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. The Dakar cluster supports Senegal, Cape Verde, Gambia and Mauritania. The cluster also supports the British Red Cross Sahel cluster office with programmes in Mali, Niger, Burkina, Chad & Mauritania.
The role of Cluster Support Officer (CSO) is to provide support to the British Red Cross Sahel Cluster Manager and regional delegates through financial, logistics, administrative and programmatic aspects. This multitask role supports/contributes to the effective implementation of BRC programmes and the sound management of the office.
Key tasks include:
Finance
- Accounting: in charge of the cashflow management including day to day cashbox management and weekly reconciliation; elaboration and monitoring of monthly cashbook in compliance with small office handbook guidelines and in coordination with Finance team in UK office; monitoring of BRC bank account in Senegal and day to day relationship with Ecobank counterparts
- Cash request: in charge of the coordination and elaboration of the quarterly cash request for office and programmes and the monitoring of cash transfers. CSO will send all the required documents to UKO finance for funds transfer
- Payment of invoices; in Country the CSO is in charge of payment under the supervision of SM and from UKO complementary to procurement role and liaising with finance (and logistics teams if needed) UK office, CSO is in charge of the preparation of payment documentation and monthly monitoring of payments such as IFRC Integration Agreement monthly invoice.
- Budget management: support programme managers in their quarterly budget review; Support Sahel manager in the quarterly reforecast of the Sahel office budget and the Sahel management costs.
- Ensure regular update of the Small office handbook and procedure sheets;
Logistics and Security
- Procurement: in coordination with the driver-logistician in charge of the elaboration of procurement files according to small office handbook guidelines; in charge of compiling and storing procurement documentation
- Organisation of events: In coordination with the driver-logistician and BRC’s team in the UK office, in charge of managing the logistics and admin aspects of BRC’s events in the region, including the organization of programme workshops and meetings in Dakar; assist the Sahel Manager and regional delegates in the facilitation of meetings, workshops and presentations as required.
- Office and equipment maintenance: in collaboration with the driver-logistician, in charge of providing a good office service to the team through functioning facilities and good office supply; in coordination with driver-logistician supervision of BRC’s vehicle management (monthly fuel allowance, maintenance…)
- Support to delegates: provide effective support and guidance to delegate in managing their daily logistics needs.
- Security: assist the Sahel Manager in ensuring that the minimum-security requirements (MSRs) for the country are in place and complied to.
Administration and HR
- Integration Agreement: monitor BRC’s integration and service agreements in Senegal to ensure provision of relevant and contractual services from IFRC (rent contracts, visa, diplomatic cards, admin, logs and HR support); in charge of managing BRC Integration Agreement in collaboration with the IFRC Administration Officer (launch and follow the revision process every two year)
- Visits and deployments: Support with the organisation and facilitation of country visits and deployments as well as visits in the Sahel region and in the UKO.
- Coordinates the weekly Sahel Team meeting; support the SM when he has to lead the West & Central Africa monthly meeting; shares and asks delegates to update the fields visits & leave planning; organise weekly schedules for the driver
- Support onboarding of new member of the team and facilitate the daily management of BRC staff and delegates in the office
Programme and partnership:
In close collaboration with Sahel and programme managers, the cluster officer support the development of effective partnerships with RCM and external actors in the region.
- Support Sahel manager in the development of cooperation framework and partnership agreements in the region
- Assist the regional delegates, if required, in their partnership with the NSs and the IFRC (organization of joint field missions, PMEAL visits, partnership reviews…)
Information and communication:
In coordination with the Sahel team, the team assistant and regional office as well as relevant UK teams, the cluster officer provides effective support in terms of information management and internal & external communication.
- Ensure effective management of information for the programme team, ensuring information on the BRC’s Programme Information Management System (PIMS) is kept up-to-date, together with Regional Officer and Team assistant.
- Focal point for BRC Newsletter and BRC contribution to the IFRC regional Newsletter
- Communicate effectively with BRC UKO/field representatives and teams where appropriate.
- Coordinate with the Regional Officer to provide progress reports and other information to BRC fundraising teams on externally funded projects.
- Respond to internal enquiries relating to the activities of the RCM in the countries as required.
- Represent the Sahel team at internal and external meetings as required.
- Organize RC coordination meeting when hosted by BRC and do the reporting.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Higher level academic qualification (degree level or equivalent)
- Experience of general financial administration and budget preparation
- Experience of compiling programme documents including proposals, logframes, donor proposals and reports
- Experience of working in international development
- Previous experience of working with the Red Cross Movement is an added advantage
How to apply:
Candidates meeting the requirements and interested in the position are invited to apply not later than January 16, 2022 using the link below.
Kindly go to the link below for more details on how to apply.