Coordinator, Programme (Nigeria)

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. 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 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 Programme Coordinator provides technical, coordination, National Society Development (NSD) and Humanitarian Diplomacy (HD) support to both National Societies (NSs) that enable both to deliver their humanitarian mission, in accordance with Strategy 2030 and annual Operational/Unified Plans.

In line with Africa Agenda for Renewal, the Programme Coordinator will coordinate IFRC support to the Nigeria Red Cross National Societies Strategic development Plans implementation in regard to longer-term community-based programmes and with the view of providing a comprehensive and coherent approach of National Society capacity development, technical support and training for programme activities aimed at building community resilience and promoting cross-sector integration through the NRCS flagship ‘Integrated Programme’. These include the key Areas of Focus of 1) Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), 2) Shelter, 3) Livelihoods and 4) Health and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene as well as efforts to support strengthening National Society development, and coordination with Movement and external partners.

The position is part of the IFRC CCD supporting Benin, Nigeria, Ghana and Togo. The duty station is Abuja. With a direct reporting line to the Head of CCD, the role manages and works in close collaboration with the NRCS leadership, Red Cross Red Crescent (RC/RC) Movement partners and external stakeholders, including local authorities, NGOs, UN agencies, to share expertise, knowledge, and resources and to offer the most appropriate support to the NRCS. While carrying the responsibilities under this role, the Programme Coordinator liaises closely with the IFRC Africa Regional Office’s technical units.

Job Purpose

The Programme Coordinator will be member of, and participate in wider Africa Regional Health, Disasters, Climate and Crises (HDCC) departmental meetings, and resource groups as needed.

The Programme Coordinator oversees and guides all programmes, projects and emergency operations focusing on supporting, assisting, and advising programme/project staff in order to increase performance, accountability and impact.

The Programme Coordinator provides support the Head of CCD in the strategic and operational leadership and day-to-day management in the Bay states supporting to NS and partners as needed. The Programme Coordinator will also provide support to the Head of CCD on assigned functions and duties, including efficient and effective Membership/Movement Coordination. This position will also represent, alongside the NSs, the IFRC Membership in external coordination, with government authorities as well as the UN and other humanitarian actors, constantly negotiating the IFRC-wide space in the humanitarian and recovery for and ensuring application of the Red Cross/Red Crescent (RC/RC) principles.

This position will primarily focus on coordination, National Society Development, Community Resilience building (including coordinating delivery and development of the Integrated Programming approach), PMER and Communications, etc. The position will also ensure the linking of response and recovery efforts through any IFRC-supported emergency operations to activities programmed through the IFRC Operational Plan.

The ultimate aim of the role is to help ensure that the IFRC resources in Nigeria are utilised in an effective and efficient way, with tailor-made approaches, aiming at RC/RC strong competencies, efficiency and responsiveness to the humanitarian needs and challenges. In addition to having overall accountability for the overall performance of the programme and projects, including emergency response and operations, the Programme Coordinator will have more direct responsibility over specific projects and thematic portfolios.

The incumbent will be responsible for line management in accordance with the organograms in place and will have a proactive coordination function with team members and support operational planning and reporting.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities will include but not limited to the following:

Programme And Operation Oversight

• Coordinate emergency and operational planning, implementation, and monitoring of the Federation-wide supported programs/operations in Nigeria. This includes the Federation-wide Emergency Appeal, and the coordination of all partners´ contributions, roles, and responsibilities.
• Assume budget holder responsibility over relevant projects and ensure appropriate control of income and expenditures versus plans as well as guaranteed sound planning and financial management in accordance with the IFRC policies, standards, and practices. Capture evidence of resilience investment in the region (DRR, health, etc.) through annual mapping, cost-benefit analysis, case studies, reviews, and evaluations, etc.
• Lead discussions on Federation-wide technical support to programs/operations; and engagement with partners, donors, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to the overall strategic vision and planning for IFRC in collaboration with the National Society, Africa Region Office, HDCC Team and technical units as well as Geneva Headquarters.
• Design and promote long-term intervention and resilience programmes alongside the current hunger crisis response.
• Contribute to the implementation of Africa Agenda for Renewal and African Union initiative and UN Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).
  
  
  

Implementation, Programmatic Coherence, Quality And Accountability

• Ensure program/operations are implemented in accordance with relevant IFRC standard policies and procedures. This includes working with relevant Africa Region Office, HDCC team and technical units, IFRC Reference Centres, as well as with Partner National Societies (PNS) and ICRC and other stakeholders.
• Work closely with Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (PMER) teams and ensure necessary programmatic/operational contribution to the IFRC operational/unified plan, programme updates and reports (including donor-specific reports) in agreed formats.
• Work with the NSs, IFRC and PNS counterparts to strengthen Federation-wide PMER mechanisms.
• Ensure that the team responsible for programmes and operations prepares accurate and timely monthly operational highlights, quarterly updates on operations and annual updates on operations as well as deliver inputs for standard reports.
• Promote the application and compliance with strategies, policies and tools endorsed by member NSs in global and regional statutory mechanisms, including Strategy 2030, Pan African Initiatives 2021 – 2030, and the Principles and Rules of RCRC Humanitarian Assistance.
  
