REGIONAL PROJECT OFFICER - CANADIAN RC

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies 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.”  The 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 the 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 is 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, the 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

Reporting to the CRC Representative in MENA and in coordination with the IST MENA Program Coordinator, the Regional Project Officer (RPO) supports the national societies in Lebanon, oPt, Syria, and Yemen, current priorities of the Canadian Red Cross, in the implementation of projects.

The Regional Project Officer provides support to the above Host National Societies (HNSs) in different areas, including the administration, monitoring, reporting, and financial management of the projects supported by the CRC.

The RPO supports the CRC team in the development of new projects and proposals and the monitoring of new/evolving emergencies in the focus countries and countries in MENA when needed.

S/he must ensure a good working relationship with the Lebanese Red Cross (LRCS), Palestine Red Crescent (PRCS), Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), and Yemen Red Crescent (YRCS), PNSs and other relevant stakeholders including, but not limited to CRC program staff and technical advisors.

All actions undertaken by the Regional Project Officer are guided by CRC’s Mission, Vision 2025, the Fundamental Principles, the International Priorities, Localization Framework, and MENA Regional Strategy 2022-2025.

The RPO is expected to provide both remote and in-person support by traveling to each focus country as the operation requires and request by the line manager.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibility 1: Project Development and Support (50%)

- Support the National Societies that are supported by the CRC for the successful development and implementation of projects.

- Support project administration and management, working with the partners to ensure that deadlines and processes are met as per quality, donor compliance, and accountability standards including required project narrative, financial and analytical progress reports, expenditures, and budget compliance.

- Support the partners in the preparation of monitoring and evaluation tools and plans, including support for data collection for effective reporting and monitoring.

- Support the partners in identifying key issues or potential problems as well as in identifying solutions and liaising with the CRC representative MENA, the Program Coordinator, the other members of the International Support Team (IST), and CRC’s technical advisors and support services.

- Engage the partners in regular meetings to receive updates about the projects’ progress and discuss any problems or delays.

- Flag delays to the CRC representative in MENA and Program Coordinator for required support. Attending project meetings, possibly including RCM meetings as requested.

- Support the partners in the preparation of project proposals by liaising with CRC representative MENA, IST, National Office (NO) finance, advisors, and proposal writers. Contribute to drafting portions of the proposal as requested.

- Collect communication material (videos and photos with informed consent) and support the partners in the preparation of success stories or other communication material to highlight project achievements to the public.

- Compile briefing notes for CRC management, liaising with other RCM partners and other stakeholders as requested.

- In collaboration with the partners, collect, archive, and circulate project-related documents (e.g., narrative reports, training attendance lists, project agreements, grant agreements, activity reports, etc.).

- Support the CRC Representative in MENA, and the CRC National Office in the annual operational planning (AoP), including the risk profile, project progress, country profile, and budget sections.

- Regularly update the country profile and upload necessary documents to the PIMS page of each focus country.

Responsibility 2: Finance (30%)

- Ensure an understanding of the mission and project budgets, including coding structure and processing relevant invoices/forms.

- Collect, review, and circulate partners’ financial reports within CRC; support records management as identified in the project agreements.

- With the support of the partners, prepare spending forecasts for CRC’s National Office.

- Support the partners in the preparation of budget modifications and make sure that they are in line with donors’ rules and regulations.

- Assist the partners in the preparation of fund requests to the CRC’s National Office and follow the transfer process within CRC until successfully received by the partner.

- Coordinate between National Office financial services and partners’ financial services (facilitation of meetings, first point of contact for National Office).

- Prepare monthly forecasts for IFRC’s regional office.

Responsibility 3: Administration & Logistics (20%)

- Facilitate communication between partners and CRC’s National Office logistics team on procurement issues as required.

- Arrange procurement of office equipment and supplies and maintain records over the mission’s equipment inventory/asset register.

- Prepare requisition forms for IFRC, follow up on all administrative matters with IFRC (e.g., renewal of apartment rent contracts, car maintenance, etc.), add cost codes, and transfer to CRC’s National Office IFRC’s invoices.

- Support and facilitate CRC international missions to Lebanon and countries of focus with respect to visa application, the preparation of agendas, organization of travel and meetings, booking of accommodation, taxis, and IFRC’s vehicles.

- Prepare and follow up on security clearance requests for field visits for the whole mission, including booking vehicles, flights, and accommodation.

- Ad hoc translation between Arabic and English.

Travel:  Travel to countries of focus

The role requires a readiness to travel to focus countries, as required by the operation, ranging from a few days to 1 to 2 weeks to support both CRC teams and provide hands-on support to the HNSs. Although a planned travel for each quarter will be set ahead of time, on some occasions, travel requests can be ad-ho for troubleshooting. 

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in international development, humanitarian studies, economics, business administration, or related field. - Required

Experience

3-5 years of experience including experience with RCM, NGOs, and/or UN. - Required

Experience in program/project management and/or financial management aligns with the tasks described above. -Required

Experience in proposal writing - Preferred

Experience with the RCM -Preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Strong attention to detail and proven skills in organization and time management. -Required

Proven analytical and problem-solving skills and demonstrated attention to detail. - Required

Self-starter with initiative; able to proactively complete tasks in order to move files forward. - Required

Ability to work in an environment with ambiguity. - Required

During peak project times, emergencies, or missions, irregular working hours may be required. - Required

Proven ability to be a supportive and productive team member - Required

Strong computer skills including experience with the Microsoft Office - Required

Languages

Fluently spoken and written English and Arabic - Required

Good command of other IFRC official languages (French, Spanish) -Preferred

Travel

Ability and readiness to travel to focus countries as requested (Syria, Yemen) both in Ad hoc and planned manner -Required

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust

NB: The salary calculation is based on the internal IFRC salary scale, taking into consideration job requirements, years of experience and the applicant's qualifications

IFRC ensures equal employment opportunities.