Livelihoods / CVA Delegate

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 (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs 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 delegations 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.

The IFRC has been present in the South Caucasus region, including through Country Delegation in Armenia since 1992 with large scale humanitarian programmes. Currently, IFRC has a Regional Country Cluster Delegation based in Tbilisi, Georgia that covers three countries in the South Caucasus. Since end of 2020, the IFRC opened a country office in Armenia.

Since September 2023, Armenia has experienced a massive influx of individuals following the military escalation starting on 19 September. Recognizing the urgency Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS) is responding to the immediate needs of the people arriving to Armenia, as well as the medium- to longer-term humanitarian needs to contribute to early recovery of people affected by the disaster, including the population arriving to Armenia, host communities, and people from the disputed region who arrived during previous population movements. IFRC plays a constructive and proactive role in supporting the collective Movement response in close coordination with ARCS and ICRC. Thus, the Emergency Appeal was launched as part of a Federation-wide approach, based on the response priorities of the ARCS and in consultation with all Federation members contributing to the response.

The purpose of this role is to ensure implementation and coordination of Livelihood and CVA programming within the IFRC / ARCS operations and provide relevant technical support. Considering the need of substantial expansion of respective activities in the current context, providing support for rapid capacity development is essential to meet the Livelihoods and CVA needs of the affected population, with an aim to building back their livelihood capital. The Livelihoods/CVA Delegate is expected to propose and support the implementation of relevant Livelihoods and CVA activities to ensure that support to the National Society is tailored to the needs and context. The technical support provided shall be based on ARCS’ existing expertise, its strategic priorities and be designed in accordance with the respective RCRC Movement standards and best practices.

Livelihoods Assessment and Feasibility

• Support ARCS to design and implement a comprehensive Livelihoods assessment in line with the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) and the Household Economic Security (HES). This includes analysing the pentagon of livelihoods assets, structures and processes, and the vulnerability context, in addition to the analysis and classification of coping strategies.

Livelihoods Response design

• Support ARCS in the design and implementation of a concrete Plan of Action for Livelihoods, including timeframe, resources needed, indicators and sources of verification. If a case management approach is used to support Micro-entrepreneurship and self-employment, draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) If cash-for livelihoods recovery activity is introduced, support the justification on CVA modality (condition/unconditional, restricted/unrestricted), value transfer and number of instalments.
• Together with ARCS, develop a targeting mechanism and oversee its implementation.

Operational setup

• Support ARCS in identifying Livelihoods/CVA HR requirements for programme implementation and assist in the recruitment process for national staff if needed.
• Trigger processes and procurements (in cooperation with IFRC Logistics and HR) as required to ensure the program related resources to implement the planned activities are set. Similarly, prepare cash requests and treasury needs to inform Finance and request the adequate support service.
• Provide technical support and inputs in the ongoing operation. Ensure programme delivery follows the Plan of Action, and beneficiary selection and transfer / delivery transfer mechanisms follow agreed NS procedures and SOPs. Maintain overall oversight of all Livelihoods / CVA elements ensuring targets are met and identified risks are mitigated. Support ARCS in developing any specific tool required for Livelihoods/CVA programs, for example M&E tools, Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) templates, Risk analysis tools, decision-making, cost-efficiency, feasibility assessment tool, etc.
• Support ARCS in exploring additional Financial Service Providers that could potentially be introduced for CVA (for example remittance companies). Assessing their capacity and help in drafting Framework Agreement if needed.
• Support ARCS in exploring other beneficiary-communication and data-collection tools for Livelihoods/CVA as the Access RC App 3.0. This would be linked to currently tested data management software.
• Support ARCS in conducting RACI (responsibility assignment matrix) and develop SOPs for CVA.

Monitoring and PMER links

• Together with ARCS design and implement livelihoods-project monitoring and evaluation tool framework (including qualitative and quantitative indicators, data collection templates and frequency).
• Together with ARCS, contribute to Livelihoods/CVA Indicator Tracking Table and IFRC Operations Updates.
• Contribute to the Real-Time Evaluation inputs for Livelihoods/CVA projects, sharing operational constraints and capturing livelihood/CVA lessons learnt and ARCS good practices.
• Support ARCS in tracking Livelihoods/CVA specific expenses and support in monthly budget forecasts for IFRC finance team.
• Support ARCS in both Emergency Appeal (EA) and non-EA pledges mapping, monitoring, and reporting, as well as to the preparation of different donor´s specific requirements (templates, indicators, specific earmarking, monthly meetings, etc.).

