Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Coordinator (m/f/d), Kenya

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or the Federation) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organization established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) 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 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.’ It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The Secretariat is based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world.

As one of the five decentralized regional offices of the Secretariat, the Africa Regional Office leads the support to NS of 48 countries through Country Offices and Country Cluster Support Teams spread across Southern Africa, East Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, Central Africa, Sahel and West Africa.

Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Coordinator (m/f/d), Kenya

The IFRC Regional Office Africa is currently seeking a Regional Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Coordinator (m/f/d) based in Nairobi, Kenya. Working under the supervision of the Lead, Climate and Resilience, the Regional DRR Coordinator will be responsible for providing technical advice, strategic direction, coordination and leadership in the development, implementation and management of Disaster Risk Reduction portfolio in the Africa Region, and support the IFRC ’s DRR, Climate Change and resilience agenda in collaboration with National Societies through the establishment of an anticipatory humanitarian mechanism.

The position is Staff-on-Loan contracted and financed by the German Red Cross (GRC). The Regional DRR Coordinator supports German Red Cross thematic cooperations in the area of DRR and Anticipatory Action (AA) with the German Federal Foreign Office. By doing so the position will strengthen the technical support of GRC projects within the Movement and further strengthen the collaboration between German humanitarian actors in DRR and AA in Africa.

Starting date: 01.12.2024

Duration: 13 months (with possible extension)

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Main duties & responsibilities:

Technical Support

• Lead on providing technical guidance to all DRR programmes implemented by the Africa National Societies to ensure effective implementation of activities and compliance with project objectives prioritised according to existing capacities and gaps.
• Provide technical input for the design, development and implementation of IFRC’s current and future Disaster Risk Reduction and Early recovery initiatives alongside IFRC Country and Cluster Delegations and African National Societies as part of expanding IFRC’s DRR Portfolio, particularly on longer term and more sustainable adaption actions.
• Develop increased Disaster Risk Reduction capacity in IFRC Country Cluster Delegations and Africa National Societies fit for the specific contexts like fragile or urban violence settings including through training and strategic technical support.

Strategic Guidance

• Evaluate strategic needs and lead on providing strategic guidance to DRR needs of IFRC Country Cluster Delegations and Africa National Societies to ensure effective implementation of activities within the framework of the IFRC Strategic Plan 2030, Movement ambitions for climate action, Global Climate Resilience Program, Agenda for Renewal, Early Warning for All.
• Supporting IFRC Country Cluster Delegations and Africa National Societies in embedding and inclusion of Disaster Risk Reduction approaches, principles, practices and thinking within strategic and programme planning before, during and after disasters.
• Provide strong leadership on the preparation of IFRC plans pertaining to Disaster Risk Reduction in the Region including the preparation of annual regional activity plans.
• Ensure that IFRC’s work on DRR is well connected to the African Governments and Regional Bodies longer term development goals.

Coordination and representation

• Engage with other thematic leads within the IFRC Africa Regional Office to ensure a holistic, gender sensitive, people centred DRR programming.
• As a focal point for the DRR and CCA Community of Practice, provide strategic and secretariat support to the CoP to facilitate collective action and advocacy on DRR and CCA.
• Lead and facilitate RCRC Regional DRR Coordination Platforms to support peer to peer exchanges, experience sharing, strategic thinking and planning including development of DRR Champions.
• Engage with RCRC Partner National Societies in Africa working in the DRR Portfolio to facilitate peer to peer exchanges, partnership for impact and as part of expanding IFRC’s DRR Portfolio, particularly on longer term and more sustainable adaption actions.
• Lead the coordination & cooperation with German Red Cross (and other Partner National Societies) for a well-coordinated movement approach in the region on Disaster Risk Reduction and related topics.
• Lead on joint capacity building initiatives in line with the coordinated approach with all Movement Partners.
• Engage with relevant reference centres like Climate Centre, Global Preparedness Disaster Centre to support with development and implementation of holistic DRR programming in Africa.
• Lead IFRC’s interaction with external partners ranging from Donor Governments, Regional and International Organizations such as UN Bodies, African Union and Regional Economic Commissions involved in Disaster Risk Reduction programmes in Africa.
• Lead the Representation of the IFRC in key DRR Dialogues and platforms (within and beyond the RCRC) in the Region and Globally including but not limited to the Africa Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (APDRR), Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR), Africa Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (AWGDRR) to showcase the impact of the Movement and to connect to African Governments and Regional Bodies longer term development goals.

Partnerships and Resource Mobilization

• Spearhead the overall effort of the IFRC Africa Office to build partnerships as part of expanding IFRC’s DRR Portfolio, particularly on longer term and more sustainable adaption actions.
• Working closely with the Partnership and Resource Development Unit, mobilize an appropriate and sustainable funding base to support the IFRC Africa Disaster Risk Reduction Plans within the framework of the IFRC Strategic Plan 2030, Movement ambitions for climate action, Global Climate Resilience Program and Agenda for Renewal.

Communication & Reporting

• Ensure quality and timely reporting on DRR Programs and initiatives in IFRC Country and Cluster Delegations.
• Lead the Quarterly, Semi-annual and annual plans reporting against the IFRC Africa DRR annual plans.
• Develop innovative approaches and strategies for stimulating effective knowledge sharing partnerships for DRR work ongoing in Africa through the DRR and CCA Community of Practice.
• Lead in the documentation and development of a repository of DRR best practices in Africa for humanitarian Diplomacy within and beyond the RCRC.

Required Competencies & Skills:

Education:

• Relevant post-graduate university degree in Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Risk Management, Meteorology or equivalent studies
• Basic Delegates Training Course (BTC), WORC, IMPACT or equivalent knowledge

Experience:

• 8 years’ international experience in the humanitarian sector at the technical level related to disaster risk reduction programming
• Experience working for a humanitarian or development organization in the Africa region
• Good understanding of the IFRC policies, system, and procedures
• Experience in coordinating with multiple stakeholders, including authorities and other humanitarian actors
• Experience managing projects including programmatic and financial aspects.
• Strong track record in DRR, Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience (preferred)
• Experience working with Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies (preferred)

Languages

• Fluently spoken and written English
• Good command of another IFRC official language, and Swahili (preferred)

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent communication and facilitation skills
• Well organized, with very good planning and time management skills
• Self-supporting in computers (Email, Internet, spread sheets, word-processing, etc.)
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Ability and agreement to adhere to the Red Cross Red Crescent Fundamental Principles
• Ability to complete a thorough medical screening process ‘working abroad under specific climate and health conditions’
• Valid International Driving Permit (IDP)

What we offer you:

You will be part of a highly motivated professional and multicultural team. We offer you a compensation package according to the collective employment agreement of the GRC, an expatriation allowance during your mission as well as a personal allowance to cover your accommodation. In addition to a full insurance package GRC is covering a home flight within a 12-months period of assignment. You will benefit from a comprehensive training package and receive briefings and coaching prior as well as during and after your mission. Medical check-ups and Psychosocial Support Service are included in your assignment.