Organizational Context
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the World’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organization established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The overall aim of the 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.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.
In February 2022, a new phase in the armed conflict in Ukraine started. The intensification and spread of hostilities have affected all of Ukraine, causing massive humanitarian needs across all sectors and destroying essential civilian infrastructure. Millions of people are displaced in Ukraine, more than 7 million people have fled to other countries. IFRC and DRC have launched a major Emergency Appeal for Ukraine and Impacted Countries that is coordinated on European regional level – with numerous country level operations ongoing. ICRC, IFRC, DRC and numerous Partner National Societies are integrating their capacities to provide coordinated crisis response in Ukraine and impacted countries. The operational structure will be fully integrated into existing structures at Country / Country Cluster and Regional Office level to ensure full synergies with the overall regional work.
This position temporary is based in the Danish Red Cross office – Kropyvnytskyi, until receiving the green light to have access to Kharkiv as a permanent. The Danish Red Cross in Ukraine focuses its support to URCS within Disaster Management, Humanitarian Relief, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Health (including NCDs), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, National Society Development (including branch development and volunteer management) and logistics.
Job Purpose
Branch development has been a focus in the URCS / DRC partnership since 2014, and for the period 2020-2023 DRC has entered into a Global Thematic Agreement with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Branch Development in fragile and conflict settings. Ukraine is among the prioritized countries within this agreement.
The position holder will be responsible to support the DRC operations in the given region, particularly, colleagues working with NSD and all project managers, with the key purpose to facilitate and support the partnership between URCS branch and DRC on the implementation of DRC-supported activities and projects and strengthening the capacities of the regional branch.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Support branches (leadership, staff, and volunteers) in enabling effective planning, coordination, and operationalization of initial response actions – and likely later on delivery of recovery-oriented interventions. This will happen in close collaboration with other technical delegates in the country supporting the response and recovery operation.
- Act as liaison between the DRC and the URCS regional and local branches in the given region.
- Accompany the DRC delegates and staff in the field visits, to provide support in the planning of those.
- To act as interpreter/translator when needed.
- Ensure coordination and alignment between all RC Movement support to branches in terms of planning and directional support.
- Coordinate conducting of trainings/workshops and other events.
- Work closely with the NSD field delegates and the URCS relevant staff.
- Support identification and development of capacities within branches to meet new demands, mandate, and direction.
- Work closely with the delegates to support the branches in developing an organisational/branch plan/strategy for the next strategic period, acknowledging a substantial change in context and mandate of the branch following the conflict.
- Take care of all the necessary documentation: drafting, collecting, filing all the necessary data and documentation, taking photos, collecting other evidence when needed for DRC supported activities and projects.
- Collaborate and coordinate with URCS HQ based branch focal points and Branch Development delegates and focal points in other regions/branches.
- Actively participate in the branch development working group.
- Provide assistance to NSD field delegates in contributing to reporting, monitoring and evaluation of NSD project.
- Support DRC project managers in collecting the relevant reports and data from the URCS branches on a regular basis, according to the plans.
- Participate and contribute to DRC branch development institutional learning and exchange.
- Communicate day-to-day with URCS branch staff in line with DRC partnership approach.
- Communicate day-to-day with DRC Branch Development delegates, Project Managers and other DRC Country team members.
- Communicate regularly with relevant representatives from ICRC, IFRC and Partner National Societies, also supporting the URCS branch in the area.
- Perform any other task as identified by the line manager.
Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)
- 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
Higher education or an academic degree
Experience
- Working experience in either organizational development, management, administration and/or project implementation.
- Experience in volunteering with URCS or other NGOs with branch and volunteer development/management.
- Understanding and commitment to the Red Cross mission and Fundamental principles, and the role, mandate, and opportunities of RC branches.
- Be flexible and able to work with people who differ in culture and capacities.
- Ability to work in politically and security complex environment.
Knowledge, Skills and Languages
- Self-supporting in computers – Very good computer skills and command of standard Microsoft office tools
- Very good interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
- Motivated self-started personality, sense of responsibility and organization skills
- Good negotiation skills
- Flexibility and ability to travel in the operation’s areas.
- Fluency in written and spoken English, Ukrainian or Russian languages.
Competencies, Values and Comments
- National Society relations
- Communication – Teamwork
- Professionalism – Integrity – Diversity
- Judgement-Decision-making
- Results focus and accountability