Capacity building and future preparedness

• Disseminate available IFRC Livelihoods/CVA trainings and facilitate its preparation during the EA duration. To this aim, liaising with the IFRC Livelihoods Center and the Cash Hub and support the organization logistics.

Reporting, Learning and Dissemination

• Disseminate on IFRC organized Livelihoods/CVA international events, webinars, and workshops that could be relevant for ARCS focal points as well as supporting their applications.

Advocacy and Coordination

• Support ARCS in representation and coordination in the inter-agency Cash working Group and the Resilience Working Group. Internally, support ARCS in Movement coordination activities (Swiss RC, Austrian RC, ICRC, IFRC).
• Support ARCS in developing partnerships agreements with private companies if required. Showing concrete examples from other NSs and sharing these experiences, templates, and tools.
• Engage with potential donors to disseminate on ARCS/IFRC Livelihoods/CVA projects and contribute to project proposals writing, when needed.

Duties applicable to all staff
1. Work actively towards the achievement of the IFRC Secretariat’s goals.
2. Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
3. Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Required:

• University degree in relevant areas (such as Disaster Management, Project Management, Sociology, humanitarian assistance/development, economic or socio-economic development), technical qualification or equivalent experience.
• Trained in some form of economic analysis: Early Recovery Livelihoods Assessment (ERLA) or HEA/Household Economic Security, Livelihoods Programming Course (LPC).

• RCRC Movement CTP online or Face to Face trainings and Practical Cash in Emergencies (PECT) trained or member of Rapid Response/ERU roster.

Preferred:

• Livelihoods Basic Course by IFRC Livelihoods Resource Centre (LRC) or similar training on Market Assessment: RAM (IFRC/ICRC) EMMA (Emergency Market Mapping and Analysis Approach) or MAG (IFRC).
• Delegate Training (IMPACT, Foundations of IFRC), or equivalent experience.

Required:

• At least 5 years of international experience in disaster management or response in humanitarian operations managing teams.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in livelihoods programming, integrated programming, community-based approaches.
• Relevant project management experience: assessing, designing, planning, implementing, monitoring and financial management of livelihoods / CVA projects in emergency and (early) recovery contexts.
• Experience of managing and coaching teams in multi-faceted projects, including recruiting, mentoring, coaching, training, and building the capacity of national and local staff and volunteers.
  

Preferred:

• At least 3 years of professional experience leading and influencing the uptake of various aspects of CVA design and implementation (i.e.: CVA feasibility assessments, market analysis, response design including setting targeting criteria, transfer values and delivery mechanisms, encashment, and monitoring).
• Experience in the coordination of teams to collect and analyses Livelihoods / CVA related data and ensuring findings feed into the overall disaster management response through the RCRC Movement channels.
• Experience of developing M&E systems to monitor progress of implementation.

Required:

• Knowledge of different Livelihoods, Cash Transfer and programme concepts, as well as the challenges and risks involved with implementing such programmes.
• Understanding of integrated approaches to disaster response.
• Knowledge of RCRC Movement CVA tools and guidance.
• Understanding of CVA stakeholders in the NS, RCRC Movement, government, private Sector.
• Understanding and use of various beneficiary registration methods and systems.
• Knowledge of feedback and response mechanism, including appropriate methods of 
  beneficiary communication and channels.
• Technical/professional knowledge within the areas of Livelihoods and CVA in humanitarian and/or development contexts, with an emphasis on the ability to design, implement and monitor cash responses, in a variety of contexts and in an inclusive manner.
• String interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills.
• Ability to transfer knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to staff and volunteers.
• Ability to work in a cross-cultural team, cultural sensitivity.
• Fluent spoken and written English.

Preferred: 

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

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.
Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.
Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others.