Safety and resilience coordinator

Purpose of position

In January 2011, Vietnam Red Cross (VNRC) has adopted a new ten year development strategy (Strategy 2020) and a five year operation plan to support it (Plan 2015). The development strategy identifies "four core areas for operation" and "three priorities towards the organizational development of the Society".

The four core areas are:

1. Disaster preparedness and response, relief operations, rehabilitation and recovery;
2. Community-based healthcare;
3. Humanitarian donation of blood, tissues, organs and bodies;
4. Social work.

The three organisational development priorities are:

1. Promoting humanitarian values;
2. Mobilizing fund for Red Cross activities
3. Strengthening the organisation structure.

Vietnam is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world and climate change impact on Vietnam is likely to increase their frequency, magnitude and intensity. IFRC support to the VNRC Plan 2015 therefore places a strong emphasis on improving the resilience of communities (urban and rural) to the impact of climate change. In particular this will also include a renewed focus on improving the organisational capacity of VNRC to respond to the disasters and to integrate disease prevention and health risk reduction interventions within a wider resilience framework.

The role of the Safety and Resilience Coordinator will therefore be to lead the country team support to VNRC and other RCRC partners in the following three core areas:

1. Lead coordination of the thematic working groups to stimulate exchanges on technical issues between VNRC, IFRC and PNS; support development of common programme objectives and improve harmonisation efforts between sectors and partners.
2. Coordinate IFRC support to VNRC in all community based interventions to build resilience and promote cross sector (DRR and Health Care) integration in this support.
3. Manage and lead an effort to scale up support VNRC disaster preparedness capacities by developing a long term programme that is in line with Strategy 2020 and takes into account the changing nature of disaster risk in Vietnam.

Description of duties

1. Coordination

- Lead technical coordination meetings between various RCRC partners to ensure that external technical support provided in health and care and disaster management is strategic and strengthens the overall programme approach of the VNRC Plan 2015.

- Support International Department of the VNRC in its effort to improve coordination for international supported programmes, in particular to improve their ability to manage contractual relationships with donors and fulfil reporting requirements.

- Lead technical coordination with external stakeholders (UN, INGO's, Government etc) on areas of relevance for RCRC international support and/or where the coordination mechanism desires particular follow up.

- Support head of delegation in external representation at various coordination and networking forums, meetings, working groups to ensure consistency of RCRC participation and position.

2. Integration of DRR and Health support

- Manage delegation's technical staff in health and disaster management and ensure consistency of technical support across the two sectors, including actively seeking opportunities to integrate interventions.

- Support delegation technical staff in their efforts to design and manage their programmes/projects with focus on improving their monitoring and evaluation.

- Work with the head of delegation to ensure that health and disaster management projects/programmes of the delegation are funded and have long term support of the donors.

- Produce regular and timely narrative and financial reports for the donors.

- Document good practices and lessons learned in case studies and/or news stories for the IFRC website.

3. Disaster Preparedness

- Develop a long term support programme to improve the disaster preparedness capacity of VNRC with particular focus on a improving the staff/volunteer skills for disaster response, adequate logistics capacity and effective systems to manage operations at various levels.

- Lead support in developing and expanding national disaster response team's (NDRT) as part of a well develop response mechanism in the society.

- Lead development of appropriate systems and procedures in VNRC for disaster management.

- Support fundraising efforts in logistics development by identifying areas of potential interest with relevant donors.

Lateral relationships

1. Establish and ensure effective working relationships with the other delegates.
2. Ensure effective working relationships with National Society counterparts and leadership.
3. Ensure effective working relationships with technical and service departments at regional, zone and headquarter levels.
Duties applicable to all staff:

Required qualifications

Education:

- Basic Delegates Training Course (now IMPACT) or equivalent knowledge
- Masters in development studies / public health / disaster management or a related area

Experience:

- Three experience of managing and supporting staff
- Four years experience of working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent
- Four years experience in project management, reporting and planning
- Four years experience of managing disaster management or health programmes.
- Previous experience of working in South East Asia, preferably in Vietnam is mandatory
- Awareness of gender issues and ability to facilitate the development of practical strategies, at each stage in the project cycle
- Experience in coordinating various Red Cross/Red Crescent partner support
- Proven track record of managing budgets
- Experience of narrative and financial reporting
- Experience of financial and programme planning

Skills:

- Self-supporting in computers (Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, word-processing, Internet)
- Valid international driving license (manual gears)
- Skills in training of staff and building team spirit
- Skills in general administration and management
- Skills in networking with government agencies, International and national NGOs is preferred

Languages:

- Advanced level of English

Competencies

- Teamwork;
- Commitment to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement;
- National society relationship skills;
- Integrity and personal conduct;
- Sensitivity to diversity;
- Flexibility and adaptability;
- Initiative and direction; interpersonal skills;
- Resilience;
- Results focus and accountability.