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. 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.

The Ethics, Risks and Safeguards (ERS) Department acts as a strong, cohesive, effective and visible second-line vector for IFRC at global, regional and national levels. It provides oversight and expertise to IFRC first-line activities and operations and ensures that the organization operates in accordance with highest standards across the five following pillars:

Ethics and Integrity to promote a culture of transparency, integrity and accountability in line with industry standards and IFRC policies.

Risk Management to create a culture of positive risk taking within IFRC operations and activities, supported by appropriate tools and capacity.

Social Safeguards including Prevention against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH) and Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) to ensure safety, dignity, access and inclusion are part of humanitarian programs and operations and that the principle of ‘do not harm’ is mainstreamed in all IFRC activities.

Environmental Safeguards to ensure that all IFRC operations and activities are environmentally sustainable and accountable.

Compliance to implement systemic, harmonized and coordinated internal control mechanisms across the organization and align with internal policies and international standards.

The newly established Social Safeguards function is a key support to IFRC in meeting the three goals and overall aim of Strategy 2030 of “devoting particular attention to people who are vulnerable, excluded or marginalized”. It is also a core element of IFRC’s priority of promoting Values, Power and Inclusion, and the enablers of Engagement, Accountability and Trust as articulated through the IFRC secretariat’s Renewal. The function aims to establish policies, procedures, and measures designed to protect people from potential harm, prevent negative social impacts, protect human rights and well-being, and ensure equitable benefits for communities, especially vulnerable populations.

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of the Manager, Social Safeguards (in Geneva), and in close day‑to‑day coordination with the Regional Office, the PGI Regional Senior Officer supports the implementation of Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) within IFRC’s integrated Social Safeguards approach. The role provides regional technical guidance and coordination support to translate global PGI policies, standards and tools into practical, consistent and context-appropriate action across programmes, emergency operations and institutional systems.

The incumbent supports IFRC regional and country teams, as well as National Societies, to integrate the principles of Dignity, Access, Participation and Safety throughout the humanitarian programme cycle—from preparedness and assessment through programme design, implementation, monitoring, learning and accountability. This includes providing technical advice to identify and mitigate protection and inclusion risks, promote and strengthen inclusive participation and community engagement, and apply a “do no harm” approach in complex and high-risk contexts.

Acting as a key conduit between global, regional and country colleagues, the PGI Regional Senior Officer contributes to the roll-out, contextualization and consistent application of global PGI frameworks, minimum standards and tools. This work is undertaken in alignment with the broader Social Safeguards function, and ensure close alignment with Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) and Child Safeguarding, while respecting the distinct accountabilities of the designated technical leads for these areas.

Through collaboration with IFRC regional and country teams and National Societies, the incumbent supports localized capacity strengthening, peer learning and the exchange of good practices. The role contributes to reinforcing accountability to affected populations and promoting that PGI

Job Duties and Responsibilities

PSEAH – 20%

Working with IFRC delegations in the region to ensure that PSEAH is explicitly considered in risk logs
When providing PGI-related technical guidance, training or support, the officer will integrate relevant PSEAH principles and technical guidance. The role will not extend to PSEAH policy development, specialized or extensive PSEAH capacity strengthening, or other functions that fall under the designated responsibilities of the PSEAH Officer.
When working with National Societies on safe and inclusive referrals, ensuring that both PSEAH and PGI considerations are fully considered.

