Syria Earthquake Project Officer – British Red Cross At International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies

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.

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.

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.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. 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 British Red Cross (BRC) has been working in the MENA region since 2004 with partner national societies and opened a satellite office in Beirut in 2013.

The MENA & Mediterranean (MENAMed) region team in BRC work through and in close cooperation with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners in the region, including the IFRC and ICRC, Syrian Arab Red Crescent, Lebanese Red Cross, Iraq Red Crescent, Yemen Red Crescent, Libyan Red Crescent, and others. BRC are currently engaged with programming in, among others, disaster preparedness, capacity building, relief through cash and voucher assistance, and logistics-related programmes both bilaterally and multilaterally.

Job Purpose

To support the successful delivery of the BRC Syria earthquake response with implementing partners in Syria. The role will work closely with the Syria programmes manager and the Country Cluster Manager, MENA Region. The role will help ensure that Syria earthquake activities are completed on time and within budget, programme documents and files are appropriately managed and stored, monitoring and reporting commitments are met, and ensure that the programme remains appropriate to the ongoing needs of the earthquake response. The role will support the Syrian programmes manager ensure that all back-donor obligations are met, including reporting requirements to DEC and other institutional donors. The role will support in the development of briefing materials, fact sheets, and other documents related to the ongoing earthquake response. The role will support to identify new potential funding opportunities to enable a continued BRC response while there are unmet humanitarian needs for relief or recovery, and to which BRC has an added value in responding. The role will also ensure that BRC proactively captures the learnings from the earthquake response that can be used in other contexts where BRC works.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Syria response operations support

Programming and administration

Support the Syria Programmes Manager (SPM) make informed programmatic decisions regarding the Syria earthquake response. This includes providing analysis of the disaster context, updating the operational strategy and recording decisions.
Support the SPM with funding applications, proposals and reports.
Support the SPM to undertake effective programme and administrative management and ensuring BRC’s commitments on value for money, programme monitoring, evaluation, learning, and community engagement and accountability.
To input into organisation of internal governance meetings regarding the response, in coordination with colleagues working on the wider Syria portfolio and the wider earthquake response in Turkiye. Including preparing relevant documents and ensuring briefs are completed within agreed timeframes.
To work with SPM on disseminating information to BRC colleagues as required, and liaison with IFRC and other Movement partners as necessary.
To support the deployment of BRC’s global response tools, surge staff, and other resources as and when required for the Syria earthquake response.
Support exploration of potential new initiatives with IFRC/SARC for the response
To work with the regional finance manager, SPM and others to monitor and maintain financial information relating to the Syria response, including on compliance with BRC procedures.
To provide ad-hoc admin support to SPM and Country Cluster Manager MENA when needed.
Ensuring synergy and coordination with the existing Syria portfolio.

Information management

Support the SPM with internal and external information management, including (when requested) preparing information packs, fact sheets, providing briefings, coordinating departmental contributions to corporate reporting, acting as focal point for the team and external networks, and liaison with other teams.
Ensure effective management of information for the Regional Team/SPM re: Syria Response, ensuring information on the BRC’s Project Information Management System (PIMS) is kept up to date.
To act as a focal point for the rest of the BRC International Directorate on information regarding the Syria earthquake response (corporate reporting, financial reporting, monthly newsletters, etc.)
Support relationship and communications management through effective internal and external liaison, facilitating engagement between British Red Cross, UK Office, Beirut Office and Syria-based personnel and managing information in a range of formats. This particularly includes working with the Communication and Fundraising Directorates.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

MENA team projects and programmes support

Facilitate technical and management visits from appropriate BRC UK Office staff.
Other tasks aligning to SPM’s portfolio as relevant, or wider in MENA team as directed by Country Cluster Manager MENA.
Manage allocated projects and services with minimal supervision.
Frequent travel to Syria to provide ongoing and surge support to SPM.
Build strong relationships with partner colleagues in Syria to support the delivery of the Syrian earthquake response programme.

Accountability and learning

To the extent possible, ensure supported response operations adhere to relevant BRC, Movement and broad humanitarian emergency response principles, standards and procedures, including but not limited to: the Fundamental Principles; Principles and Rules of Red Cross Red Crescent Humanitarian Assistance; Strengthening Movement Cooperation and Coordination (SMCC); the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and related technical standards (e.g. SPHERE); BRC Disaster Management Standard Operating Procedures; IFRC Rapid Response Guidelines and related guidance.
Promote and support BRC internal efforts to document, analyse and apply learning from emergency response operations.
Support the development of relevant paperwork to process agreements, payments, and facilitate informed decision making.

Team Member

Actively participates in all team meetings.
Work and behaves in accordance with all BRC policies and procedures.
Uphold the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and work within the Society’s equal opportunities policy.
Actively contribute to our culture of safeguarding and protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
Ensures inclusive practice and promotes diversity.

Other

Undertake other duties as are reasonably required.
Adhere to the British Red Cross values and IFRC policies and procedures.

Duties applicable to all staff

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

Education

University degree (or equivalent work experience) relevant to international
humanitarian aid and/or development -Required

Experience

A minimum of 3 to 5 years of relevant professional experience within the international humanitarian system or international development context -Required
A minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience working in humanitarian, recovery and/or development programmes in the Middle East -Required
A minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience working in demanding environments to multiple deadlines -Required
A minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in the project management cycle and the steps required to ensure accountability and proper document management -Required
A minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience of establishing effective professional relationships to influence and support decision making
A minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in programme design, proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation, and writing reports. -Required
A minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience leading / commissioning / supporting evaluations and learning reviews –Required
Experience in Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) programming – Preferred
A minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in budget management -Preferred
Experience in RC/RC movement -Preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Clear and precise oral and written communication skills, including ability to engage with a variety of staff of different experience and managerial levels -Required
Ability to analyze both quantitative and qualitative data and interpret information to communicate to and persuade decision makers / different audiences, both written and verbal -Required
Ability to develop working relationships with internal and external stakeholders working in a partnership approach -Required
A can-do attitude, with an ability to work independently and under pressure
Strong organizational and planning skills including accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail -Required
Strong analytical skills, with proven problem-solving experience -Required
Self-sufficient in computers (particularly Excel, Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Zoom) -Required
Ability to establish priorities, plan, coordinate, implement and monitor work plan -Required
Ability to develop and maintain effective remote working relationships with counterparts in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity -Required
Teamwork; commitment to the International Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement; integrity & personal conduct; sensitivity to diversity; flexibility & adaptability; interpersonal skills; resilience; friendly. Have a positive attitude, resourceful, hardworking, trustworthy, mature and able to maintain confidentiality at all times. -Required
Willingness to travel to Syria frequently as required by the programme needs. -Required
Comprehensive understanding of the current political, social and humanitarian situation in the Middle East, especially around the Syria context -Preferred
Strong budget and financial management skills -Preferred

LANGUAGES

Languages: English and Arabic -Required

Competencies, Values and Comments

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
Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others
Managerial competencies: Managing staff performance; Managing staff development

IFRC ensures equal employment opportunities!