Consultant, National Society Development

Organizational Context

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 role of the IFRC Country Cluster Delegation in Dakar is to ensure that IFRC Secretariat services are provided efficiently to the member National Societies of Senegal, Mauritania, Cape Verde, and The Gambia. This includes membership services, diplomacy and advocacy, coordination and support to emergency response and long-term programming.

The role of the IFRC Country Cluster Delegation in Dakar is to ensure that IFRC Secretariat services are provided efficiently to the member National Societies of Senegal, Mauritania, Cape Verde, and The Gambia. This includes membership services, diplomacy and advocacy, coordination and support to emergency response and long-term programming.

The position is based in Dakar, with frequent traveling to Mauritania. The NSD Senior Practitioner will accompany the Senegalese and Mauritanian Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies in their transformative journey towards becoming modern, well-functioning, and credible National Societies. This includes strengthening their institutional capacities, governance, leadership, and systems to effectively design, deliver, and sustain inclusive services.

Working in close collaboration with RCRC partners, public authorities and other stakeholders, the position will facilitate a coherent and long-term organizational development approach. This will include supporting the co-creation and implementation of strategic and operational frameworks that integrate migration and displacement within broader National Society development plans, aligned with IFRC strategic priorities, localization commitments, and available and diversified funding streams.

The role will emphasize:

• Institutional strengthening and systems development (governance, leadership, accountability, and financial sustainability);
• Localization and National Society leadership, ensuring that migration-related interventions are nationally owned and embedded in core business;
• Integrated programming approaches, linking migration, health, protection, livelihoods, and community engagement;
• Partnership development and positioning, enhancing the credibility and convening power of the National Societies at national and regional levels.

Job Purpose

Mauritanian Red Crescent (CRM): An institutional turning point (70% of the mission)
The CRM is at a pivotal moment in its history. The current leadership has expressed a firm commitment to break with legacy ways of operating and to transform the organization into a modern, transparent, and accountable National Society. The ambition is significant, as the level of investment and financial stakes for the IFRC in Mauritania are considerable.

This transformation requires strict alignment with IFRC international standards (notably the National Society Development – NSD frameworks) in order to meet national expectations and strengthen the confidence of technical and financial partners. The work achieved as part of this mission should help remove bottlenecks in governance, financial management, and the branch network, while identifying priority actions (“quick wins”) to initiate tangible change within 6 to 12 months.

Senegalese Red Cross (CRS): Revitalization and credibility (30% of the mission)
At the same time, the CRS has launched an reset plan for 2026–2029. Despite its extensive operational experience, the Senegalese National Society faces persistent challenges related to accountability, internal coordination, and strategic steering.

The advisory support provided through this position aims to assist CRS leadership in implementing its recovery plan and in addressing critical recommendations stemming from recent technical notes. The objective is to strengthen the institution’s credibility, enabling it to act as an even more effective auxiliary to public authorities, capable of mobilizing sustainable resources and managing its priorities with agility.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will be responsible for:

• Conducting a comprehensive organizational assessment of the CRM (Mauritania), including governance, finances, HR, and branch network.
• Producing a transitional roadmap (12–18 months) for Mauritania, incorporating “quick wins” and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Providing strategic and operational support to the CRS (Senegal) for the follow-up of the revitalization plan and to facilitate decision-making.
• Facilitating peer-to-peer learning between the two National Societies (NS), cross-cutting and beyond.

Under the supervision of the Head of Delegation, and in close coordination with the governance bodies of both NS, the consultant will be expected to:

• Analysis and Diagnosis (Mauritania): Conduct document reviews (statutes, audits, PMER reports) and stakeholder interviews (ministries, ICRC, bilateral partners, donors).
• Governance Support (Senegal): Support the preparation of strategic meetings, structure simple management tools, and identify risks requiring arbitration.
• Peer-to-Peer Facilitation: Organize co-creation sessions and technical exchange meetings between Senegal and Mauritania.
• Strategic Design: Develop action plans, including costing, milestones, and risk registers.
• The consultant must be agile, flexible, and adaptable to the context of each NS.
• The delegate will work in close proximity with leadership bodies, following a capacity-building and knowledge transfer approach (non-substitution).
• The assignment will alternate between remote work and field presence (minimum of 6 cumulative weeks in Mauritania over the period).
• Administrative supervision will be ensured by the IFRC (Head of Dakar Cluster Delegation), while functional supervision will be provided by the respective Presidents and Secretaries General of the NS.

The consultant will benefit from the direct support of:

• IFRC Head of Dakar Cluster Delegation: briefings and introductions to stakeholders.
• Regional Coordinator / Sahel+ Migration Coordinator: technical guidance and liaison with National Societies.
• IFRC team in Mauritania.
• French Red Cross and British Red Cross for Mauritania.
• Belgian Red Cross for Senegal.
• Additional resources: access to IFRC operational data, financial information, and relevant stakeholders.

Relationships, Networking, Expertise, and Professional Development

• Establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with the NS senior and middle management, relevant counterparts, programme staff, national and international staff of the NS’s partners, and IFRC regional and global offices.
• Support NS to develop and implement learning strategies and corresponding peer-to-peer exchange and learning mechanisms to nurture innovation and strengthen the culture of learning within the NS, with external actors and other NSs.
• Contribute, as a part of the IFRC global NSD practitioners’ team, to the quality development of the Federation-wide NSD initiatives, including the improved Ways of Working, to achieve solid membership coordination.
• Ensure regular reporting on progress in key indicators of NSD in the Region.
• Provide advice and support to operationalize approaches that will strengthen the capacities of the NS, as well as promote innovation in the programmes/operations (e.g., Digital Transformation).

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Timeframe and consulting days

This consultancy will last approximately 90 days from 01 July 2026 to 31 December 2026.

Consultants are required to submit a proposal based on daily rate.

Education

• Relevant university degree in political or social sciences, international law, international relations, human rights or equivalent
• Advanced (master’s level) degree in political or social sciences, international law, international relations, human rights or equivalent is preferred

Experience

• At least 7-9 years of progressive experience in a similar role
• At least 5-7 years of experience working in organizational development and volunteer development
• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in coaching, institutional capacity strengthening, and staff development
• A minimum of 5 years of experience (at senior/ mid-management level) in change management and experience in supporting strategic planning and management
• At least 3-5 years of experience within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement or membership-based non-governmental organizations
• Experience in project management cycle (proposal writing, log frames, financial management, monitoring, reporting, evaluation)
• Good knowledge and relevant work experience in the regional context
• Experience of working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Effective team and project management skills
• Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) and strong presentation skills
• Creative, results- and solutions-orientated
• Good mentoring and capacity development skills
• Good research, information analysis and report writing skills
• Ability to work and communicate efficiently in a multicultural and cross-functional team setting
• Ability to work with autonomy
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills
• Time management and organisation skills
• Proficiency in supply chain digital tools, ERP systems, and data visualization platforms (e.g., Power BI, Excel advanced functions) to support planning, tracking, and performance analysis. Proven ability to enhance supply chain visibility and decision-making through digital solutions.
• Understanding of and commitment to IFRC’s mission and values.

Languages

• Fluent spoken and written French
• Fluent spoken and written English
• Good command of Arabic

Competencies, Values and Comments

• 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