  
  

Resource Mobilization And Communications

• Coordinate with the Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilization (SPRM) team in Africa Region Office, PNS and donors to mobilize resources in support the programs/operations in Nigeria.
• Maintain oversight of all funding and pledges related to programs/operations and ensure reporting is delivered on time and in accordance with donor requirements.
• Assist the Communications team in Africa Region Office with the production of engaging communications materials for partners, donors, and other external audiences.
  
  
  

Job Duties And Responsibilities (continued)

Coordination, Cooperation and Networking:

• Establish close coordination, cooperation and working relationship with Africa Region Office Technical file holders.
• Participate in and facilitate Strengthening Movement Coordination and Cooperation (SMCC) structures related to operational and technical issues. This includes leading on decision making as called upon by the Head of CCD.
• Lead IFRC support to Nigeria in operationalizing SMCC and Sevilla agreement 2.0.
• Build and strengthen relationships with external partners – including academia and the private sector – for enhancing innovative approaches in programs/operations and operations.
• Promote cross border peer-to-peer experience exchanges between the NRCS and other National Societies in the Africa Region (e.g., Niger, Cameroon, Chad etc.).
  
  
  

Institutional Preparedness And Readiness

• Responsible for promoting a Federation-wide approach to NSD in programs/operations; and application of strategies that are consistent with the IFRC Preparedness for Effective Response (PER) approach.
• Responsible for support the NRCS with the preparation of scenario-based contingency plans to strengthen their preparedness and readiness for response, in coordination with all partners.
• Further strengthen the National Society in the Emergency Response, Surge Teams.
• Provide advice and support to operationalize approaches that will strengthen the capacities of the National Society; as well as promote the innovation in the programs/operations (e.g., Digital Transformation).
• Ensure in Nigeria that PNS are aware of relevant RC/RC Movement standard policies and procedures.
• Support the NRCS in developing their business continuity planning process.
• Provide support to the Head of CCD in developing risk management matrix and keep updated.
  
  
  

General Management

• Support the Head of CCD in all other matters related to the IFRC activities – including ensuring strategic coherence and alignment as well as programmatic and operational coordination – and be prepared for changing working conditions and reasonable adjustments of the job description during the mission.
• Represent the IFRC in technical meetings, conferences, seminars, training programmes, and forums. Ensure effective communication with donors and maintain an oversight of all programme-related funding and pledges and ensure these are delivered on time and are of quality.
• Support the Head of CCD to ensure compliance with applicable laws and agreements to minimize risk of harm to the IFRC and its personnel, properties, and resources. Includes compliance with procurement procedures and standards, identifying risks and challenges to the ongoing programs/operations, raising them with regional and country-level counterparts.
  
  
  

Education

Required

• Relevant university education or an equivalent of qualifying experience.
  
  
  

Preferred

• Post-graduate qualification in management or leadership.
• IMPACT or equivalent knowledge.
  
  
  

Experience

• At least 7 years working experience in the humanitarian sector developing and managing and developing programs
• At least 3 years working experience in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
• Experience in coordination in a membership organization and with other humanitarian/development actors. Preferably with experience of working within SMCC structures.
• Prior work in involving capacity building of partner organizations, including preparation of plans, strategies, and delivery of trainings.
• 5+ years of management and supervisory experience in a multicultural environment.
• Experience in the preparation of proposals and narrative and financial reporting for donors.
• Preferably with experience in Nigeria.
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Understanding of the context, humanitarian landscape, needs and opportunities in Nigeria.
• Self-supporting in computers (Email, Internet, spread sheets, word-processing, etc.).
• High degree of discretion, tact, and sensitivity in dealing with stakeholders at all levels.
• Good understanding/practice of tools such as SMCC, PER and concepts of Shared Leadership, Federation-wide approach.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including ability to lead within a matrix management structure and utilize talents/experience of team members in a productive way.
• Results-oriented, demand driven, entrepreneurial, ability to lead in unprecedented and/or ambiguous situations.
• Demonstrated track record in innovating, contributing to a learning culture, sharing knowledge, and promoting new approaches to engaging partners and donors.
• Good understanding/practice of planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting issues.
• Outstanding networking, representational, communication and negotiation skills. Proven good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality.
• High degree of discretion, tact, and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels.
• Programme and project management skills.
• Ability to work within and lead multi-cultural, multilingual, and multidisciplinary teams.
  
  
  

Languages

• Fluent spoken and written English
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French or Spanish)
  
  
  

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Core Competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust
• Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability
• Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others
• Managerial competencies: Managing staff performance; Managing staff development