Health Officer

Job purpose:

Strategy 2020 - the strategy of the Federation for the next 10 years, introduced the concept of resilience and inclusiveness and is based on domestic programming of National Societies. It identified important global trends.
Building on Strategy 2020, health and social care programs of National Societies are contributing to the three strategic aims of S2020. The International Federation secretariat coordinates and supports the collective efforts of the International Federation membership to better address the increasing number of humanitarian and public health challenges in the world.
The transformation of secretariat support and services - at the field level - has at its core the establishment and effective management of zone offices with the authority and capacity to engage more closely with National Societies to scale up humanitarian work of National Societies providing core membership services; providing intensified capacity building support; facilitating the operation of operational alliances and of global alliances; establishing a collective performance and accountability framework based on a Planning Accountability Tracking System and the Global Agenda.
In this effort the Zone is supported by the Geneva health team and the health officer  in coordination with the Disaster Response delegate is in contact with  the global secretariat health team. The global secretariat health team consists of people around the globe who share global accountability and responsibility for implementing Strategy 2020 in the area of health. Global reference centres and expert groups are closely affiliated with the global health team.
The Health officer  is line managed by the Disaster Response Delegate  and has a technical reporting line to the head of health department in Geneva.

Job duties and responsibilities:

1. The Health officer is responsible for providing consistent quality advice and support while engaging all relevant stakeholders, particularly Federation members. The post holder is therefore accountable for:
2. Engaging in a broad spectrum of external relation activities in order to improve the quality of the program activities and the availability of resources, and with particular attention to the nurturing of operational alliances.
3. Being an active member of the regional and global health team and contributing to the global Federation health team effort in addressing public health needs and contributing to the team projects on the research & learning agenda, developing a holistic health and resilience approach and building capacity in behavioural change approaches.
4. Supporting the health team in developing approaches in the zone to tackle effectively new public health threat e.g. First Aid, needs of ageing populations, non-communicable diseases, maternal newborn & child health, in coordination with the global health team.
5. Supporting the health team in monitoring and evaluation of specific topics of the Federation-wide health activities, by directly engaging and/or by promoting and overseeing the monitoring activities of the National Societies in the operational region in close collaboration with the PMER staff.
6. Supporting the health team in ensuring consistent operational reporting on Federation-wide health and care activities at the operational Zone level, in line with the newly revised reporting requirements.
7. Supporting the health team in ensuring the promotion of  health and care programme's contribution to National Society organizational development, including better volunteer recruitment and retention and improved financial management.
8. Providing a first referral level for technical questions arising from Federation stakeholders in the operational Zone and re-directing these to the secretariat health department for further assistance as needed.
9. Supporting the health team in promoting and coordinating the development and integration of health components in disaster management in the MENA Zone and technical support to the National Societies' emergency health functions.
10. Supporting the health team in ensuring effective relationships with external organisations and supporting National Societies to develop strategic partnership within and outside the Movement.

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

Position Requirements:

Education

• University degree in relevant discipline (professional qualification as a health practitioner) – Required
• Relevant post graduate degree or Masters in Public Health – Preferred
• Relevant professional training courses (Red Cross/Red Crescent related, humanitarian and development sector, management, etc.) - Required

Experience

• Minimum 3- 5 years’ work experience in an international sector, focused on humanitarian needs – Required
• Minimum of 3 years work experience with the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, including time in the field and with a National Society. Minimum of 3 years work experience with the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, including time in the field and with a National Society – Preferred
• Experience working in a change management situation, preferably as an active participant in that change – Preferred
• Work experience with other international organisations, large NGOs and/or governmental development agency is preferred – Preferred

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to lead and manage in a diverse cultural context – Preferred
• Strong knowledge of information sharing tools, and the ability to implement them – Required
• Budget and finance management – Preferred
• Demonstrated skills in analytical and strategic thinking – Required
• Comfortable working with current donors and communicating with potential donors - in particular, with National Societies – Preferred
• Knowledge of and first-hand experience with the Federation of the Future, including the New Operating Model Agenda and the Framework for Action preferred – Preferred

Languages

• Fluently spoken and written Arabic & English – Required
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French) – Preferred

Competencies

• Communication
• Collaboration and Team work
• Creativity and Innovation
• Building Trust