Operations Support, Senior Officer, Myanmar – Civil Unrest

Category of Staff : National Staff

Grade : NE-2**

Estimated starting : As soon as the suitable candidate selected

Vacancy No : IFRC-N001

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. The 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.

The IFRC has five regional offices: Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The 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. The Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO) leads IFRC support to National Societies of 38 countries through eight country delegations and five country cluster delegations spread across East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific geographical areas.

Myanmar Civil Unrest Response

On 1 February 2021, a political crisis occurred in Myanmar generating ongoing civil unrest with humanitarian impacts across all 17 states and regions. People injured in clashes linked to protest activities have required first aid support and/or ambulance services. Banking disruptions have restricted access to cash for populations across the country and reduced operational capacity for humanitarian response. A disrupted supply chain has increased prices for food and other basic commodities. Economic consequences include the risk of food insecurity for already vulnerable populations. Public health system disruptions have reduced health access and also increased public health risks, including for COVID-10 mitigation and treatment. Population displacement is increasing in existing areas of protracted crisis as well as in additional region/states. Regulatory measures such as internet restrictions and curfews have also impacted on humanitarian needs and operational response capacity.

In response to this unfolding crisis, IFRC is supporting MRCS with a response reaching affected populations with first aid and basic health services as well as basic relief assistance and socio-economic support, focused on the most vulnerable communities, including those experiencing displacement and/or food insecurity. Within the response, investments in branch capacity are enhancing capacity across the country for key areas of emergency support.

In view of the scaled-up IFRC-supported operation, the capacity of IFRC Country Delegation for Myanmar to support the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) in coordinating these responses is being bolstered for the extended timeframe required to address the protracted nature of both crises. There is a need to ensure smooth transition to medium-term personnel, which aligns planning and support needs both across MRCS Departments and in branch level interventions. It is in this context that the Myanmar Country Delegation is seeking Operation Support Senior Officer.

The Senior Officer for Operations Support will be a key member of the IFRC team leading coordination, technical and quality assurance support for IFRC-funded emergency operations in Myanmar. Under direct supervision of the Operations Manager for Myanmar, the Senior Officer will also support implementation, monitoring and reporting of MRCS emergency operations working alongside National Society counterparts at headquarters and branch levels.

Job Purpose

The Operations Support Senior Officer, under line management of the Operations Manager for Myanmar is accountable for effective technical support, quality assurance and monitoring of IFRC-funded emergency operations in Myanmar, in coordination with technical counterparts within the National Society. The Operations Support Senior Officer is also responsible for ensuring that post-distribution, standard and donor reports relating to IFRC-funded emergency operations in Myanmar are delivered in a timely manner.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Emergency response and operations management

· Support the MRCS in conducting emergency needs assessments and surveys as well as establishing or refining selection criteria of people to be reached.

· Support the MRCS in identification, selection and revalidation of people to be reached, and in designing appropriate relief programmes to meet the needs of the affected population

· Support implementation and monitoring of distribution of cash and voucher assistance (CVA) and/or in-kind relief under IFRC-supported disaster response operations. Includes supporting the collection, collation, and analyses of distribution data, and prepare reports to contribute towards production of timely and accurate reports for the IFRC and donors.

· In coordination with MRCS, support the mobilization of communities, volunteers and staff for relief and recovery activities under IFRC-supported disaster response operations.

· Monitoring of logistical processes, including procurement compliance and supply chain tracking to the field.

Planning, Monitoring and Reporting

· Support the National Society in ensuring planning and reporting requirements are met in a timely and efficient manner, including the revision of NSRP and budget.

· Support MRCS in establishing a robust and coherent monitoring mechanism of the humanitarian context in Myanmar so that humanitarian interventions are responsive to current and emerging needs and threats.

· Support in information management through research and analysis of quantitative and qualitative information on displacement in Myanmar, how it impacts on our strategy, beneficiaries’ selection and act and production of dissemination material (e.g., flash updates, external communication on the operation) – with the support of Communication Department.

· Support MRCS in establishing an effective information management system for the response

· Ensure that all activities comply with IFRC guidelines and policies (SPHERE, Code of Conduct, Principles and Rules for Humanitarian Assistance, Fraud and Corruption Prevention and Control Policy, etc.).

National Society Response Readiness:

· Support the delivery of relevant programmatic and technical support to MRCS that are related to the success of COVID-19 operation – with close coordination with Program Coordinator, including guiding the National Society to update policies, standards, guidelines and tools with the view of enhancing local response capacity.

· Support branch development initiatives in Myanmar as outlined in the NSRP of COVID-19 operation, in coordination with other IFRC team members, including training of personnel (staff and volunteers) in various thematic areas, and enhancing logistics, PMER, volunteer management and response preparedness capacities.

· Support the National Society in developing and implementing operational standards, tools and procedures that ensure quality, consistency and sustainability of emergency response interventions.

Coordination and Engagement

· Organize and participate in field visits to monitor and assess the progress of activities under the programmes of IFRC-supported disaster response operations – with the approval granted for security context.

· Ensure that clear information about programmes is available to people who receive assistance, thereby encouraging a two-way communication exchange, including a complaints mechanism, that promote beneficiary accountability.

· Assist Operation Manager to complement efforts in liaising with Movement, international, governmental, non-governmental, appropriate civil society, and other actors in the same sector to ensure coordination of and complimentary approaches, including attending respective cluster or coordination meetings.

Education

· University degree, or equivalent qualifying experience, in relevant area is required.

· WORC (World of Red Cross) and/or RDRT training is preferred.

Experience

· At least 3 years of disaster management or humanitarian programming experience is required.

· Field experience in coordinating and managing disaster and crisis management projects is required.

· Work experience with the Red Cross Red Crescent is preferred.

· Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation is required.

Knowledge & Skills

· Effective team and project management skills is required.

· Good analytical skills and solution-oriented is required.

· Good mentoring and capacity development skills is required.

· Ability to work well in a multicultural team is required.

· Excellent stress management skills is required.

· Demonstrated accountability is required.

· Budget management skills is preferred.

Language

· Advanced level of fluently spoken and written English and Myanmar is required.

· Other languages: Fluency in any ethnic languages in Myanmar is preferred.

Competencies and values

VALUES : Respect for Diversity, Integrity, Professionalism and Accountability.

CORE COMPETENCIES : Communication, Collaboration and Teamwork, Judgement and Decision making, National Society and Customer Relations, Creativity and Innovation, and Building Trust.

MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES: Managing staff performance and Managing staff development.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: Strategic orientation, Building alliances, Leadership and Empowering others.