Program Consultant

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 (NS). The overall aim of the 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.” The IFRC 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 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 the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. 

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

The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has CCD and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat. The CCD Bangkok covers four countries namely Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam and operates as one joint team to support each country’s NS. The CCD Bangkok also provides secretariat support to the Southeast Asia Red Cross Red Crescent Networks and represents IFRC with the United Nations ESCAP and other regional organizations based in Bangkok.

Job Purpose

The Program Consultant is responsible for providing support to all VNRC projects and operations supported by IFRC, ensuring these initiatives contribute to strengthening VNRC’s mandate and core services. The Program Consultant, with guidance from the CCD Programme Coordinator, provides management support to all projects and operations in various sectors such as disaster risk reduction (DRR), cash and voucher assistance (CVA), shelter, livelihoods and basic needs, health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and protection, gender and inclusion (PGI).

The Program Consultant oversees the implementation of the CCD unified plan 2023-2025 alongside disaster response operations. The Program Consultant maintains an oversight of the evolving humanitarian context in Viet Nam and ensures that IFRC technical support is agile and continues to meet the specific needs of VNRC. This position also ensures that IFRC support to operations and projects contribute to enhancing VNRC’s capacities.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Programme development and emergency response

• Support VNRC in planning and managing projects and operations that are relevant to the needs of vulnerable communities.
• Guide VNRC in developing emergency plans of actions, submitting DREF requests and launching Emergency Appeals in line with the relevant guidelines and procedures.
• Provide technical advice in all project areas to support implementation and quality assurance, including backstopping for technical leads as may be required.

Technical support

• Promote opportunities for VNRC to develop capacities of their personnel in managing projects and operations in accordance with international standards by providing professional expertise in policy development, project monitoring, impact assessment, reporting skills and administrative systems.
• Promote the full integration of National Society Development (NSD) interventions within and across all projects and operations.
• Support VNRC with the development of their human resources involved with disaster management, through tailor made trainings, appropriate material development and in organizing and undertaking training of Red Cross staff and volunteers.
• Support the organization of appropriate trainings for VNRC staff to develop and maintain proper mechanisms for managing emergency operations Contingency plans, reporting mechanisms, awareness raising about the integration of disaster management and health into community-based resilience projects.

Coordination, cooperation and networking

• Facilitate regular coordination among Movement partners in the country and ensure that relevant Movement policies and pre-agreed thematic issues are followed up on.
• Support effective mechanisms for coordinating the support of Movement and other partners in the event of a large-scale disaster or and crisis.
• Support VNRC in facilitating preparedness-for-disaster (pre-disaster) meetings, bringing together Movement and external partners with the view of positioning them to deliver coordinated humanitarian action in disasters and crises.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Promote and engage in systematic monitoring and evaluation of IFRC-supported projects and operations to ensure that implementation is timely, relevant, effective and in line with best international practices, and to identify best practices for organizational learning.
• Prepare accurate and timely monthly operational highlights and contribute to the development of the CCD unified plan and related reports.

General management

• Accountable to the CCD Programme Coordinator on achievement of results under the Viet Nam component of the IFRC CCD unified plan 2023-2025.
• Responsible and accountable for the overall day-to day management and coordination of projects and operations ensuring sound planning and financial management in accordance with IFRC policies, standards and practices.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and agreements to minimize risk of harm to the IFRC and its personnel, properties and resources. Includes compliance with procurement procedures and standards, identifying risks and challenges to the ongoing operations and projects.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Confidentiality

• Maintain strict moral confidentiality and do not disclose neither spread any confidential or sensitive information.
• Organize archives of all reports and documents and treat them as confidential material

Education

Relevant university education or an equivalent of qualifying experience (Required)
ERU, FACT or RDRT training (Preferred)

Experience

At least 5 years of disaster management experience, including managing staff (Preferred)
Field experience in coordinating and managing disaster and crisis management projects and activities especially population movements (Required)
Work experience with the Movement (Required)
Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting  and reporting, monitoring and evaluation (Required)
Good knowledge and relevant work experience in the regional context (Required)
Based in Hanoi, Viet Nam (Required)

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Effective team and project management skills (Required)
Good analytical skills and solution-oriented (Required)
Good mentoring and capacity development skills (Required)
Ability to work well in a multicultural team (Required)
Excellent stress management skills (Required)
Demonstrated accountability (Required)Fluently spoken and written English (Required)
Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic) (Preferred)