Background:
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 has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country delegations) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.
At Geneva level the Health and Care Department consists of three teams: Emergency Health, WASH and Community Health. This consultancy will support the work of the Community Health Team focused on the Community-based Health and First Aid (CBHFA) workplan.
Overall objective:
The overall objective of this consultancy is to support the development of the 2022 – 2025 CBHFA workplan. To achieve this the consultant will work with IFRC staff at global, regional and country level as well as National Society (both host and partner National Societies) CBHFA focal points.
CBHFA Background
Community-based health and first aid (CBHFA) is a community-based approach for Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers to work with their community in many areas with a focus on health. The CBHFA program is designed to empower communities to identify and respond to the priority health needs as identified by a community in any context.
Community participation is the core of CBHFA. Community involvement empowers people in a community to have control of, and to take responsibility for, their health and safety. CBHFA is a powerful approach because community members work together with members at the local Red Cross or Red Crescent branch and other community partners. This partnership is strong and supports and meets the health needs of the community as led by its members.
The goal of Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies is to empower communities and make them less vulnerable to disease and injuries. CBHFA’s contribution is grounded in committed individuals, staff and volunteers who live, work and/or play in the communities they serve. Trained in health literacy, behaviour change and health promotion they engage their local community in identifying and addressing community health issues where they occur. It involves ongoing community interaction and capacity building to identify issues which directly or indirectly affect the community’s health. Staff and volunteers work to identify vulnerable groups and ensure activities are adapted to allow for improved inclusion. CBHFA uses a behaviour change approach to health promotion to develop an action plan to address the root causes of the health issues a community faces and ensures the community is linked to the local health system. CBHFA is the Red Cross and Red Crescents best known health platforms used by National Societies globally.
Deliverables of this consultancy:
This consultancy will focus on support to the CBHFA file in the following areas:
- Consultation with IFRC and membership on the CBHFA file:
§ Conduct a consultative process with each of the five IFRC regions and with National Societies in those regions which are conducting or supporting CBHFA activities
§ During this consultation generate an idea on the level of implementation and prioritization of CBHFA within membership.
2. Summary of priority tools to be developed to support the implementation CBHFA file:
§ Based on consultation with National Societies and IFRC country offices develop a prioritized list of CBHFA tools that need to be developed, updated or translated to support the CBHFA file going forward.
3. Development of a 2022 – 2025 CBHFA workplan:
§ Based on the outcomes of the consultative process develop a costed global CBHFA workplan 2022 - 2025.
Alignment to the IFRC’s Strategy 2030
The consultancy aligns to the Federation’s Strategy 2030 as it supports the achievement of Global Aims:
Global Aim 1: People anticipate, respond to and quickly recover from crisis.
Global Aim 2: People lead safe, health and dignified lives and have opportunities to thrive.
Management of consultancy
The consultant will be managed by the Team Lead, Community Health with technical support from various thematic file holders within the Community Health Team.
Travel
No travel will be needed to support this consultancy. All work can be completed from the consultant’s home location.
How to apply:
The consultant will be contracted by the IFRC and the standard contractual terms will apply.
Applications should include the following documents:
Curriculum Vitae
A cover letter summarizing your experience and your daily rate. Interested candidates should send their CV, letter of interest, and daily consultancy rate in CHF (Swiss francs) to health.department@ifrc.org.
Email subject: "Consultancy to support the development of Community Based Health and First Aid 2022 – 2025 workplan"