Health and Care Volunteer

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 192 member National Societies. The Organisation acts before, during and after disasters and health emergencies in order to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. Our work is guided by seven fundamental principles (humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality) and by Strategy 2020, which voices our collective vision and determination to move forward in tackling the major challenges that confront humanity in the present decade. The IFRC’s MENA regional office is based in Beirut, Lebanon and covers 17 countries with 8 country offices in Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Palestine, Jordan, and Libya (in Tunisia temporarily due to security considerations) and 2 cluster offices for North Africa (excluding Libya and Egypt) in Tunisia and for the Gulf countries in the United Arab Emirates. The MENA region’s 17 member National Societies are: the Algerian Red Crescent, Bahrain Red Crescent Society, Egyptian Red Crescent, Emirates Red Crescent, Iraqi Red Crescent Society, Red Crescent of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan National Red Crescent Society, Kuwait Red Crescent Society, Lebanese Red Cross, Libyan Red Crescent Society, Moroccan Red Crescent, Palestine Red Crescent Society, Qatar Red Crescent Society, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, Syrian Arab Red Crescent, Tunisian Red Crescent, and the Yemen Red Crescent Society. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is affected by some of the protracted and complex humanitarian emergencies in the world, primarily the result of armed conflict and other protracted violence. The long occupation of Palestine and the conflicts in Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen have in recent years led to large-scale humanitarian crises and remain a major determining factor in the ability of communities to take active steps towards strengthening their resilience. In countries where violence does not dominate the environment, various hazards, vulnerabilities and risks affect countries in North Africa as well as the countries bordering the Arabian Gulf. This region is also one of origin, transit and destination for many refugees and migrants. Many of those caught up along mixed migratory routes are victims of smuggling and trafficking as they face perilous journeys, notably by sea. Health and care is always a key intervention for those affected people due to mentioned situations in the MENA region. Health issues vary from war injuries, Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs; i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure etc.), communicable diseases (i.e. Cholera, MERS etc.), psychological disorders to malnutrition. These evolving situations call for strategic changes in our approach as we prepare to continue to work side by side with MENA National Societies in 2019.

Job Purpose

The volunteer will provide an opportunity for undergraduate and/or graduate students /or newly graduated to work with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s humanitarian and health-related work in MENA and work on Health and Care unit activities (i.e. database establishment, organization of technical meetings) under the supervision of the Head of Health & Care and Emergency health coordinator. The volunteer will benefit from access to all Federation tools related to health response in humanitarian emergencies as well as health in long term programming.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the Health and Care team in developing and in the update of the MENA Health Database of National Societies’ health care services and capacities, as well as their countries’ national health profiles.
• Assist in the logistic and technical preparation and coordination for the Health & Care unit
• Assist the Health and Care team in their daily tasks of technical support to the MENA National Societies.
• Support the H&C unit in the preparation of the bi-weekly epidemiological update by keeping up-to-date with the latest country COVID-19 epidemiological and vaccine-related developments, as well as the most recent scientific COVID-19 related news and studies.
• Support the Health & Care Unit in the translation of technical health materials and the bi-weekly epidemiological update shared routinely with RCRC partners.
• Participate in institutional trainings, meetings and webinars as seen relevant.
• Conduct missions if there are any possibilities (depending on the security situation) and COVID-19 situation allows

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

1. Database of MENA NSs & personnel
2. Weekly health updates and Bi-weekly Epi update
3. Meeting organization and reports
4. Translation

Education

• Undergraduate studies /or recent graduate in biology, medical laboratory studies, disaster risk reduction, public health, social sciences, or any relevant domain - Required
• Undergoing graduate studies /or recent graduate  in public health, disaster risk reduction, health sciences, Health Information Systems, or social sciences - Required

Experience

• Basic experience in qualitative and quantitative research - Required
• Experience as a facilitator or trainer - Preferred
• Work experience with other international organizations, large NGOs and/or governmental development agency - Preferred

Knowledge, skills and languages

• Understanding of the humanitarian context - Required
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, diverse cultural context - Required
• Strong analytical and secondary research skills - Required
• Strong report-writing skills - Required
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint and Excel)  - Required
• Fluently spoken and written Arabic & English - Required
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French) -Preferred

Competencies and values

Professionalism, Communications, Diversity, Accountability, Team Work, and Integrity