Greece: Senior Humanitarian Support Officer/ Greek National Contract

Organizational context:

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization with 190 member National Societies. It is guided by its Strategy 2020 which voices our collective vision and determination to move forward in tackling the major challenges that confront humanity in the present decade.

The operation has followed three different phases. During the first phase from 2015 into early 2016 the migrants were transient, remaining over a limited time in Greece before continuing their journey along Balkans route. During that time the operation was focusing on providing short term emergency assistance to high number of migrants on their route to other European countries.

The situation changed significantly in March 2016 with closure of the boarders and EU-Turkey agreement coming to an effect leading to the second phase of the operation. The average number of daily arrivals decreased significantly but migrants in Greece found themselves stranded, most involuntarily, needing their basic needs to be met including shelter, food, basic items for daily living, health care. During this time, the Government of Greece quickly set up sites to host the stranded migrants and with the support of different organizations, including HRC, IFRC and partner national societies started providing services in these sites. The services were not anymore short term in nature but there was a need to providing services and assistance to people who were stranded in Greece for undefined period of time leading to protracted humanitarian action.

At the moment the migration situation in Greece is far from resolved. The Appeal is being revised again to move the operation to a third phase which is characterized of providing support to Greek authorities and HRC to respond to the current protracted migration situation in a more sustainable manner. In addition of continuing providing support to migrants in the sites that the Greek government has planned as longer term sites, the operation will transition to urban programming and social inclusion through building on HRC existing capacities and programming.

For this third phase, IFRC will be working in coordination with British Red Cross, Danish Red Cross, and Spanish Red Cross which, together with the Hellenic Red Cross, are implementing or supporting the implementation of the activities in this appeal.

Job purpose:

This is a senior position to support the IFRC Head of Office in the following broad areas:

• Ensure a good understanding of the humanitarian situation in Greece;
• Ensure and enhance coordination with the relevant Greek authorities whom the IFRC is working with;
• Manage and coordinate concrete IFRC activities or projects (humanitarian and organisational development) upon the request of the Head of Office.

Job duties and responsibilities:

Analysis of the situation in Greece

• Support the Head of office to analyse and follow-up the overall political, economic and social situation in Greece to support IFRC positioning
• Analyzes the humanitarian trends in Greece and monitors the situation of refugees, identifying key trends, challenges and gaps that are relevant for the IFRC in Greece and in the broader IFRC Migration operation in Europe;
• Participate in Inter-Agency coordination meetings and other relevant events representing the IFRC.
• Carry out social, humanitarian and political research work in support of specific programs and activities of the IFRC

Coordination with Greek authorities:

• Support the Head of Office to represent the Federation Secretariat and build effective relations with relevant governmental authorities, at local, regional and national level, and with other organisations represented in Greece.
• Provide support and advice in developing fundraising strategies and plans in support of IFRC activities in Greece, including the Emergency Appeal, in close coordination with the Regional Office for Europe.
• Provide support and advice to specific activities and projects in terms of coordination with the Greek authorities. Management support:
• Ensure the implementation of agreed IFRC Secretariat support in Greece according to approved plans and budget, special focus on accountability and timely delivery in relation to the Emergency Appeal for Greece.
• Contribute to the operational co-ordination and management of specific IFRC activities in Greece upon the request of the Head of Office or the Program Coordinator.
• Ensure that sound planning and financial management for activities placed under her/his responsibility are carried out in accordance with Secretariat requirements, formats and standards.
• Ensure effective working relationships with technical and services departments of the IFRC in Greece and its Regional Office in Budapest.
• Planning, facilitation and coordination of organisational development and capacity building activities for the Hellenic Red Cross.

Duties applicable to all staff

1. Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s 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

Education:

Required: University degree.

Preferred: Master’s Degree in humanitarian affairs, social sciences, politics, etc.

Experience

Required: A minimum of 5 years’ experience in similar roles in the humanitarian or social sectors. At least 3 years’ experience in managerial / coordination positions that involved overall responsibility over projects, teams and budgets.

Preferred: Experience in the refugee crisis in Greece Previous experience with the Red Cross (IFRC, ICRC, NS).

Knowledge and Skills: Required

• Proven analytical and writing skills
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Self-driven and capacity to work with autonomy

Languages:

• Required: Fluently spoken and written English
• Required: Fluently spoken and written Greek
• Preferred: Arabic or Farsi

Competencies

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.

Due to the nature of the operations, Applications will be processed as they come and the position maybe filled before the above deadline.

Interested candidates should send English CV and Cover letter to the following e-mail address: hr.greece@ifrc.org Please mention the Position Title in the subject of the e-mail.

Please note that this is a Local Position, Excellent Greek Language Skills are a requirement.

All CVs will be treated with strict confidentiality