ThaiNGO

Background

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, with 192 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

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 the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies (NS) 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. The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member NS 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. The 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. The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The 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. The Asia Pacific region is the most disaster-prone in the world including overlapping challenges of natural hazards amidst various disease outbreaks such as COVID-19. In 2020 alone, the IFRC supported 53 emergency operations in Asia Pacific, reaching more than 4.8 million people in 18 countries. This role sits within the IFRC Country Cluster Delegation (CCD) based in Bangkok, covering the four countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam. The CCD also provides secretariat support to the Southeast Asia Red Cross/Red Crescent Networks, and represents IFRC with the United Nations ESCAP and other regional organizations.

Job Purpose

The Health Officer will coordinate health technical support and advice to the Red Cross National Societies of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam. The health technical area includes the sectors of Public health in emergencies with emphasis on epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion; Community Based Health and First Aid (CBHFA), prevention of Non-Communicable Disease, Social and Elderly Care, HIV/AIDS as well as Blood services.

Given the current COVID 19 pandemic, the Health Officer will be the main technical advisor and program support to the national societies for their COVID19 operations, as well as lead coordination with external organisations such as the World Health Organisation and UNICEF. The Health Officer also provides secretariate support to exchange of information amongst the health focal points from South-East Asian Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.

The Health Officer sits within a broader programming team including thematic areas of disaster risk management, protection, gender and inclusion, Community engagement and accountability, national society development, planning, monitoring and evaluation and communications that all work closely together to provide coordinated and aligned technical support to the societies. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate relevant technical advice and support in the health sector from across the IFRC and its members to the National Societies of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam
• Develop and maintain close relationships with the health focal persons in National Societies of Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam
• Provide secretariat support to information sharing and best practice in the health sector amongst the societies in South-East Asia.
• Act as program manager and budget holder to multilateral funding support channeled through the IFRC to the national societies specifically in the health sector
• Contribute to emergency or disaster-related health response in the region, including best practices and lessons learnt.
• Lead the IFRC’s technical advice and support for the COVID19 operations in the region, including liaison and representation with external organisations such as the World Health Organisation and UNICEF.
• Support the Humanitarian Diplomacy delegate to engage in policy dialogues in the region related to IFRC’s global health priorities including COVID19 vaccines and universal health coverage.
• Coordinate technical support related to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion, including menstrual hygiene management and oversee the implementation of emergency and developmental program support
• Promote the harmonisation of evidence-based minimum agreed principles of first aid, together with the Global Reference Centre for First Aid.
• Provide technical support to the National Societies to commercialize their First Aid trainings as part of financial sustainability
• Represent the Federation at relevant regional and national meetings in the health sector
• Support with proposal writing and resource mobilisation related to the health sector
• Actively promote Protection, Gender and Inclusion and the seven fundamental principles of Red Cross Red Crescent movement in programs and conduct.
• Complete timely and accurate narrative reporting as required
• Effectively manage a budget related to health programming
• Closely coordinate with the Asia Pacific Regional Office, Health and Care unit to ensure regular technical dialogue and compliance as per the needs and standards of IFRC
• Be prepared to take up responsibilities as jointly agreed with the Program Coordinator, especially in an emergency operation environment

Education

Medical doctor, Nurse, public health expert, health administrator, community health practitioner or similar qualification from a reputed university (required)

Post graduate qualification in public health (preferred)

Additional qualification/ training in control of communicable or non-communicable disease, public health emergencies etc. (preferred)

Experience

Experience of working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent

Experience related to humanitarian aid in developing country/emergency settings

Experience in managing projects/programmes

Experience of project cycle management and budgeting

Experience with the South-East Asian context

Knowledge, skills and languages

Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spreadsheets, word-processing)

Training/facilitation skills

Experience in capacity building

Excellent skills in networking/relationship with other agencies and organisations

Indepth understanding and knowledge of health systems in humanitarian sector

Advanced spoken and written English

Knowledge of one or more of the following languages: Thai, Laotian, Vietnamese or Khmer

Competencies and values
Comments