Program Assistant

About IFRC

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.” 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 the 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 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.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. 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.

IFRC has had a consistent presence in Afghanistan since 1990 to support the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) in its organizational development, auxiliary role and outreach, humanitarian diplomacy, partnership development, humanitarian response operations, and longer-term programming. A core part of IFRC’s mission is to coordinate and support the work of member National Societies, driving the transformations that are essential for the IFRC network to fulfil full potential as a global humanitarian actor - engaged, accountable and trusted – and to deliver on an agreed agenda. The IFRC Secretariat as well as engages with the ICRC on Movement Coordination and Cooperation in line with an existing Movement Cooperation Agreement. In addition to the ICRC and the IFRC Secretariat, other Movement partners with presence in Afghanistan are Canadian Red Cross, Danish Red Cross, Norwegian Red Cross, Qatar Red Crescent Society and Turkish Red Crescent.

Currently, Afghanistan is reeling from a complex humanitarian crisis resulting from a convergence of drought, food insecurity, displacement, gaps in essential services including health, economic hardship, and effects of a conflict which spanned decades, among others. In response to ballooning humanitarian needs, the IFRC is supporting ARCS in scaling up humanitarian response alongside longer-term programmes. The collective funding requirements of the IFRC network for Afghanistan in 2023 are CHF 120 million. IFRC will support ARCS programming under three pillars: Pillar 1 on addressing immediate humanitarian needs; Pillar 2 on supporting recovery and bridging to development, and; Pillar 3 on strengthening local response capacity.

Job Summary

The overall purpose of this job is to provide operational and administrative support to the programme coordinator in smooth, timely, and quality implementation of the operations in Afghanistan with majority of the focus into Humanitarian Crises appeal operation. The work will include planning, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), reporting, as well as administrative tasks such as following up on procurement plans, engagement with ARCS and the IFRC management as well as coordination with all sectors within the delegation. The Officer will work in close coordination with the Programme coordinator to ensure compliance of IFRC systems and procedures at the Secretariat and National Societies.

This position will coordinate with various technical departments in the country delegation and if needed APRO to support and work as a bridge between the national societies and the IFRC secretariat. This position may need to support the Programme coordinator in expenditure and contract management, as deemed necessary.

Duties & Responsibilities

Program Implementation and working with the ARCS: 30%

§ Work closely with the Programme coordinator to provide adequate support to the programme team on standard PMER practices and procedures in coordination with Quality and Accountability team in IFRC Afghanistan delegation.

§ Support the Programme coordinator in smooth implementation of the operations by helping in appeal revision and taking up any other implementation related responsibility as necessary.

§ Support the Programme coordinator in finalizing specifications and other modalities in relation to procurement for the operation

§ Support the Programme coordinator in partnership management by attending regular meetings and record the minutes, in agreed formats.

§ Follow up with the NSs to ensure submission of narrative and financial reports

§ Provide translation support, especially with ARCS colleagues, in relation to regular program implementation matters.

Administrative tasks: 40%

§ Fill in regular data collection, monitoring and reporting as per template set by Quality and Accountability team

§ Produce the Project Agreement and pledge report, regularly.

§ Communicate with ARCS to follow up the progress of ARCS operation, collect the desired information and photos, facilitate to upload field report at GO platform monthly and other business matters.

§ Support ARCS in updating their field reports on the GO platform (or other reports), on a regular basis.

§ Follow up on tasks related to operation which relates to documentation and engagement with national society as well as the IFRC delegation.

Coordination and working in a team: 30%

§ Work closely with the Health and Quality and Accountability team in IFRC Afghanistan delegation to ensure document inventory management and lessons learned.

§ Work closely with other colleagues in the delegation to adequate exchange of communication and NS access to technical materials and guidelines.

§ Carry out other tasks as required and mutually agreed by the line manager and the employee.

1.Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals

2.Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles

3.Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

Job Requirements

Education/Qualifications   Required   Preferred

Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Project management, Law, engineering, business administration or related field.      

Experience      

 Work experience in project management, humanitarian or development projects      

Experience in coaching program staff and facilitating training on various M&E topics.      

Familiarity with IFRC or Red Cross Red Crescent operating environment.       

Skills/knowledge      

Conducting and/or supervising needs assessments and surveys, data analysis.      

Sound background of social research methodologies, have ability in analytical and communication skills and ability to assimilate and process information for wide-ranging audiences.

Excellent computer skills: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, SPSS, or other statistics software.  

Demonstrated success in supporting organizational learning, accountability, and performance.

Knowledge of databases and computer-based management information systems.  

Strong commitment to Red Cross Principles, and ability to model those Principles in relationships with colleagues and partners and translate them to development practice.   

Basic understanding of legal framework of humanitarian operations, as well as gender, protection, social or human vulnerability issues.   

Inter-personal skills and cultural sensitivity. 

Excellent working knowledge of English – written and spoken   

Good working knowledge of other Federation’s official languages (Arabic, French, or Spanish) 

Competencies      

Self-motivated, with good judgment and initiative, and the ability to work with others.

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to motivate colleagues to meet deadlines.

Able to prioritize and achieve results through collaboration.

Must be flexible and adaptive to change.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills required (English, Dari/Pashto)

Strong capacity to handle complex tasks independently, and as a team leader and member.

Extremely strong time management and organizational skills with very close attention to detail.

Experience and/or competence to work in a stressful environment with limited access to basic facilities.

Submission Guideline

Strong Candidates who meets the job requirement are encourage to apply for the mentioned position before the deadline.

Functional Area

Social Science

Countries

Afghanistan

Provinces

Kabul

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