Senior officer, emergency health

Purpose of position

This role reflects the main direction identified in the Strategic Operational Framework (SOF) for the IFRC Secretariat Global Health Team (GHT). The SOF guides the GHT to assist National Societies in the implementation of Strategy 2020 within their national context. Strategy 2020 is basing health programming into the context of resilience. The GHT also works to position National Societies and the overall Secretariat as key stakeholders in the international health arena.

The IFRC Global Health Team includes members of the global Secretariat: the IFRC Headquarters office in Geneva, and the Zonal Offices. These members are accountable to the GHT and the National Societies which they serve, and are responsible for implementing S2020 in the area of health. Global reference centres and expert groups are closely affiliated with the GHT.

To provide technical support to National Societies, IFRC Zones, Health Department and partners on Emergency Health (EH) planning, coordination, capacity building and response. It is foreseen that the position holder will spend approximately 50 % of her/his time in the Zones.

To represent the Federation in global health partnerships and interact with partners on EH.

Description of duties

1- Support to emergency operations:

This is the main service Emergency Health provides to beneficiaries. While parts of this task are undertaken in the IFRC Zones with the gradual increase in Zonal capacity, some will remain in Geneva. The post holder will:

- Provide technical support to Zonal Offices and National Societies (through Zonal structures);
- Participate in the development and implementation of DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction) for health, as part of the Federation's DRR work. Support National Societies health preparedness and recovery as well as mainstream DRR with other long term health functions;
- Actively participate in the implementation of the Strategic Operational Framework of the Global Health Team;
- Participate in Emergency Support Group (ESG) and Task Forces, and provide technical support to emergency appeals and Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) operations including the deployment of Disaster Management tools (FACT, RDRT, ERU);
- Provide technical advice to IFRC Zones and operations' health coordinators; support the Human Resources recruitment and deployment process in emergencies;
- Support information sharing within the Red Cross Movement and with external partners.

2- Coordination and representation:

This is the main service EH provides to Members and the Secretariat. The post holder will:

- Further partnerships on the strategic and practical levels, both within and outside the movement with the aim of strengthening the Federation's leadership in Emergency Health;
- Support EH personnel in IFRC Zones and the field to work as a team for common EH plans and objectives;
- Coordinate and direct initiatives within the Red Cross Movement;
- Represent Health in Emergencies and participate in other Health department functions (long-term projects, Community based Health and First Aid, Water & Sanitation, etc);
- Coordinate efforts and initiatives taken in their geographic region to maintain a global harmonised oversight;
- Support fundraising activities as needed;
- Represent the International Federation in functions with external partners (WHO, UNICEF, INGOs, etc) and provide technical and coordination input.

3- Development of EH, monitoring, evaluation and knowledge sharing:

- Initiate and sustain new approaches to EH and epidemic action, risk reduction and early warning systems;
- Explore arising challenges (change in disaster trends, communicable diseases. etc) and establish best practices and standards;
- Support the global planning, monitoring, and evaluation of the EH function;
- Work on promoting knowledge sharing and networking within and outside the Red Cross Movement.

Further responsibilities will include:

- The development and integration of health components in Disaster Management and technical support to the development of Disaster Management tools (e.g. ERUs, RDRT, FACT, Emergency Response Items Catalogue and medical logistics among others).
- The development and dissemination of Capacity Building tools, such as EH trainings, Epidemic Control for volunteers, Field School, in order to ensure a coherent CB strategy and their implementation in coordination with Zones, NSs, PNSs and partners.

Required qualifications

Education:

- Degree in medical sciences or other health related degree
- Postgraduate degree in public health
- Diploma or training in tropical medicine, nutrition or control of infectious diseases, preferred
- Knowledge management certificate, preferred

Experience:

- At least five years working experience in disaster related health interventions
- At least five years relevant working experience with international organisations in the development sector
- At least three years working experience in field programs
- Previous experience with Red Cross/Red Crescent emergency response and knowledge of Disaster Management tools (ERU, TL or FACT), preferred
- Experience with a National Society, preferred.

Skills:

- Leadership and coordination skills
- Analytical thinking
- Good communication and presentation skills
- Ability to work under stressful conditions, meet deadlines and travel extensively to support field operations or training
- Computer literacy: self-sustainable (Windows Office tools)
- Training and education skills will be particularly valued.

Languages:

- Fluent in verbal and written English
- Knowledge of another official Federation language (French, Spanish and/or Arabic) would be an asset.