Project Coordinator

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 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.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The 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. The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into four main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Coordination, (ii) Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, (iii) Management and Accountability and (iv) People and Strategy. The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. 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 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 IFRC Country Cluster Delegation for Central Asia is based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and is part of the IFRC Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia. It also has a presence in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. It supports the National Societies in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to collaborate, through formal and informal exchange platforms, exchange visits, and online and in-person meetings. In recognition of the acute humanitarian needs and the occurrence of sudden onset humanitarian crises globally, US Department of State / U.S. Department Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response (DHR) is soliciting Macro award for Rapid Response in Crisis and Complexity designed to provide faster, more cost-efficient and accountable life-saving assistance. To deliver faster and more cost‑efficient life‑saving assistance, the Macro award is built around three components such as rapid response to natural disasters, meeting unmet needs in ongoing complex emergencies, and rapid response to conflict or shocks in existing complex emergencies. As part of Pillar 1, IFRC is well positioned to support RCRC societies in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan with strengthening disaster preparedness, readiness, response, anticipatory action, pre-positioned stocks, logistics and surge capacity across disaster-prone areas of Central Asia, as well as enabling deployment of pre-cleared life-saving assistance within 72–96 hours, including shelter, WASH, emergency health, food assistance, cash assistance, and MHPSS. IFRC maintains one of the largest humanitarian surge systems globally, with established logistics hubs, pre-positioned supplies, ERUs and rapid deployment. The Macro award reinforces U.S. priorities around life-saving assistance, health security, epidemic preparedness, early warning, readiness and preparedness.

This is a key position in IFRC’s flagship partnership with US Department of State / U.S. Department Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response (DHR). The IFRC Project Coordinator provides overall project coordination of the Macro award for Rapid Response in Crisis and Complexity Project in Central Asia. The Project Coordinator will accompany the targeted three Red Cross Red Crescent-National Societies (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan) to implement the project objectives and activities. Specifically, the position holder works closely with National Societies of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan and where possible engage NSs of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to ensure that rapid response and preparedness project activities supported by IFRC are consistent with IFRC’s preparedness and response frameworks, aligned with US DHR humanitarian objectives, and efficiently respond to local needs and contexts in developmental and emergency situations. The primary responsibility of the position is day-to-day implementation of high-quality project activities, ensuring they are relevant, effective and efficient. The position holder facilitates detailed planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and reporting to achieve impact and successful closure and/or transition. In support of NSs in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, the IFRC Project Coordinator supports the project activity implementation, management, and coordination. The position holder closely coordinates and liaises with the NSs headquarters, IFRC technical teams in the CCD and ROE/GVA, Partner National Societies (PNS) in the region, as well as with external partners such as UN agencies and other present humanitarian entities. The position reports to the Country Cluster Delegation and works closely on operational issues with other thematic team members as well as IFRC headquarters and regional office preparedness and response focal points.

Required:

• At least 7 years of working experience, of which 3 years with humanitarian organizations

Preferred:

• Post graduate degree in public emergencies or related discipline

Required:

• At least 7 years of working experience, of which 3 years with humanitarian organizations

Preferred:

• Experience in working with national emergency authorities, WFP and other UN and humanitarian organisations and actors
• Experience in managing disaster preparedness and response programmes
• Experience within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and working with National Societies
• Experience in project quality assurance and financial management

Required:

• In – depth knowledge of programme management, esp. public emergencies
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills
• Effective writing skills
• Ability to work to tight deadlines, handle multiple tasks and prioritize
• Ability to work in a multicultural team and travel extensively
• Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spreadsheets, power point presentations etc.)
• Demonstrated core proficiency in (a) digital communication & collaboration, (b) basic digital content creation, (c) digital safety & security, (d) data literacy, and (e) problem solving with technology (including responsible use of AI assistants).
  Understanding of and commitment to IFRC’s mission and values.
• Fluent spoken and written English
• Fluent spoken and written Russian

Preferred:

• Flexibility and ability to work in a team in a supportive and cross-functional way
• Good command of Kyrgyz
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

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.