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 four main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Coordination; (ii) Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; (iii) Management and Accountability; and (iv) People and Strategy.
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 PurposeUnder the supervision of the Regional Rep., The Senior Programme Operations Officer is responsible for the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of assigned programmes and operations within BRC multilateral partnerships in MENA region.
The position supports the Regional Rep. in the day-to-day management of programmes and operations. The role may lead operational coordination and emergency response activities as delegated, ensuring preparedness, response, and recovery interventions are implemented effectively and in accordance with BRC standards.
The role ensures effective delivery, compliance, and coordination of programmes in alignment with BRCC strategies and the priorities of IFRC and partner national society.
Job Duties And ResponsibilitiesProgramme Management
- Oversee the end-to-end management of assigned programmes and operations, ensuring timely and quality implementation aligned with agreed objectives, timelines, and budgets.
- Manage programme budgets, contributing to resource allocation and financial planning decisions within the assigned portfolio.
- Ensure programmes remain adaptable to rapidly evolving economic, social, and political conditions, adjusting priorities and approaches as needed
- Ensure effective monitoring of programme performance and achievement of results, in close coordination with PMER and finances/admin functions.
- Ensure programmes meet defined performance indicators, taking timely corrective action where deviations occur
- Provide regular analysis of programme progress, identifying challenges and leading corrective actions.
- Support the scaling up of operations in emergency situations, ensuring rapid mobilization of resources and effective response mechanisms
Emergency Operations and Preparedness
- * Support preparedness planning and readiness actions in coordination with Movement partners.
- Manage emergency response operations as delegated by the Regional Rep., ensuring timely mobilization of resources and operational coordination.
- Coordinate the development of operational strategies, emergency plans, Emergency Appeals, and response updates.
- Monitor evolving humanitarian needs and operational risks and recommend timely response measures.
Risk Management and Compliance
- * Proactively identify, assess, and manage programmatic, operational, and contextual risks, ensuring mitigation measures are in place and regularly monitored.
- Ensure full compliance of programmes with BRC procedures, donor requirements, and Red Cross Red Crescent principles.
- Coordinate with relevant internal functions (PMER, finance, audit, logistics) to maintain robust risk management and accountability systems.
Operational Coordination and Implementation Oversight
- * Ensure full integration between programme and operational functions, aligning planning, resourcing, and implementation
- Promote integrated and multi-sector approaches across programmes and operations.
- Establish and maintain regular operational coordination meetings with support services (finance, logistics, HR, PMER) to ensure timely delivery and troubleshoot bottlenecks.
- Ensure that technical guidance from regional and global IFRC units is effectively integrated into programme implementation.
Job Duties And Responsibilities (continued)Partnerships and Movement Coordination
- * Serving as a key focal point, coordinate with Movement partners to ensure alignment and complementarity of programmes within the assigned portfolio at technical and operational levels.
- Support the strengthening of partners capacities across programme and operational functions.
- Promote localization and sustainable partnership approaches
Donor Engagement and Resource Mobilization
- * Maintain working-level engagement with donors supporting assigned programmes, including participation in updates, reporting, and operational discussions.
- Contribute to the development of proposals, revisions, and donor reports.
- Support resource mobilization efforts through the identification of funding opportunities and programmatic inputs.
Context Analysis and Strategic Contribution
- * Lead analysis of the humanitarian, political, and operational context relevant to assigned programmes.
- Contribute to strategic planning processes, ensuring programme design is responsive to evolving needs and risks.
Representation
- * Represent BRC in technical and operational coordination forums as required.
- Support visibility and communication efforts related to programme implementation
Education
- University degree (or equivalent work experience) in relevant to international humanitarian aid and/or development - Required
- Technical training in disaster preparedness, management, and recovery - Required
Experience
- * Field experience within the Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement - Preferred
- 5 years’ experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation - Required
- 5 years’ experience in establishing and following monitoring systems to track progress of implementation - Required
- Experience in narrative and financial reporting and proposal writing – Required
- 3-5 years’ experience in disaster response - Required
Knowledge, Skills and Languages
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and independent decision-making capacity - Required
- Results oriented and demand driven individual, entrepreneurial, ability to lead in unprecedented and/or ambiguous situations - Required
- Excellent communication and inter-personal skills with the ability to represent the International Federation and to negotiate and influence people’s opinions – Required
- Knowledge of minimum standards for disaster relief and performance and accountability frameworks - Required
- Flexible and adaptable to work effectively in a multicultural environment and ability to travel at short notice - Required
- Knowledge of technical aspects of disaster preparedness, relief and recovery and of key donor and partner organisations - Required
- Fluent spoken and written English and Arabic - Required
- Good command of another IFRC official language (English, French, Spanish) - Preferred
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
A confirmation email will be sent to you upon submitting your application. Please ensure that you verify your email address using the link provided in the email; otherwise, your application will not be received and, therefore, cannot be considered or assessed.The closing date and time for this vacancy are based on Geneva time. Applications must be submitted by 23:59 (11:59 PM) Geneva time on the advertised closing date.
IFRC DisclaimerIFRC 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.If you appointed to or undertake a role within IFRC, whether as staff, staff on loan or secondees, you will be subject to the organization's Code of Conduct, which is available here and on our website.Note: All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which include prior professional conduct checks and review of criminal records. IFRC will request a conduct check from all prior employers for a period of 5 years, including but not limited to employers who like IFRC participate in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. For more details on the Scheme, please see ont-style: italic;">THE MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE SCHEME — SCHR.IFRC ensures equal employment opportunities!
