Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs 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.” 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 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 delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

On September 10, 2023, the northeastern region of Libya was struck by Storm Daniel, resulting in severe weather conditions characterized by powerful winds and sudden heavy rainfall. This inclement weather affected multiple areas, including Benghazi, Tobruk, Toukra , Talmeitha , Almarj , Taknes (Al Jabal Al Akhdar), Al Owailia , Bayada, Albayda , Shahhat , Sousa, and Derna.

The storm had devastating consequences, including the collapse of a dam in Derna, leading to entire neighborhoods being swept into the sea. It caused significant damage to infrastructure, including the road network, disrupted telecommunications services, and buildings, resulting in the displacement of at least 44,000 individuals.

Large-scale flooding occurred in Libya’s northeast areas, resulting in the loss of lives and extensive infrastructure damage in several coastal towns and along rivers, including Derna, Benghazi, Al-Jabal Al-Akhder, Al-Marj, Batah , Bayada , Albayda , Shahat , and Sousa.

The Lybian Red Crescent Society (LRCS) teams were on the ground immediately, coordinating closely with the IFRC and local authorities to assess the situation, support the search and rescue operation and provide help to affected people.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Operations Manager and working closely with LRCS’s Director of Health and specific health focal persons, the Health Coordinator is expected to support LRCS Health department to ensure consistent quality in the delivery of the health activities in Libya, and smooth implementation of LRCS’s newly developed health strategy and transformation efforts arising from the evolving operating context in Libya, while ensuring that the IFRC Appeal and forward-planning is aligned with LRCS priorities. The Health Coordinator will be actively engaged in planning, coordinating and supporting Movement-wide efforts in support of LRCS health programming.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Planning and programme management

Support LRCS in further defining strategic directions in health programming, and support implementation of the Health Department’s current strategic plan.
Support LRCS in development of health strategies and timely responses to evolving health needs in the protracted crisis.
Manage the health and care component of the IFRC Appeal, ensuring alignment with LRCS strategic and operational priorities and revising Appeal focus and scope accordingly.
Support LRCS to identify health need gaps and support the implementation of enhanced community-based health interventions as feasible.
Carry out visits to programme sites as the situation allows providing technical input into quality service and upholding WHO, IASC and IFRC standards.
Using available resources, manage, analyze, and strategically use health data received from LRCS and improve health data through efficient implementation and monitoring plans and reliable indicators.
In the absence of a designated delegate for WASH and/or MHPSS, the health coordinator will liaise, and support community hygiene actions taken within the WASH department of LRCS and ensure the proper implementation of MHPSS activities according to the developed plan.
Support LRCS to strengthen the existing Health information system to generate and analyse reports for efficient implementation and monitoring.
Identify and implement opportunities to strengthen and improve programme/project effectiveness and efficiency through technical and managerial input.
Manage the IFRC’s health budget, expenditure, and procurement together with LRCS and IFRC finance and logistics colleagues.
Produce regular, timely and accurate reports, briefing notes, contextual analysis for Federation and donors.
Develop clear monitoring information (qualitative and quantitative) to track progress and impact of subsequent programme activities; ensure regular monitoring of activities, identifying and addressing delays in implementation where necessary.
In close cooperation with the PMER delegate and IFRC Community Engagement and Accountability technical resource persons, continue to support the establishment of a beneficiary accountability framework for LRCS and Movement health activities, which includes monitoring and reporting systems, and support its subsequent implementation.
Ensure that all activities are carried out in a participatory and inclusive manner that reflects community needs and cultural sensitivities, gender, age issues and the environment, and that activities take into consideration issues around any local risks and hazards.
Remain highly aware of and sensitive to the highly fluid, complex, and potentially hazardous security, access and general operating environment in Libya, and of the highly complex and pressurised environment within which LRCS continues to operate on a day-to-day basis, and at all times observe and remain bound by the relevant security protocols, rules and regulations of the IFRC and the ICRC
Contribute to/draft funding concept notes and proposals as required.
Carry out other tasks related to the LRCS/IFRC operation in Libya that are assigned by the IFRC Libya Head of Country Delegation as required.

Coordination, cooperation and collaboration

Build and maintain knowledge, understanding and effective relationships with partners in Libya and work on consistently strengthening relationships.
Jointly with LRCS, ensure effective relationships with external organizations.
Support LRCS to develop strategic partnership within and outside the Movement and participate in and work with relevant emergency health networks and coordination mechanisms, as well as strengthening an effective and coordinated health response.
Represent the IFRC as needed in technical and leadership discussions, to advocate for the role, impact and needs of LRCS in health programming.
Support LRCS to establish a Movement Health Working Group, which will facilitate Movement coordination mechanism/s that keeps all parties up to date on policy and programming developments, including mapping of Movement/external actors’ partnership with LRCS in health.

Staff health

Provide health briefings, medical advice/care and medevac for Federation staff and delegates, in collaboration with the IFRC Head of Country Delegation (or acting). Act as focal health/medical person for Federation staff and delegates.

Duties applied for all staff

Actively work towards the achievement of the IFRC 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

Degree level in health or social services. – Required
Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology or other relevant public health subject. – Preferred
IFRC Training Course on disaster response, such as ERU, FACT, RDRT, or other relevant course such as HELP. – Preferred

Experience

At least 5-7 years of progressive experience in the management of health systems and health programmes. – Required
Experience in training, mentoring and/or leading staff, and capacity building. – Required
Experience in strategic planning and implementation in health programming. – Required
Experience of working in public health in emergencies/armed conflict situations. – Preferred
Experience in preparing and monitoring project plans, writing reports and developing project proposals. – Required
Experience working within different components of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. – Preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Knowledge of good practices in participatory methods, programme planning and design, monitoring and evaluation, learning, and accountability. – Required
Proven organisation and planning skills. – Required
Excellent analytic and computer skills (Ms Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint). – Required
Skilled in training, mentoring and coaching individuals and groups as appropriate. – Required
Capable of influencing and obtaining cooperation of individuals not under supervisory control, as a member of multinational team, and managing remote relationships to achieve results. – Required
Highly motivated self-starter able to lead a process, engage others and create ownership. – Required
Flexible and willing to deal with ambiguity, changes and challenges. – Required
Able to prioritise work, multi-task and meet deadlines. – Required
Willing to travel and operate in a demanding working environment. – Required
Fluent spoken and written Arabic and English. – 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.

Note: Based: Benghazi, Libya (based temporarily in Tunis)

IFRC provides equal employment opportunities.