Senior Officer, Field Programmes

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.

The 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. For the next decade the organization will be guided by the principles set out in the IFRC Strategy 2030: Platform for change – global reach, local action. 

The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into several main divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination NSDOC); (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization (GRHDD); and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services (MPSCS).

The IFRC has five regional offices based in the following locations: (i) Africa Region, in Nairobi, Kenya; (ii) Asia Pacific Region, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; (iii) Middle East and North Africa Region, in Beirut, Lebanon; (iv) Europe Region, in Budapest, Hungary; and Americas Region, in Panama City, Panama. 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.

Syria has been embroiled in a conflict since the early 2011s, resulting in widespread displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and loss of life. The conflict has involved various factions, including the Syrian government, and opposition armed groups. The conflict has triggered one of the most severe humanitarian crises of the 21st century, with millions of Syrians internally displaced and millions more seeking refuge abroad. Access to necessities, such as food, water, shelter, and healthcare has been severely compromised. Syria, already grappling with the complexities of a protracted conflict and humanitarian crisis, faced another devastating blow in 2023 with a series of powerful earthquakes. The earthquakes struck amidst ongoing conflict, exacerbating the already dire situation in the region. 

On February 6th, 2023 two powerful earthquakes struck South East Türkiye with devastating effects: more than 50.000 people died and economic losses were estimated at more than USD 100 billion making it the biggest disaster to affect the country in a century. The earthquakes also had devastating consequences in Syria, leaving approximately eight million, of which 4.2 million in Northwest Syria, already highly vulnerable people, affected. 

Türkiye Country Delegation is one of the delegations in the Europe Region. It is led by a Head of Country Delegation (HoCD) and is composed of majority local staff with key international positions. The country delegation can also host regional outpost positions based on strategic directions agreed with the Regional Director.

Job Purpose

The Senior Programme Officer supports the day-to-day implementation of IFRC funded programmes. Support the implementation of programme activities through coordination with TRCS and IFRC sector teams and relevant departments. Provide regular updates and feedback to the Operations Manager to ensure smooth implementation.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Programme planning, implementation, and coordination

• Assist in the design of new programmes and support the development of new programme ideas through field observations.
• Provide technical support to Turkish Red Crescent teams to ensure the successful implementation of their programmes.
• Support internal coordination with the Delegation’s technical teams (Livelihoods, Communication, IM, PMER, M&E) to support the implementation of programme activities.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Supports coordination with TRCS programme team on data collection for monthly reports, donor reports and/or indicator tracking tables (ITT) for IFRC funded programmes.
• Provide support to the PMER team as required to ensure high quality accountability to donors.
• Participate in field visits to monitor IFRC-supported activities, prepare field reports and follow up observations with IFRC and TRC teams.

Information Management and Communications

• Support the collection of programme data as required to identify trends or patterns.
• Liaise with the IFRC communications team and provide necessary communication products,
• Represent the IFRC, liaise and ensure effective working relationships with local authorities, local and international non-governmental organizations, and UN agencies in the field.
• Liaise with the IFRC technical team to participate in technical meetings, initiatives and/or share updates from field.
• Prepare briefing notes, operational updates, presentations, etc. as requested by the line manager.

Financial management and administration

• Liaise regularly with and support the IFRC finance and management team and the TRC to ensure timely sharing of financial information.
• Provide support for the preparation of project financing agreements as required.

Security:

• The Officer is responsible for ensuring the day-to-day security of IFRC personnel, assets, and operations in the Gaziantep office and for supporting security management across the Northwestern Syria operation.
• Contribute to the implementation of the IFRC’s security management strategy for Northwest Syria. Provide advice and support to the Operations Manager on security-related issues.
• Liaise with the security focal points of other actors operating in north-west Syria. Monitor security-related activities and report any incidents to the Operations Manager.
• Prior to missions to Northwest Syria, inform and brief relevant staff.

General:

• Fulfil any other programme related tasks as assigned by the line manager.

Education

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree in political science, social sciences, international relations, or related field.

Preferred

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social sciences, international relations, or related field.

Experience

Required 

• At least 5 years’ working experience in a development or relief organization.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, project management and reporting.
• Experience in migration programming, Disaster Risk Reduction, health, MHPSS, protection and/or capacity building activities
• Experience working in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Knowledge & Skills: 

Required: 

• Good organization and time management skills
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate and lead the efforts of others to effectively meet program goals.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and in a team
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.

Languages:

Required:

Fluently spoken and written English

Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Competencies, Values and Comments

Core Competencies: Communication, Collaboration and Teamwork, Judgement and

Decision Making, National Society and Customer Relations, Creativity and Innovation,

Building Trust

Values: Respect for diversity, Integrity, Professionalism, Accountability