Programme Coordinator

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. 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. 

The IFRC Delegation in Türkiye works in close partnership with the Turkish Red Crescent. The Turkish Red Crescent (TRC) has played a leading role in helping refugees in Türkiye, the TRC has reacted immediately to the influx of Syrians and other refugees by deploying staff and volunteers and organizing dedicated structures to receive and protect the people in need and provide a first-line response. IFRC continues to support the TRC in its response to the growing humanitarian needs in Türkiye resulting from the Syrian and other concurrent crises. IFRC is also supporting TRC to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, providing financial resources to TRC to address the needs of Ukrainian refugees that sought refuge in Türkiye.

On February 6^th, 2023, two powerful earthquakes struck Southeast Türkiye with devastating effects: more than 50.000 people died and economic losses were estimated at more than USD 100 billion making it the biggest disaster to affect the country in a century. IFRC launched and Emergency Appeal (MDRTR004) to support TRC relief and recovery efforts in the affected area.

The position is based in Ankara with occasional travel to operational areas as and when required.

Job Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Delegation, the Programme Coordinator is responsible for delivering high-quality, coherent and well-coordinated IFRC programming and operational support to the TRC. The Programme Coordinator maintains oversight of the evolving humanitarian context in Türkiye and ensures that IFRC programme and operational support is fully aligned with the strategic priorities and organisational development of the TRC. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Programme Coordination and Oversight:

• Coordinate IFRC support to the TRC’s existing and emerging projects.
• Lead planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting (PMER) for programmes under direct responsibility, including financial aspects.
• Develop operational strategies, DREF requests and Emergency Appeals where required, in close consultation with TRC and in line with global guidance and standards. Support the preparation of readiness and contingency plans.
• Identify, analyze, and mitigate programmatic risks, bringing them to the HoD attention when needed.
• Provide technical guidance, oversight, and support to TRC and IFRC staff in implementing IFRC-funded activities, ensuring the application of IFRC policies, procedures, and standards.
• Assume budget holder role(s), ensuring sound planning and financial management in accordance with IFRC policies, standards, and practices for IFRC funded projects in Türkiye.
• Oversee management of contracts associated with IFRC-funded activities, ensuring contracts are updated, reporting requirements met, and pledge timelines clearly documented and tracked.
• Promote and engage in systematic monitoring and evaluation of IFRC-supported programmes and operations to ensure that implementation is timely, relevant, effective and in line with best international practice, and to contribute to the identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning.
• Promote the full integration of National Society Development (NSD) interventions within and across all programmes and operations to ensure effective capacity building support.

Resource Mobilization:

• Lead the process of effective, timely and comprehensive reporting to partners and back donors in collaboration with the respective technical colleagues.
• Ensure effective communication with donors and maintain an oversight of all funding and pledges related to programmes and operations and ensure these are delivered on time and are of quality.
• Coordinate with the Strategic Engagement and Resource Mobilization (SPRM) team in the Regional Office for Europe, Partner National Societies and donors to mobilize resources in support of programmes and operations in Türkiye.
• Actively contribute to the development of a viable TRC resource mobilization strategy and plan of action to enhance its financial self-reliance and independence.

Coordination, Cooperation and Networking:

• Facilitate regular operational and technical coordination with Movement and external partners.
• Coordinate technical and financial support of Movement and external partners for ongoing programmes as well as for emerging disasters and crises.
• Establish close coordination, cooperation and working relationship with technical file holders in the Europe region.
• Leads, instils, and implants integration, synergies and learning across programmes to minimize silos and maximize efficiencies. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

General Management:

• Ensure effective day-to-day management of IFRC staff, assets, programmes and operations under responsibility.
• Select, mentor, and manage team members for programmes and operations, including ensuring that they have well-defined results-based priority plans and capacity to provide technical support to the TRC.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning, individual and team accountability by setting individual and team objectives, monitoring team performance, and conducting timely performance reviews.
• Ensure that the team responsible for programmes and operations prepares accurate and timely monthly operational highlights, quarterly updates on operations and annual updates on operations as well as delivers inputs for standard reports.

Relationship Management:

• Establish and ensure effective working relationships with other staff members.
• Ensure effective relationships with the NS counterparts and leadership.
• Ensure effective relationship with technical and service departments at country and regional levels.
• Represent IFRC in external and internal meetings with key stakeholders, as requested by the line manager.

Education

Required:

• University degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in a relevant field.

Preferred:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in international cooperation/ social sciences/ development studies/ MBA or other relevant discipline.
• Basic Training Course (BTC/IMPACT/World of Red Cross, or equivalent).
• Certification or equivalent training in Project Management.

Experience

Required:

• At least 7 years of relevant work experience in humanitarian or development sector.
• At least 5 years of proven experience in managing teams, plans, programmes and budgets. 
• Proven experience in at least one key technical area of focus (health, migration, disaster management, and/or organizational development).
• Experience in proposal writing, narrative and financial reporting.

Preferred:

• 3 years of relevant professional experience in managing large development or humanitarian programmes.
• Proven experience in livelihoods and socio-economic empowerment program development and implementation. 
• Experience in emergency operations and/or NS capacity building. 
• Experience in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required:

• Strong management and organizational skills, including ability to delegate authority and responsibility.
• Goal-oriented and solution-focused. Demonstrated initiative and creativity, and substantial experience of strategic thinking, including identifying, analysing, solving problems, responding to opportunities and challenges, and translating these into practical plans of action.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills.
• Strong strategic, analytical, synthesis and writing skills.
• Proven track record in managing diverse teams.
• Demonstrated capacity to work effectively in a multi-cultural and cross-functional environment.
• Proven track record in project planning and management
• Good financial management skills.
• Fluent spoken and written English.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of IFRC policies, procedures, and standards, including familiarity with key systems and tools.
• Good command of Turkish.
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).

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