Background
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 192 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) 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. Syria is entering the 10th year of the conflict which has devastated the country compounded by multiple displacement of people, with hunger reaching record levels and increasing inter-factional fighting. The worsening economic crisis is deepening the poverty and pushing more Syrians into humanitarian needs. Throughout 2020 we have witnessed the evolution of the Syria crisis in all its complexity. While in some locations there is increasing stability and an end to prolonged conflict and with the changing economic circumstances, , in other areas devastating violence has dominated peoples’ lives, most particularly north surrounding Idleb, with rural Aleppo and Al Raqqa and the North East (Hasaka) down the Euphrates to Dier Ez-Zour, and the south of the country surrounding Daraa. This continued insecurity in 2020 has been further impacted by economic factors including ongoing complex and deteriorating economic situation in the neighbouring Lebanon, the effects of the COVID–19 pandemic and the tightening of sanctions.
Job Purpose
Since July 2012, IFRC has been closely working with SARC to support its capacity in assisting populations affected by the crisis. Priority areas have been food and relief items, human resources and capacity development on information management and reporting, logistics, communication, finance, and volunteer and disaster management.
With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic there has been an added impetus on procurement of needed materials with the IFRC developing COVID-19 amendments to procurement processes in an attempt to provide timely materials such as PPEs. This has added to the complexity of the response and further highlighted the need for a designated Supply Chain specialist for the IFRC office in Syria. The position is currently under recruitment.
The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) is the primary provider of humanitarian services in Syria and has a lead operational role within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, responding to the biggest humanitarian crisis in decades. Through its 14 branches, 65 active sub-branches and extensive volunteer network, SARC is present in most parts of the country and works according to the seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. SARC support is primarily focusing on relief, emergency and basic health, water and sanitation, psychosocial support and livelihoods.
There are 9 (nine) Participating National Societies (PNS) present in Syria, namely British, Canadian, Finnish, French, Danish, German, Norwegian, Swedish, Swiss RC. The Austrian, Icelandic, Japanese and Netherlands RC provide bilateral or multilateral support either through their Beirut-based regional offices or from their HQ. Engaging in a constructive way with all member-NS supporting SARC as well as with the ICRC – and potentially other UN Agencies and INGO, in order to provide a consolidated support to SARC is an outmost priority.
IFRC works in an integrated manner with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society (SARC) and is located at SARC HQ in Damascus.
To meet the above stated mission through enhanced disaster management capacity of SARC, the DRM Delegate will ensure overall guidance and support to the implementation of the Syria programmes on Disaster and Crisis Management developed under the approved operational plan and coordinate IFRC Syria country team’s support to SARC to enhance the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Disaster and Crisis Preparedness, Response and Recovery (DRM continuum):
- In coordination with IFRC MENA Regional office technical counterparts, support SARC to achieve a holistic and integrated approach to disaster risk management in line with the SARC strategy, priorities and needs, as well as Federation's frameworks, strategies and approaches for community safety and resilience, including climate change adaptation/mitigation, and food security/livelihoods
- In coordination with IFRC MENA Regional Office, support and provide technical guidance on the SARC Preparedness for Effective Response process initiated in 2020, particularly on the prioritisation and analysis part. Connect and identify synergies of the process with other initiatives, programmes and projects by PNSs, ICRC to ensure a coordinated approach.
- Assist SARC to develop its Disaster Risk Management policy/strategic framework, linked to SARC’s other thematic departments, and in line with the NS strategy and Federation-wide DRM policy and related frameworks.
- Support SARC to ensure their DM team is well structured and its activation, guidance and support to necessary disaster response is available to SARC during emergency operations
- Based on the outcomes of the PER process in branches, assist SARC to establish well functional HQs and branch level EOCs, including having a clear structure and SOPs
- Support SARC to ensure their response is appropriate and aligned with the SPHERE standards and relevant Federation and Movement polices and strategies related to CEA and PGI
- Lead the IFRC DM/Relief support plan development process and ensure the scope and content of the plan is in line with Movement standards
- Support the SARC DM team to ensure an appropriate response structure and to manage the deployment of country level response tools in an effective, efficient and timely manner, in line with the NRT Minimum standards and updated curriculum.
