Organizational context (where the job is located in the Organization)
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 Country Cluster Support Team for Central Asia is based in Bishkek and oversees IFRC support to five National Societies: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The IFRC is assisting National Red Crescents in Central Asia on their health, climate, disaster preparedness, disaster risk reduction (DRR) and National Society Development programmes and also emergency response actions. The IFRC is seeking an Operations Coordinator to be based in Tajikistan Country Office and assisting Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan Red Crescent Societies in Central Asia for their disaster preparedness, response, climate, DRR activities and programmes in coordination with the Country Cluster Support Team members.
Job Purpose
The Operations Coordinator will be based in IFRC Tajikistan office in Dushanbe and is responsible for overseeing all disaster preparedness, response, climate and DRR activities and program that are assisted by IFRC in Central Asia, while also providing capacity enhancement support to all five Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Management Teams in Central Asia in terms of trainings, development of tools, procedures and systems. The role will directly report to the Head of Delegation for Central Asia and will have the office management responsibility in IFRC Dushanbe office. Where possible engagement with major donors, representing IFRC in technical platforms, building and maintaining relations, budget management and proposal development will be integral parts of the job.
Job duties and responsibilities
Disaster Response
- Assist National Societies to develop an efficient operational strategy for emergency response operations and accompany during the implementation with necessary technical support.
- Ensure sound project and financial management is applied to the emergency operations and programmes.
- Work closely with the IFRC Central Asia team as well as counterparts in the Red Crescent Societies headquarters, branches and field teams in operational sites, rapid response delegates, Red Cross and Red Crescent movement partners, technical teams in the Regional Office and in Headquarters and external stakeholders to facilitate required technical guidance and support to Red Crescent Societies and in the implementation of the emergency response operations.
- Ensure regular and effective communication lines with the Red Crescent Societies and foster fruitful institutional and working relationships on the emergency response.
- Engage in regular monitoring and alerting functions for emerging and imminent disasters and crises, informing colleagues as necessary
- Liaise with the Europe Regional Office to facilitate activation of IFRC emergency response global tools as necessary
- Provide guidance, advice and support to all IFRC teams based in the field and to the relevant staff in respect to the emergency operations.
- Support the active engagement and participation of RCST and IFRC staff in emergency response coordination platforms at the national and local level.
- Ensure application, development, adaptation and promotion of the IFRC emergency response tools.
- Provide capacity building support to the National Society and IFRC teams on the IFRC emergency response tools.
- Support and monitor Country Cluster Delegation in the management of DREFs and Emergency Appeals, including effective monitoring and financial oversight in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures
- Ensure that Operational Strategy and budget for DREF and/or Emergency Appeals timely submitted to the Regional Office meet the quality criteria and required guidance.
- Ensure disaster and crisis response operations are appropriate and aligned with International Federation guidelines and policies (SPHERE, Code of Conduct, Principles and Rules, Seville agreement 2.0, etc.).
- Work closely with Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA), Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) teams to ensure all emergency response operations and DRM programmes are strong in CEA and PGI components.
Climate, Preparedness and Risk Reduction
- Lead strategic Central Asia climate and disaster risk management planning. This may include support to the operation alliances (e.g. climate, risk reduction, disaster preparedness, resilience etc.) and would require collaboration with diverse humanitarian actors including regional structures of the UN system and non-governmental organizations.
- Facilitate and support the development, expansion, and implementation of disaster risk reduction projects run by Central Asia National Societies.
- Facilitate and support the implementation of the regional programme on strengthening the disaster preparedness for response institutional capacities and reducing the risk of disasters in Central Asia countries in coordination with National Societies` technical teams, partners and donors.
- Contribute into the development of the IFRC roadmaps and strategies on disaster risk management and climate from Central Asia perspective.
- Develop and monitor budgets for the DRM related projects and emergency response operations in coordination with the Finance and Administration teams.