Protection, Gender and Inclusion – 80%

Regional Leadership and Operationalization of PGI
- Lead the operationalization of global PGI policies, frameworks, minimum standards and tools at regional level, ensuring they are adapted to context, risks and capacities of National Societies and IFRC delegations.
- Develop, maintain and implement a Regional PGI Action Plan, aligned with the Social Safeguards global roadmap, IFRC Renewal priorities, regional humanitarian and development priorities
- Act as the primary regional focal point for PGI within the integrated Social Safeguards function, ensuring coherence with PSEAH and Child Safeguarding approaches.
- Provide technical leadership and coordination, ensuring consistent application of standards across the region
Mainstreaming PGI Across Programmes and Operations
- Ensure PGI is systematically embedded across the full programme and operational cycle, including: needs assessments and analysis, programme design and sectoral strategies, Emergency Appeals, DREFs and contingency plans, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning.
- Work closely with regional technical leads (Health, WASH, CVA, DRR, Migration, Climate, etc.) to integrate Dignity, Access, Participation and Safety (DAPS) principles, mitigate protection and exclusion risks, strengthen inclusive and accountable programming
- Provide hands‑on technical advice to country and cluster delegations to address context‑specific PGI risks, including SGBV, child protection, disability inclusion, age, gender and diversity considerations.
- Support integration of PGI into humanitarian diplomacy, localization efforts and partnership arrangements where relevant.
- Referral mapping – ensuring the PGI & PSEAH considerations are fully analysed
- Incorporating key PSEAH technical advice and guidance in the mainstreaming technical support for PGI.
National Society Capacity Strengthening
- Provide structured technical support to National Societies to: conduct PGI organizational and programmatic assessments, develop or strengthen PGI related policies, SOPs and institutional systems, embed PGI into governance, HR, volunteer management and programme systems.
- Facilitate the establishment and strengthening of regional and national PGI focal point networks, including peer to peer learning and mentoring.
- Promote sustainable, NS led approaches rather than parallel systems.
- Support National Societies in strengthening inclusive community engagement, safe feedback and referral mechanisms, in coordination with CEA and PSEAH colleagues (when those staff are in place).
- Incorporating key PSEAH technical advice and guidance in the mainstreaming technical support for PGI (but not leading PSEAH policy, action plan or SOP development).
Quality Assurance, Risk Mitigation and Second‑Line Oversight
- Support the application of PGI screening tools, checklists and quality benchmarks to programmes and operations.
- Flag systemic PGI risks, gaps or non‑compliance trends to the Global Team Lead, Social Safeguards, with clear recommendations for corrective action.
- Support post‑response learning and after‑action reviews to capture PGI lessons and inform continuous improvement.
- Working with IFRC delegation in the region to ensure that PSEAH is explicitly considered in risk logs.
Emergency Preparedness, Response and Surge Support
- Provide technical PGI support to emergency operations, including preparedness planning, emergency assessments, design and review of emergency funding requests.
- Act as technical manager or focal point for PGI surge deployments in the region, ensuring clarity of roles and deliverables, alignment with Social Safeguards standards, quality and consistency of technical support.
- Support rapid identification and mitigation of PGI risks in high‑pressure and complex emergency contexts.
- Incorporating key PSEAH technical advice and guidance within the technical support for PGI.
Partnerships, Resource Mobilization and Representation
- Support the development of regional PGI project concepts, proposals and donor reports, in coordination with the Global Team Lead and relevant departments.
- Contribute to resource mobilization efforts by identifying funding gaps, donor priorities and partnership opportunities related to PGI.
- Represent IFRC, as delegated, in regional inter‑agency and coordination fora on PGI‑related issues, ensuring alignment with global IFRC positions.
- Strengthen collaboration with Partner National Societies, Movement partners and external actors on PGI where relevant.
- Support with technical guidance, advice and networking, the mobilisation of resources for PSEAH position.
Monitoring, Reporting, Evidence and Learning
- Monitor implementation of the Regional PGI Action Plan and report regularly on progress, risks and challenges, corrective actions and lessons learned.
- Provide structured inputs to regional and global Social Safeguards reporting, including contributions to senior management and donor updates.
- Support the generation and documentation of evidence, good practices and lessons learned to inform global guidance, tools and advocacy.
- Promote a culture of learning, accountability and continuous improvement in PGI practice across the region.
Ways of Working and Internal Collaboration
- Work as part of the global‑to‑regional Social Safeguards network, maintaining strong alignment with the Manager, Social Safeguards, and with close technical coordination with the Technical Coordinators for PGI and PSEAH in Geneva.
- Collaborate closely with Regional leadership and HDCC teams, Country and cluster delegations, other ERS functions (PSEAH, Risk, Environmental Safeguards, Ethics and Compliance).
- Uphold the second‑line role of ERS, providing technical oversight, guidance and challenge while enabling effective first‑line delivery.

Education

Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in any relevant area (e.g. disaster risk management, social work, gender and diversity, international development, social psychology, anthropology, behavioural science, social protection); or a first-level university degree combined with extensive relevant experience. - Required

Required Experience

At least 5 years of professional experience in the in PGI (protection, gender, SGBV, disability inclusion) with a track record of strategy, tool development, and technical advisory
Demonstrated experience in applying humanitarian protection, gender, accessibility
standards and guidelines and in setting up and managing accountability systems,
participatory planning processes.
Demonstrated experience in identifying, analysing and mitigating protection, gender and inclusion risks in humanitarian programmes.
Experience supporting or advising on inclusive community engagement, participation, feedback and accountability mechanisms, particularly for vulnerable and marginalized groups.
Demonstrated experience in managing complex multi-stakeholder processes, including advocacy and relationship building.
Hands‑on experience applying PGI minimum standards, tools and/or frameworks in operational settings, with the ability to adapt global guidance to regional and country realities.
Holds a holistic and intersectional approach to addressing issues of discrimination,
violence and exclusion and understands the institutional requirements necessary to
achieve sustainable humanitarian impact to prevent and respond appropriately.
Demonstrated experience working in cross‑cultural and multilingual environments, with sensitivity to political, social and cultural dynamics.
Experience working in partnership with local and national actors, with a strong understanding of localization principles and respectful, enabling approaches.
Exposure to donor‑funded programming, including contributions to project design, reporting or accountability requirements, is an advantage.
Experience in humanitarian operations and in/with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement or comparable international organizations.

Preferred Experience

Possesses a broad understanding of global humanitarian issues, and international
humanitarian standards for PGI in disaster response
Prior professional experience in the region of assignment is highly desirable.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Strong ability to mainstream PGI across sectors and emergency management systems, excellent coordination and partnership building skills.
Ability to operate as a trusted technical advisor, providing constructive challenge while enabling first‑line delivery.
Ability to operate effectively under pressure, manage competing priorities, and provide timely, practical guidance in fast‑moving operational environments.
Proven skills in capacity building, including designing and delivering trainings, mentoring staff and volunteers, and supporting peer‑to‑peer learning.
Strong interpersonal, networking, representational, communication and negotiation skills. Ability to be proactive and persuasive
Strong coaching and facilitation skills, with the ability to build ownership and confidence among National Societies and field teams.
Demonstrated skills in- project and portfolio management, including planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of PGI‑related projects at regional and/or multi‑country level.
High degree of discretion, tact and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels
Excellent coordination and partnership skills, with the ability to work effectively across matrix structures and multiple stakeholders.
Ability to contribute to structured reporting, including operational updates, donor inputs and internal learning products.
High level of cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively in diverse, multicultural and multilingual environment
Fluent spoken and written English and Arabic

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Ability to apply a systems mindset, recognizing how PGI connects to intersects with programmes, operations, risk management, PSEAH , accountability and organizational processes.
Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish)

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
Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others

ATT: A confirmation email will be sent upon application submission; please verify your email address using the link provided, otherwise your application will not be received or considered.

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 Disclaimer

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!

Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) Senior Officer