Project Coordinator, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

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 is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are 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. The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

In February 2022, a new phase in the armed conflict in Ukraine started. The intensification and spread of hostilities have affected all of Ukraine, causing massive humanitarian needs across all sectors and destroying essential civilian infrastructure. Millions of people are displaced in Ukraine, more than 7 million people have fled to other countries. IFRC and DRC have launched a major Emergency Appeal for Ukraine and Impacted Countries that is coordinated on European regional level – with numerous country level operations ongoing. ICRC, IFRC, DRC and numerous Partner National Societies are integrating their capacities to provide coordinated crisis response in Ukraine and impacted countries. The operational structure will be fully integrated into existing structures at Country / Country Cluster and Regional Office level to ensure full synergies with the overall regional work.

The Project Coordinator forms part of the Danish Red Cross (DRC) Operations Unit in Ukraine and will contribute to the implementation of the DRC Ukraine Country Strategy. This position is based in the country office of the Danish Red Cross Ukraine — Kyiv. Together with the Head of Operations and Operations team, the Project Coordinator will contribute to the further strengthening the partnership and operational cooperation with Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) and RCRC Movement partners and to coordinate closely with other relevant partners and stakeholders. The Project Coordinator will directly manage part of the project(s) funded by in DRC in Ukraine’s portfolio and be responsible for representing DRC in movement coordination and working groups as relevant.

Job Purpose

The Project Coordinator is expected to contribute to proper project coordination of existing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) project(s) The Project Coordinator will also assist URCS in improving their project management capacities and facilitate strong technical support from DRC to the components required under the funded project(s). The Project Coordinator will also take lead in operationalising DRC’s Country Strategy ambition of supporting URCS in strengthening their capacity and engagement on MHPSS related activities.

The Project Coordinator Will Be Responsible For

• Coordinating funded project(s) for DRC CO, including facilitating assessments, implementation, monitoring and reporting etc.
• Coordination with URCS and other partners on project management and implementation
• Ensuring relevant involvement and support by DRC colleagues at CO, RO and HQ level to promote technical quality, donor/partnership compliance, strong project management standards incl. on M&E, logistics and finance in project(s)
• Support the URCS in general project management

Specific Tasks

• Represent DRC Ukraine in relevant technical and coordination forum on cross-cutting MHPSS perspectives with movement and/or external partners.
• Strengthen technical quality of cross-cutting MHPSS activities across all DRC projects
• Support the portfolio scale up by giving input to project development and design under Head of Operations leadership

Job Duties And Responsibilities

Project Management (70%)

• Work closely with the URCS and other relevant partners to establish and maintain an effective project management set-up and to ensure progress follows project documents, log frame, budget, activity plans and donor requirements
• Ensure project implementation progress and facilitate solid operational coordination between URCS, project partners and relevant DRC project implementation and support staff
• Ensure monitoring of projects progress with DRC technical delegates and PMEAL staff
• Provide project management guidance and support to URCS project team in planning, implementation, monitoring & revisions
• Ensure that relevant Donor and DRC guidelines and regulations are adhered to
• Support URCS to ensure quality and consistent implementation of cross cutting approaches such as Community Engagement and Accountability, Protection Gender and Inclusion as well as DRC and donor policy requirements
• Coordinate needs assessments, midterm reviews (MTR) and end of projects evaluations as relevant together with DRC CO PMEAL, URCS and relevant partners
• Responsible for consolidating and coordinating all input to preparation of external final reports incl. quality assurance in accordance with Standard Operational Procedures and donor regulations
• Facilitate solid coordination between URCS and DRC project team to ensure provision of necessary technical inputs and development and application of quality assurance systems for all project components
• Ensure synergy between the project(s) and other DRC-funded projects, lessons learned etc.
• Responsible for facilitating proper archiving of project documents for DRC and partners
• Perform any other Project related tasks that may be necessary or assigned by DRC Head of Operations including technical and managerial support to URCS preparedness, response and recovery projects supported by DRC

Technical lead and capacity development (15%)

• Provide technical support to URCS in the frame of DRC project(s) with MHPSS components
• Support URCS in developing its capacity, strategy and portfolio for MHPSS project(s)
• Contribute to ensuring National Society Development approaches as part of all technical areas including MHPSS
• Contribute to in-country Movement and external coordination on cross-cutting MHPSS

Project Development (5%)

• Under strategic leadership of Country Manager and Head of Operation, coordination and contribute to development of project ideas and concepts together with URCS and other partners, especially on MHPSS
• Contribute to stakeholder mappings, networking and identifying new funding opportunities

Job Duties And Responsibilities (continued)

Duties applicable to all staff:

• Actively work towards the achievement of the DRC’s goals
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

Education

Diploma from higher-level educational background in a relevant field, project

management, international relations, humanitarian and/or social sectors

Experience

• Relevant professional experience, preferably from the development and humanitarian sector.
• Experience in coordinating projects and grants, preferably with funding from institutional donors as Danish MFA, ECHO, UN etc is preferable.
• Proven consortium management or multi partner coordination experience is preferable.
• Experience with project development and monitoring, preferably within the RC movement.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Sharing the RC/RC principles and values
• Good communication skills
• Strong analytical skills in political, socioeconomics and security areas
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Good stress management skills
• Self supporting in computers [Windows, Microsoft Office, database, e-mail (Outlook) etc.]
• Knowledge and understanding of MHPSS and organizational development methodology and approaches is a strong asset
• Experience working with multi partners programming and capacity development, preferably on MHPSS, Relief is an asset
• Fluently spoken and written English and Ukrainian
• Knowledge of Russian is optional

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Available and able to work in high risk and volatile context with travel frequently within Ukraine (as security situation allows) with DRC colleagues, or URCS and/or partner counterparts for monitoring, assessments or other project related purposes.
• Able to handle a heavy and varied, and at times unpredictable workload.
• Having patience and being able to not be stressed out in situations of delays or unexpected situations.
• Understanding that process and local partner ownership are key to achieving results in culturally and politically sensitive environment.
• Excellent communication, coordination, negotiation, networking, and facilitation skills.