Africa Red Ready Coordinator at International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Job Purpose

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Africa is embarking on an ambitious strategic direction from 2021 to 2030, focussing IFRC’s resources on large-scale, Pan-African initiatives which address the major challenges facing the region. The initiatives aim to build on the extensive experience and expertise of African Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies to achieve real and sustainable change for the most vulnerable people in Africa.

One of the 4 Pan African Key Initiatives is Africa Red Ready (National Society Preparedness for Effective Response) . Africa Red Ready will support the implementation of a plan of action, developed and led by the National Society with the support of the IFRC secretariat and other interested Movement partners, using the Preparedness for Effective Response (PER) Approach. Such plan will be informed by the NS’s strategic development plan, and will include clear milestones, responsibilities, timeframe, and financial resources required to achieve each of the identified priorities for effective response. All phases and objectives will be agreed upon with the National Societies leadership to ensure ownership and commitment.

Job Duties & Responsibilities 1

The Regional Program Coordinator will be responsible for the following duties:

Coordination of and Support Africa Region´s Africa Red Ready programme

• Work closely with Country /Cluster Delegations to provide support and guidance to ANSs conducting Africa Red Ready activities under the overall PER framework.
• Collaborate with NSD, health and care, logistics and thematic programmes for harmonizing the IFRC’s efforts for National Societies' capacity enhancement and implementation of Africa Red Ready Initiatives.
• Coordinate with concerned African NSS and Partners NSS when they implement African Red Ready activities.
• Support and coordinate overall progress of Africa Red Ready program in Africa Region NSs.
• Promote and market Africa Red Ready initiative to ANS, Partner NSS and external stakeholders.
• Provide robust support in development of country specific Red Ready work plan and closely follow up and report on Red Ready implementation progress in Africa Region.
• Work as part of DCPRR team to provide technical input and guidance when needed.

Coordination of and Support the rollout of Preparedness for Effective Response Approach (PER) in Africa Region

• Provide robust technical support to ANSs in disaster preparedness planning, DRM capacity building, contingency planning, developing SOPS, simulation exercises, training of disaster response teams, strengthening of their surge system and increasing speed and quality of their preparedness and response efforts.
• Link PER approach and Africa Red Ready’s activities with CP3 particularly for national disaster response team, contingency planning, emergency needs assessments and any other related preparedness aspects.
• Coordinate and support ANSs’ engagement with PER Approach as pe the Africa Red Ready’s priorities.
• Collaborate towards the efforts to strengthen Movement Coordination and Cooperation through the further alignment of preparedness strategies in the region through ADMAG and Sub-regional DM networks.
• Guide and coordinate knowledge exchange and learning on National Societies Preparedness practices and approaches across regions through documentation, analysis, validation and dissemination of results and lessons.
• Network and coordinate with RC/RC Movement partners, NGOs, UN and other International Organizations, and Provide regular information updates on preparedness for response to ensure the International Federation is kept informed and up to date on best practices and emerging trends related to disaster and crisis preparedness.
• Promote and market PER Approach to ANSs, Partner NSS and external stakeholders.
• Closely follow up and report on progress of PER Approach in Africa Region.

Job Duties & Responsibilities 2

• Support ANSs and Country Cluster Delegations in Africa Region in all stages of the PER process.
• Participate and contribute to the work of the coordination mechanism and other relevant meetings to promote the PER Approach and its coordination with other activities.
• Ensure alignment of all PER activities in Africa Region with the global PER Approach and report Africa Region’s progress to global level.

Other Duties

• Together with DRM Manager, Africa Regional Office and other stakeholders identify and seek new possibilities and partners to support Pan-African initiatives.
• Coordinate closely with Movement counterparts where related projects are being implemented to ensure a concerted Movement approach on National Society preparedness issues.
• Support Africa Regional Office to develop and keep up to date a calendar of National Society preparedness related events and participate in meetings, forums, conferences, and workshops as deemed relevant to promote the RCRC position and ensure adequate communication and coordination with other stakeholders.
• Organise relevant meetings, conferences, and roundtables with the participation of all relevant RCRC stakeholders.
• Prepare necessary reports and follow up on recommendations.
• Develop annual activity and work plans as well as budgets based on expected year-end outputs, ensuring close monitoring of activities and disbursements.
• Prepare and submit regular reports, updates, and other relevant project documents to keep track of the progress made in the implementation of the activities.
• Support and give input to regional-level reports.
• Work closely with IFRC regional counterparts to ensure effective communication and reporting mechanisms.
• Foster a collaborative working environment with colleagues in the Secretariat, Regions, National Societies and external partners.
• Be available to deploy to Country Offices, or Operations to provide support as necessary.

Education

• University degree in relevant sector.

Experience

• Relevant experience (at least 3 years’ experience) on Disaster Risk Management.
• Demonstrated experience in disaster preparedness planning, capacity building, contingency planning, developing SOPS, simulation exercises, training of disaster response teams, field deployments and organization development.
• Proven interest on national society preparedness issues.
• Experience working with national societies.
• Experience of working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent.
• Experience in organization of meetings and workshops.
• Proven experience of guiding and managing projects and programs.
• Experience in project cycle management (Project writing, Log Frames, Financial management, Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation).
• Experience in managing communications and advocacy projects.
• Experience with donors programming requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Language

• Creative and result-oriented problem-solving skills.
• Information analysis and report writing skills.
• Ability to work with a degree of autonomy.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and networking skills.
• Time management and organisation skills.
• Good drafting and research skills.
• Current knowledge of the international humanitarian and/or development sector including institutional donor standards and priorities.
• Cultural sensitivity, consensus team building, and adaptability will be considered a strong asset.
• Established capacity to deal with stressful situations.
• Fluently spoken and written in English.
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French).

Competencies and Values

• National Society and customer relations.
• Communications.
• Collaboration and teamwork.
• Judgement and decision making.
• Creativity and innovation.
• Empowering others.