Officer, Program- Health Focus

Organizational Context

IFRC has launched a major Emergency Appeal for Ukraine and Impacted Countries that is coordinated on European regional level – with numerous country level operations ongoing. ICRC, IFRC and numerous Partner National Societies are integrating their capacities to provide coordinated crisis response in Ukraine and impacted countries. In initial months the operation is supported by a large number of Surge delegates in all impacted countries and in the European Regional Office; over time, the operational structure will be fully integrated into existing structures at Country / Country Cluster and Regional Office level to ensure full synergies with the overall regional work.

Moldova is among the lowest income countries in Europe, with a population of only 2.6 million, making it the country with the highest number of people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine crossing into its territory per-capita in the world. Approximately 5% of people arriving from Ukraine are placed across the country in Refugee Accommodation Centers (RACs) and 95% in host accommodations (especially those travelling with pets stay mainly in the countryside with host communities). Ensuring that adequate assistance is provided to all people impacted by the Ukraine crisis in Moldova is vital, including those most vulnerable to violence, discrimination, and exclusion, such as women and children, older people, and those living with disabilities. At the same time, given the levels of poverty in Moldova, interventions in support of the country’s response to the ongoing crisis should also consider needs of local communities since, despite the efforts and support provided by the government and different humanitarian actors, people and resources are being stretched to their limit.

The Moldova Red Cross Society (MRCS) requested support to be able to scale-up its operations addressing the growing needs of its communities related to the conflict in Ukraine, related crises, and social cohesion. In responding to the needs of people in Moldova, the MRCS, IFRC, and other Movement partners are strongly focused on coordinating their efforts, strengthening the long-term sustainability and capacities of the MRCS, and preparing for both current and future emergencies.

Moldova Country office is strengthening the capacity of Moldova Red Cross Society (MRCS) together with ICRC and PNS’s through its country level and movement contingency plans.
The current operational priorities in Moldova include:
• Provision and distribution of basic assistance, primarily hygiene kits, food assistance, and essential household items
• Development of core business processes and disaster management capacities at the domestic level
• Emergency preparedness, particularly for winter
• Health, first aid, and hygiene.

The mid-to-long-term operational priorities are focused on:

• Establishing a multipurpose cash assistance program for immediate and medium-term humanitarian support, as well potential contingency situations and emergent displacement crises
• Crisis preparedness both directly with the national authorities and via MRCS in the development of its domestic capacity
• Significant multi-year investment in national society development
• Coordination of partner national society efforts and investments
• Mainstreaming Safeguarding, Protection, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI), and Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) considerations throughout all programs of the operation

Job Purpose

Under the direct supervision and the guidance of the Programme Coordinator, the Programme Officer (Health focused) will ensure implementation of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies/ Moldova Red Cross (IFRC/MRCS) programmes in a timely, effective and efficient manner, with a focus in development and scaling-up of health and care programs. In particular, but not limited to:

• To support MRCS in the quality and implementation of health assistance, response to emergency operation by providing technical and operational health guidance, and coordination with health actors while contributing to the overall goals of the IFRC and MRCS.
• To support MRCS with development, roll out, monitoring and reporting of health activities and contribute to learning and development.
• To support, guide and advise MRCS in starting new interventions addressing health needs of vulnerable communities in close cooperation with authorities and other stakeholders.
• To support coordination within Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners and with external agencies and to establishing collaborations and partnerships.

The Programme Officer role is expected to have experience in project management, planning, capacity building, in addressing the health needs of vulnerable communities.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the Programme Coordinator in project management according to IFRC procedures, standards, and policies, ensuring projects are planned, monitored, budgeted, and reported on time and to quality standards.
• Assist the MRCS technical staff to ensure timely project implementation, addressing operational concerns.
• Support in assessing the needs and capacities of vulnerable groups, developing appropriate response strategies, and planning and implementing health interventions with the MRCS.
• Feedback the Programme Coordinator on issues affecting project implementation and contribute actively to IFRC humanitarian coordination forums and events.
• Collaborate with the IFRC finance and admin departments to manage finances effectively, ensuring compliance with the assigned portfolio and supporting the development and management of program budgets through planning, project plans, and cash forecasts.
• Liaise with technical counterparts for networking, sharing experiences, and promote the integration of health priorities with other program areas and thematic interventions.
• Provide training, capacity development for IFRC and National Society staff, and translation assistance for multilingual meetings (RO/RU/EN).
• Supervise the development and integration of health literacy and community-based health promotion by the MRCS, ensuring these actions are expanded with relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to and provide progress reports, situation reports, weekly updates, and other communications for IFRC ROE, donors, and partners to ensure informed program progress.
• Engage in internal and inter-agency health coordination, collaborating with Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners, INGOs, NGOs, and donors to align on global health policies, strategies, and best practices.
• Support MRCS in developing and implementing standards, tools, and procedures that ensure the quality, consistency, and sustainability of health interventions.
• Represent IFRC alongside MRCS in health coordination meetings and forums with national authorities and international agencies.
• Perform other work-related duties and responsibilities as assigned by the line manager, ensuring tasks are completed efficiently and effectively within the scope of the project.

Education

Relevant University degree on Health Focused background or its equivalent.- Required

Experience

• Minimum of 4 years work experience in program support- Required
• Minimum of 2 years in project management- Preferred 
• Experience of working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent- Preferred 
• Experience of working for NGO or humanitarian sector in Moldova- Preferred 

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong communication skills- Required
• Computer Literate- Required
• Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines- Required
• Flexibility- Required
• Analytical Skills- Required
• Accuracy and fine attention to detail- Required
• Organized and self-starter in work prioritizing- Required
• Tact and diplomacy- Required
• Excellent Inter-Personal Skills – Tact to communicate with Stake Holders- Required
• Log frame and management tools- Required
• Report writing skills- Required
• Filing and archiving- Required

Language

• Fluent in written and spoken English; Russian and Romanian- Required

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