Director, Risk Reduction and Resilience | Canadian Red Cross

Title :   Director, Risk Reduction and Resilience

Employee Working Location :  Remote/Virtual  (BC & Yukon, Canada)

Employment Status :  Permanent Full-time

Salary Band : $91,106 - $113,882 / year

The Canadian Red Cross (CRC) – one of the most inspirational not-for-profit organizations on this planet and an awardee on the Forbes list of Canada’s Best Employers 2024 - is seeking a Director, Risk Reduction and Resilience to join its team. 

We are guided by our Fundamental Principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. We help people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need and support them in strengthening their resilience. 

Starting with the hiring process, we are committed to having an accessible, diverse, inclusive, and barrier-free work environment where everyone can reach their full potential. We encourage all qualified persons who share our values and want to contribute to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace to apply. 

The incumbent will work in collaboration with the Senior Director, Emergency Management, British Columbia & Yukon (BCY) the Director, Risk Reduction & Resilience (RR&R), is a key leader, and subject matter expert who will lead planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting against the Society’s commitments to Risk Reduction and Indigenous Programs. This position will ensure achievement against the Society’s mandate to reduce risks to disasters, emergencies and crises through the implementation of the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) Framework and the Indigenous Programs – Creating Safe Environments (CSE) Strategy. Broadly, responsible for the development, management, and oversight of programming; represent the CRC at relevant forums regionally; track policy developments in the sector and facilitate processes aimed at capacity building; bring the BCY perspective to RR&R programs nationally, as well as liaise with CRC programs and services and external partners on this portfolio.

The Director, Risk Reduction & Resilience will guide the implementation and where appropriate development of tools and processes to ensure consistent, high-quality programming, knowledge management and learning in the sector. Contribution to process and tool development will require collaboration with other BCY leaders as well as responsible National teams.

The incumbent will have a solid knowledge of programs and services supporting the Indigenous communities to build on the four pillars of the CRC Indigenous Peoples Framework; collaboration with Indigenous communities, organizations and partners in line with the Society’s vision on Indigenous Community Engagement.           

In this role, you will:

Responsibility 1:  Strategic Development, Planning and Implementation    

• Provide leadership and oversight on programs and activities supporting the implementation of the DRR/CCA and CSE Strategies.
• Direct team to ensure the development of aligned strategies, and policy regarding the Society’s approach to RR&R.
• In collaboration with Communications and in alignment with National direction, develop a strategic communication plan, support the development and delivery of key messages, media campaigns and communications that inform and support areas of work within RR&R.
• In collaboration with BC&Y Leadership, define, develop and oversee the relationships and partnerships supporting DRR/CCA and CSE with provincial, federal, local and Indigenous governments, research organizations, and partners.

Responsibility 2:  Develops, plans, monitors, evaluates and reports on programs and activities

• Establishes strategic and long-term direction for RR&R programs/activities, plans and using established strategy and process documentation as well as performance standards set by the National Service Line Leads.
• Reviews best practices towards reducing risk and vulnerability related to disasters, emergencies and crises with alignment to geographic and national goals and objectives.
• Accountable to ensure that the programs/activities are effective, current, accessible and aligned to the relevant CRC Frameworks as well as in compliance with Federal/Provincial/Territorial regulations/legislation.
• Ensures that Indigenous initiatives are effective, responsive to emerging trends, uphold commitment to ‘do no harm’ and in compliance with regulations/legislation.
• Supports the development of creative solutions towards improving personal and community preparedness and mitigation to risks impacting safety, wellness and resilience that can be geographically contextualized.
• Provides direction to utilize volunteer support.
• Manages and provides leadership to direct report/s including; hiring, providing advice, training, and coaching, as required.
• Creates and reinforces a culture of collaboration and cooperation in support of both program and geographic needs.
• Provides direct oversight to program evaluation and reporting process.

Responsibility 3:  Internal and External Partnerships

• Develop and nurture external relationship at provincial/territorial level including with public authorities, private sector, communities, partner and other related non-profit organizations.
• Ensure linkages with other program teams for consistency in approach between response and DRR.
• As required, attends and/or presents at meetings with partners (internal/external) to provide technical or subject matter expertise on core areas, including strategies, program and service development, implementation, and delivery.
• Holds relationships with health and emergency management  and other internal partners as it pertains to initiatives on RR&R and collaborates on the development of strategic direction. 

Responsibility 4:  Support to Humanitarian Services Programs

• Lead the development of budgets and ensure regular monitoring of effective use of resources, demonstrated results, and budget efficiency in relation to program objectives.
• Prepares and presents annual grant applications, request for proposals and reporting as it relates to key expected achievements.
• Monitors the overall performance and success of the programs/initiatives through key performance  indicators (KPIs) for RR&R.
• Accurately completes internal and external reporting requirements in timely manner; supports priorities and processes that will ensure holistic application of the Indigenous Peoples Framework principles and commitments within the CRC.

What we are looking for:

• Completion of an advanced University degree or similar professional qualification in a related field.
• 10 years’ related work experience with 3 of those years at a senior level or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Work experience with the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement, including time in the field with a National Society is considered a strong asset.
• Experience in working with diverse populations and an understanding of cultural issues, specifically traditional Indigenous beliefs and practices.
• Experience working with Indigenous leadership structures, networks and organizations.
• Experience leading and directing teams in high pressure and complex environments.
• Knowledge of Global Frameworks of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement as well as United Nations Declaration on the. Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
• Knowledge of international Red Cross/ Red Crescent commitments and guidance on DRR/CCA and Community Resilience.
• General knowledge and understanding of Disaster and Emergency Management issues in Canada.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead program initiatives.
• Ability to explore and analyze complex issues and to prepare written evaluations and recommendations for executive management.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and complete tasks.
• Effective presentation skills.
• Ability to influence and motivate employees in a matrixed environment; ability to leverage existing and new relationships with various stakeholders.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English essential.
• Ability to speak an Indigenous language is considered a strong asset.
• Experience in building volunteer, community and government partnerships.
• Strong negotiating, influencing and relationship building skills.
• Excellent communication and analytical skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances in a fast-paced environment.

Working conditions: 

• Based in British Columbia, with the flexibility of working from home.
• Travel within B.C. is required with the possibility of other domestic trips.
• Field missions can involve working in environments that are unstable and unpredictable requiring very strict adherence to security regulations and with limited access to basic services. A demonstrated ability to work in stressful and often ambiguous conditions is required.
• A class 5 BC Driver’s license is required, and driver’s abstract.
• Eligibility to work in Canada: At this time, we welcome applications from candidates eligible to work in Canada. If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, we encourage you to carefully review your visa to find out whether you are eligible to work in the job you are considering applying for. Refer to our FAQ for more information.
• If you are selected for this role, you will be required to complete a successful pre-employment screening process which includes a satisfactory Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC).

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible - those who apply after the selection process has started may be held for a second review if needed OR reviewed for alternative roles. We appreciate the time and effort it takes to apply and thank you in advance.

If you require accommodation measures during any phase of the hiring process, please notify us as soon as possible. All information received in relation to accommodation requests will be kept confidential.

The official languages recognized within the Canadian Red Cross are English and French however demonstrated skills and ability to communicate in an or multiple Indigenous language(s) or ability to communicate and adapt within Indigenous protocol is highly desirable.

Please apply through the following link: https://tre.tbe.taleo.net/tre01/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=CRCS&cws=75&rid=12862&utm_source=IPAC&utm_medium=12862&utm_campaign=Mars2024