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 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 delegations 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 Italian Red Cross has been cooperating for several years with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and the IFRC to support humanitarian programmes aimed at assisting the population across multiple sectors, including community health development, access to basic healthcare services, and emergency response. The Italian Red Cross has established a representation office in Kyiv, led by an International Delegate. The Delegation coordinates all Italian Red Cross activities in Ukraine, responding to needs identified by the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, while working in close collaboration with other partners of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to ensure a coordinated and effective response to the Ukrainian crisis.
Job Purpose
Under the line management of the Country Representative of the Italian Red Cross (ItRC), the Programme Officer supports the design, planning, implementation and monitoring of Italian Red Cross programmes in Ukraine, in close coordination with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS), Movement partners, IFRC and other relevant stakeholders.
The role contributes to programme quality and accountability by supporting programme development processes, ensuring timely and compliant implementation of activities, and supporting PMER (Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting) functions in line with IFRC, Italian Red Cross, URCS and donor requirements.
The Programme Officer works closely with the Finance & Support Services Manager, HQ technical experts and URCS regional branches throughout all stages of the programme cycle, including coordination on logistical and administrative aspects related to programme implementation.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Programme Design and Development
• Contribute to programme and project design processes, including development of concept notes and proposals.
• Support the development of core programme management tools, including implementation plan, PMER plans, procurement and phased budgets, in coordination with relevant functions.
• Contribute to needs assessments and technical assessments in coordination with URCS and relevant stakeholders
Programme Implementation
• Support the planning and set-up of new projects, including coordination with relevant URCS departments, regional branches and external stakeholders
• Support the quality and timely implementation of programme activities in line with approved project documents, workplans and budgets.
• Conduct regular field visits to programme locations to monitor activities
• Ensure that programme activities are implemented in compliance with IFRC, URCS and donor policies, procedures and regulations.
• Monitor programme risks and contextual changes and support adaptive management in coordination with the Country Representative.
• Support budget phasing, forecasting and expenditure monitoring for assigned projects, in close coordination with the Finance & Support Services Manager.
• Support project close-out processes, including final reporting, documentation and handover.
Partnerships and Coordination
• Support the development, amendment and follow-up of agreements and annexes for assigned projects
• Maintain regular communication with URCS and Movement partners, ensuring a collaborative, enabling and accountable partnership approach
• Represent the Italian Red Cross in technical coordination meetings, as delegated by the Country Representative
• Coordinate closely with the Finance & Support Services Manager to ensure alignment between programme implementation, budgets, procurement and logistics.
• Support administrative and logistical arrangements related to programme activities, including field missions, workshops and meetings, as required.
• Liaise with Movement partners and internal departments to support programme delivery.
• Support translation, interpretation and correspondence related to programme activities, when required
PMER – Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
• Support the development and implementation of PMER plans and tools for assigned projects, ensuring alignment with IFRC PMER standards.
• Monitor project progress against indicators defined in logical frameworks and results frameworks.
• Support data collection, verification and consolidation from field activities and partners.
• Support the integration of Quality Control Accountability and Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) approaches.
• Support the preparation of internal and external narrative reports, ensuring quality, accuracy and compliance with donor requirements.
• Contribute to the documentation and sharing of lessons learned and best practices across programmes.
• Ensure proper filing, archiving and information management of programme documentation.
Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)
Duties applicable to all staff
- Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals
- Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles
- Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager
Education
Required
University degree (Bachelor’s level) in International Relations, Social Sciences, Development Studies or a related field
Preferred
Training or academic background in Project Cycle Management / PMER / MEAL
Experience
Required
- Minimum 3 years of experience in programme or project support roles within humanitarian or development organizations
- Experience in programme planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting (PMER)
- Experience in multi-stakeholder and multi-partner coordination
- Experience supporting institutional donor-funded projects or programmes
Knowledge, Skills and Languages
Required
- Good understanding of the project cycle, including programme design, implementation and reporting
- Demonstrable knowledge of disaster management/emergency response management and/or Livelihood
- Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities
- Basic analytical skills related to context analysis (political, socio-economic and security)
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and email systems
- Basic knowledge of PMER frameworks and tools, including logical frameworks and indicators
- Fluency in spoken and written English & Ukrainian
Preferred
- Valid Category B driving license
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.