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. While still supporting the URCSโ emergency response, the IFRCโs role in Ukraine is shifting to a greater focus on National Society Development (NSD) under the One Plan โ which includes both capacity support in programmatic areas and more fundamental aspects of development, known as organizational development (OD) โ per the IFRCโs National Society Development Policy. In the area of OD, IFRC is especially engaged in support to URCS in its branch and volunteer development programme (BraVo), human resource and resource mobilization development, and the development and implementation of interregional offices (IRO) providing corporate service support to regional branches. It also continues to play a key role in mobilizing international resources and coordinating NSD support from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including IFRC member National Societies, 13 of which currently have representatives based in Ukraine. The primary objective of the Norwegian Red Crossโs efforts in Ukraine, as part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, is to enhance the health, protection, and resilience of individuals affected by the war โ through the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) as a strong, efficient, and leading humanitarian actor. Norwegian Red Cross will do this through four strategic objectives: 1) Improve access to healthcare and protection for vulnerable people; 2) Support URCS in strengthening capacity and building resilience; 3) Support URCS and RCRC Movement in strengthening humanitarian diplomacy and International Humanitarian Law; 4) Be a reliable, predictable and responsible Movement partner. The Norwegian Red Crossโs efforts will be directed by a set of guiding priorities: locally led response, prioritizing those most in need, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), ensuring a holistic approach that addresses both short- and long-term needs, responsible risk management, and maintaining accountability and transparency.
Job Purpose
The purpose of the Country Program Officer is to optimize humanitarian outcomes through coordinating the design and implementation of country programs in West (TER&KHM) and in line with Operational Framework and technical standards.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic responsibilities
1. Ensure the alignment of projects and adherence to the Operational Framework, including technical standards and project management methodologies.
2. Oversee program development and ensure humanitarian results in line with predefined operational outcomes.
3. Coordinate with HNS teams to ensure effective collaboration and smooth execution of the program portfolio.
Operational responsibilities
- Oversee the day-to-day implementation of Norwegian Red Cross programmes in the west, ensuring activities are carried out in accordance with the country operational strategy and project documentation.
- Provides support in the development of quality project packages to be submitted for internal approval before project start up.
- Supports the Health Coordinator in monitoring of progress and discusses adjustments to improve results and achieve objectives for all Norwegian Red Cross activities in the regions.
- Contributes to adequate needs assessment to inform design of relevant projects.
- Leads the design and implementation of baseline surveys, ensuring methodological rigor and alignment with strategic objectives to accurately assess initial conditions and inform project planning.
- Ensures the logical project structure of effects and results according to existing guidelines and linkages between the Host National Society and Norwegian Red Cross results frameworks.
- Drives the development of comprehensive SMART indicators, ensuring the creation of robust indicator guidelines that operationalize monitoring processes, including detailed methodologies for data collection, analysis, frequency, and reporting.
- Ensures high standards of data quality and integrity, providing strategic oversight for the validation and reporting of data provided by HNS, and ensuring alignment with donor and organizational requirements.
- Leads the organization of end-line studies and quantitative assessments related to field monitoring to measure the impact and value changes of critical project variables, driving evidence-based decision-making.
Operational responsibilities
- Oversee the day-to-day implementation of Norwegian Red Cross programmes in the west, ensuring activities are carried out in accordance with the country operational strategy and project documentation.
- Provides support in the development of quality project packages to be submitted for internal approval before project start up.
- Supports the Health Coordinator in monitoring of progress and discusses adjustments to improve results and achieve objectives for all Norwegian Red Cross activities in the regions.
- Contributes to adequate needs assessment to inform design of relevant projects.
- Leads the design and implementation of baseline surveys, ensuring methodological rigor and alignment with strategic objectives to accurately assess initial conditions and inform project planning.
- Ensures the logical project structure of effects and results according to existing guidelines and linkages between the Host National Society and Norwegian Red Cross results frameworks.
- Drives the development of comprehensive SMART indicators, ensuring the creation of robust indicator guidelines that operationalize monitoring processes, including detailed methodologies for data collection, analysis, frequency, and reporting.
- Ensures high standards of data quality and integrity, providing strategic oversight for the validation and reporting of data provided by HNS, and ensuring alignment with donor and organizational requirements.
- Leads the organization of end-line studies and quantitative assessments related to field monitoring to measure the impact and value changes of critical project variables, driving evidence-based decision-making.
Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)
Collaboration
- Liaise with line manager to ensure consistent accountability towards Norwegian Red Cross rules and regulations, guidelines and deadlines.
- Liaise with Technical Unit if necessary to ensure alignment and adherence to technical guidance and standards in Operational Framework
- Liaise with HNS technical, project teams and key local stakeholders to ensure relevance of technical assistance provided.
- Liaise with the Global Disaster Management Unit related to preparedness and emergencies in country as relevant.
Mission specific responsibilities
This position will be based in Khmelnytskyi Region with frequent field visits to the field (Khmelnytskyi 70% and Ternopil 30%) to ensure close follow up on implementation and effective monitoring. Position will also play a strong coordination role between main country office, and the URCS regional branches.
Education
- University Degree in relevant technical discipline (Medicine, Nursing, Public Health etc.).
Experience
- Working experience relevant for focus 5+ years
Knowledge, Skills and Languages
Skills and knowledge
- Demonstrated ability to manage programmes in challenging contexts.
- Excellent communication and writing skills.
- Basic knowledge of financial management and to use reporting applications.
- In-depth understanding and practical application of relevant technical standards in humanitarian projects.
- Proven experience from project management, including needs assessments project design, MEAL planning and reporting.
- Knowledge in building technical capacities of partner organizations.
- Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required. Working proficiency of other regional language is an asset.
Competencies, Values and Comments
VALUES: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.
CORE COMPETENCIES: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Pro-activity; National Societies and Customer Relations; Creativity and Innovation; Building Trust.