Delegate, Program Management at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is the world's largest humanitarian network and is guided by seven Fundamental Principles: Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, universality and unity.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Delegate, Program Management - Resilient and Empowered African Community Health (REACH)

Vacancy No: S04108
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Duty Station Status: Family Duty Station
Contract Type: International
Grade: C1
Duration: 12 Months
Accompanied Status: Accompanied

Organizational Context

• 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 maximizing Red Cross Red Crescent positioning, influence, funding, partnership base and operational contribution in sustainably bridging community health service gaps.

Job Purpose

• The Program Management Delegate is instrumental in implementing the Resilient and Empowered African Community Health (REACH) initiative at the country level.
• This position, by coordinating and collaborating closely with the REACH Operational and Humanitarian Coordinator, 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 Delegate 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 (AfCDC).
• 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 Delegate 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 Delegate provides regular updates to the REACH Operational and HD Team Lead on progress, obstacles, and opportunities to ensure transparency and accountability.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• 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 microplans 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.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued):

• 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 fundraising initiatives to support REACH initiative in country and in the region.
• Collaborate with AfCDC 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 to 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.

Education
Required:

• Advanced University Degree (Master's or equivalent) in WASH, Engineering, or equivalent professional experience.

Preferred:

• Relevant post-graduate Degree in Public Health
• Certification in Project Management
• IMPACT Training Course

Experience:
Required:

• 3-5 years of work experience in the Humanitarian or Development sector, with a focus on WASH.
• Demonstrated professional credibility in the sector and experience working in an international or cross-cultural environment.

Preferred:

• 3-5 years of management and supervisory experience in a multicultural environment, with developing countries and/or with an international organisation at the management level
• Experience working in a RC/RC National Society and/or Federation/ICRC

Knowledge, Skills and Languages:
Required:

• Knowledge of WASH and public health and experience in practically applying this knowledge into policy, programmes and positioning.
• Programme and project management.
• Results-oriented and demand-driven individual, entrepreneurial, ability to lead in unprecedented and/or ambiguous situations.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including the ability to lead within a matrix management structure and utilize the talent and experience of team members in a productive way.
• Outstanding networking, representational, communication, and negotiation skills. An ability to be proactive and persuasive.
• Demonstrated track record in innovating, contributing to a learning culture, sharing knowledge, and new approaches to engaging partners.
• Professional credibility, able to work effectively at all levels across the organization
• Proven good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality
• High degree of discretion, tact, and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural, multilingual, multidisciplinary environment.

Languages:
Required:

• Fluent spoken and written English

Preferred:

• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Arabic or Spanish)

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.

Application Closing Date
2nd August, 2023.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online