.

Senior Management

- Contribute as a senior leader on the senior management team, providing strategic as well as operational guidance, direction and support across the whole organisation as well as in own area of responsibility.
- Proactively support ‘whole-of-organisation’ integration of work across the organisation, with SMT colleagues and other managers.
- Prepare and manage budgets for all areas within responsibility.
- Develop strong working relationships and partnerships of relevance with peers in the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement – keeping abreast of the latest developments affecting the programmes relevant for this role, including policy, regulatory and quality matters.
- Work actively and collaboratively with colleagues towards the achievement of the Irish Red Cross goals as set out in our strategy.

General

- Uphold and promote the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
- Participate in relevant training and professional development.
- Undertake other duties as required by the Secretary General, consistent with the scope of the role.
- Represent the organisation in high-level forums, events and stakeholder settings.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Essential Criteria

- Seven years+ experience at management level in the area of volunteer management / community development / membership organisation.
- Strong people skills especially managing the work of teams and individuals to ensure quality and timeliness of outputs and impact.
- Track record in working with volunteers and leading teams comprising volunteers and staff.
- Track record of bringing a very diverse group of stakeholders together to work to achieve a common purpose.
- Proven track record of leading in a complex environment with the highest standards of governance and compliance.
- Track record in growth: e.g. by numbers of members / by impact / by growth in reach.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Independent judgement, political acumen and discretion.
- Experience of working in the voluntary sector.
- Experience working with Government Departments.
- High levels of tolerance for organisational change and uncertainty.

Desirable Criteria

- Experience in proposals and grant writing development, budgeting and submission.
- Experience in organisational change, growth & transformation
- Experience in policy development and advocacy
- Familiarity with the Red Cross Red Crescent movement
- Experience with safeguarding responsibilities.
- Professional qualifications in relevant areas to a minimum of undergraduate degree level or equivalent.

Note that due to the nature of a volunteer-led organisation, many meetings requiring the presence of the Head of National Services are held evenings and weekends. The value and flexibility of the benefits package for this role reflects appropriate compensation for the flexibility and weekend / evening time that will be required.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The Irish Red Cross offers the following benefits in addition to salary

- A 5% employers' contribution to a company contributory pension scheme
- Death in Service benefit of four times salary
- Flexible working hours, including opportunities for hybrid working.
- Closure of the office on Good Friday, plus two additional ‘privilege days’ to be used at Easter and Christmas respectively.
- Further education, training and learning supports
- Professional subscriptions (as applicable)
- Travel (bike-to-work schemes/tax saver commuter tickets)

The Irish Red Cross is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and aspire to reflect this in our workforce. We welcome applications for people from all sections of the community, irrespective of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community. This role requires applicants to have the right to work in Ireland.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply for this role, please prepare a copy of your CV, together with a cover letter setting out how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for this role. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

The closing date for applications is: Monday 9th November at 10.00am

Shortlisting for interview will be on the basis of the essential and desirable criteria for this role. It is planned to hold first interviews for this role week of 16th November. Please note that there will be a second round of interviews.