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. The MENA regional office based in Beirut; Lebanon supports 17 national societies in the region. The MENA Disasters, Climate and Crises (prevention, response and recovery) unit within the MENA regional office and works with one regional plan as well as provides the technical support & quality assurance to country cluster support teams and country offices. The MENA DCC unit has articulated its alignment with the IFRC global 5 Strategies for Implementation and the relevant Areas of Focus. In the context of COVID-19 and other crises, food security and livelihoods support to vulnerable populations is essential ensuring that many are able to meet their basic needs and protect key livelihoods assets. In the MENA region, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has been working on adapting existing FSL programmes to the COVID-19 and other humanitarian contexts and seeking ways to support additional vulnerable populations and communities. To this end, IFRC MENA aims to support NSs in FSL programming by identifying priorities and support needs in the rapidly changing context.
Job Purpose
The DRM Coordinator will lead IFRC assistance to YRCS to develop and strengthen its Disaster Risk Management (DRM) capacity to anticipate, prepare for and respond to disasters and crisis in an effective and efficient manner and to support communities in building safety and resilience. This will involve strengthening the capacity of YRCS at local as well as headquarters level and include contingency and response planning and other prevention measures in close coordination with ICRC as a lead agency in armed conflict scenarios and other Movement partners in country. The DRM Coordinator will also assume the responsibility of IFRC Operations Manager for the COVID-19 response, in support of YRCS, as well as the operational management and budget holder responsibility of any other emergency operation launched on behalf of YRCS.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Disaster and Crisis Preparedness
- In coordination with IFRC MENA Regional office technical counterparts, lead IFRC support to YRCS to achieve a holistic and integrated approach to disaster management in line with the Federation's frameworks, strategies and approaches for community safety and resilience, including climate change adaptation/mitigation, and food security/livelihoods
- Support YRCS to ensure their Disaster Management team is well structured and its activation, guidance and support to necessary disaster response is available to YRCS during emergency operations
- Assist YRCS to establish and maintain well functional HQ and branch level EOCs, including having a clear structure and SOPs
- In coordination with Head of Delegation, lead the operational co-ordination of the IFRC Country Delegation’s support to YRCS’s response through proactive communication with technical delegates, YRCS DM and Health team and Movement Task Force, and the utilisation of activated branch-level response management structures
- Ensure that IFRC/YRCS participates in interagency co-ordination mechanisms e.g. shelter and logistics cluster and the co-ordination of any deployed international disaster response tools
- Support YRCS to ensure their response is appropriate and aligned with the SPHERE standards and relevant Federation and Movement polices and strategies
- In coordination with IFRC MENA Regional office, encourage Partner National Societies to provide support to YRCS according to co-ordinated response plans within the framework of the National Society Strategic plan
- In agreement with the head of Delegation, and in coordination with PMER, contribute to the IFRC country operational plan development process and ensure the scope and content of the operational plan is in line with Movement standards
- Support the strengthening of YRCS’s human resources to establish YRCS national, branch and community level disaster response teams and related SOPs and triggering mechanisms.
- Assist YRCS to enhance its logistics procedures and capacity to manage its contingency stocks
- Support YRCS to establish Community Early Warning Systems (CEWS), to complement national, regional and global EWSs, as a last mile solution for saving lives and property
Recovery
- In coordination with IFRC MENA Regional office technical counterparts, lead IFRC country efforts to strengthen YRCS capacity in recovery programming, with a focus on developing appropriate post disaster green recovery plans and frameworks and managing the smooth transition from relief to recovery to longer term developmental programming
- Encourage and advance when feasible 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 Regional Office Technical departments (DCC and Finance and Administration)
- Ensure that Federation supported disaster recovery operations are based upon holistic assessment of needs and integrated approaches to programming
- Support YRCS to ensure the inclusion of early recovery component in emergency response planning
Coordination and partnership
- In coordination with head of Delegation, represent the Federation Delegation in national level fora and maintain networks and partnerships with national level key players in preparedness, response, and DRR
- Support YRCS to share experiences and to link with other actors (UN, NGOs) in the field of Disaster
Management
- Ensure an ongoing working relationship and close cooperation with technical team of IFRC Delegation as well as YRCS departments.
- Maintain coordination with IFRC MENA DCC Unit to ensure technical alignment and support
Reporting, lessons learnt and knowledge sharing
- Ensure accurate and timely reports for the Federation and for donors according to approved guidelines
- Utilize appropriate information management tools such as FedNet, Go platform in disseminating Disaster Management related information
- Ensure that lessons learnt and good practices from disaster management in the YRCS 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 YRCS 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 and emergency Health
Resource mobilization
- Assist head of Delegation in brokering potential technical partnerships with relevant agencies in preparedness and response for emergencies and risk reduction in Yemen
- Assist head of Delegation to identify fundraising/resource mobilization possibilities to support YRCS projects/programmes in the field of disaster risk management,
Programme Management
- Assist head of Delegation 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 DRM 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 Head of Yemen Delegation 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 YRCS
- Monitor the development and implementation of country-level DRM activities, including training, technical tools, guidelines and other relevant initiatives.
- In consultation with the Head of Delegation, line manage the DRM staff in country, and other support staff
Education
- Degree and/or post graduate qualification in Disaster Management or equivalent - Required
- Technical training in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery - Required
Experience
- 5+ years of professional experience in disaster management and/or operations coordination - Required
- Good understanding of the common global humanitarian environment and the Yemen context - Required
- Experience in programme management, strategy development, developing tools and guidance, providing technical assistance and in establishing and maintaining networks - Required
- Red Cross Red Crescent knowledge and experience - Required
- 3+ years’ experience of working for a humanitarian aid organization in a fragile and complex settings - Preferred
- Basic Training Course for Coordinators (IMPACT) or relevant training - Preferred
Knowledge, skills and languages
- Able to represent the organization at international level | 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 mobilization - 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
- Fluently spoken and written English - Required
- Good command of another IFRC official language (French or 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:
https://www.ifrc.org/en/who-we-are/working-with-us/current-vacancies/job-description/?id=83515
Note: applications received by email cannot be considered.