Officer, Project Management

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). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member NSs and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

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.

In February 2022, a new phase in the armed conflict in Ukraine started. The intensification and spread of hostilities have affected all of Ukraine, causing massive humanitarian needs across all sectors and destroying essential civilian infrastructure. Millions of people are displaced in Ukraine, more than 5 million people have fled to other countries.

IFRC launched an Emergency Appeal for Ukraine and impacted countries. ICRC, IFRC and numerous Partner National Societies (PNSs) are integrating their capacities to provide coordinated crisis response to the Ukraine Red Cross Society (URCS) and in the neighboring countries.

Job Purpose

The Project Management Officer will report to the Programme and Operations Manager in the IFRC Ukraine Country Delegation and oversee IFRC-funded projects (in particular USAID-funded projects starting in 2024) through IFRC agreements with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS). She/he is expected to coordinate with IFRC colleagues and work closely with URCS counterparts to ensure that projects are consistent with the project plan, adhere with the IFRC policies and procedures and meet the timelines, indicators reporting requirements. From time to time the Project Management Officer may be required to conduct field visits to measure the impact of interventions and provide necessary support to the teams awarded with grants by the IFRC.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Program Planning, Implementation and Coordination

• When required, support IFRC and URSC teams in the development and writing of project proposals and elaboration of Project Funding Agreements.
• Support URCS at the headquarter and branch levels in the planning and implementation of IFRC-funded projects (in particular the USAID funded project), in coordination with IFRC field coordinators.
• Maintain internal coordination with programme and support teams (such as Logistics, Health, MHPSS, Protection, Communications, CEA, PGI, PMER, and IM both at IFRC and URCS relevant to IFRC-funding projects about project interventions.
• Maintain close collaboration with relevant URCS project managers, PMER coordinator and Project Management Office and facilitate the sharing of information and plans.
• Ensure that IFRC financial and procurement procedures are well communicated and adhered to.

Program Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Communications

• Support the development of data collection tools, evaluate the quality of collected data regularly.
• Incorporate feedback and data analysis to ensure improved quality of the interventions.
• Contribute to the identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning.
• Conduct field visits for the monitoring of activities implemented, to better understand challenges and to support the implementation teams.
• Ensure that implementation targets are being met, flag issues proactively and seek solutions as needed.
• Contribute and coordinate with URCS in the preparation of narrative and financial reports as per the requirement and reporting templates.
• Identify success stories and work with URCS/IFRC communications team to support in development of content.

Coordination, Cooperation and Networking

• Support operational and technical coordination with URCS and Movement and external partners both at the national and regional levels concerning IFRC-funded projects (in particular USAID-funded projects).
• Ensure effective working relationships with national authorities, local and international non-governmental organizations, and UN agencies working in the same area, and collaborating with them when appropriate.

• Participate in relevant meetings with Red Cross Movement partners, Governments, donors, NGOs and UN Agencies co-financing and implementing initiatives.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Duties applicable to all staff

Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals 

Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles

Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

Education

Required

Relevant university degree or extensive professional experience in related field

Preferred

Professional training and certification in project (or grant) management

Other relevant professional training courses (Red Cross/Red Crescent related, humanitarian and development sector, etc.)

Experience

Required

Minimum of 3 years’ experience in project management

Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation

Experience in drafting of narrative & financial reporting

Preferred

Experience in international grant management (ideally with USAID) in the humanitarian or development sector 

Volunteering or professional experience within the Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement

Relevant work experience with an international organisation, international non-governmental organization, NGO and/or government development agency

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

Ability to lead and manage partners and stakeholders in a diverse cultural context

Highly organised/time management skills

Sound knowledge in financial management and in project design, budget, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting

Excellent communications and interpersonal skills.

Self-supporting in computers (Email, Internet, spread sheets, word-processing, etc.)

Effective writing skills including drafting of narrative and financial reports

Ability to handle multiple tasks, manage stress and ability to travel within the territory of Ukraine (security cleared).

Preferred

Knowledge of grant management in the humanitarian / development sector (ideally with USAID) 

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