Coordinator, Programme- Norwegian Red Cross

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to 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.” The 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 the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

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.

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.

In line with the 7 transformations of IFRC strategy 2030: Supporting and developing National Societies as strong and effective local actors, Inspiring and mobilizing volunteerism, ensuring trust and accountability, working effectively as a distributed network, influencing humanitarian action, and undergoing a digital- transformation, Financing the future. The IFRC seeks to support national societies build better and stronger financial and organizational development systems and capacities.

The IFRC office in Abuja is the hub to support the National Societies (Red Cross) of the Abuja Country Cluster Delegation (Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana) and has a status agreement with the Nigerian government. The Abuja country cluster delegation delivers the IFRC mandate in the sub-region, focusing on Disaster Management, Health, Capacity Building of the National Societies, and Humanitarian Diplomacy. 

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Country Manager, the Coordinator, Programme will lead the discussions with the National Society on all health portfolios, which includes developing and managing strategic partnership with government, development partners, other humanitarian counterparts and Movement Partners on Health Programming.

The Coordinator, Programme will:

• Provide strategic support to the National Societies Health and Care Programme and effectively address emerging issues, risks and opportunities identified.
• Support Country Team in the development of proposals for funding with an aim towards expanding the current country portfolio and ensuring long-term programming that addresses the needs of individuals and communities in countries covered.
• Provide technical support to National Societies to ensure quality design and implementation of health and preparedness programme.
• Liaise with partner National Societies and other partners to identify opportunities for National Societies engagement.
• Lead the development of the annual plans for the Health and Care Department for the Abuja Country Delegation based on identified needs and priorities.
• Work with National Societies to enhance its visibility vis-à-vis with the Ministries of Health and relevant Agencies

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Coordinator, Programme will undertake the following specific duties and responsibilities.

• Build on technical knowledge and understanding of global and country-specific health issues (within the Country Office), develop proposals for new programs in close coordination with the Regional and HQ colleagues, while respecting and following the key NoRC technical documents (International Strategy 2024-2026).
• Ensure that relevant Red Cross (RC) and Red Crescent and national/international guidelines and best practices are followed in community-based health (CBH) program assessment, planning and implementation
• Liaise with and encourage the National Host Society to effectively engage with other key health sector players at national & state level, including relevant ministries, UNICEF, WHO, NGOs, CBOs, community groups, beneficiaries, and the private health sector where applicable.
• Represent Norwegian Red Cross in relevant health sector forums and networks in the country.
• Develop credible and good quality information about RC/RC technical knowhow and lessons learned (integrated programming as well as specific technical areas) and share among these sectors and forums.
• In consultation with the Country Manager and Regional Office, support the National Host Society’s capacity strengthening in developing emergency preparedness and response plans.
• Ensure that Norwegian Red Cross tools for Community-Based Surveillance (CBS), Community Based Health and First Aid (CBHFA) and Community engagement and accountability (CEA) are adopted and utilized to their full potential in community-based health programme.
• Build and maintain a knowledge database and disseminate technical information, updates, and innovation in the health sector to partners and within and outside the Movement.
• Provide strategic advice on Health-related issues including the elaboration of health strategies and program plans and gathering of new ideas for service delivery and knowledge sharing.
• Coordinate external and movement support toward building the capacity of National Host Society in health programming.
• Promote integration of interventions (Health, Emergency Health, WASH, Disaster Management).
• Manage Norwegian Red Cross health staff, promote training, standardization, best practices and learning on NoRC health framework and strategies, with technical support from the Regional and HQ Health colleagues.
• Support the Country Manager in managing programme budget (planning, monitoring of expenditure/ burn rate and recommend appropriate measures).

Perform other duties as required

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine (Required)
• Master’s Degree in Public Health or Health management or related discipline. (Preferred).

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of job-related experience in clinical, public health, emergency health community health, humanitarian response (Required)
• Minimum 7 years of work experience in health programming/management, including at least three years of field experience in humanitarian contexts/ or experience working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement (Required)
• Experience of managing & supporting staff.
• Experience overseeing project planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, ideally for health-related projects.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Advanced knowledge of MS Office Suite and other relevant software/programs
• Proven experience from project management, including needs assessments, project design, MEAL, planning and reporting.
• Operational management and reporting skills
• Experience in training, facilitation, coaching and development of staff and volunteers.
• Motivated, self-started personality, sense of responsibility and organization skills.
• Ability to multi-task, work under pressure, and prioritize workload to meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and networking skills.
• Flexibility and ability to travel to the operation’s areas.
• Motivated, self-started personality, sense of responsibility and organization skills

Language:

• Fluently spoken and written English Language

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability Professionalism
• Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust