Operations Support Liaison

Closing date (Geneva time zone):22-01-2019

Duty station:Kishasa, DRC

Country:CONGO, THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE

Duty station status: Non Family Duty Station

Accompanied status: Non-Accompanied

Duration:5 Months

Category of Staff: Delegate

Grade: To be determined

Vacancy No:IFRC02751

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with 191 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the World’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organization established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation 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 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.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The Federation is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat is led by the IFRC Secretary General and provides the central capacity of the International Federation to serve, connect, and represent National Societies. On 8 May 2018, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) notified the World Health Organization (WHO) of an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Bikoro Health Zone, Équateur Province. However on 24 July, the MoH declared the end of the ninth outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the country after 54 cases were confirmed of which 33 died. By the end of July, there was alert from the North Kivu Provincial Health authority about a cluster of suspected cases in Mangina and the 10th outbreak was declared on 1 August 2018. As of 29 October, 241 cases have been confirmed and 35 are classified as probable, resulting in a total caseload of 276. The recent EVD situation in Beni is deteriorating with new confirmed cases reported on daily basis and WHO has expressed a high probability that the caseload will reach 350 by mid-November. This would define this EVD outbreak as the worst in the history of the DR Congo. This outbreak of EVD is affecting north-eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which border Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan. Potential risk factors for transmission of EVD at the national and regional levels include: the transportation links between the affected areas, the rest of the country, and neighboring countries; the internal displacement of populations; and the displacement of Congolese refugees to neighboring countries. The country is concurrently experiencing other epidemics (e.g. cholera, vaccine derived poliomyelitis), and a long-term humanitarian crisis. On 28 September 2018, based on the worsening security situation, WHO revised its risk assessment for the outbreak, elevating the risk at national and regional levels from high to very high.

Job Purpose

The Operations Support Liaison will assist coordination and representation in Kinshasa of Ebola operations in DRC. Focus of the position will be in support of the Head of Country to ensure the EVD operation is well coordinated across geographic and thematic areas representation of IFRC in Kinshasa with internal and external partners. It will also support, as required, the Country Office (CO) with implementation and monitoring of the other emergency operations.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

In close coordination with Head of County, HEOps, and Ops Manager Equateur, support the development and implementation of the provincial preparedness strategy ensuring adequate monitoring and scenario planning of the crisis to adjust relevant to changes in the epidemiological context.

Represent the Head of County through liaison with the HEOps and Operations Manager Equateur to ensure coordinated and coherent oversight of the operation.

Support internal and key external relationships in Kinshasa, notably with the DRC RC, the IFRC Country Office, PNS, ICRC, donors, host government, the UN, and other INGOs.

Liaise with the relevant support services at the CO to facilitate operational implementation.

Provide technical support and guidance to the field teams in DRC for preparedness and response activities.

Liaise closely with the counterparts at the Africa Regional Office

Facilitate knowledge management, cross-border cooperation and collation of the lessons learnt.

In close coordination with relevant counterparts, oversee reporting for the EVD operation and support in fundraising and proposal development.

In close coordination with the Head of Country, support oversight of other emergency appeal operations in DRC.

Education

Relevant university degree or extensive professional experience in related field or professional qualification in operations management

Basic Delegates Training Course or IMPACT. FACT, ERU, RDRT training

Experience

At least 3 years of disaster management experience, including managing staff

Field experience in coordinating and managing disaster and crisis management projects and activities especially population movements

Work experience with RC/RC

Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting and reporting, monitoring and evaluation

Good knowledge and relevant work experience in the regional context

Knowledge, skills and languages

Effective team and project management skills

Ability to manage complex and sensitive relationships with partner organisations

Excellent professional communications skills, both verbal and written in English & French

Good analytical skills and solution-oriented

Good mentoring and capacity development skills

Ability to work well in a multicultural team

Excellent stress management skills

Demonstrated accountability

Competencies and values

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust

Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others

Comments

The Federation is an equal opportunity employer.