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. The overall aim of the IFRC is โto 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.โ 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. The 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. The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat. In February 2022, a new phase in the armed conflict in Ukraine started. The intensification and spread of hostilities have affected all of Ukraine, causing massive humanitarian needs across all sectors and destroying essential civilian infrastructure. Millions of people are displaced in Ukraine, more than 5 million people have fled to other countries. IFRC has launched a major Emergency Appeal for Ukraine and Impacted Countries that is coordinated on European regional level โ with numerous country level operations ongoing. ICRC, IFRC and numerous Partner National Societies are integrating their capacities to provide coordinated crisis response in Ukraine and impacted countries. The operational structure will be fully integrated into existing structures at Country / Country Cluster and Regional Office level to ensure full synergies with the overall regional work.
Job Purpose
The purpose of the Senior Program Officer is to optimize humanitarian outcomes through coordinating the design implementation and monitoring of country programs in East 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. Support program development and ensure humanitarian results in line with predefined operational outcomes.
3. Coordinate and support HNS teams to ensure effective collaboration and smooth execution of the program portfolio.
Operational responsibilities
- Oversee and support the day-to-day implementation of Norwegian Red Cross programmes in the East, 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 Delegate 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.
- Contribute to 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.
Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)
- Contribute and support 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 decisionmaking.
- Conducts field monitoring to ensure compliance of program activities with established standards and requirements, as well as to collect data that aids in the further optimization of projects.
- Reports to line manager and the Health delegate on strategic issues related to project implementation, providing recommendations to optimize results and improve alignment with organizational objectives.
- Provides input to quarterly and annual reports, ensuring indicator tracking tables and reports accurately reflect progress and impact, and informing strategic decisions at the organizational level.
- Under direction from Norwegian Red Cross assures quality, advises, and supports on budgeting and financial reporting from partners.
- Provides support in managing expenses, ensuring they align with the budget and action plan, and assists the budget holder in approving the expenses.
- Support in providing trainings and coaching Host National Society (HNS) project staff on the operationalization of established technical standards and when challenges arise.
- Contribute to emergency preparedness and response initiatives at country level if requested.
- Performs duties and tasks not covered in this job description and provide support to colleagues when necessary and assigned by the line manager.
Collaboration
- Liaise with Health delegate and Head of Health 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 Dnipro Region with frequent field visits to the field 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
- 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.
Competencies, Values and Comments
Personal Qualifications
- Ability to work towards achieving objectives and results.
- Ability to convince and gain acceptance.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to be solution oriented.
- Collaborates well with others and supports others in the pursuit of team goals.
- Willingness to travel to security tense areas in the country
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.