Officer. Programmes Support

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.

The East Asia Country Cluster Delegation (EACCD or EAD) based in Beijing, China works closely with the East Asia National Societies (EANS) of the following countries: China (Red Cross Society of China – RCSC), Japan (Japanese Red Cross Society – JRCS), Mongolia (Mongolian Red Cross Society – MRCS) and the Republic of Korea (Korea National Red Cross – KNRC). The IFRC EAD also provides remote support to the DPRK Red Cross Society (DPRK RCS) through the IFRC Country Delegation in DPRK.

Job Purpose

Under the guidance of the Deputy Head of EACCD, the Program Support Officer plays a crucial role in supporting the overall thematic areas in East Asia, including, but not limited to health, climate, and resilience building. The Program Support Officer acts as a critical link to facilitate the coordination and collaboration across IFRC’s global and regional teams, East Asian National Societies and partners to ensure alignment with the execution of the IFRC Strategy 2030.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

1. Thematic Support

• Provide essential support in the development, implementation, and monitoring of projects and programs in health, climate, and resilience building.
• Provide technical assistance to National Societies in integrating cross-cutting themes such as climate change adaptation, community resilience, and public health into their respective projects and programs.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of thematic programs, identifying areas for improvement and providing recommendations for future implementation.
• Support information and data gathering for IFRC global and regional reporting, as well as planning procedures, to contribute to overall progress and decision-making.
• Support the development of project concept notes, agreements, budgets, and action plans with relevant IFRC teams and National Societies.
• Contribute to the planning and progress monitoring of IFRC’s strategies and annual plans

2. Monitoring and reporting on health, climate, and humanitarian trends and issues in East Asia:

• Track relevant events, meetings, and activities in the health, resilience, climate, and humanitarian sectors.
• Engage in climate and health initiatives, connecting with external stakeholders, understanding government policies, and facilitating linkages, as a joint program team effort.
• Provide regular updates and analyses to the Senior Management Team.
• Support the Senior DRM Officer in raising real-time alerts and updates and step in during the Senior DRM Officer’s absence.

3. Supporting IFRC’s external engagement and humanitarian diplomacy in East Asia in areas of health, climate, resilience and in close collaboration with relevant colleagues in EA Delegation:

• Contribute to the development of IFRC’s keynote speeches, presentations, and other external engagements.
• Ensure IFRC’s technical expertise and humanitarian messages is brought in and shared and promoted effectively.
• Assist in promoting and seeking partnerships with relevant academic institutions to access expert-level disaster research knowledge in the health sector.

4. Coordinating and collaborating with IFRC’s global and regional teams on specific initiatives:

• Actively engage in the development, conceptualization, strengthening, and implementation of the Large-Scale Disaster Preparedness initiative in East Asia. This includes participating in the creation of opportunities, plans, meetings, events, and other activities related to this initiative.
• Promote and facilitate First Aid discussions and activities in East Asia, including its integration into the EA Large Scale Disaster Preparedness Initiative.
• Integrate mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) into the East Asia Large Scale Preparedness Initiative.
• Collaborate with the IFRC Global Health Unit and APRO on initiatives related to ageing and community resilience.
• Work closely with IFRC Program Team and SPRM team to promote and strengthen Integrated Community Resilience Program (ICRP) in rural and urban China and develop funding opportunities.

5. Providing administrative support for IFRC’s activities in East Asia:

• Develop financial documents and managing budgets for health-related activities.
• Support the annual and emergency planning processes.
• Utilize the ERP system for daily tasks and responsibilities and maintain proficiency in its modules, features, and processes.
• Maintain an organized database or library of project documents, tracking the progress of each project according to IFRC standards.

Education

University degree or professional qualification in project management or other related technical area

Experience

• 3+ years of experience in managing and supervising projects related to Health, Resilience building, and Recovery Program or other related areas 
• Experience working with the project cycle management, including project preparation, formulation, implementation and evaluation, budgeting and finance
• Experience in horizon scanning and monitoring emerging humanitarian trends, providing updates and preparing reports on humanitarian issues
• Proven track record in developing presentations, speeches, and concept notes for various stakeholders
• Experience in delivering engaging and effective public presentations and speeches
• Red Cross/Red Crescent experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Excellent organisation skills
• Thorough familiarity with word processing, spreadsheet, and project scheduling computer applications
• Proven analytical and summarizing skills
• Excellent critical and creative thinking skills
• Strong writing skills with the ability to produce high-quality, clear, and concise written communication for diverse audiences
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure, trouble-shoot, and to meet short- and long-term deadlines
• Fluently spoken and written English
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)