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 (NSDOC); (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization (GRHDD); and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services (MPSCS).
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.
Our Programme Services Division is in turn organized in three Departments, each of them led by a Director. We have organized the Health and Care Department in three teams, of which Emergency Health is one. You will join the Emergency Health team, reporting to the Team Leader.
You will contribute to the IFRC's programmatic vision for health as described in IFRC’s Health and Care Framework, and its translation into programmatic interventions. You will work in close collaboration with our Regional Offices by providing technical assistance, expert advice, and support progress towards results in health security and risk management, particularly epidemic and pandemic preparedness.
Our goal is to ensure that all our programmes benefit men and women equally, according to their different needs and with their equal input and participation at all levels within the organization. We are an international and multi- cultural work environment, where diversity is valued and promoted.
Job Purpose
The Senior Officer, Health Security and Risk Management will:
- Act as a central resource for the IFRC on specific knowledge and expertise in all-of-society, multihazard approach to epidemic and pandemic risk management
- Lead knowledge development and evidence-informed practice generation in health risk management
- Lead the development of strategies for epidemic and pandemic risk management, preparedness and response readiness for the Red Cross network.
- Lead the building of a multisectoral framework for health risk management in the IFRC. This framework will enable risk analysis as part of resilient communities and health systems with an emphasis on prevention and mitigation
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Development of strategic approaches for epidemic and pandemic risk management, preparedness and response readiness for the IFRC
- Be an inspiration for a robust community and National Society preparedness, including critical areas for early detection, early action, behaviour changes and organisational capacity across the movement.
- Develop strategic response and preparedness guidelines, indicators, plans, and didactic materials for improving the quality of health outcomes through enhanced epidemic risk management.
- Systematically incorporate risk analysis into health emergency risk management, working closely with clinical and public health teams.
- Coordinate frequently with the IFRC Climate Centre to link forecast-based financing to public health.
- Establish required links with the 'One Health" initiative for engagement with environmental and animal health sectors in epidemic and pandemics preparedness.
- Build strategic partnerships with relevant counterparts through representation and networking, advocacy, and communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge and promote collaboration and alliances.
- Maintain active collaboration with disaster risk reduction, volunteer management and National Society development teams to improve health emergencies management.
- Initiate and lead emergency preparedness initiatives, program development, contingency planning, and response to emergencies.
Delivering quality in programmes and operations
- Represent the organisation in relevant inter-agency and internal coordination bodies.
- Use program resources (financial, administrative, and other assets) efficiently, complying with organisational rules, regulations, procedures, donor commitments, and standards.
- Author policy papers, briefs and other programmatic material for management use
Contribute to an accountable and agile IFRC health team
- Provide regular progress reports on results towards objectives and risk analysis.
- Producing and analysing reports for management, donors and partners
- Be flexible in the work definition according to needs and targets and improve team efficiencies and effectiveness within available resources
- Cultivate a co-creative environment with colleagues and an open and co-operative view of the actors in the external environment
- Support the team in strengthening financial performance by producing regular reports on budget needs and progress towards objectives
Education
Required:
- University Degree in Medicine or Nursing Science
- Postgraduate Degree in Public Health/Outbreak and Emergency Management/Humanitarian Assistance/Epidemiology
Experience
Required:
- A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in public health planning and management, health systems strengthening, or other relevant areas of international health and humanitarian action
- Working with global health security and technical expertise related to infectious diseases
- Working in an international or cross-cultural environment, with demonstrated professional credibility in the sector
- Community-based programs in a developing context
Preferred:
- Experience working in an RC/RC National Society, the IFRC or the ICRC.
Knowledge, skills and languages
Required:
- In-depth knowledge of public health policies, programmes and positioning both in emergencies, unstable settings and development
- Excellent organisational and analytical skills with the ability to coordinate activities and multitask
- Strong program management skills
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of the Global Health Security Agenda
- Results-oriented, entrepreneurial mindset, and ability to lead in unusual and ambiguous situations
- Ability to experiment with and integrate emerging technology, skills, capacities, and digital culture into the work
- Skilled in Health Information Systems and Surveillance
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
Preferred:
- 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
How to apply:
Please apply via IFRC website .