Switzerland: Senior Officer, Recovery

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 190 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organisation established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. 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.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The Federation is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat is led by the IFRC Secretary General and provides the central capacity of the International Federation to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. The Secretariat’s focus includes providing support to the IFRC governance mechanisms; setting norms and standards; providing guidance; ensuring consistency, coordination, and accountability for performance; knowledge sharing; promoting collaboration within and respect for the RCRC Movement; and expanding engagement with partners. The Secretariat’s headquarters is organized in three main business groups: (i) Partnerships, including Movement and Membership; (ii) Programmes and Operations; and (iii) Management Services. The Programme & Operations Division is in turn organised in three Departments, each of them led by a Director. The department of Disaster & Crisis (Prevention Response & Recovery) consists of five teams, of which Operations Coordination is a central one. The Recovery Senior Officer works closely with other teams within the department (Emergency Operations Center; Cash Transfer Programming; Risk & Vulnerability; Migration & Displacement, Policy, Strategy and Knowledge -PSK-, etc) and beyond (Health & Care; Logistics, Procurement & Supply Chain; Movement Coordination; Security; support services) to ensure a collaborative approach to agreeing operational strategies with regional and country counterparts, as well as quality and accountability in recovery programming.

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of the Operational Support lead, the Senior Officer for Recovery will lead and coordinate the global efforts in strengthening organisational disaster response capacity within early recovery and longer-term recovery programming, with a focus on disaster and crisis recovery minimum standards and operational strategic planning. To facilitate the smooth transition from relief to recovery to longer term developmental programming, and coordination with relevant teams, departments and PNSs on effective and well integrated recovery programming including elements of DRR, WASH, livelihoods, health or shelter areas of focus.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Support to the International Federation's Operational Support Capacity

• Provide thought leadership, innovation and strategic direction in IFRC disaster recovery operations
• Lead and coordinate the development and maintenance of improved operational procedures and systems to support efficient and effective disaster recovery operations
• Lead and coordinate the setting of appropriate disaster recovery norms and standards and support the dissemination, monitoring and evaluation of adherence to these standards
• Define, develop and disseminate Federation Secretariat disaster recovery policies and strategies and liaise closely with the regional IFRC recovery functions on the implementation of the International Federation's recovery policy and approaches.
• Support training activities to ensure mainstreaming of Recovery thinking in IFRCs disaster responses and to build surge and program management capacity of National Societies and Federation Secretariat colleagues.
• Advise on appropriate assessment processes for determining recovery needs and that the results are appropriately reflected in Emergency Appeals and planning - including providing or arranging direct technical support to the needs assessment and analysis process.
• Ensure timely and high-quality recovery related technical advice for Emergency Appeals, DREFs and disaster operation teams for effective recovery programming. Liaise closely with regional offices in preparation of appeals.
• Work closely with global surge team in ensuring integration of recovery expertise in global tools/surge support to National Societies or Movement operations.
• Develop and maintain a roster of recovery experts.
• Actively lead and contribute to annual recovery refresher courses and/or networking events for the rostered recovery experts in collaboration with regional offices. Contribute to the development of the curriculum for
• Federation Secretariat disaster management courses and surge capacity trainings
• Provide briefings and support to recovery surge roles during deployments to the field and /or be deployed to emergencies for supporting attention to community recovery with National Societies.
• Work closely with relevant departments to ensure consistent, coherent and well coordinated Federation
• Secretariat guidance on NSD, food security, livelihoods, WASH, health in emergencies and shelter recovery
• Coordinate operation reviews and evaluations with a particular focus on identifying good disaster recovery practices for the development of guidance materials and the dissemination of knowledge.

Representation and enhancement of global network on preparedness, relief and recovery

• Network and coordinate with RC/RC movement partners, NGOs, UN and other International organizations, to ensure the International Federation is kept informed and up to date on best practices and emerging trends related to disaster response and recovery
• Representing the International Federation Secretariat on disaster recovery issues in RC/RC Movement and external fora and establish effective working relationships with donor Governments, and key international humanitarian organizations, including the Early Recovery and Protection Clusters, the International Recovery
• Platform (IRP), UNDP, OCHA, and the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR)
• Lead coordination with key RC/RC partners active in recovery programming at the global level.
• Facilitate increased knowledge and skills in recovery programming across IFRC regions through training and guidance
• Supporting the Regional Disaster Crisis teams with technical advice and seek to connect regional to global networks
• Actively engage and contribute to surge optimization process in relevant Reference Groups and forums, especially Recovery and Transition where will play a role of IFRC focal point.

Contribute to an effective, high quality IFRC team

• Develop quarterly progress reports on results against objectives and risk analyses as required
• Accommodate flexible working practices including working as part of time-limited, task-oriented teams to enable the IFRC to respond to new scenarios, operational needs or requests from Governance or the wider membership
• Contribute to a client-oriented approach that values proactivity, continuous improvement, innovation, high performance and cost effectiveness
• Foster a collaborative working environment with colleagues in the Secretariat, Regions, National Societies and external partners
• Be available to deploy to Regions, Country Offices, or Operations to provide support as necessary

Education

Required:

• University degree in relevant area or equivalent experience required
• Technical training in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery
• Technical training in cash transfer programming and /or food security and livelihoods

Experience

Required:

• Minimum of 7 years’ field experience in leading/coordinating recovery operations in the field
• Experience in coordination of post disaster recovery support with partners
• Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation
• Experience in working within the RC/RC Movement
• Experience in strategy development, developing tools and guidance, providing technical assistance and in establishing and maintaining networks

Knowledge, skills and languages

Required:

• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills with the ability to represent the International Federation and to negotiate and influence people’s opinions
• Knowledge of technical aspects of disaster preparedness, relief and recovery and of key donor and partner organisations
• Flexible and adaptable to work effectively in a multicultural environment and ability to travel at short notice
• Computer knowledge as a user – self supporting in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Fluently spoken and written English

Preferred:

• Knowledge of minimum standards for disaster relief and performance and accountability frameworks
• Ability to lead a complex or major disaster operation if required
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Competencies and values

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

Please submit your application to IFRCjobs