Senior Officer, Programme

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-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 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 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.

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 Society Development 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 country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

In February 2022, a new phase in the armed conflict in Ukraine started. The intensification and spread of hostilities have affected all of Ukraine, causing massive humanitarian needs across all sectors and destroying essential civilian infrastructure. Millions of people are displaced in Ukraine, more than 5 million people have fled to other countries.

IFRC has launched a major Emergency Appeal for Ukraine and Impacted Countries that is coordinated on European regional level – with numerous country level operations ongoing. ICRC, IFRC and numerous Partner National Societies are integrating their capacities to provide coordinated crisis response in Ukraine and impacted countries. The operational structure will be fully integrated into existing structures at Country / Country Cluster and Regional Office level to ensure full synergies with the overall regional work.

Job Purpose

The purpose of the Country Office (CO) is implementation of the international strategy and institutional representation at the country level.

1. The CO is responsible for partnership management and operational support to the National Society.
2. The CO is responsible for Movement coordination, and contributions to preparedness for emergency response operations in accordance with relevant IFRC categories and ICRC emergency response architecture.
3. The CO contributes to Norwegian Red Cross humanitarian diplomacy and external relations. This includes the identification of resource mobilization opportunities.
4. The CO is responsible for results and finance management according to grant requirements and Norwegian red cross finance and administrative regulations, and to manage risks, herein security and fraud and corruption.
5. The CO is responsible for the technical quality of all projects in line with operational standards, herein quality assurance of projects implemented by the National Society

The purpose of this position is to support the implementation of Emergency Response and First Aid programmes of Norwegian Red Cross supported projects related to emergency preparedness and response (EPR) and First Aid, as well as programmatic cooperation with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and other Movement partners in Ukraine. The position requires frequent travels to southern and eastern regions of Ukraine.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic responsibilities

• Monitor program progress and ensure humanitarian results in line with predefined operational outcomes.
• Coordinate with HNS departments, Red Cross Movement partners and CO team to ensure effective collaboration and smooth execution of country program

Operational responsibilities

• Support the Emergency Response and Cooperation delegate in issues related to the technical coordination and operational partnership within FA and ERT programs;
• Carry out regular monitoring visits and provide recommendations and assistance in project implementation;
• Maintain an open line of communication with HNS technical staff on capacity-building needs and support;
• Support the Emergency Response and Cooperation delegate in ensuring compliance to established project agreements and plans during project implementation;
• Collect monthly operational reports and forecasts;
• Contribute to data collection and provide inputs to tertiary and yearly country reports;
• Ensure comprehensive approach while planning joint project activities;
• Contribute to building trustful relations and cooperation with respective HNS oblast branches;
• Identify the HNS strengths and weaknesses to better set strategy and objectives for capacity-building and communicate findings to Emergency Response and Cooperation delegate and respective CO colleagues;
• Collect and share information to improve Norwegian Red Cross understanding of the context, humanitarian trends and needs;
• Promote harmonization across the oblasts by monitoring the use of common standards and tools.

Collaboration

• Engage with CO team for support and guidance;
• Engage and coordinate with respective HNS colleagues at national and oblast/local level;
• Liaise with other parts of Red Cross Movement and all relevant actors within thematic cluster to strengthen cooperation and optimize efficiency and complementarity of operations.

 

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Mission specific responsibilities

The officer participates, when necessary, also in the strategy and coordination meetings to ensure alignment with Norwegian Red Cross strategic initiatives and planning.

Education

Required:

• Education in social sciences/development studies, strategic/programme management, management studies or other relevant discipline;

Experience

Required:

Minimum 2 years of experience in project management.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required:

• Ability to work in challenging and changing environment;
• Strong communication and organizational skills;
• Good coaching skills;
• Excellent IT skills;
• Fluency in English and local language.

Competencies, Values and Comments

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