Consultant, EW4ALL and Climate Action

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 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 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. 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 Agenda for Renewal provides a vision for how the IFRC sees its role in the implementation of Strategy 2030. The Agenda for Renewal ensures that the IFRC provides strategic and operational membership coordination, National Society Development services and represents the collective with humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy.

The IFRC Secretariat work is guided by its Plan & Budget 2021-2025, articulated around five strategic priorities: Climate and Environmental Crises, Evolving Crises and Disasters, Growing gaps in health and wellbeing, Migration and Identity, Values Power and Inclusion. The Plan & Budget 2021-2025 also defines three enablers: Engaged, Accountable, Trusted.

Job Purpose

To provide technical and strategic support related to climate action to the four IOI National Societies by supporting the EW4ALL initiative and the implementation of the IOI Climate Action Journey.

EW4ALL

Early Warnings for All (EW4All) is a global initiative to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected by early warnings by 2027. The initiative is being fast-tracked into action on the ground. The UN Secretary-General released in November 2022 the High-level Executive Action Plan for this initiative.

The EW4All comprises the four foundational pillars of early warning systems:

• Pillar 1: Disaster risk knowledge
• Pillar 2: Observations and Forecasting
• Pillar 3: Dissemination and communication
• Pillar 4: Preparedness to respond

Building on current or forthcoming initiatives in Early Warning Systems (EWS), the UN system and its partners are seeking to boost political momentum and the collective achievement of the EW4All Action Plan by 2027. Capacities to better manage and get ahead of hazardous events are needed to protect and grow the wellbeing and resilience of vulnerable and exposed individuals and communities. Multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) that are linked to early actions have proven to be key to the country’s efforts to manage risks, enhance adaptation, and build resilience. It is in this context, a national launch and consultation workshop on EW4All is organized to agree on a roadmap to consolidate and grow coverage of MHEWS to empower and enable early action by individuals and communities.

As focal point for Pillar 4, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is supporting the 4 IOI NS, through CREWS funding to better implement this initiative at country level through the following deliverables:

Climate Action

In 2022, IFRC launched a Global Climate Resilience Programme to foster an unprecedented scale-up of locally led climate-smart DRR and adaptation actions to prevent and reduce climate-related disaster impacts and build community-level climate resilience, with a focus on the most climate vulnerable countries. The global Programme is a holistic, muti-year initiative that currently engages 81 National Societies with further expansion planned to 100 countries. It is supported by IFRC’s Global Climate Resilience Platform which aims to catalyze accelerated investment and seeks to raise at least CHF 1 billion in financing over the next five years. The global programme has four operational pillars: (1) scaling up climate smart DRR, early action and preparedness; (2) reducing the health impacts of climate change; (3) addressing climate displacement; and (4) enabling climate resilient livelihoods and ecosystem services.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Deliverables under EW4ALL:

• Provide technical support to the 4 NS of the IOI in finalizing the Gap Analysis that identifies national and sub-national policy, technical, financial and other gaps in Pillar 4 of EW4All.
• Assist the 4 NS in the process for the formulation of multi-year, multi-stakeholder EW4All National Roadmap (2023-2027) to achieve universal early warning coverage in the 4 West Indian Ocean islands.
• Support the implementation of the EW4All Initiative through coordinating with external partners and Pillar leads.
• Supervise the implementation of CREWS funding in the IOI.
• Develop a fundraising plan for EW4ALL in the IOI.

Deliverables under Climate Action:

• Develop Baseline studies on the climate action initiatives carried out by Comoros Red Crescent, Seychelles Red Cross and Mauritius Red Cross. Through the baseline, which includes an assessment of aspects related to plating and care, climate risk awareness, climate smart programming, Anticipatory Action, nature-based solutions. The consultant will present the overview of climate-related activities and how they are contributing to regional and global climate ambitions.
• Provide technical support in the development of Malagasy Red Cross’ Climate Strategy.
• Support the development of a Tri-partite agreement with the Ministry of Environment, IFRC and Malagasy Red Cross with the ambition of being signed during COP 29.
• Technically assist Malagasy Red Cross in the implementation of the climate risk assessment, jointly with the IFRC Climate Centre.
• Provide support in fundraising and in other activities related to climate action in the IOI, as needed.

Duties applicable to all staff.

• Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’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

• University degree in relevant discipline (ex. g. International Relations, Marketing, Humanitarian Affairs, Business Administration, Economics, Finance). Required.
• Masters’ degree in relevant discipline (ex. g. International Relations, Marketing, Humanitarian Affairs, Business Administration, Economics, Finance). Required.
• Relevant professional training courses (Red Cross/Red Crescent related, humanitarian and development sector, management). Required.

Experience

• Experience in managing relations with multiple stakeholders including donors and partners. Required.
• Work experience with Red Cross Red Crescent, other international organizations, large NGOs and/or governmental development agencies. Required.
• Experience of developing and implementing funding plans. Required.
• Prior experience working in the Indian Ocean Islands region. Required.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Excellent project management and coordination skills. Required.
• Track record in producing high quality work within short deadlines and ability to make effective, timely decisions. Required.
• High degree of discretion, tact and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels. Required.
• Highly organized, with ability to work a strong team player. Required.
• Ability to work in a multicultural, multilingual, multi-disciplinary environment. Required.
• Excellent communication, presentation, diplomacy and negotiation skills. Required.
• Excellent networking and relationship building skills. Required.
• Strong budgeting and finance management skills. Required.
• Demonstrated skills in analytical and strategic thinking. Required.
• Track record in producing high quality work under short deadlines and ability to manage competing priorities under pressure. Required.
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English and French. Required.
• Fluently spoken and written English and French. Required.

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.