Organizational Context
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the worldโs largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is โto 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.โ 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 four main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Coordination, (ii) Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, (iii) Management and Accountability and (iv) People and Strategy.
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.
In Myanmar, IFRC is supporting the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) to roll-out a multi-million Swiss franc humanitarian operation in response to the 28 March 2025 earthquake alongside longer-term programmes. IFRC launched an Emergency Appeal to provide immediate relief, recovery and rehabilitation assistance to the most affected households in these areas. The Federation-wide target is 20,000 households or approximately 100,000 people, with the IFRC Secretariat Funding Ask aimed at assisting 15,000 households, or about 75,000 people, across Bago, Southern Shan, Mandalay, Naypyidaw and Sagaing.
To effectively accompany the MRCS in addressing immediate to recovery humanitarian needs wrought by the earthquake, the IFRC Country Delegation in Myanmar is bolstering its operational capacity.
Job Purpose
Reporting to the Operations Manager, and under the technical supervision of the Regional Shelter and Settlements Coordinator, the Shelter Recovery Coordinator will lead and support the design, implementation, coordination, and monitoring of shelter recovery activities in collaboration with the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS), the Recovery Coordinator and relevant stakeholders. This role ensures that the shelter response is technically sound, contextually appropriate, and integrated with other sectors including disaster risk reduction, livelihoods, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). The position plays a central role in promoting quality standards, supporting local capacity development, and addressing cross-cutting issues such as community engagement, disability inclusion, security of tenure, housing, land and property (HLP) rights, and environmental sustainability.
This position will be based in Yangon and will involve travel. The role will focus on supporting the MRCS in its shelter interventions at headquarters level and all affected geographical areas.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Programme Planning and Technical Oversight
Lead the planning and design of shelter recovery interventions, including transitional shelter, housing repairs, and community-led reconstruction, in line with national and international shelter standards/practices. Ensure that all shelter solutions are culturally appropriate, hazard-resilient, gender-sensitive, environmentally sustainable, and where necessary disability inclusive. Oversee technical assessments and context analysis (market, environment, HLP, housing typologies, land availability) to inform shelter programming. Ensure that shelter approaches adopted for the operation integrate build back safer (BBS), disaster risk reduction (DRR), and climate-smart practices. Analyze risks and opportunities related to land tenure and HLP issues, and support the development of strategies to mitigate related challenges.Implementation and Quality Assurance
Oversee and monitor the implementation of shelter construction and building back safer activities in collaboration with National Society counterparts, technical consultants, and other relevant stakeholders. Provide technical guidance on community-led repairs and reconstruction of community buildings, ensuring compliance with structural safety, quality standards, and technical recommendations. Lead the development of technical deliverables, including guidance notes, bills of quantities (BoQs), drawings, and procurement specifications for shelter and infrastructure-related interventions. Design and implement technical training curriculums for key shelter skills including masonry, carpentry, roofing, site supervision, and earthquake-resilient construction, ensuring alignment with local techniques and building codes. Develop and standardize information, education, and communication (IEC) materials to support community awareness, BBS messaging, Participatory Approach for Safe Shelter Awareness (PASSA) outcomes, and safer shelter practices. Train National Society staff and volunteer on PASSA, support the roll-out of PASSA at the community level, and incorporate PASSA findings into recovery planning and implementation. Lead the integration and promotion of BBS messaging and construction practices at all levels of shelter programming. Monitor construction progress and conduct quality assurance checks, resolving technical issues as they arise in coordination with the National Society and partners. Ensure that all shelter interventions are need-based and prioritize the most vulnerable without discrimination based on gender, disability, ethnicity, beliefs, or other personal characteristics. Promote the application of key recovery principles such as sustainability, local ownership, DRR, community participation, cultural sensitivity, conflict sensitivity, โDo No Harm,โ and โBuild Back Safer.โ Ensure that shelter programming contributes to broader resilience through a continuum approach that strengthens community preparedness, response, recovery, and long-term resilience. Ensure evidence-based monitoring of recovery interventions in line with IFRC and Movement minimum standards, including for community engagement and accountability (CEA), and protection, gender and inclusion (PGI). Work with planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting (PMER) colleagues to establish a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework that captures timely and reliable data on shelter recovery implementation and outcomes. Contribute to reviews, research, and evaluations to inform strategic decision-making and continuous improvement of shelter recovery programming.National Society Capacity Strengthening
Provide structured on-the-job training, mentoring, and technical guidance to National Society teams on shelter assessment, design, implementation, and supervision. Facilitate targeted workshops and practical sessions for National Society teams on key shelter topics, including BBS techniques, safe construction practices, quality assurance, and community engagement. Support the National Society in adapting, institutionalizing, and applying relevant shelter standards, technical tools, and guidelines for future emergency and recovery responses. Contribute to strengthening technical and operational capacities of the National Society teams through hands-on support and learning-by-doing approaches, enabling them to lead future shelter preparedness, response, and recovery efforts independently and effectively.Coordination and Representation
