Senior Officer, Operations Support

Organizational Context

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 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 Federation is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat’s focus includes providing support to the IFRC governance mechanisms; setting norms and standards; providing guidance; ensuring consistency; coordination and accountability for performance; knowledge sharing; promoting collaboration within and respect for the RCRC Movement; and expanding engagement with partners.

The position is for the Swedish Red Cross, based in Kyiv, with frequent travels to Sumy Oblast and potentially other Regions at a later stage.

Job Purpose

The purpose of the position is to support the Swedish Red Cross Programme Manager in managing the Swedish RC portfolio of activities in Ukraine.

The Operations Support Senior Officer, under the line management of the Programme Manager, is responsible for overseeing the coordination of timely, efficient, and effective Swedish Red Cross support to the URCS National Committee, URCS Sumy Regional Branch through our joint agreement and other future Swedish Red Cross operations in the country. This includes supporting the team responsible for development and implementation of programmes that address short, medium, and longer-term impacts of the crisis. The Operations Support Senior Officer will support ongoing programmatic portfolio and plans in existing and potential new regions where Swedish Red Cross is supporting URCS. Operations Support Senior Officer provides support for the close coordination and strong collaboration with URCS and all Movement Partners, together with the Country Representative and Programme Manager.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will:

• Support operations and provide technical input to the management of the operations in close collaboration with the URCS technical departments, including Health, Shelter, LLH, BraVo, CVA heads of units and IM and PMER technical teams at URCS Regional Branch level, URCS National Committee and Swedish RC Ukraine and Stockholm offices. Ensure that all response activities and programmes are developed and supported in coordination with other sectorial teams as appropriate, as Protection Gender and Inclusion.
• A new Shelter Construction Project is under development in Sumy. A specific focus will be on this project during the first 6-9 months. Together with the Programme Manager, the Operations Senior Support Officer will provide support in development, mangement, and implementation of the shelter project, including workplans to ensure timely monitoring assessments and reports. The Operations Senior Support Officer will support URCS Sumy Regional Branch staff in implementation of the shelter project and be responsible for ensuring compliance with contractual commitments, including financial follow-up together with the Programme Manager.
• Work with URCS in identifying priorities and gaps to provide institutional strengthening.
• Coordinate analysis of implementation, including implementation rates to determine whether delivery is on track and in line with agreed URCS project management procedures and Swedish Red Cross commitments as described in our agreements.
• Support URCS in planning monitoring, evaluation and reporting against agreed plans and supported programmes in coordination with URCS PMER manager and URCS Sumy Regional Branch staff.
• Provide support to Programme Manager in developing risk management matrix and keep updated with inputs from different technical team members. Support Programme Manager to assess and analyse trends, needs, and conditions for Swedish Red Cross’ involvement in programmatic areas in Ukraine to ensure coherence with the roles, capacities, and strategic directions of URCS and Swedish RC.
• Support URCS in the assessment, planning, implementation of programmes in existing joint programs and any future engagements with the URCS. Ensure that the response, technical design, and site activities comply with appropriate local, national, and international standards and regulations.
• Ensure that all project data is recorded and maintained in the URCS mobilization tables.
• Responsible for financial programme overview.
• Ensure compliance with contractual commitments and extracting and implementing key learnings from project implementation.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Duties applicable to all staff:

1. Actively work towards the achievement of the Swedish Red Cross goals

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

3. Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager or Country Representative.

Education

Relevant university education.

Experience

• Experience in international operations, including emergency response, in humanitarian and development aid programmes
• Good understanding of the global humanitarian environment
• At least 3 years’ experience in international field or with a humanitarian aid organization
• Experience in working with a diversity of humanitarian programs, and shelter construction.
• Work experience with the Red Cross Red Crescent is an asset
• Experience in working to enhance the capacity of partner organizations is an asset
• Experience in coordinating with the authorities and other humanitarian actors is an asset
• Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Proven strong project management and programme coordination skills
• Skills in negotiation and building relations
• Strong / proven financial management skills
• Flexible and adaptable to work effectively in a multicultural environment and ability to travel at short notice
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with independent decision-making capacity
• Skills in report writing, project proposal writing
• Self-supporting in computers (Email, Internet, spread sheets, word-processing, etc.)
• Proven in-depth knowledge of organizational development, capacity building of partner organizations and programme management is an asset
• Proven personnel management and development skills is an asset
• Fluently spoken and written English and Ukrainian
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic) is an asset

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Integrity
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Building Trust
• National Society and Customer Relations
• Judgement and Decision Making