Consultant, Health Security and Community Resilience

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). Along with National Societies (NS) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies to prevent and alleviate human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during, and after disasters, health emergencies, and other crises.

The IFRC is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat is led by the Secretary-General and provides the central capacity of the IFRC to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. The Secretariat’s focus includes providing support to the IFRC governance mechanisms; setting norms and standards; providing guidance; ensuring consistency, coordination, and accountability for performance; knowledge sharing; promoting collaboration within and respect for the RCRC Movement; and expanding engagement with partners. The Secretariat’s headquarters is organised in three main Divisions: (i) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization (GRHDD); (ii) Management Policy, Strategy, and Corporate Services (MPSCS); and (iii) National Society Development and Operations Coordination (NSDOC). The Health and Care department is part of the NSDOC division. It focuses on two strategic directions: Health System Strengthening and WASH System Strengthening. Four pillars support the two strategic directions: (i) Global Health Security, (ii) Global Health Protection/UHC, (iii) Global WASH Services and (iv) Transformative Partnership.

The Health Security and Community Resilience team works in close collaboration with IFRC Regional, Cluster and Country Offices and reference centers by providing technical advice, support, representation and coordination to the IFRC’s programmes in the areas of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Readiness (EPPR), Community Health Workforce (CHW), Surveillance and Screening Health Policy , Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Healthy Ageing , Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and First Aid and Resuscitation.

Job Purpose

The overall objective of this consultancy is to support the Global Lead – Health Security and Community Resilience team in strengthening information sharing and dialogue through different working and reference groups, development of tools, guidelines and frameworks, operational reports and briefings, case studies and analysis of likely needs of different National Societies over the coming years through mapping, and surveys for Community Health Workforce (CHW), Surveillance and Screening , Health Policy , Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Healthy Ageing , Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and First Aid and Resuscitation, Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Readiness (EPPR) with a focus on the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3).

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant will support Lead – Health Security and Community Resilience team to lead, test, develop, coordinate and support National Societies (NSs) in implementing the RCRC Movement’s approach to CHW, Surveillance and Screening, Health Policy, NCDs, Healthy Ageing, MHPSS and First Aid and Resuscitation, EPPR particularly on CP3, specifically focusing upon:

Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Readiness

• Work closely with IFRC CP3 teams to ensure smooth running of the Program (currently implemented in 7 countries).
• Support the organisation of presential or virtual trainings, workshops, meetings, and presentations to share information, tools, lessons and good practices from CP3 and the ECHO Pilot Programmatic Partnership initiatives (e.g. webinars, regional trainings, global CP3 meeting, presentations at Global Health Security Conference).
• Support IFRC with the roll-out of an external evaluation of CP3, particularly the planning of country-level visits.
• Assist IFRC with the development of risk registers for the Program.
• Assist IFRC with the organization of CP3 management, review and planning meetings.
• Assist with the development of key messages, briefing notes, and minutes for events and meetings where IFRC will deliver statements, speeches, or presentations.
• Assist in producing quality, evidence-based content that supports impactful communication and advocacy initiatives for better positioning of CP3.
• Support the development and submission of reports in strict compliance with IFRC and donor requirements and deadlines.
• Support IFRC and National Societies engage with research institutes and universities in operational research and other forms of collaboration.

Mapping and Development of Tools and Other Relevant Documents

• Mapping of National Societies’ programs related to EPPR, CHW, Surveillance and Screening, Health Policy, NCDs, Healthy Ageing, MHPSS and First Aid and Resuscitation.
• Support to developthe strategic frameworks, tools, guidelines, discussion papers, and packages in close consultation with NS and IFRC regional and field offices.
• Support NSs in rolling down evidence-based community health interventions in different regions.

Knowledge and Information Management

• Support to develop a knowledge management platform: to ensure systematic collection, sharing and dissemination of advanced knowledge, experience and practice of different NSs as well as external partners.
• Ensure that planning and reporting requirements are met in a timely and efficient manner.
• Further strengthening and sustaining information sharing, intra-team dialogue, and dissemination of stories and useful documents from the field.
• Assist in the development of MOOCs courses for different Community health tools
• Assist in research initiatives and university collaborations
• Assist in developing plans and communication packages for NS during global health awareness days and campaigns.

Develop Operational Reports, Case Studies and Other Communication Materials

• Supporting in development of all external donor reports in strict compliance with donor requirements and deadlines.
• Assisting in review, development, and timely submission of reports, case studies, success stories, videos, and PowerPoint presentations for internal and external stakeholders for promotion of IFRC and NS work.
• Producing quality, evidence-based content that supports impactful communication and advocacy initiatives for better positioning of EPPR, CHW, Surveillance and Screening, Health Policy, NCDs, Healthy Ageing, MHPSS and First Aid and Resuscitation programming.
• Assisting in development of project proposals and other marketing materials.

Organization and Participation in Events

• Assisting in organization of high level conference, workshops, webinars and other capacity building activities at global levels.
• Support in organizing and participating in relevant meetings, events, technical working groups, and reference groups within and outside the RCRC movement
• Assisting in developing key messages, briefing notes, and minutes to all strategic, high-level, and important events and meetings where IFRC will deliver statements, speeches, and messages.

Management of the Consultant

The consultant will be line managed by the Global Lead – Health Security and Community Resilience Team, Health, and Care Department, IFRC Geneva. The position will be home-based with travel as required.

Proposed Time Frame

200 working days between 2nd January to 31st December 2024.

Requirements

Education

Required

• Relevant university postgraduate degree.
• Nursing/ Medical graduate.

Experience

Required

• Experience from humanitarian aid organisations and global health will be meriting.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• Fluency in English.
• Knowledge of public and emergency health and experience in practically applying this knowledge to policy, programs, and positioning, preferably in emergencies will be meriting.
• Program and project management.
• Results-oriented and demand-driven self-starter, entrepreneurial, ability to perform in unusual and ambiguous situations.
• Experience in research, scientific writing, and research methodologies.
• Experience in project proposal development.

Preferred

• Fluency in Spanish, French, Russian or Arabic are an asset.

Notes

• The consultant will be contacted by the IFRC, and the standard contractual terms will apply.
• Agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed at a cost in accordance with the IFRC’s relevant regulations.