Establish operational linkages with other sectors (such as CEA, Livelihoods, PGI, WASH) to support integrated and community-driven shelter recovery. Facilitate effective coordination with the National Society, technical consultants, local authorities, humanitarian partners, and shelter actors to ensure coherence, complementarity, and technical consistency across interventions. Together with National Society counterparts, collaborate with local authorities on matters related to shelter programming, including permits, construction approvals, land access, and technical guidance. Together with National Society counterparts, represent the IFRC in shelter coordination platforms at national and sub-national levels, ensuring alignment with the overall shelter strategy and operational priorities. Ensure close coordination with National Society counterparts, technical counterparts in the IFRC network, ICRC, UN agencies, and key humanitarian stakeholders to enable a harmonized and efficient recovery response. As required, represent the IFRC in technical forums, workshops, or working groups related to shelter, recovery, or Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA), ensuring that shelter-specific perspectives are reflected in broader recovery approaches.Risk Management
Team and Resource Management
Lead, supervise, and mentor IFRC shelter technical staff, ensuring alignment with National Society counterparts and fostering strong collaboration and skills transfer. Oversee planning, performance, and capacity development of IFRC shelter technical staff, ensuring clear priorities and effective task delivery. Ensure sound financial and operational management of shelter activities, including budget monitoring and compliance with IFRC procedures and donor requirements.Support to Resource Mobilization
Collaborate with Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization (SPRM) teams to develop funding proposals specifically for shelter recovery and response activities, aligned with donor priorities and emerging needs. Support to prepare concise, high-level updates and briefing materials for partners and donors to support sustained or increased funding for shelter programmes.Effective Matrix Management
Engage with Shelter and Settlements leads of the IFRC Asia Pacific Regional Office and/or Geneva head office to ensure that country-level practices align with regional and global approaches. As part of the โOne IFRC Teamโ, be available for time-bound interim support to other IFRC Country Delegations, Country Cluster Delegations, Regional Offices or Geneva headquarters when agreed with line and technical managers.Education & Experience
Education
Required
University degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, or another related field.Preferred
Formal education or training in earthquake-resilient construction techniques, green building practices, or related sustainable shelter and construction methods. Basic Delegates Training Course (BTC), IMPACT, HEAT, WORC or equivalent knowledge.
Experience
Required
Practical field-level experience (minimum 5 years) in shelter programming and community-based recovery, including at least 2 years in international contexts. Proven track record (minimum 2 years) in designing, implementing, and managing shelter recovery programmes. Experience in integrating and managing cash-based interventions within shelter programming. Experience in project cycle management, including budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, risk management and exit / transition planning. Experience in capacity building, coaching, skills transfer, and collaborative working models. Experience managing multidisciplinary teams involved in shelter, engineering, and construction activities. Solid experience in networking and building relationship with internal and external stakeholders.Preferred
Professional experience within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, or international humanitarian organizations/INGOs focused on shelter and recovery in developing countries. Field experience in fragile and complex context(s). Field experience in Asia Pacific.Knowledge, Skills and Languages
Required
Strong technical knowledge in shelter programming across emergency and recovery phases, including disaster-resilient construction, build back safer techniques, and sustainable, community-led shelter solutions. Trained on PASSA (Participatory Approach for Safe Shelter Awareness) and proven ability to facilitate and deliver PASSA Training of Trainers (ToT) and support national societies in adapting and rolling out the PASSA methodology. Demonstrated skills in staff development, technical mentoring, and on-the-job training, particularly in shelter assessment, design, construction supervision, and quality assurance. Computer proficiency, including AutoCAD, structural design and analysis tools and internet-based tools. Familiarity with humanitarian and technical standards such as Sphere, IFRC Shelter Kit Guidelines, local/national building codes, and Minimum Standards for Protection, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI). Proven team management and motivation skills. Excellent collaborative and teamwork skills in a multi-cultural environment. Communication, interpersonal, influencing skills, networking, and representation skills. Ability to work in a stressful and demanding environment while keeping a consistent, courteous, and positive attitude towards others. Ability to work and communicate efficiently in a multi-cultural, cross-functional setting, including dispersed teams. Demonstrated integrity and accountability. Fluent spoken and written English.
Preferred
Comprehensive understanding of IFRC policies, procedures, and IFRC-wide approaches Valid international driving license (manual gears). Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).Competencies, Values and Comments
Values: Respect for Diversity, Integrity, Professionalism, Accountability.
Core competencies: Communications, Collaboration & Teamwork, Judgement & Decision, National Society & Customer Relations, Creativity & Innovation, Building Trust.
Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others.
Managerial competencies: Managing staff performance; Managing staff development