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.
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 IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
The 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.
The 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 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.
The IFRC Africa Region is organized through regional representations covering the National Societies where Indian Ocean Islands CCD covers Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
Addressing climate and environmental crises is the first strategic priority of the IFRCโs Strategy 2030, which stresses the urgent need to massively scale-up climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, in view of increasing disasters and climate-related impacts on vulnerable people. Early warning and early/anticipatory action are acknowledged as a critical component of this work. Anticipatory action is increasingly recognized as a key solution to reduce the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events, these actions help organizations and people build resilience to future shocks by better understanding trends and highlighting the need to embed risk information for short-term shocks that informs long-term adaptation.
In June 2022, the leaders of 192 National Societies endorsed the Council of Delegates Resolution on โStrengthening anticipatory action within the Movement: Our way forwardโ. To operationalize that ambition and in line with the Operational Framework for scaling up Anticipatory Action the IFRC is seeking to support National Societies by developing anticipatory actions plans that are eligible and can be funded under the DREF anticipatory pillar.
As part of these efforts, the IFRC Cluster Delegation in Indian Ocean Islands based in Antananarivo, Madagascar, through FCDO funded program supports Malagasy Red Cross by putting in place in an anticipatory action officer to support the implementation of the FCDO program especially anticipation action.
Job Purpose
Under the guidance of the Climate Action Delegate and in close cooperation and coordination with the Cluster Delegation and the National Society teams, the Anticipatory Action Officer will support the implementation of anticipatory action within FCDO program under its geographic remit. The implementation focusses on linking the program with the existing NS Early Action Protocols (EAP) or Simplified EAPs, the strengthening of the National Society capacities for anticipatory action planning and delivery, including coordination with their respective governments and other key stakeholders.
Developing effective readiness and early action requires national dialogue and coordination to shift the system to anticipatory action, followed by an in-depth risk analysis to develop impact-based triggers, identifying effective and feasible early actions, and strengthening the required operational capacity to implement these actions.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Overall implementation and management of the anticipatory action program.
Support in developing the workplans with the National Societies, Climate Centre and Partner National Societies for the implementation of the AA in FCDO program. Support the National Society, the IFRC Delegation and the Partner National Societies in linking the existing EAP/sEAP with the program and ensure that the program is integrated in the development of the new EAP/sEAP.
Conducting feasibility and capacity assessments to determine feasibility of anticipatory action.
Support and conduct feasibility studies and capacity assessments, using and leveraging existing assessment results and initiatives such as Preparedness for Effective Response, relevant outlook indicators, government level and National Society organizational level capacity analysis, mapping and analysis of national early warning mechanisms and their feasibility to provide indicators for anticipatory action. Support the National Society with the prioritization of hazards, review of forecasts/data and early warning systems. Engage the relevant stakeholders such as IFRC and Partners in the feasibility studies, sensitize and socialize findings and lessons learnt.
Strengthening the operational capacity and readiness of the National Society.
Utilize Preparedness for Effective Response (PER) process to identify key operational and technical capacity building needs, including staff training, developing or updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), contingency plans, and required support services (HR, admin, logistics) to deliver anticipatory action. Support and strengthen specific technical areas such as cash and vouchers assistance, distribution of NFIs, identify required technical skills to deliver early actions, select affected population selection and others.
Duties applicable to all staff.
Work actively towards the achievement of the IFRCโs 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.