Organizational Context

Epidemics are occurring more often, spreading faster and further than ever. This is due to many factors, including increasing urbanization, the destruction of natural habitats, climate change and changes to disease patterns, population displacement, international trade and travel, and changes in human interactions with animals.

Between 2011 and 2018, WHO tracked 1483 epidemic events in 172 countries. Known epidemics, such as cholera, measles, yellow fever or malaria, remain a severe threat for many of the world’s populations. The world also faces new infectious disease threats, as we have seen with COVID-19 for example. The pandemic has taken a staggering toll on lives, health, and social and economic well-being worldwide and has been a major setback to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Large-scale epidemics and pandemics pose a serious threat not only to global health security but also to countries, communities and individuals in their efforts to achieve resilience. They affect all sectors, impacting routine health services, economic, food security, education, transportation, among others.

Engagement of communities and civil society in epidemic and pandemic preparedness is vital to ensure early response and mitigate impact, including the delivery of normative health services. Communities and local actors have an essential role to play to prevent outbreaks, detect them early and control their spread. Lessons from the pandemic have shown that we must step up investment in preparedness now, instead of waiting for the next crisis to hit. Further investment is required to strengthen health systems and ensure communities and local actors are meaningfully engaged – and given the means – to detect health threats and respond to them before they spread.

The IFRC network engages and trains people worldwide in epidemic preparedness and to help them prevent, detect and quickly respond to outbreaks—saving countless lives and promoting healthier communities. National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies act as auxiliaries to their government. They are present before, during and after a crisis. Their regular health and care services and programmes create a bridge between communities and local health systems. As trusted members of their communities, trained staff and volunteers can support communities to prevent, detect and control outbreaks, providing a frontline response when an emergency strikes.

The IFRC is uniquely placed to support whole-of-society epidemic and pandemic preparedness by leveraging its supporting role to 191 National Red Cross Red Crescent Societies. Since its creation in the aftermath of the 1918 influenza pandemic, IFRC has worked closely with governments and key partners such as the World Health Organization to coordinate international response to epidemics. The IFRC Secretariat also serves as a representative of Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies in global and regional policy fora and provides tools and guidance on epidemic risk management to the membership. In 2019, the 33rd Red Cross Red Crescent International Conference adopted the resolution Time to act: “Tackling epidemics and pandemics together”. 

The IFRC supports the implementation of programmes to strengthen community epidemic and pandemic preparedness, with 28 countries engaged as of May 2024, and plans to further extend its programming in the years to come.

Job Purpose

...Continues from Organizational Context:

Since 2018, with financial support from the USAID Bureau for Global Health, IFRC has implemented the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Program (CP3) in 6 countries in Africa and in Indonesia, with a focus on community-centered epidemic and pandemic preparedness utilizing a whole-of-society and an all-hazard approach. Several activities are organized around four workstreams: 

  • Community Preparedness,
  • National Society Preparedness,
  • Key Stakeholders Engagement, and
  • Early outbreak response

Since 2021, the IFRC has also been implementing a Programmatic Partnership with DG ECHO in 24 countries across the globe, with epidemic preparedness being one of the pillars of the program.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

  • Support IFRC with the planning, rollout and follow-up to the evaluation of the first phase of the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Program (CP3) between 2017 and 2023.
  • Support increased collaboration from PMER focal points in regions and in country delegations, and conduct in-country support visits if required.
  • Develop guidance and accompany existing and new CP3 countries in setting baselines and targets based on evidence (available data) to measure outcomes and outputs.
  • Support the rollout of the indicator tracking table (ITT) tool across CP3 countries and conduct data checks.
  • Finalize the development of a new ITT for country teams and support the development of dashboards for country teams, regional and global IFRC offices to visualize indicator data from the start of the programme onwards.
  • Draft planning and M&E guidance notes for any new countries that might join the program.
  • Monthly reporting template revision: Simplify and align the template with quarterly and GHSA 6-monthly report requirements and needs.
  • Make recommendations regarding programme monitoring, success stories and outcome harvesting.
  • Support risk management.
  • Mentor the CP3’s M&E intern with a focus on mapping epidemic preparedness interest across IFRC network plans and operations, as well as coaching in IFRC M&E systems and standards, and tools developed for the CP3 programme.

Timeframe and location

The tasks are expected to require up to a maximum of 100 days. The consultancy will start on 1 June 2024 and end on 30 September 2025. The consultant will work remotely, ensuring regular communication with IFRC through email, Microsoft Teams channels, audio/video calls, etc. Travel might be expected as part of the development of the consultancy’s activities.

Management

The consultancy will be managed by the global health security team in IFRC Geneva.

Experience

Required

  • Experience and/or training in monitoring and evaluation in humanitarian contexts.
  • Experience in the development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks in humanitarian or development contexts.
  • Experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and visualization.
  • Prior experience working with the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

  • Fluent spoken and written English.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the different IFRC tools and mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred

  • Basic knowledge of French and other Federation languages is an asset.

Competencies, Values and Comments

Application Instructions

  • Please submit your application in English only.
  • Please include in your motivation letter your availability and your current Daily Fee Rate in CHF.

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.

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