Project Coordinator- OPT - Recruiting on Rolling Basis

Organizational Context

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 NSs 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.

The Project Coordinator will report directly to the Head of Delegation (HoD) who is supported by a team of delegates and officers based in Amman and at the Regional Office in Beirut.

Job Purpose

The Project Coordinator will act as the focal point for all managerial aspects of the ECHO funded Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) 2024 project to be implemented by Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in Gaza and the Egyptian Red Cresent Society (ERCS), ensuring efficient, effective, coordinated, and timely implementation. This includes support and supervision of project delegates, close collaboration, and coordination with the two partner NSs (i.e. PRCS and ERCS).

Under the direct supervision and line management of the Head of Delegation, the Project Coordinator will act as the primary focal point for all coordination/management aspects of the HIP project to be implemented in Palestine and Egypt, being implemented by Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and Egypt Red Crescent Society ERCS). The post-holder will ensure efficient, effective, coordinated, and timely implementation of the HIP Project. This includes close collaboration, and coordination with PRCS Project Management Unit and ERCS for the project. The Project Coordinator will be responsible for the support, guidance and quality control in planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of activities within the scope of the ECHO HIP Project. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Project Management and Coordination

• In close collaboration with PRCS and ERCS, plan, implement, monitor, and report on the IFRC supported ECHO HIP Project.
• Support PRCS in strengthening its service delivery systems and in the designing and delivering of project activities.
• Lead a collaborative and cooperative approach across all the aspects of the (technical) support, ensuring that PRCS and ERCS project team have continuous access to technical advice and guidance to support effective implementation, including mobilisation and/or backstopping for technical support as required.
• Establish close technical coordination with PRCS and ERCS to ensure optimal technical support for the set priorities.
• In close coordination with the HoD, HIP Project Delegates and the regional technical counterparts, enhance the planning, set up and implementation of monitoring activities (including design of PMER – Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting – tools where necessary); Monitor and follow up the activities through regular field trips.
• Follow up on challenges and opportunities for the implementation of planned activities and coordinate immediate mitigation and adaptation.
• Report projects progress as requested internally and by external donors.
• Support the development and design of new projects, concept notes, and proposals as requested.
• Manage project financial and operational processes. Ensure that internal and donor-specific quality standards are met and well documented.
• Ensure the project delivery is based on frameworks and approaches that are consistent with PRCS and ERCS internal standards and guidelines and IFRC policies, procedures, and tools.
• Ensures the logical project structure of effects and results according to existing guidelines.
• Follow -up with PRCS and ERCS on issues related to the daily running of the project.
• Actively monitor progress against set targets, timelines and financial indicators and engage with Partners to ensure quality and timely delivery of all planned activities.
• Produce high-quality monthly and quarterly project reports.
• Facilitates mid-term and final evaluation and design and implementation of relevant end line exercises to measure project success.
• Reports to the HoD issues related to project management and implementation and options to address them.
• Prepare quarterly reports, annual reports and provides input into indicator tracking tables if/as necessary.
• Perform duties and tasks not covered in this job description and provide support to colleagues when necessary and assigned by the line manager.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Partnerships:

• Maintain a cooperative working relationship with the host National Societies i.e. PRCS and ERCS, providing management guidance and technical support in the development of capacities, quality assurance, management, and reporting.
• Support NS staff/ counterparts, to strengthen promotion, coordination, and management of project.

General Management and Support:

• Support the IFRC HoD in tasks related to the operations of the project.
• Contribute to internal and external communication about the project and the context in general, including visibility in the project activities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and agreements to minimize the risk of harm to the IFRC and its Secretariat personnel, properties, and resources. Special attention is to be given to compliance with procurement procedures and standards.

Duties applicable to all staff

1. Actively work 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

Education

• University Degree in relevant area - Required.
• Relevant post-graduate degree (master's or equivalent) in social science, the humanitarian or development fields or other relevant domains - Preferred.
• Relevant training in Project Cycle Management - Required.
• Basic Delegates Training Course or IMPACT, FACT, ERU, RDRT training - Preferred.

Experience

• At least 5 years of working experience in the field of Emergency response and/or development programming - Required.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience and proven expertise in project management - Required.
• Minimum of 3 years of proven experience in the design and implementation of project cycle management tools and mechanisms, preferably working with local partners - Required.
• Professional reporting and proposal writing skills; solid experience with donor-funded projects and working with different donors - Required.
• Proven experience in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), accountability and institutional learning - Required.
• Strong background in Result-Based Management (RBM) - Preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Effective team and project management skills. Good mentoring and capacity development skills - Required.
• Excellent analytical skills and solution orientation - Required.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills (oral and written) - Required.
• Good report-writing skills - Required.
• Ability to work independently, highly solutions-oriented and as a team player - Required.
• Demonstrated accountability - Required.
• Good knowledge of organizational development - Preferred.
• Technical knowledge about community-based programming in development context is an asset - Preferred.
• Ability to work well under pressure and with tight deadlines - Required.
• Inter-personal skills, cultural sensitivity and ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment as well as to communicate in such environment - Required.
• Ability to closely monitor and complete a project within the proper scope, budget and timeline - Required.
• Self-supported in digital tools and systems (MS Office suite, internet, web-conferencing, collaborative platforms, etc.) - Required.
• Fluent spoken and written English and Arabic - Required.
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish)  - Preferred.

Competencies, Values and Comments

• 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
• Managerial Competencies: Managing Staff Performance; managing Staff Development.