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.

Job Purpose

The Nature based solutions and Climate Action Officer will be based in Ghana and support programmes activities in the delegation. The role holder will provide global content leadership on issues related to NbS and climate change, provide coordination and partnerships with relevant stakeholders within and outside the RC/RC Movement. The incumbent will provide technical support to integrate nature-based solutions into disaster risk reduction approaches, support the development of tools and the translation of global policy and standards into practice at the national and local level.

The role holder will work closely with various units of the IFRC Secretariat, IFRC Regional Offices, relevant networks and IFRC Reference Centers, as well as relevant partners. The role holder will collaborate with, and receive guidance on climate-related aspects from, the Climate Change Coordinator and Senior Officer nature-based solutions. Support the IFRC’s on Nature based Solutions (NbS), climate actions and development of quality proposals and research for funding opportunities, and grant management. Support the National Societies with effective engagement on NbS, advance the work and position of the RCRC network on NbS and promote a scale-up of this work by National Societies globally.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure quality technical advice and resources to support effective and scaled-up programming:

• Continuously map needs and practices of NS in NbS
• Provide technical support and guidance for the scale-up and design of new NbS programmes and projects within the IFRC network
• Support the development of proposals, strengthening donor relations and external partnerships for joint NbS projects
• Provide technical advice on how to mainstream NbS in country operational plans and emergency
• Identify necessary tools and information needed by IFRC and National Societies related to NbS, with a focus on eco- DRR and EbA, and contribute to the improvement of existing IFRC tools/methodologies and development of new operational guidance, tools, methodologies or other material, as needed.
• Provide support for effective programming through Regional Offices including for proposal development, project design, project implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of project activities.
• Work with Regional Offices and relevant partners to develop capacity building activities for National Societies, including developing training plans and training material, as well as knowledge-sharing workshops to discuss lessons learned from projects.
• Ensure global direction, policy positioning and representation on nature-based solutions.

Support internal policy development on NbS, including for RC/RC Statutory

• Collect and maintain a baseline/mapping of National Societies undertaking
• Draft strategic documents for the Red Cross Red Crescent network on
• Support senior management in their representational and positioning efforts on
• Raise awareness of NbS amongst National Societies and promote the use of such
• Contribute to the development of IFRC communications campaigns and products on NbS, with a focus on eco-DRR and
• Contribute to and coordinate IFRC engagement in policy dialogue related to
• Represent IFRC on NbS at international policy
• Effectively liaise with relevant staff within and beyond the IFRC network on relevant policy efforts
• identify opportunities, objectives and entry points in relevant ongoing policy discussions
• develop advocacy strategies, supporting development of key messages

Promote and strengthen strategic partnerships

• Broker and strengthen strategic partnerships on NbS with National Societies and external partner institutions – governments, private sector, academia, UN agencies, NGOs and CSOs, with a particular focus on joint programmes and projects.
• Represent IFRC in relevant inter-agency partnerships such as the Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR) and the Friends of EbA (FEBA).
• Nurture relations with peer organizations and participate in communities of practice and professional associations to keep abreast of emerging trends and integrate best practices.
• Be responsible and accountable for the overall management and administration of related projects.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Financial management, monitoring and coordination of projects

• Provide financial management, monitoring and coordination of relevant project activities, and the delivery of project outputs within agreed time, budget, and quality standards.
• Support implementation of project activities in target
• Ensure the integrity of financial and administrative procedures and the consistent application of IFRC rules and procedures related to project activities.
• Contribute to the overall planning, budgeting and reporting of the team and the department:
• Contribute to a client-oriented approach that values proactivity, continuous improvement, innovation, high performance and cost effectiveness.
• Provide progress reports on results against objectives and risk analyses

Education

• University degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Natural resources management, Forestry, Disaster risk reduction, Climate change, Environmental science, Environmental/climate change policy, Ecosystem management, Biodiversity conservation or any related field.). (Required)
• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (eg. Natural resources management, Forestry, Disaster risk reduction, Climate change, Environmental science,). (Preferred)
• Relevant professional training courses (Red Cross/Red Crescent related, humanitarian and development sector, Programme management). (Preferred)

Experience

• At least 3 years of relevant experience in disaster risk reduction, climate change, nature-based solutions and/or related work. (Required)
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders across many disciplines, to achieve societal impact, institutional and policy change. (Required)
• Demonstrated professional credibility in the sector of Nature based solutions, ecosystem-based DRR or ecosystem-based adaptation. (Required)
• Experience in project or programme management. (Required)
• Work experience with Red Cross Red Crescent, other international organizations, large NGOs and/or governmental development agencies. (Preferred)
• Experience working on carbon credit and climate change adaptation project. (Preferred)
• Experience working in an international or cross-cultural environment. (Preferred)

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Thorough and broad knowledge in the field of environment, sustainability, and climate action. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and direct new programs. (Required)
• Exceptional presentation skills and the ability to act as a facilitator in a multi-stakeholder engagement process. (Required)
• Excellent project management and coordination skills. (Required)
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural, multilingual, multidisciplinary environment. (Required)
• Ability to navigate complex funding instruments and requirements. (Required)
• Outstanding networking, representational, communication and negotiation skills contributing to a client-focused culture. (Required)
• Highly organized, with the ability to work as a strong team player. (Required)
• Ability to coordinate with teams based in different geographic locations. (Required)
• Ability to work in a multicultural, multilingual, multi-disciplinary environment. (Required)
• Excellent communication, presentation, diplomacy and negotiation skills. (Required)
• Excellent networking and relationship-building skills. (Required)
• Excellent writing and reporting skills. (Required)
• Fluently spoken and written English.(Required)
• Good command of French.(Preferred)

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Core Competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.
• Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability
• Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others