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. The IFRC carries out strategic and operational coordination, humanitarian diplomacy and national society development and membership services, for and with its member Red Cross, Red Crescent National Societies.

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 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.

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 Myanmar Country Office is one of the IFRC Country Offices in the Asia Pacific Region. In Myanmar, the IFRC works closely with the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) and other members of the IFRC network to reinforce the MRCS’ unique humanitarian mandate and humanitarian activities, as well as its humanitarian diplomacy activities. It also provides vital technical, financial and logistical support to MRCS while strengthening its participation in regional and global cooperation during emergency and non-emergency times.

IFRC is supporting MRCS in providing humanitarian assistance through the Emergency Appeal for Floods Typhoon Yagi and DREF for monsoon floods that have been launched and published respectively in August 2024 and September 2024. The Federation-wide Emergency Appeal aims to provide immediate and long-term assistance to 7,000 households (35,000 people) for a period of 12-month in the 8 states and regions in Myanmar that have been affected by the flooding brought about by the remnants of Typhoon Yagi. Likewise, the overall objective of IFRC-DREF Operation is to meet the immediate humanitarian needs of 15,000 people (3,000 HHs) affected by foods in the Kayin, Bago (East & West), Yangon, Ayeyarwady, Mon, and Tanintharyi states/regions.

Job Purpose

The Senior Operation Support Officer position, focusing on CVA and Livelihoods, will be part of the operations team within the country delegation with close and daily collaboration with MRCS operations team. S/he will report to the Operations Manager, technically responsible for livelihoods and other interventions using CVA as modality. The role will ensure that the CVA and Livelihoods interventions are designed and implemented during the operation timeframe and are well coordinated with MRCS.

This role will be the principal representative of IFRC to ensure MRCS livelihoods and CVA interventions are implemented in line with good practice and quality assurance that adheres to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and ensure community engagement and accountability (CEA) approaches are strengthened.

S/he will liaise with counterparts from MRCS, ICRC and other partner National Societies as well as represent IFRC along with MRCS counterpart in Cash and Market Working Group (CMWG) in country. The Senior Officer will work in close collaboration with the line manager, technical colleagues and with the regional livelihood coordinator.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The key accountabilities and responsibilities of the Senior Operation Support Officer, focusing on CVA & Livelihoods will include but not limited to the followings:

Programme Development and Quality Programming Support

• Undertake livelihoods assessment to include market mapping and risk analysis related to the livelihood and cash component and contribute to the development of mitigation measures.
• Ensure that MRCS livelihoods and cash field activities are supported technically and operationally with all necessary resources and all necessary milestones are captured, tracked and reported timely.
• Support to MRCS team to prepare plans for effective implementation of the livelihoods and cash activities that targets most vulnerable and marginalized groups and increases the resilience of the target rural communities including women affected by natural and made disasters.
• Support MRCS to identify, prioritize and support communities to implement potential livelihood strategies that are less sensitive to existing and potential hazards and resilient to disasters.
• To support strategies and interventions that promote the economic and social empowerment of women and youth to enable their full and responsible participation.
• Support the development and implementation of strategies and interventions for household income-generation among targeted population. This includes assisting marginalized groups especially women in earning and saving income, managing money, provide guidance on financial management and allocating household resources for improved household security and achievement of projects objectives.
• Develop livelihoods and recovery tools that will assess the targeted households or cases eligible for the livelihoods and recovery interventions.
• Support MRCS in strengthening of appropriate feedback methods and systems to gain a deeper understanding of community feedback (including misinformation and misconceptions).
• Ensure feedback related to CVA and livelihoods is recorded, addressed, analyzed and shared with key operation teams and decision-makers to inform action.
• Ensure sensitive feedback can be appropriately handled taking into account confidentiality, data protection and consent.
• Work with operation teams to ensure the most vulnerable groups have equal access to information channels and feedback mechanisms and participate in decision-making processes.

Capacity Building of National Society Staff

• Facilitate capacity building of MRCS staff and volunteers in livelihoods and recovery programme including provision of technical support during implementation of the programme and ensure adherence to good practice and Community Engagement and Accountability framework.
• Support the implementation of baseline and PDM analysis including price monitoring surveys to determine the impact of livelihoods and cash assistance.
• Develop market-based interventions and tools for market assessment and need analysis.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

• Maintain close coordination with IFRC and MRCS livelihoods and cash focal points to ensure timely execution of the projects under emergency appeal and DREF.
• Assist MRCS project counterparts on project implementation in field monitoring and accompany counterparts in field monitoring where appropriate and allowed.
• Assist MRCS project counterparts in developing meetings, workshops and field trip plans and facilitation.

Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Support the development of narrative reports, updates and case studies on the livelihoods and cash interventions
• Develop project financial plans and check both financial and narrative reports coming from MRCS project counterparts.
• Undertake other tasks and responsibilities as may be reasonably requested by line manager.

Education

• University degree (or equivalent relevant experience) preferably in economics, business administration, agriculture development, social sciences and / or related field is required.
• Training courses: livelihoods programming, recovery programming, cash and market-based programming, Kobo toolbox / data collection tools, etc. are required.
• Knowledge of relevant tools, conceptual frameworks and current good practices in livelihoods including the use of cash voucher assistance is required.

Experience

• At least 5 years of experience working in the area of expertise is required.
• Solid experience in planning and producing high-quality report of emergency operations supported with graphic and statistical summaries is required.
• Experience working in an emergency response context is required.
• A broad understanding of global humanitarian issues, disaster response, recovery, and related areas is required.
• Experience of working in emergencies within international Organization is required.
• Experience of working for the Red Cross / Red Crescent or other humanitarian organization is required.
• Background in data collection, management, analysis and presentation methods and tools, and ability to set up systems, tools and procedures for reliable data collection and management is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Ability to provide quality technical analysis and assessments is required.
• Skills in livelihoods and recovery assessments and project implementation using participatory methodologies is required.
• Strong analytical and written skills, including report writing and presentation skills is required.
• Demonstrate technical skills in coordinating and developing activities related to livelihoods and cash is required.
• Basic research and analysis by generating new ideas and approaches, research best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things is required.
• Detail oriented, able to multi-task is required.
• Knowledge of market assessment, survey and monitoring methodologies and experience implementing them is required.
• Advanced Computer skills: Windows, Word Processing, PowerPoint, Excel. (spreadsheet and database application) + Ability to use video conferencing application i.e., Microsoft Teams, Zoom is required.
• Ability to be flexible to work in pressurized working environments e.g., disaster affected area is required.

Competencies, Values and Comments

Competencies and values

VALUES: Respect for Diversity, Integrity, Professionalism and Accountability.

CORE COMPETENCIES: Communication, Collaboration and Teamwork, Judgement and Decision making, National Society and Customer Relations, Creativity and Innovation, and Building Trust.

MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES: Managing staff performance and Managing staff development.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: Strategic orientation, Building alliances, Leadership and Empowering others.