REACH Country Operational Coordinator (Consultant)

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote 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.” The 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 the 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 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.

The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The 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.

The IFRC Secretariat Strategy 2030 was approved and adopted by the Governing Board in December 2019. Accordingly, IFRC Africa Region is positioning itself to ‘work for and with’ membership to ensure strong, relevant, and sustainable African National Societies that can directly and collaboratively implement the five strategic priorities and the three Enabling Approaches and deliver on the Strategy 2030.

Under REACH / Community Health Workers, the IFRC has established a strategic partnership with Africa CDC to enable 2 million community health workers to fill the current gap in Africa. Core in implementing REACH is the National Societies’ auxiliary role to health authorities and associated community health services in line with the national policy framework and systems to enable access to healthcare. It also includes an in-country support platform to bring this initiative to scale with a nation-wide lasting impact.

The position holder will provide senior experience and expertise in engaging National Society leadership and Ministry of health and other key health actors / stakeholders as relevant at country level to ensure linkages or support to community health policies and strategies and to establish supporting collaborative networks and coalition at country level with a view to maximising Red Cross Red Crescent positioning, influence, funding, partnership base and operational contribution in sustainably bridging community health service gaps.

The REACH Country Operational Coordinator is instrumental in implementing the Resilient & Empowered African Community Health (REACH) initiative at country level. This position, by coordinating and collaborating closely with the REACH Operational and Humanitarian Diplomacy Lead, is responsible for engaging with the leadership of the National Society, the Ministry of Health, the Partner National Society supporting in-country REACH initiative, and other key stakeholders to establish strategic partnerships and collaborative networks in support of community health policies and strategies.

The coordinator leads strategic conversations, aligns country-level initiatives with global/regional goals, and facilitates engagement with public health authorities as well as the Africa Center for Disease Control. In addition, the role entails supervising the monitoring and evaluation of REACH initiatives, providing technical assistance and capacity building support to National Societies in the area of quality community health service delivery, and advocating for the value of community health services. By collaborating closely with the Host National Society, Participating National Society(/ies) directly involved in Reach initiative as per IFRC REACH SOP modalities, and IFRC Country Cluster Delegations, the REACH Country Operational Coordinator ensures the effective implementation of REACH initiatives and promotes knowledge sharing and collaboration. In addition to managing the country-level REACH team (as applicable), the coordinator provides regular updates to the REACH Operational and HD Team Lead on progress, obstacles, and opportunities to ensure transparency and accountability

• Through the exercise of effective continued Humanitarian Diplomacy, support the establishment of strategic dialogue and support partnership platforms to REACH at the country level in line with global/regional direction.
• Co-create and execute comprehensive operational plans and micro plans for REACH initiatives at the country level in collaboration with all relevant key stakeholders, including with the involvement of Africa CDC, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, global/regional direction, and available resources.
• Provide operational support to the implementation of objectives set for in-country REACH operationalization.
• Regularly review and evaluate the progress of rollout of operational plans, making any necessary adjustments based on changing conditions, feedback, and emergent opportunities to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of REACH initiatives.
• Engage with National Society leadership, the Ministry of Health, and public health authorities, as well as other partners, to ensure seamless coordination and collaboration in the implementation of operational plans, promoting synergy and shared ownership of REACH initiative at country level.
• Allocate resources, including financial, human, and material assets, to support the implementation of operational plans, ensuring the optimal use of resources and adherence to budgetary constraints.
• Regularly evaluate the operational performance of REACH initiatives, identifying areas of success, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Provide timely and accurate reports to the REACH Operational and HD Team Lead and other relevant stakeholders, ensuring accountability and transparency in the execution of operational plans.
• Engage with National Society leadership, Ministry of Health, and other relevant in-country partners to build strong collaborative networks and coalitions to support further adaptation / development of effective, efficient and impactful community health policies and strategies.
• Offer operational guidance and technical support to National Society leadership in implementing community health initiatives, in line with REACH's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Foster relationships and engage with public health authorities through established coalition and partnership platforms at the country level.
• Support with relevant input from country level implementation fundraising initiatives to support REACH initiative in country and in the region
• Collaborate with Africa CDC collaboration centers, National Public Health institutions, and subregional intergovernmental health institutions to enhance cooperation and support for REACH goals.
• Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of REACH initiatives at the country level, ensuring that progress is tracked and reported to relevant stakeholders.
• Assist in identifying capacity needs and gaps and provide technical assistance and capacity building support to National Societies and other partners in implementing quality community health services.
• Represent REACH in national forums, advocating for the importance of community health services and promoting the Red Cross Red Crescent’s role in addressing health service gaps.
• Collaborate with IFRC Country Cluster Delegations to ensure alignment of REACH initiatives with broader IFRC strategies and priorities.
• Contribute t
• o the development of national policy frameworks and systems that enable access to healthcare and promote community health

• Contribute t
• o the development of national policy frameworks and systems that enable access to healthcare and promote community health services.
• Share best practices, lessons learned, and success stories from REACH initiatives with relevant stakeholders at the country, regional, and continental levels.
• Lead and manage the country-level REACH team (as applicable), ensuring effective communication, collaboration, and alignment with the overall mission and objectives of the initiative.
• 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.

Required

• Advanced degree in public health or a related field
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience

Required

• At least 7 years of experience in the health and humanitarian sector, with a focus on community health and partnerships
• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement and diplomacy, including working with / representing government agencies, civil society organizations, and other relevant actors.
• Extensive and proven experience in developing and implementing community health service delivery capacity-building initiatives in volatile contexts.
• Proven and strong track record of influencing policy or decision-making in line with agreed strategic priorities
• Successful experience in the development of policy campaigns, including strategy-building, inter-governmental advocacy, and evidence building.
• Experience supporting multidisciplinary and complex programmes in volatile contexts.
• Experience in building strategic partnerships with tangible outcomes.
• Work experience within Africa region and understanding of Africa Health and humanitarian landscape

  Preferred

  • Experience in the UN system, other intergovernmental organisations and/or development banks
  • Experience in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement with an Understanding of the political and cultural context in which National Societies operate and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships.

   

Knowledge, skills and languages

Required

• Strong understanding of policy frameworks, systems, and initiatives relevant to humanitarian organisations in Africa
• Excellent understanding of the dynamics, institutions, and political context of the
• international humanitarian and development sectors
• Strong understanding of the issues which impact humanitarian organisations.
• Knowledge of international financing systems
• Exemplary influencing and networking skills
• Self-sufficient with the ability to plan and deliver own work to a high standard.
• Culturally sensitive and comfortable working with people from diverse backgrounds
• Excellent relationship management and networking skills
• Strong strategic planning and project management skills, including experience leading teams.
• Ability to exercise initiative with discretion and judgement and apply risk management controls as needed.
• Excellent presentation and public speaking skills to senior-level audience
• Fluently spoken and written English and French

Preferred

Good command of any other IFRC official language (Spanish or Arabic)

Application Instructions

• Please submit your application in English only. 
• Please include a one-page cover letter clearly summarizing experience as it pertains to this consultancy.
• Please include in your motivation letter your availability and your current Daily Fee Rate in CHF.

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.

Core competencies: Proactive outreach and innovative creativity; Leadership; Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National Society and customer relations.