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 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.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.
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 IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
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.
IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. 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.
This position is located in the NSDOC Division, in the Disasters Climate and Crisis (Prevention, Response and Recovery) Department under the Emergency Operations Center. The position is part of the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) Team.
The DREF is the International Federation’s pooled Fund for National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to access reliable international funding for anticipatory action and emergency response to small and medium scale disasters. The DREF has to 2 pillars, the anticipatory action pillar and the response pillar. Each one with different funding options to support National Societies in anticipatory action and response. The DREF recently evolved to enhance the agility, flexibility and speed of the fund. Linked with this evolution, the DREF ambition is aiming at increasing the capacity of the fund to 100 million Swiss francs per year by 2025 & with the objective of at least 25% of the fund directed towards Anticipatory Action.
Job Purpose
Under the supervision of the DREF Lead, the Senior Officer, DREF Anticipatory Action is responsible for the entire management and development of the Anticipatory Action pillar of the DREF. The role develops and proposes key systematic improvements to the anticipatory pillar modalities and organisation.
The Senior Officer, DREF Anticipatory Action ensures the day-to-day operations of the anticipatory pillar of the DREF. The incumbent ensures that the anticipatory pillar stays relevant and appropriate by ensuring quality service to National Societies and IFRC offices.
The position holder, in coordination with the DREF Anticipatory Action Officer, provides timely and high-quality technical advice on the approval and management process for anticipatory action plans submitted to the fund assuring coherence with the DREF; In coordination with the DREF lead the Senior Officer DREF anticipatory action, will support long-term planning for the fund, which includes the development of new approaches for anticipatory action that will improve the Fund’s performance and efficiency.
The role will work in close cooperation with thematic functions in the DCC Departments in the regions. The Senior Officer, DREF Anticipatory Action will contribute to expand and reinforce partnerships with relevant networks Anticipation hub…), Partners National Societies and the Red Cross Red Crescent Network Reference Centres (RCRC Climate Center…). The incumbent, in close collaboration with the Senior Officer for Capacity Strengthening and the anticipatory action Coordinator, will contribute to knowledge sharing and learning across relevant technical areas.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Support the Implementation of the Anticipatory Action Strategic Direction
- Manage the overall anticipatory pillar in close coordination with the DREF Lead to ensure reaching the goal of 25% of DREF allocation being for anticipatory action.
- Continuously review the DREF modalities to anticipatory action funding as well as issues/bottlenecks to identify improvements that contribute to reaching the desired scale-up of anticipatory action within the IFRC network.
- Jointly work with the Anticipation Hub, the Validation Committee and IFRC technical sectors to advance the process of developing new methodologies and continue expanding early action interventions.
- Liaise and cultivate relationships with movement membership stakeholders and donors to further advance support to the anticipatory pillar of the DREF.
Day-to-Day Management of the Anticipatory Pillar of the DREF
- Provide technical assistance, financial management, programme monitoring and coordination for the anticipatory pillar activities.
- Manage the Early Action Protocols (EAPs), simplified EAPs and DREF for imminent events approval process in close cooperation with the Validation Committee, guaranteeing the proposed intervention, trigger methodology and overall approach are logical and coherent.
- Provide technical assistance to the IFRC Regional Offices and Delegations on anticipatory action planning and funding.
- Support the initial set up for the approved EAPs and simplified EAPs with the Regional Offices and Delegations, including the allocation, sign off, contract and other administrative process.
- Support the Regional Offices and Delegations in their management and triggering of approved EAPs and simplified EAPs.
- Conduct regular analysis on the status of anticipatory action plans to be submitted to the fund for financial planning purposes.
- Monitor the DREF’s financial performance and trends.
- Represent the IFRC in the Validation Committee and coordinate the Committee. Represent the DREF in public fora on topics related to anticipatory action.
- Participate in reviews of anticipatory action operations, as well as support the dissemination and sharing among stakeholders
- Disseminate and support the development/updating of the DREF procedures, guidelines and templates and provide support on their content as needed.
Support to the DREF
- Support the DREF Management in its effort to implement the DREF strategic ambition specially around increasing allocations for anticipatory action.
- Provide technical advice to the DREF team regarding anticipatory action interventions in line with the Forecast based Financing methodology.
- Prepare and write donor reports and work with the DREF Senior Officers and the DREF lead in the preparation of funding proposals and management reports.
- Support the DREF Senior Officers and the DREF lead in the monitoring of the performance of the DREF, specifically the anticipatory pillar, including day-to-day relations with donors and pledge management.
- Support the review of DREF applications (response) and approval process (on ad hoc basis).
Monitoring and Reporting of Anticipatory Action Operations
- Ensure monitoring of compliance with DREF procedures and authorizations concerning the use of the funds and with reporting deadlines.
- Ensure data is being collected from DREF funded anticipatory action operations and that a database is maintained to monitor performance and targets.
- Facilitate and encourage quality and timely reporting on anticipatory pillar DREF funded activities through close cooperation with Regional Reporting and Finance Units.
- In close collaboration with finance, maintain updated information and statistics on use of DREF anticipatory pillar funds and on contributions to the fund and present this information as necessary for the Secretariat management, donors and other parties.
- Provide statistical analysis of trends and on other emergency funds as requested by the Secretariat and donors.
Communications and Resource Mobilization
- Ensure anticipatory pillar information is being updated on the DREF public website as well as on the anticipation hub.
- Support the development of promotional materials in coordination with the DREF communications officer, the DREF Anticipatory Action Officer and the Senior Officer for Capacity Strengthening.
- Represent the DREF as needed in meetings with current and potential donors.
- Work closely with the National Societies and Government Partnerships Unit in the development of new proposals, support donor relations and fundraising.
Duties Applicable to All Staff
- Work actively towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals.
- Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
- Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.
Position Requirements
Education
Required
- Relevant post-graduate university degree in Disaster Risk Reduction, Disaster Management, Development studies or related areas.
- Basic Delegates Training Course (BTC), WORC, IMPACT or equivalent knowledge.
Experience
Required
- 5 years’ international experience in humanitarian sector technical level related to Disaster Risk Management programming, institutional preparedness, capacity strengthening initiatives, emergency response operations or EWEA systems.
- Experience in emergency response coordination or project management at country level.
- Experience or exposure to anticipatory humanitarian action.
- Experience in process management or organizational change.
- Experience managing large projects including programmatic and financial aspects.
- Knowledge of IFRC financial and reporting systems.
- Good understanding of the IFRC policies, system, and procedures.
- Experience in coordinating with multiple stakeholders, including authorities and other humanitarian actors.
Preferred
- Experience working with Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies.
Knowledge and Skills
Required
- Fluent spoken and written English.
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
- Well organized, with very good planning and time management skills.
- Self-supporting in computers (Email, Internet, spread sheets, word-processing, etc.).
Preferred
- Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).
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.
Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others.
Managerial competencies: Managing staff performance, Managing staff development.
IFRC values equal opportunity, diversity and inclusivity. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, irrespective of sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, nationality, class, political opinions, ethnic or social origin, disability, religion, or belief.
How to apply
- Please apply via IFRC website.
- Please submit application in English only.