Consultant, Health Security and Community Resilience

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). Along with National Societies (NS) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies to prevent and alleviate human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during, and after disasters, health emergencies, and other crises.

 

The IFRC is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat is led by the Secretary-General and provides the central capacity of the IFRC to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. The Secretariat’s focus includes providing support to the IFRC governance mechanisms; setting norms and standards; providing guidance; ensuring consistency, coordination, and accountability for performance; knowledge sharing; promoting collaboration within and respect for the RCRC Movement; and expanding engagement with partners. The Secretariat’s headquarters is organised in three main Divisions: (i) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization (GRHDD); (ii) Management Policy, Strategy, and Corporate Services (MPSCS); and (iii) National Society Development and Operations Coordination (NSDOC). The Health and Care department is part of the NSDOC division. It focuses on two strategic directions: Health System Strengthening and WASH System Strengthening. Four pillars support the two strategic directions: (i) Global Health Security, (ii) Global Health Protection/UHC, (iii) Global WASH Services and (iv) Transformative Partnership.

 

The Health Security and Community Resilience team works in close collaboration with IFRC Regional, Cluster and Country Offices and reference centers by providing technical advice, support, representation and coordination to the IFRC’s programmes in the areas of Community Health Workforce (CHW), Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness, First Aid  and Resuscitation, Health Risk Monitoring and Surveillance, Life Course (Healthy Ageing), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Job Purpose

Consultancy Objective:

The overall objective of this consultancy is to support the Global Lead – Health Security and Community Resilience team in strengthening information sharing and dialogue through different working and reference groups, development of tools, guidelines and frameworks, operational reports and briefings, case studies and analysis of likely needs of different National Societies over the coming years through mapping, and surveys for CHW, Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness, First Aid  and Resuscitation, Health Risk Monitoring and Surveillance, Life Course (Healthy Ageing), MHPSS and NCDs.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Key Deliverables:

The Consultant will support Lead – Health Security and Community Resilience team to lead, test, develop, coordinate and support National Societies (NSs) in implementing the RCRC Movement’s approach to CHW, Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness, First Aid and Resuscitation, Health Risk Monitoring and Surveillance, Life Course (Healthy Ageing), MHPSS and NCDs specifically focusing upon:

 

Technical and programme support

• Support in capacity building of NS staff and volunteers through workshops, training of trainers (ToTs) and webinars to scale-up implementation of CHW, Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness, First Aid and Resuscitation, Health Risk Monitoring and Surveillance, Life Course (Healthy Ageing), MHPSS and NCDs programmes.

• Support NSs in rolling down evidence-based community health interventions in different regions.

Mapping and development of tools and other relevant documents

• Mapping of National Societies’ programs related to CHW, Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness, First Aid and Resuscitation, Health Risk Monitoring and Surveillance, Life Course (Healthy Ageing), MHPSS and NCDs.

• Support to develop the strategic frameworks, tools, guidelines, discussion papers, and packages in close consultation with NS and IFRC regional and field offices.

 

Knowledge and Information Management

• Support to develop a knowledge management platform: to ensure systematic collection, sharing and dissemination of advanced knowledge, experience and practice of different NSs as well as external partners.
• Ensure that planning and reporting requirements are met in a timely and efficient manner.

• Further strengthening and sustaining information sharing, intra-team dialogue, and dissemination of stories and useful documents from the field.
• Assist in the development of MOOCs courses for different Community health tools
• Assist in research initiatives and university collaborations
• Assist in developing plans and communication packages for NS during global health awareness days and campaigns.

Develop operational reports, case studies and other communication materials

• Supporting in development of all external donor reports in strict compliance with donor requirements and deadlines.
• Assisting in review, development, and timely submission of reports, case studies, success stories, videos, and PowerPoint presentations for internal and external stakeholders for promotion of IFRC and NS work.
• Producing quality, evidence-based content that supports impactful communication and advocacy initiatives for better positioning of CHW, Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness, First Aid and Resuscitation, Health Risk Monitoring and Surveillance, Life Course (Healthy Ageing), MHPSS and NCDs programming.
• Assisting in development of project proposals and other marketing materials

 

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Organization and participation in events

• Assisting in organization of high-level conference, workshops, webinars and other capacity building activities at global levels.
• Support in organizing and participating in relevant meetings, events, technical working groups, and reference groups within and outside the RCRC movement
• Assisting in developing key messages, briefing notes, and minutes to all strategic, high-level, and important events and meetings where IFRC will deliver statements, speeches, and messages.

Management of the consultant

The consultant will be line managed by the Global Lead – Health Security and Community Resilience Team, Health, and Care Department, IFRC Geneva. The position will be home-based with travel as required.

 

Proposed time frame:

200 working days

2^nd January to 31^st December 2025

Education

Required

• Relevant university postgraduate degree.
• Nursing/ Medical graduate.

Experience

Required

• Experience from humanitarian aid organisations and global health will be meriting.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• • Knowledge of public and emergency health and experience in practically applying this knowledge to policy, programs, and positioning, preferably in emergencies will be meriting.
  • Program and project management
  • Results-oriented and demand-driven self-starter, entrepreneurial, ability to perform in

  unusual and ambiguous situations.

  • Experience in research, scientific writing, and research methodologies
  • Experience in project proposal development
  • Fluency in English is required.

Preferred

• Fluency in Spanish, French, Russian or Arabic are an asset.

Competencies, Values and Comments

Notes:

• The consultant will be contacted by the IFRC, and the standard contractual terms will apply.
• Agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed at a cost in accordance with the IFRC’s relevant regulations.

Applications should include the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter summarizing your experience, suggested approach to the work, your daily rate, and three professional references.