Senior Officer, DREF

Job Purpose:

The Senior Officer, DREF for Europe, will provide timely and high-quality technical advice, to ensure NSs are well informed about the DREF mechanism and processes to contribute to the quality and accountability of all DREF operations including Early action protocols (EAPSs) in Europe and Central Asia Region.
The incumbent will deliver training on the application of appropriate operational procedures and systems for DREF; he/she will also participate in the development of appropriate tools for monitoring and tracking DREF operations while ensuring proper reporting and communications with key stakeholders.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

A. Technical Support

• Provides guidance and leadership to National Societies and IFRC Delegations in preparing DREF allocation requests, including the support to develop and use relevant resources to strengthen the understanding and use of the new DREF process.

• Coordinate the approval process of requests for DREF funding, in coordination with technical as well as quality assurance colleagues for quality control and sign off.

• Support the development processes of EAPs and sEAPs in the region (which is led by climate and preparedness teams) and lead the technical review and approval processes of the protocols as well as the activations of the protocols when the set trigger is met.

• Monitor and analyse use of DREF funds, promoting compliance with DREF procedures and that DREF loans are reimbursed to the fund wherever possible

• Coordinate after approval steps – e-contract, transfer, expenditures, implementation, delays, operations updates, and final reports

• Promotes timeliness and advises on the eligibility of the proposed activities and compliance with DREF Procedures, ensures initial operational calls between ROE and IFRC Delegations, attends joint task force calls and provides advice on the eligibility or not of the proposed requests, and advises on DREF grant or loan procedures according to the IFRC Emergency Response Framework (ERF).

• Coordinates the DREF approval process by ensuring appropriate and timely technical input from regional technical teams (HDCC, logistics, NSD, PMER and validation by finance), and by liaising with DCC Dept. in Geneva for quality control and sign off.

• Works with the DREF operation budget holders to maintain an overview of DREF expenditure, revision of operation plans where necessary and timely and transparent financial and narrative reporting on the use of DREF funds. This will be done in collaboration with relevant IFRC Delegations, Finance and PMER teams to ensure proper monitoring of operations.

• Ensures the quality and accountability of DREF operations by promoting and assisting with the use of management tools at a country level and by leading DREF evaluation initiatives together with ROE PMER and DREF Officers in IFRC GVA.

• Facilitates and coordinates quality and timely reporting on DREF operations through close cooperation with IFRC Delegations and ROE PMER and Finance counterparts.

• Leads the dissemination and understanding of the DREF Procedures, Guidelines and new DREF process.

• Monitors alignment with DREF Procedures in the Europe Region, and reports issues of non-compliance to the supervisor.

• Work and coordinate with the Regional stakeholders to update national Disaster Response trainings for DREF-related topics, also including support to delivering training and to providing advice to facilitators.

• Prepare proposals for donors to receive financial and technical support to enhance NS capacities working with DREF.

  Monitoring and Reporting

• Collect data from DREF reports on performance management targets and maintain database on quality and timeliness of DREF reporting for measurement of progress and monitoring of performance.

• Facilitate, coordinates and encourage quality and timely reporting on DREF-funded operations through close cooperation with Regional Reporting and Finance Units.

• Maintain updated information and statistics on use of DREF and on contributions to the fund and present this information as necessary for the Secretariat management, donors, and other parties.

• Provide statistical analysis of DREF trends and on other emergency funds as requested by Secretariat and donors.

• Prepare and write donor reports and assist the Senior officer in Geneva in the preparation of funding proposals and management reports.

• Support the Senior Officer in Geneva in the development and dissemination of procedures and guidelines for the use of DREF and monitor respect of procedures.

• Support the Senior Officer in Geneva the management of the fund, including day-to-day relations with donors and pledge management.

  B. Working Relationships

• The DREF Senior Officer for Europe works under the management of the Coordinator, Operations, within the ROE HDCC Unit to ensure DREF Procedures and Guidelines are respected and provides regular updates and information for informed decision making related to the DREF. The DREF Senior Officer shall work in close coordination with and seek technical guidance from the line Manager as necessary.

• Work in close collaboration with the relevant IFRC Delegations and the extended HDCC team, as well as Emergency Operations (primarily Operations Coordinators and Operations Managers), Health, Logistics, WASH, Shelter, NSD preparedness, climate and other colleagues on thematic files to promote an integrated approach in disaster response operations.

• Work in close collaboration with PMER and Finance colleagues to ensure timely and quality DREF plans and reports.

  The DREF Senior Officer has a technical reporting line to the Senior Officer, DREF in Geneva, who will advise the DREF Officer on DREF technical issues and parameters on overall DREF operations.

Requirements:

• Degree level (or equivalent qualification) in Disaster Management, International Development, or another relevant subject.
• At least five years’ relevant experience of disaster management and particularly disaster response operations in multiple country contexts.
• Previous experience of monitoring and evaluation
• Experience of programme design, project management and reporting, preferably in relation to disaster response and/or DREF related.
• Practical experience in sectors that link with disaster response (i.e., relief, food security, health, WASH, logistics)
• Disaster response experience in Europe Region contex