Senior Officer, Integrated Assistance Coordination

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies. The overall aim of 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.”  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.

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 delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. 

In line with its commitment to innovation and leveraging digital technologies, IFRC is undertaking a transformative initiative to develop and implement a digital self-enrolment model through the AccessRC Tool. This model aims to revolutionize humanitarian aid delivery by enabling individuals to digitally enrol and access critical services and assistance, including cash and voucher assistance (CVA), goods, and other essential support.

Long-term investment and work on the AccessRC tool include the development and deployment of the Digital Self-Enrolment model as part of an ecosystem in the IFRC Global Assistance Platform that encompasses the tools, processes, and resources needed to serve as a transformational element in IFRC's global support for both multilateral operations and National Society programs for humanitarian assistance. With planned interoperability, National Societies will have the flexibility to integrate their own existing domestic services and potentially connect the model to national digital identity mechanisms and social protection systems.

The position is based in Geneva, Switzerland, leading a global initiative.

The Senior Officer, Integrated Assistance Coordination, will be responsible for leading and coordinating the implementation and expansion of a global digital self-enrolment model for IFRC. The objective for this project is for the digital enrolment model to become a standard option that can be applied in a variety of contexts globally, alongside in-person models, and further integrated into local and global systems where feasible. The purpose is to ensure that National Societies can better engage and support vulnerable people pre- and post-crisis, across borders and program services, and that aid is distributed more effectively, reaching those who need it most.

The incumbent will play a strategic role in the successful realization of IFRC's digital self-enrolment model and will play a substantial part in the wider assistance platform initiative. This position leads the cross-functional team, and closely collaborates with the Project Manager and Product Manager to ensure alignment with the overall program strategy and objectives and connect it to network off tools used by the Movement.  As the team and initiative scale, the Senior Officer, Integrated Assistance Coordination, will be responsible for managing this growth effectively, aligning new roles and responsibilities with the program's goals, and maintaining effective communication and stakeholder engagement.

1. Strategic Program Oversight - Development and Implementation:

• Develop and coordinate a comprehensive strategy for the global expansion and sustainability of the digital self-enrolment model, in alignment with IFRC's objectives and priorities and in collaboration with stakeholders, including National Societies, technical teams, and external partners.
• Anticipate and plan for potential expansion, designing scalable processes and roles, and managing related risks.

2. Technical Infrastructure and Capacity Building:

• Lead the team in the development and refinement of the digital self-enrolment tool, including the AccessRC external app and related systems, to enhance user experience, accessibility, coordination, and accountability of IFRC and National Societies' operations.
• Coordinate the development of training materials and conduct capacity-building activities for IFRC support staff and National Societies to enhance their knowledge, skills, and operational efficiency in utilizing the self-enrolment tools.

3. Global and National Society Support:

• Coordinate the establishment of a service center structure, where necessary and appropriate, to provide expert support and guidance to National Societies in utilizing the digital self-enrolment model effectively and coordinating resources to implement and manage the model at a national scale, and across regions including integration with existing systems and workflows.
• Build collaboration and advocate with partnerships and key external stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, and local NGOs, to leverage external relationships and expand the reach of the self-enrolment tool.

4. Sectoral Integration and Coordination:

• Establish engagement at a global level and a strategic internal coordination framework with Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI), Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA), Migration, Relief, Shelter, Mental Health, Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), and CVA teams and others to integrate the digital self-enrolment model, ensuring it addresses unique sectoral needs and fosters inclusivity and ensuring effective knowledge sharing and alignment of efforts.
• Represent the project with external partners, advocacy dialogues, and peer sharing for a related to the digital self-enrolment model by engaging with the wider humanitarian community, donors, and public sector stakeholders.

5. Scaling and Sustainability:

• Lead and coordinate the development and implementation of scaling packages and fundraising strategic resource mobilization efforts to strengthen the global and local capabilities of self-enrolment and integrated assistance within the IFRC network. This involves identifying opportunities, developing strategic plans, and actively managing the execution of these plans.
• Direct the exploration of opportunities to broaden the functionality of the self-enrolment model, enabling interoperability and integration with a more diverse range of humanitarian services. This involves staying ahead of trends, understanding evolving needs, and driving the adoption of innovative solutions to enhance the self-enrolment model's value and reach.

6. Team Leadership and Management:

• Lead and coordinate the cross-functional, collaborative team that will support the rollout of the digital self-registration model, promoting knowledge sharing and encouraging innovation.
• Provide guidance and direction to the team, enabling them to achieve program objectives.

7. Budget and Resource Oversight:

• Design, oversee and implement the program budget, ensuring optimal allocation and utilization of resources.
• Collaborate with the finance team to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.

8. Change Management:

• Identify and address aspects of change including systems, process, and people to effectively support the transition to a digital self-enrolment model and potential areas of resistance to the change and devise proactive strategies to address these challenges, ensuring smooth transition and adoption of the AccessRC tool.
• Effectively communicate the benefits and impact of the change to all stakeholders, fostering a culture of openness and continuous improvement.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress of the change initiative, using key performance metrics to assess the effectiveness of the change management strategy and making necessary adjustments to ensure successful outcomes.

9. Duties Applicable to All Staff:

• Actively work towards the achievement of the IFRC Secretariat’s goals. 
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Required

• University degree in Disaster Management / Disaster response or equivalent experience and knowledge.
• Basic Delegates Training Course (BTC), WORC, IMPACT or equivalent knowledge.
• Practical Cash in Emergencies Training (PECT). 

Preferred

• Training in at least one other sector (WatSan, Shelter, Relief, etc.).

Required

• At least 8-10 years of relevant professional experience with humanitarian organisations.
• Successful implementation and coordination of large-scale humanitarian emergency response operations that include CVA and other humanitarian programs in several contexts.
• Experience developing and managing innovative products or strategic initiatives that improved program efficiency or effectiveness with clear demonstration of internal and external collaboration.
• Experience building and managing a multidisciplinary team and living and working in challenging and multicultural environments.
• Familiarity with digital self-enrolment models and related technologies. 
• Proven capacity building experience with local organizations, delivering trainings and providing on the job training and coaching.
• Experience in project design, feasibility analysis, implementation planning, and monitoring and reporting. 
• Experience in proposal writing and engaging with a wide array of donors to fundraise and manage donor relations and reporting.

Preferred

• Relevant work experience with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement with diverse regional and country teams.

Required

• Fluent spoken and written English.
• Self-supporting in digital and software (including Excel, internet, email) and broad understanding of digital enrolment strategies, automation, AI, and collaboration with tech industry stakeholders.
• Skills in developing and training staff and building teams with a wide variety of technical competencies and experience with competency frameworks.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage stakeholders and build relations at various levels.
• Technical/professional knowledge across a range of humanitarian services, including CVA, with an emphasis on the ability to design, implement and monitor humanitarian services in a variety of contexts and in an inclusive manner.

Preferred

• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish, Arabic).

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgment and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.

Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others.

Managerial competencies: Managing staff performance; Managing staff development.

Application Instruction

Please submit your application in English only.

IFRC values equal opportunity, diversity and inclusivity. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, irrespective of sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, nationality, class, political opinions, ethnic or social origin, disability, religion, or belief.