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.

While the international armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues as a major humanitarian emergency, work is also already underway for the recovery of Ukraine. With its network of 200 branches, 1,500 staff members, 8,000 volunteers, and members across the territory of Ukraine, the Ukraine Red Cross Society (URCS) is providing daily emergency response needs as well as key services related to recovery, rehabilitation, and health and social services at the community levels. In 2023, URCS developed a two-year “One Plan” setting out ambitious objectives in relief, recovery, public health and social services as well as its own development.

The IFRC is committed to Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) as per Strategic Priority 5 (Values, Power, Inclusion) under Strategic Plan 2030. The IFRC has a Protection, Gender and Inclusion Policy (2022) and related Global and Regional PGI Framework covering 1) Institutional PGI Capacity, 2) Programmatic and Operational PGI, 3) PGI Advocacy, Partnerships and Learning.

Job Purpose

The purpose of the position is to support the Swedish Red Cross, PGI Delegate in managing SRC’s PGI portfolio of activities in Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova. Reporting to the PGI Delegate, the Senior Program Officer is responsible for ensuring timely, efficient, and effective coordination of SRC support to the URCS, Romanian Red Cross (RRC), and Moldovan Red Cross (MRC) through joint agreements and future SRC operations in these countries.

This includes collaborating with teams on the development and implementation of PGI initiatives to strengthen institutional and operational capacities. The Senior Program Officer will also oversee programmatic portfolios, and support plans that SRC is contributing to within the respective National Societies. A key aspect of the role is ensuring close coordination and strong collaboration with URCS, RRC, MRC, and Movement Partners in collaboration with the PGI Delegate.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Technical duties to National Societies

• Provide support to National Societies on institutional strengthening in PGI, including the development of compliance-based policies, protocols, and awareness initiatives related to PGI.
• Lead efforts to mainstream PGI across sectors and operations, ensuring alignment with PGI minimum standards.
• Develop PGI-specific training materials based on the needs identified by NS sectors or as requested.
• Facilitate the establishment and effective functioning of PGI Focal Point Networks within each NS.

Program Management Support

• Assist designated NS staff with project implementation, ensuring adherence to contractual commitments, including financial oversight in coordination with the PGI Delegate.
• Support NSs in planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting against agreed plans.
• Maintain an overview of financial aspects of the program, ensuring budgets are managed effectively and timely narrative reports are submitted as required.
• Contribute to SRC operational plans for PGI.

Coordination, Cooperation and Networking

• Participate in regular PGI meetings, monthly updates, data collection, and peer-support activities; maintain regular coordination with PGI Units and teams.
• Foster effective working relationships with SRC colleagues and NS counterparts at all levels.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with technical and service departments within NSs.
• Represent SRC in relevant meetings with Red Cross Movement partners, governments, donors, NGOs, and UN agencies.

Key Competencies and Requirements

• Strong knowledge of PGI principles and the ability to apply them.
• Proven experience in program management, including planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.
• Project management skills, including budget oversight and reporting.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to effectively engage with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to work in cross-cultural environments and maintain sensitivity.

Education

Required:

• Relevant university degree (Humanitarian Aid, Project Management, Business Administration)

Experience

Required:

• Minimum 4 years’ experience in international field or with a humanitarian aid organization
• Experience in working with a diversity of humanitarian programmes, ideally protection, gender and/or inclusion
• Experience with planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting on projects
• Experience in partner relationship management
• Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting reporting, monitoring and evaluation
• Experience in partner relationship management
• Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting reporting, monitoring and evaluation

Preferred:

• Experience in international operations, including emergency response, in humanitarian and development aid programmes
• Experience in coordinating with the authorities and other humanitarian actors

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required:

• Proven personnel management and development skills
• Self-supporting in computers (Email, Internet, spread sheets, word-processing, etc.)
• Proven strong project management and programme coordination skills
• Skills in negotiation and building relations
• Strong / proven financial management skills
• Skills in report writing, project proposal writing
• Flexible and adaptable to work effectively in a multicultural environment and ability to travel at short notice
• Fluent spoken and written English
• Fluent spoken and written Ukrainian

Preferred:

• Proven in-depth knowledge of organisational development, capacity building of partner organisations and programme management
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Competencies, Values and Comments

CORE COMPETENCIES: Communications, Collaboration & Teamwork, Judgement & Decision, National Society & Customer Relations, Creativity & Innovation, Building Trust

VALUES: Respect for Diversity, Integrity, Professionalism, Accountability