Project Implementation Support EU4Health Project

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. The overall aim of the IFRC is to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies 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 is a part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies 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.

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.

Over the past few years, the European region has typically seen an average of 2-3 active Emergency Appeal operations and has initiated approximately 15 DREF operations annually. Additionally, the Health, Disaster, Crises, and Climate Unit is providing support to several programs, either directly or through cluster and country offices. In February 2022, a significant shift occurred in the disaster and crisis landscape of the region when a new phase of armed conflict began in Ukraine. The escalation and widespread nature of the hostilities have had a profound impact on all of Ukraine, raising significant concerns about the safety of civilians and critical civilian infrastructure. Within a span of four weeks following this intensification, it was estimated that more than 6.5 million people had been displaced within Ukraine, and over 4 million people from Ukraine had sought refuge in neighboring countries.

Project Background

The EU4Health project, funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG Santé), entails collaboration between the National Red Cross Societies in Ukraine and 25 EU/EAA countries. It aims to offer mental health support to the people displaced from Ukraine through helplines, outreach efforts, and group activities conducted in multiple languages.

The participant National Societies include Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine.

The project started on 8 June 2022, with a planned duration of 36 months, concluding on 7 June 2025.

The IFRC Regional Office for Europe (IFRC RoE) is responsible for the overall program coordination among partners, as well as direct operational support during the implementation to the National Societies. The IFRC RoE MHPSS team is in Budapest and provides overall support, in addition to MHPSS technical delegates in-country offices.

The IFRC Reference Center for Psychosocial Support (PS Center) has been involved in the response to the Ukraine and affected countries since the beginning of the crisis and has developed online training materials, training videos, guides, podcasts, and webinars, as well as briefings on topics as requested by Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies.

In collaboration with the IFRC Psychosocial Center, IFRC RoE ensures that standardized approaches and tools are applied, and peer support and technical capacity development of delegates are available. In addition, IFRC RoE leads and coordinates the learning events, mid-term review and final evaluation.

Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide support for the implementation of the EU4Health Project to the Project focal points from the National Societies (NS) who may improve their performance.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Establish a trustful relationship with the NS project focal points.
• Provide advice and support to the NS project focal points timely and in a professional manner on demand.
• Review project documentation, including the project proposal, progress reports, Monitoring and Evaluation framework, workplans, budget, and other relevant documents to be familiar with the donor requirements.
• Conduct planning meetings and/or calls with the NS Project Manager to ensure proper guidance and focus on the objectives as well as with the key members of the EU4Health RoE and PS Center team.
• Coordinate and collaborate in the organization to perform the actions that benefit the project implementation such as training, workshop with the members of the EU4Health team (RoE/PS Center).
• Guarantee NS focal points to deliver bimonthly reports including key information and details according to the goals of the project and the donor requirements.
• Keep updated the RoE EU4Health team about NSs’ project implementation and any issues that need to be followed in advance to minimize any impact on the project.
• Present the reports in a timely manner.

Deliverables

1. NS Assessment implementation status report: This document outlines the principal activities of the NS is implementing in the frame of the EU4Health project per each of the 6 indicators, including their current capacity, the challenges or gaps the NS focal points are facing and impacting negatively on the project implementation as well as the possible solutions.
2. NS Project Implementation Workplan: This document outlines the key actions and activities (existing coordination, M&E plans, reporting, other relevant documents) the NS focal points will organize in 2024 to guarantee a successful project implementation and achievement of the indicators set up.
3. Monitoring and evaluation plan of the consultant: This document outlines the changes across the consultancy in terms of implementation as well as any new challenges or issues and the respective actions taken to minimize those ones.
4. Reports: During the consultancy period, the delivery of a total of four reports is expected, with three reports scheduled for each respective month (February, March, April). Additionally, a final comprehensive report will be submitted, highlighting the principal achievements. These reports will center on monitoring the performance of the NS, offering valuable recommendations to mitigate risks for both the NS Project Manager and the RoE EU4Health team.

Required:

• An advanced degree in social or health sciences, specialties in mental health and psychosocial support and project management.

Required Professional Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in the field of international development and considerable experience in the field of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support.
• Demonstrated experience in project implementation within a non-governmental organization or a related industry.
• Proven experience in providing technical support, performing training, developing plan of action.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Portuguese, enabling clear and effective communication with the National Societies.
• Proficiency in group facilitation techniques and the ability to captivate and engage an audience effectively.
• Excellent organizational skills, combined with the capability to work independently, meet deadlines, and manage complex tasks.
• The capacity to adapt and tailor content in real-time, as well as to address emergent issues during workshops or events.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to cultural diversity and a deep understanding of political, contextual, and ethical issues that may arise in international settings.

Preference:

• Strong preference for the candidates with knowledge of engaging with MHPSS interventions, as this is highly beneficial in the context of the role.
• Familiarity with the operating model of the IFRC programming is preferred.

Competencies and Values

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.

Engagement Details

• Location: The engagement will take place in both remote and on-site settings if needed.
• Travel and Logistics: IFRC will cover the expenses for travel and accommodation of the consultant. The IFRC will also be responsible for booking the consultant’s travel arrangements.
• Period of Engagement: The engagement is expected to span from February 2023, maximum of 3 months or up to 65 working days.

Application

Interested individuals are welcome to submit their applications, which should include the following:

• Curriculum Vitae and a letter of motivation
• Financial proposal for the consultancy indicating your availability and your current daily rate in CHF
• Two examples of previous work or projects.
• Three professional references who can verify the applicant’s qualifications and work experience.

The application deadline is 18.01.2024, by the End of Business Day. Please ensure that your application is submitted by this date to be considered for the position.

Questions or inquiries related to the consultancy should be directed to Aneta Trgachevska, EU4Health Project Manager at, [email protected]