Health Project Coordinator

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.

The 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.

The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into four main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Coordination, (ii) Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, (iii) Management and Accountability and (iv) People and Strategy.

The 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.

The 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 Country Cluster Delegation for Central Asia is based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and is part of the IFRC Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia. It also has a presence in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. It supports the National Societies in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to collaborate, through formal and informal exchange platforms, exchange visits, and online and in-person meetings. The IFRC supports the National Societies on disaster risk management, health, WASH, community engagement and accountability, protection, gender and inclusion, cash and voucher assistance, Disaster Law, humanitarian diplomacy and positioning with authorities as auxiliaries in the humanitarian field, National Society Development including branch and volunteer development, leadership support and development, financial sustainability, and systems development. The IFRC also supports accountability as a cross-cutting theme.

In 2025, the IFRC initiated the Global Thematic Programmatic Partnership (GTPP), with the financial support of DG ECHO. The GTPP's overarching objective is to ensure National Societies function as strong, sustainable, and accountable institutions, delivering effective, locally-led humanitarian assistance while contributing to a more coherent, complementary global response. The Programme is globally implemented in 15 countries of Africa, Americas, Middle East and North Africa, Asia Pacific, and Europe, including Kyrgyzstan. 

The Health Project Coordinator coordinates and provides technical support to IFRC Secretariat health & care programmes in Central Asia. She/he works closely with National Societies to ensure that health & care programmes supported by IFRC are consistent with IFRC’s health plans and budgets and respond to local needs and contexts in developmental and emergency situations.

The primary responsibility of the position is day-to-day implementation of high-quality program activities, ensuring they are relevant, effective and efficient. The incumbent facilitates detailed planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and reporting to achieve impact and successful closure and/or transition.

In Kyrgyzstan, the Health Project Coordinator supports the Global Thematic Programmatic Partnership (GTPP) implementation, management, and coordination. He or she closely coordinates and liaises with the Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan (RCSK) headquarters, IFRC technical teams and Partner National Societies (PNS) in region.

The position reports to the Country Cluster Delegation Programme Manager and works closely on operational issues with other thematic team members as well as IFRC headquarters and regional office health focal points.

The Health Project Coordinator primary tasks will include:

Project management

• Coordinate day-to-day operational management of projects ensuring that specific objectives are met, ensuring support to National Societies in timely implementation of activities and achieving project results as planned;
• Assist in ensuring efficient and effective management of the resources of the donor in the implementation of project activities and ensure project funds are used solely for the activities as described in the project plan and budget;
• Ensure that the project is implemented in accordance with all guidelines and procedures which are applicable under the existing project documents/agreements with Donors and National Societies;
• Work closely with the Delegation’s Finance and Administration Officer responsible for projects to ensure sound financial management, monitoring, and reporting;

Quality Assurance, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Monitor all project activities through regular field-visits to the project sites and produce field visit reports, in coordination with IFRC Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Officer (PMER);
• Ensure that all narrative and financial reporting is submitted in timely manner, including financial progress reports jointly with the Delegation’s Finance and Administration Officer responsible for projects.
• Assist on budget monitoring, in order to prevent under- and over-expenditures and to ensure that all project expenditures under IFRC supported initiatives are made in line with agreed budgets;
• Produce and submit project reports to the Programme Manager according to the donor requirements, templates and deadlines;
• Ensure all project files, records, archives and databases are kept in good order and regularly updated;
• Support with identifying, capturing and documenting success stories, lessons learned, and case studies.

Partnership and coordination

• Maintain a high level of collaborative partnerships with Red Cross and Red Crescent partners and other partners related to projects funded by IFRC, including liaising with governmental authorities and other stakeholders on any project related issues to ensure coordination and proper achievement of tasks and objectives;
• Ensure that the line manager is fully informed and updated when other external parties (counterparts, INGO’s, NGO’s & GO’s, donors, etc.) seek contact or correspond on any matters;
• Assist with the development of new project concept notes, the elaboration of project proposals, submissions to donor(s), and implementation according to the donor(s) requirements, templates and deadlines;
• Carry-out and support the preparation of country missions, including for donor and technical focal points;
• Facilitate effective technical coordination with other thematic leads of the Country Cluster Delegation. 

Health coordination and technical support

• Provide technical guidance and support to the Central Asian National Societies in developing and implementing health and care programs that are consistent with their mandates and roles as agreed with national authorities. Technical areas of support may include (but are not limited to): epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response, anticipatory action and readiness for health risks, community-based surveillance, infection prevention and control, WASH and community health.
• Support the health components of IFRC emergency response and recovery operations in Central Asia, according to Principles and Rules for Humanitarian Assistance, and other relevant Standard Operating Procedures, and ensure these reflect national and regional realities.
• Support IFRC Central Asia Country Cluster Delegation and its country offices in monitoring epidemiological data, health indicators and disease patterns for analysis and early detection of public health concerns, disease outbreaks or epidemics in Central Asia.
• When applicable, coordinate knowledge sharing events, as well as representation in external conferences
• Support planning, budgeting, implementation and reporting of IFRC supported health and care activities, in accordance with the IFRC Secretariat’s standards and requirements.

Undertake other programme related duties and responsibilities in due coordination with the line and technical managers.

Required:

• An Advanced University Degree in medicine, public health or other health related sciences

Preferred:

• Post graduate degree in public health or related discipline

Required:

• At least 7 years of working experience, of which 3 years with humanitarian organizations
• Experience in managing public health programmes
  
  

Preferred:

• Experience in working with national health authorities, WHO and other international stakeholders and actors
• Experience within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and working with National Societies
• Experience in project quality assurance and financial management

Required:

• In – depth knowledge of health programme management
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills
• Effective writing skills
• Ability to work to tight deadlines, handle multiple tasks and prioritize
• Ability to work in a multicultural team and travel extensively
• Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spreadsheets, power point presentations etc.)
• Flexibility and ability to work in a team in a supportive and cross-functional way
• Fluent spoken and written English
• Fluent spoken and written Russian

Preferred:

• Good command of Kyrgyz 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.