Senior Program Officer at International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC)

International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) Ethiopia Vacancy:

• Position: Senior Program Officer

• Deadline: December 31, 2023

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, the 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.

The IFRC (through the Representation Office to African Union and International Organizations) partners with the African Union (AU) towards the ambitions for stronger local, regional, and continental capacities to prepare, anticipate, respond- and recover from humanitarian crises in the continent. The ambition of this partnership is directly in line with the global commitment to strengthen local humanitarian action by advancing the voice of African National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies with decades of experience. The IFRC is uniquely positioned to work with AU in moving the humanitarian agenda forward in a way that builds upon the needs and ambitions of the African peoples and communities.

Job Purpose

In line with the cooperation agreement between the IFRC and the AU Commission, the collaboration and engagement of the IFRC contribute to advancing the central humanitarian priorities of the AU and its Member States. As a result, the IFRC is looking to recruit a Senior Program Officer who can support in advancing the collaboration of IFRC with the African Union Commission, in relation to the African Humanitarian Agency (AfHA).

The Senior Program Officer will be responsible for supporting the planning, monitoring, and reporting of a work plan between IFRC and AUC, for setting up AfHA, funded by the governments of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The senior program officer works closely with the Humanitarian Affairs Division of the AUC.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure effective implementation of agreed priorities with AUC throughout all the key phases of the project by working closely with AU on proper planning, implementation, monitoring, risk management and stakeholder analysis, as well as ensuring reporting is done regularly throughout the project.

• Provide technical support to the AUC Humanitarian Division on the implementation of key deliverables outlined in the project document in relation to advancing the operationalization of the African Humanitarian Agency.

• Support to liaise and coordinate with donors (Denmark, Sweden, and Norway) and RCRC national societies on the implementation of the joint project by:

• Developing and submitting project progress reports (narrative and financial)

• Ensuring that contractual obligations are met for all the donors.

• Coordinate and liaise with the donors to inform them of any program changes.

• Support the resource mobilization for additional resources needed for the implementation of a joint project between IFRC and AUC (as outlined in the project document) by developing concept notes and proposals to be circulated to key existing and potential donors.

• Support the coordination with departments within the IFRC delegation to the African Union & International Organization, Regional Office, and Headquarters on the implementation of the joint project. 

• Perform other related duties as required.

General Admin activities

• Compose and proofread routine correspondence for accuracy of information prior to distribution.

• Maintains program background documentation.

• Coordinate with Finance for managing the process of trip agendas, and other logistical items, managing scheduling and creating invoices for expense reimbursement and collections and preparation of expense reports.

• Provides support in arranging for key meetings including setting schedules, organizing meetings, & site visits, providing relevant background documents well in advance of travel, organizing briefings, and making logistics arrangements through the Administrative Officer.

• Adhere to appropriate protocol and correspondence, administrative and financial guidelines

Job Requirement

Education

• Master’s degree in international relations, humanitarian diplomacy, project management (or relevant discipline) or bachelor’s degree with profound professional experience. 

Experience

Required:

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience working in the international humanitarian and development sector.

• Experience in Humanitarian Diplomacy, advocacy, policy, and strategy.

• Experience in building strategic partnerships with tangible outcomes.

Preferred:

• Experience in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.

• Experience in the UN system, African Union, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and intergovernmental organizations and/or development banks.

• Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Strong understanding of international and regional policy processes, frameworks, systems, and initiatives relevant to humanitarian organizations in Africa.

• Excellent understanding of the dynamics, institutions and political context of the international humanitarian and development sectors within Africa.

• Excellent relationship management and networking skills.

• Strong strategic planning and project management skills.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills

• Ability to negotiate diplomatically. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to organize and motivate others to work in a multicultural environment.

Languages:

• Excellent written and communication skills in English

• Good command of written and spoken AU languages (Arabic, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) - Preferred 

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.

Special consideration: This position involves dealing with confidential matters and requires consistent discretion.

How to Apply

• Register using THIS LINK