- Work closely with IFRC Disaster Law team to coordinate and support National Societies' auxiliary role in disaster management, ensuring that their DM activities are recognized by and integrated within governmental frameworks, with clear roles and responsibilities assigned to them by their public authorities through relevant legislation and policies. If no framework exists, work with IFRC Disaster Law team to support the National Society to advocate for the establishment of such policies.
- Facilitate and support Central Asia Red Crescent Societies in their Preparedness for Effective Response (PER) process in conducting self-assessment, developing plans of action and accompaniment in the implementation of the plans of actions and midterm reviews.
- Monitor and report on the implementation on the IFRC`s related policies on climate and disaster risk management, ensure all Central Asia National Societies are timely informed and updated on these policies.
- Ensure that all DM planning and implementation is done in close coordination and cooperation with other thematic programmes (Health & Care, National Society Development, Disaster Law, Humanitarian Diplomacy etc.).
- Establish network for DM focal points among Central Asia Red Crescent Societies and maintain regular dialogue and working group set up, invite partner National Societies to this working group on necessary occasions and thematic discussions to ensure IFRC network is coordinated and aligned on Disaster Risk Management actions.
- Ensure that lessons learnt and good practice from disaster management in Central Asia region are retained and used to improve future planning, programming and implementation.
- Ensure process and training for Red Crescent Societies to develop and maintain proper mechanisms, organizational, management and other structures and systems for managing emergencies (e.g. contingency plans based on the disaster risk analysis, scenarios, assessment guidelines, reporting mechanisms etc.).
- Expand and strengthen coaching and mentoring, Red Crescents` human resources, by supporting all national societies in establishing or developing their national disaster response teams (NDRT) in line with IFRC guidelines.
- Develop and maintain networks and partnerships for DM/DRR with global, regional and sub-regional key players, particular attention should be given to the technical support to national societies in the implementation of global and regional/country representation platforms for climate and disaster risk reduction;
- Coordinate and facilitate fundraising initiatives for National Societies` programmes as well as the IFRC's DM programme funding needs, in collaboration with the Head of Delegation and regional Partnerships and Resource Development team.
- Develop and disseminate knowledge-sharing and training materials and provide technical support to all NS in Central Asia in integrating disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation into their plans and programs with a special attention to disaster law, health, safety, youth and humanitarian education.
Reporting and budget Management
- Establish appropriate and timely monitoring and reporting procedures for programmes and operations under disaster management portfolio.
- Ensure solid financial and budget management for all programmes and operations under her/ his responsibility.
Office Management
- Coordinate office activities and operations to secure efficiency and compliance to IFRC policies.
- Organize induction programmes for new employees or visiting missions.
- Act as a focal point for security management of the IFRC Dushanbe office and maintain security guidelines and policies updates and ensure that all RCRC visitors receive the security briefing on timely manner.
Ensure that IFRC office in Dushanbe meet the local regulations and IFRC security regulations and environmental, health and security standards.
Education
University degree, or equivalent qualifying experience, in relevant area
Basic Delegates Training Course or IMPACT, FACT, ERU, RDRT, CAP training
Work Experience
Minimum 10 years’ experience of humanitarian sector preferably with disaster preparedness and response experience
Field experience in coordinating disaster and crisis management projects and activities - preferred
Work experience with Red Cross or Red Crescent - preferred
Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation
Good knowledge and relevant work experience in the regional context within Central
Asia
Knowledge and Skills
Effective project and budget management skills
Good analytical skills and solution-oriented
Good mentoring and capacity development skills
Ability to work well in a multicultural team
Excellent stress management skills
Demonstrated accountability
Fluently spoken and written English
Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)-preferred
Fluently spoken and written Russian and Tajik
How to apply
Please apply using a link: https://www.ifrc.org/jobs/details.html?nPostingId=10917&nPostingTargetId=121990&id=PZ8FK026203F3VBQB79LO79OB&LG=UK&languageSelect=UK&mask=newtempconfig