IFRC Anticipatory Action Coordinator (m/f/d), German Red Cross Staff on Loan

Organizational context (where the job is located in the Organization)

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; influential representation with global level partners; and expanding engagement with partners. The Secretariat’s headquarters is organized in three main business groups: (i) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; (ii) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

The National Society Development and Operations Coordination (NSDOC) Division is in turn organised in three Departments, each of them led by a Director. The Disasters, Climate and Crises (Prevention, Response & Recovery) Department consists of four teams, of which Climate, Migration & Resilience is one.

Disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate action are key areas of work in the IFRC Plan and Budget 2021-2025 Strategic Priorities 1 and 2 on ‘Climate and Environmental Crises’ and ‘Evolving Crises and Disasters’, as part of which early warning and early action is a critical component. Strategy 2030 recognizes the need to embrace early action models, scientific forecasts and other innovations that can improve the implementation of early actions and our response. Aligned with the Early Warning Early Action (EWEA) guidance promoted since 2007 and building on the network’s experience in disaster preparedness, the IFRC network has pioneered the work in Forecast-based Financing (FbF) (https://www.forecast-based-financing.org/) with the German Red Cross and the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre starting from 2014. In 2018, IFRC launched the Forecast-based Action by the DREF to enable access to fast and predictable funding for National Societies to fund early action using the FbF approach. As of mid-2021, 30 National Societies are developing the approach supported by partners from within and outside the IFRC Network. Building on lessons learned from FbF and the need to manage increasing risk, IFRC has also been exploring other aspects of disaster risk financing (DRF) and the use of different financial instruments to manage and reduce risk.

Job purpose

The Anticipatory Action Coordinator is the overall IFRC focal point on anticipatory action and supports the engagement of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on anticipatory action globally. The position will provide global content leadership and substantive strategic direction on anticipatory action, ensure global representation and policy positioning, promote strategic partnerships, while also contributing to learning and the development of tools, supporting the translation of global policy and standards into practice at the national and local level, and contributing to capacity building of IFRC staff and National Societies. The Coordinator will coordinate closely with various units of the IFRC Secretariat, IFRC Regional Offices, relevant networks and IFRC Reference Centres (notably the Anticipation Hub and Climate Centre), as well as relevant partners. The position will also ensure strong cooperation with the German Red Cross on their anticipation work.

Duration: ASAP until 31.12.2022

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Job duties and responsibilities

Provide substantive strategic direction and global content leadership:

• Provide global content leadership and coordination on issues related to anticipatory action.
• Support internal policy development, promotion and monitoring on anticipatory action, including for and through RC/RC Statutory meetings.
• Draft and support the implementation of strategic documents for the Red Cross Red Crescent network on anticipatory action, including the COD resolution on Strengthening Anticipatory Action in the Movement and the IFRC Operational Framework for Anticipatory Action. Lead IFRC explorations and engagement on anticipatory action approaches and contribute to related initiatives in the domain of anticipation and early action.
• Guide and coordinate cross-regional exchange of knowledge by collaborating with regional policy and operational teams and the respective German Red Cross regional focal points.
• Support the Partnerships Department’s continued exploration of disaster risk financing.

Ensure global representation and policy positioning:

• Support and engage with global policy development in the areas of anticipatory action in strong cooperation with the GRC and the Anticipation Hub Lead for Network and Policy.
• Represent the IFRC in internal and external anticipatory action related fora.
• Represent the German Red Cross, if necessary, at relevant events around EWEA, DRF, FbF or others.
• Support senior IFRC management in their representational and positioning efforts on anticipatory action, with a view to deepen related political commitment and reforms and enable IFRC to be seen as a thought-leader in this domain.
• Provide substantive and content leadership for corporate discussions and inter-agency coordination on issues related to anticipatory action.
• Liaise within the Secretariat (other Departments and Regions, Clusters and Country Offices) as appropriate.

Ensure quality technical advice and resources to support effective programming

• Identify necessary tools and information needed by IFRC and National Societies related to anticipatory action and contribute to the development and/or improvement of operational guidance, tools, methodologies or other material, as needed, in collaboration with the Senior Officer for FbF Capacity Strengthening.
• Work with Regional Offices and relevant partners to support capacity building for National Societies on anticipatory action, aligned with capacity building efforts related to FbA by the DREF.
• Raise awareness of anticipatory action amongst National Societies and promote the use of such activities.
• Contribute to the development of IFRC communications campaigns and products on anticipatory action.
• Support the mobilization of resources for anticipatory action, including supporting proposal development, in close collaboration with Regional Offices and the Partnerships and Resource Development Department.

Promote and strengthen strategic partnerships:

• Forge/expand and implement strategic partnerships on anticipatory action with National Societies and external partner institutions – governments, private sector, academia, NGOs and CSOs, in strong cooperation with the Anticipation Hub Lead for Network and Policy.
• Manage partnerships and resource mobilization in line with corporate guidelines and maintain close cooperation with responsible partners and institutions to ensure effective implementation of the agreed activities and delivery of outputs in a timely manner.
• Nurture relations with peer organizations, participate in communities of practice and professional associations, and develop networking, learning and exchange initiatives in order to keep abreast of emerging trends and integrate best practices in coordination with GRC, the Anticipation Hub and RCCC.

Be responsible and accountable for the overall management and administration of related projects:

• Provide financial management, monitoring and coordination of project activities, and the delivery to time, budget and agreed quality standards of project outputs with related reporting and representation.
• Ensure the integrity of financial and administrative procedures and the consistent application of IFRC rules and procedures related to project activities.
• Contribute to the overall planning, budgeting and reporting of the team and the department.

Contribute to an effective, high quality IFRC team:

• Provide progress reports on results against objectives and risk analyses as required.
• Contribute to a client-oriented approach that values accountability for results, 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, Clusters, Country or Operations to provide support as necessary.

Duties applicable to all staff

1. Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals
2. Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles
3. Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

You will be part of a highly motivated professional and multicultural team. We offer you a compensation package according to the collective employment agreement of the German Red Cross (GRC), an expatriation allowance during your mission as well as a personal allowance to cover your accommodation. In addition to a full insurance package GRC is covering a home flight within a 12-months period of assignment. Medical check-ups and Psychosocial Support Service are included in your assignment and last but not least a comprehensive training package as well as briefings prior, during and after your mission will complete your employment.