Grant Officer - GAVI (Nationals Only)

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 the 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.” The 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 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 Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) are implementing a multi-country Gavi-funded immunization and primary health care project to deliver life-saving vaccines and prevent the spread of vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) in response to the escalation of hostilities since October 2023. PRCS and LRC with support from IFRC will reach children who have been unable to access immunizations because of compromised access to health services due to the conflict and/or because they have been forced to flee conflict several times. IFRC will support both NSs to integrate immunization services into primary health care facilities work in the oPt and Lebanon. The National Societies in Jordan will additionally be engaged to move medical and non-medical supplies across borders.

Job Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Middle East Crisis Strategic Partnerships and Resources Mobilisation Delegate, the grant officer will lead on the grant coordination and compliance related to the execution of immunization and public health activities under the GAVI grant in all countries where activities are implemented in MENA, S/he will act as IFRC’s focal point for the GAVI grant in the MENA region, including coordinating communications and inputs across the IFRC secretariat and with host national societies in Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, and any other countries identified as relevant during the program’s life cycle. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities

In close coordination with the MENA Immunization Delegate, IFRC HQ Senior Immunization Officer and the Gavi focal person, the officer will:

• Ensure that relevant internal IFRC secretariat stakeholders and the Membership (HNSs) receiving or providing international assistance under Gavi are well aligned, coordinated, informed and engaged on processes and strategies, including setting and meeting implementation and reporting timelines.
• Support country teams by monitoring the effective stewardship of the Gavi grant and monitor progress and performance towards deliverables, identify risks and inform relevant focal points of actions to be taken to mitigate risks.
• Plan, convene and coordinate regular meetings with IFRC & country delegation teams, assigned focal persons from technical teams, finance, audit (if needed) and communication units to ensure collaborative review and shared understanding of Gavi grant.
• Coordinate regional inputs linked to modifications and re-negotiations of agreements with the IFRC stakeholders and Gavi focal person.
• Disseminate and provide oversight of the specific guidelines required for the management and implementation of the Gavi that specifically address internal/external reporting requirements and engagement with HNSs and IFRC country delegations.
• Participate in evaluations, assessments, reviews and/or audits to ensure IFRC systems are properly taken into account and partner requirements are successfully met.
• Provide support to the management of the Gavi grant, by organising and attending relevant meetings.
• Ensure the Gavi monitoring and reporting frameworks, systems and tools are in place and efficiently and effectively used to channel regular and data management for timely, accurate and accountable information sharing

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

• Document and promote the Gavi grant good practices, knowledge management and institutional learning around monitoring and evaluation approaches and advise on lessons learned, best practices and technical innovation to be included in IFRC plans and project designs.
• Provide support to delegations, MENA regional Office and Geneva HQ in the drafting of internal/external messages and updates on the Gavi grant.
• Coordinate inputs for the delivery of financial and narrative reporting meeting the donor requirements.
• Travel to country delegations when required and based on a clear ToR.
• Other tasks assigned by the Line manager.

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

Degree in International Development, International Relations, Law or other relevant fields. Required

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in supporting the coordination of grants funded by multilateral and/or institutional partners at national/regional level for a national/international organisation. Required
• Exposure to compliance requirements and partnership with multilateral institutions such as development banks (World Bank and/or regional ones), or specialised funds (e.g.: Global Fund, GAVI, GCF), or UN agencies, and/or EC/ECHO. Required
• Proven track record in supporting the monitoring and execution of multilateral partnerships. Required
• Experience in supporting managers in managing partners and resource development relations in a context of humanitarian and/or development programmes. Required

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of multilateral and institutional funding landscapes, supporting humanitarian action and the attainment of the SDGs. Required
• Experience in supporting the negotiation of funding agreements and to navigate complex funding mechanisms. Preferred
• Experience in communicating with key programme stakeholders and successfully navigating multilateral partner decision-making processes, funding instruments and requirements. Required
• Networking, communication and negotiation skills contributing to a client-focused culture. Ability to be proactive and persuasive. Required
• Experience in identifying and articulating key issues, risks and priorities that need to be brought to the attention of senior management. Required
• Proven ability of donor communications in regard to business development (drafting proposals) and delivering high quality reporting. Preferred
• Results-oriented and demand-driven individual; strategic thinker. 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
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural, multilingual, multidisciplinary environment. Required
• Fluency in Microsoft office tools. Required
• Ability and willingness to travel and stay in basic conditions. Required
• Ability to travel up to 5% of her/his time, including travel to potentially adverse conditions and/or disaster zones. Required
• Must be able and willing to travel to all MENA countries. Required
  

Languages

• Fluently spoken and written English Required
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish, Arabic) Required
  

Competencies, Values and Comments

• 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.

IFRC ensures equal employment opportunities!