- In coordination with IFRC MENA Regional office technical counterparts, lead IFRC country efforts to strengthen SARC capacity in recovery programming, with a focus on developing appropriate post disaster recovery plans and frameworks and managing the smooth transition from relief to recovery to longer term developmental programming
- Encourage the greater use of cash and voucher transfer programming in disaster/crisis relief and recovery programming where relevant and feasible in close coordination with the Syria Office and Regional Office Technical departments (DCPRR and Finance and Administration)
- Ensure that IFRC supported disaster recovery operations are based upon holistic assessment of needs and integrated approaches to programming
- Support SARC to ensure the inclusion of early recovery component in emergency response planning
- In coordination with IFRC MENA Regional office technical counterparts, support the SARC DM team in monitoring of and advocating for expanded community-based programming within existing mechanisms for scaling-up, particularly the Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction and the One Billion Coalition initiative
- Coordinate IFRC support to SARC to ensure community-based disaster preparedness is carried out in the selected branches based on risk profile, branch capacity, commitment and interest, in close coordination with ICRC and other Movement partners
- Ensure processes and training for SARC and IFRC team to implement and maintain standard IFRC mechanisms, tools, guidelines, case studies systems and structures for managing emergencies (e.g. contingency plan(s), SOPs, NRT, DREF, EPoA, regular simulation and drill exercises)
- Support the strengthening of SARC’s human resources at national, branch and community level disaster response teams and related SOPs and triggering mechanisms
Coordination and partnership
- In coordination with the Programme Manager, represent the Federation country office in national level fora and maintain networks and partnerships with national level key players in preparedness, response, disaster risk reduction and emergency
- Establish and maintain close lateral technical relationships with SARC, PNS and ICRC counterparts contributing to Strengthening Movement Cooperation and Coordination (SMCC) as well as Syria Movement wide reporting
Support SARC to share experiences and to link with other actors (UN, NGOs) in the field of Disaster Management in their respective organizations
Ensure an ongoing working relationship and close cooperation with technical team of the IFRC country office as well as SARC departments
Maintain a good coordination with IFRC MENA Disaster, Crisis, Prevention, Response and Recovery Unit to ensure technical alignment and support
Reporting, lessons learnt and knowledge sharing:
- Ensure accurate and timely reports for the IFRC and for donors according to approved guidelines
- Utilise appropriate information management tools such as FedNet, GO in disseminating Disaster Risk Management related information (inc. PER)
- Ensure that lessons learnt and good practices from disaster management in the SARC office are compiled and used to inform and improve future planning, programming and implementation, and shared with relevant departments within the Federation regional office and externally with other partners in the country
- Support SARC to ensure that relevant new tools and guidelines are applied to improve the quality of services provided in the areas of disaster preparedness and response.
Resource mobilization
- Assist to improve national fund-raising possibilities and technical partnerships with relevant agencies in preparedness, response and recovery for emergencies and risk reduction
- Assist to undertake fundraising/resource mobilisation of SARC projects/programmes in the field of disaster risk management.
Programme Management
- Assist Programme manager to ensure the annual operational plan contains relevant activities for emergency response capacity development, response and recovery (both early and long term), and are delivered in accordance with IFRC policies and procedures
- Oversee the development of programme budgets in accordance with established IFRC financing procedures, systems and budget revision scheduling
- Ensure that appropriate monitoring and evaluation criteria are being applied to measure the progress against the target set
- Ensure integrated programming approach and provide regular management/operational inputs to the Programme Manager Syria Country Office as and when required
- In coordination with IFRC MENA Regional office technical counterparts, ensure the timely provision of relevant technical guidance, training and support is provided for all areas of interventions for SARC
- Monitor the development and implementation of country-level DRM activities, including training, technical tools, guidelines and other relevant initiatives
- Any other tasks assigned by the HoCO or the direct line manager
Education
- Degree and/or post graduate qualification in Disaster Management or equivalent - required
- Technical training in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery - required
Experience
- 3 to 5 years’ professional experience in work environment similar to the requirements of the position – required
- Good understanding of the common global humanitarian environment and the Yemeni context in particular**– required**
- Red Cross Red Crescent knowledge and experience – preferred
- Basic Training Course for delegates (newly called IMPACT) – required
- Experience in programme management, strategy development, developing tools and guidance, providing technical assistance and in establishing and maintaining networks – required
Knowledge, skills and languages
- Able to represent the organisation at international level – required
- Advocacy, representation and negotiation skills – required
- Strong analytical skills and capacity to translate analysis into action – required
- Team leadership and Team Building skills – required
- Experience in resource mobilisation – required
- Experience in managing and coaching people including distance management – required
- Budgeting and financial skills – required
- Ability to work in a cross cultural and cross functional environment – required
- Drive for change and improvements and ability to deliver strategies in a challenging environment – required
- Computer knowledge as a user - self supporting in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint – required
Languages
- Fluently spoken and written English – required
- Good command of another IFRC official language (Arabic) – preferred
Competencies and values
- National Society and customer Relations
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Communications
- Building trust
- Leadership
- Managing staff performance
- Creativity and Innovation
How to apply:
If you are interested in this position, please apply on the IFRC website:
Job Description - IFRC - FedNet