Regional Coordinator, Health Security, Epidemic Preparedness and Response (Readvertised) at International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Job Purpose

The Regional Health Security, Epidemic Preparedness and Response Coordinator will:

• Act as a central resource for IFRC in the Africa Region on specific knowledge and expertise in all-of society, multi-hazard approach to epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response.
• Lead regional knowledge development and evidence-informed practice generation in epidemic preparedness and response.
• Lead the development of regional strategies for epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response for the Red Cross network in Africa, linked to Health Security: Epidemic Preparedness and Response global flagship and the Africa Red Ready regional initiative.
• Lead the implementation of the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness (CP3) programme in Africa, with technical support and oversight for programme staff, including training, tools, and learning development.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership , Innovation and Quality Insurance:

• Lead the IFRC’s Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness support to National Societies in Africa Region including critical areas for early detection, early action, behaviour changes and organisational capacity across Africa region.
• Support the development of strategic responses and preparedness guidelines, indicators, plans, and didactic materials to improve health outcomes through enhanced epidemic preparedness and response.
• Provide guidance to IFRC country and country cluster delegations in supporting NS’ emergency health preparedness and response capacity strengthening, related to natural disasters and public health emergencies, consistent with their mandates and roles as agreed with national authorities.
• Promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices for epidemic preparedness and response, including community-based surveillance and early action related to epidemic preparedness and response.
• Link preparedness and response interventions within the region by ensuring coordination between community-level activities and health ERU approaches and materials.
• Responsible for the overall direction and strategy of pandemic and epidemic preparedness programme, including developing tools, training materials, and lesson sharing.
• Lead the implementation of the global flagship on epidemic and pandemic preparedness.
• Contribute to the Public health component of the Red Ready Pan African Initiative.

Lead support to National Societies on implementation

• Lead the implementation of the USAID funded Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness (CP3) programme in Africa, including technical support and oversight of pandemic and epidemic preparedness programme staff.
• Represent the organisation in relevant inter-agency, internal coordination bodies, technical working groups, and donor meetings.
• Ensure lessons learned from CP3 are used to inform regional approaches to epidemic preparedness and response programming.
• Author policy papers, briefs and other strategic program materials for management use, information, and consideration.
• Use program resources (financial, administrative, and other assets) efficiently, complying with organisational rules, regulations, procedures, donor commitments, and standards.

Coordination  and Partnerships

• Work with anticipatory action and Forecast based Financing counterparts to develop early action methodologies for public health preparedness and early response.
• Establish required links with the ‘One Health" initiative for engagement with environmental and animal health sectors in epidemic and pandemics preparedness.
• Build strategic partnerships with relevant counterparts through representation and networking, advocacy, and communication to build capacity, exchange knowledge and promote collaboration and alliances.
• Maintain active collaboration with disaster risk reduction, volunteer management and National Society development teams to improve outbreak preparedness and response.
• Initiate and lead regional emergency health preparedness initiatives, programs and support to health emergencies.

Contribution to an accountable and agile IFRC Health Team

• Provide regular progress reports on results towards objectives and risk analysis.
• Produce and analyse reports for management, donors and partners.
• Be flexible in work definition according to needs and targets and improve team efficiencies and effectiveness within available resources.
• Cultivate a co-creative environment with colleagues and an open and co-operative view of the actors in the external environment.

Education

• An Advanced University Degree in public health, global/international health, epidemiology or other health-related sciences is required.
• Postgraduate Degree in Public Health - Outbreak and Emergency Management/Humanitarian Assistance

Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in public health planning and management, health systems strengthening, or other relevant international health or humanitarian action areas.
• Experience in responding to epidemics
• Working with global health security and technical expertise related to infectious diseases
• Working in an international or cross-cultural environment, with demonstrated professional credibility in the sector
• Community-based programming in a developing context
• Experience working in a RC/RC National Society and/or Federation/ICRC is preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• In-depth knowledge of public health policies, programmes and positioning, both in emergencies, unstable settings and development.
• Excellent organisational and analytical skills with the ability to coordinate activities and multitask
• Strong programme management skills
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the global health Security Agenda
• Results-oriented, entrepreneurial mindset, and ability to lead in unusual or ambiguous situations.
• Ability to experiment with and integrate emergency technology, skills, capacities, and digital culture into the work.
• Skilled in Health Information Systems and Surveillance
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Fluent spoken and written English
• Good command of French is preferred
• Good command of another IFRC official language (Arabic or Spanish) preferred