Senior Operations Support Officer

Operations Support, Senior Officer, Myanmar-Cyclone MOCHA Operation

Duty Station : Yangon, Myanmar Duration : 10 months

Category of Staff : National Staff Grade : NC-2

Vacancy No : IFRC-N001

Background

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. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies 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 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.

The IFRC has five regional offices: Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The 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 Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO) leads IFRC support to National Societies of 38 countries through eight country delegations and five country cluster delegations spread across East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific geographical areas.

Myanmar Cyclone Mocha Response

On 14 May 2023, severe cyclonic storm Mocha made landfall in Myanmar and crossed the interior near Sittwe in Rakhine state and moved North-Eastwards to Hakha and Paletwa townships in Chin state, with wind speeds of approximately 115 km/h. Cyclone MOCHA affected in low-lying areas of Rakhine, particularly in and around the state capital Sittwe, and in Chin state, Magway, Ayayarwady and Mandalay regions as well as the lower Sagaing region. Houses, sanitation facilities, and public infrastructure were damaged or destroyed by the cyclone, including hospitals, transport infrastructure such as roads and airports, a water dam, and agricultural land while equipment was washed away. Based on available sources, over 3 million people were exposed in the path of the cyclone.

The IFRC and its members (present in-country and also supporting remotely) are looking to support the response of the Myanmar Red Cross. In response to this cyclone, IFRC is supporting MRCS with a Federation-wide response reaching affected populations with shelter, first aid and basic health services as well as basic relief assistance and socio-economic support, focused on the most vulnerable communities, including those experiencing displacement and/or food insecurity. Within the response, investments in branch capacity are enhancing capacity across the country for key areas of emergency support.

In view of the scaled-up IFRC-supported operation, the capacity of IFRC Myanmar Delegation to support the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) in coordinating these responses is being bolstered. There is a need to ensure smooth transition to medium-term personnel, which aligns planning and support needs both across MRCS Departments and in branch level interventions. It is in this context that the Myanmar Country Delegation is seeking Operation Support Senior Officer who will be a key member of the IFRC team leading coordination, technical and quality assurance support for IFRC-funded emergency operations in Myanmar. Under direct supervision of the Operations Manager for Myanmar, the Senior Operations Support Officer will also support implementation, monitoring and reporting of MRCS emergency operations working alongside National Society counterparts at headquarters and branch levels.

Job Purpose

The Senior Operations Support Officer, under line management of the Operations Manager for Myanmar is accountable for effective technical support, quality assurance and monitoring of IFRC-funded emergency operations in Myanmar, in coordination with technical counterparts within the National Society. The Senior Operations Support Officer is also responsible for ensuring that post-distribution, standard and donor reports relating to IFRC-funded emergency operations in Myanmar are delivered in a timely manner.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Emergency response and operations management

• Support the MRCS in conducting emergency needs assessments and surveys as well as establishing or refining selection criteria of people to be reached.
• Support the MRCS in identification, selection and revalidation of people to be reached, and in designing appropriate relief programmes to meet the needs of the affected population.
• Support implementation and monitoring of distribution of cash and voucher assistance (CVA) and/or in-kind relief under IFRC-supported disaster response operations. Includes supporting the collection, collation, and analyses of distribution data, and prepare reports to contribute towards production of timely and accurate reports for the IFRC and donors.
• In coordination with MRCS, support the mobilization of communities, volunteers and staff for relief and recovery activities under IFRC-supported disaster response operations.
• Monitoring of logistical processes, including procurement compliance and supply chain tracking to the field.

Planning, Monitoring and Reporting

• Support the National Society in ensuring planning and reporting requirements are met in a timely and efficient manner, including the revision of its national response plan and budget.
• Support MRCS in establishing a robust and coherent monitoring mechanism of the humanitarian context in Myanmar so that humanitarian interventions are responsive to current and emerging needs and threats.
• Support in information management through research and analysis of quantitative and qualitative information on displacement in Myanmar, how it impacts on our strategy, beneficiaries’ selection and act and production of dissemination material (e.g., flash updates, external communication on the operation) – with the support of Communications Department.
• Support MRCS in establishing an effective information management system for the response.
• Ensure that all activities comply with IFRC guidelines and policies (SPHERE, Code of Conduct, Principles and Rules for Humanitarian Assistance, Fraud and Corruption Prevention and Control Policy, etc.).
• Supporting the IFRC delegation with reports relating to closure of Complex Emergency appeal.

National Society Response Readiness:

• Support the delivery of relevant programmatic and technical support to MRCS – with close coordination with Program Coordinator, including guiding the National Society to update policies, standards, guidelines and tools with the view of enhancing local response capacity.
• Support branch development initiatives in Myanmar, in coordination with other IFRC team members, including training of personnel (staff and volunteers) in various thematic areas, and enhancing logistics, PMER, volunteer management and response preparedness capacities.
• Support the National Society in developing and implementing operational standards, tools and procedures that ensure quality, consistency, and sustainability of emergency response interventions.

Coordination and Engagement

• Organize and participate in field visits to monitor and assess the progress of activities under the programmes of IFRC-supported disaster response operations – with the approval granted for security context.
• Ensure that clear information about programmes is available to people who receive assistance, thereby encouraging a two-way communication exchange, including a complaints mechanism, that promote beneficiary accountability.
• Assist Operations Manager to complement efforts in liaising with Movement, international, governmental, non-governmental, appropriate civil society, and other actors in the same sector to ensure coordination of and complimentary approaches, including attending respective cluster or coordination meetings.

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

• University degree or equivalent professional experience is required.
• WORC (World of Red Cross) and/or RDRT training is preferred.

Experience

• At least 3 years of disaster management or humanitarian programming experience is required.
• Field experience in coordinating and managing disaster and crisis management projects is required.
• Work experience with the Red Cross Red Crescent is preferred.
• Experience in project cycle management including proposal development, budgeting, and reporting, monitoring and evaluation is required.

Knowledge & Skills

• Effective team and project management skills is required.
• Good analytical skills and solution-oriented is required.
• Good mentoring and capacity development skills is required.
• Ability to work well in a multicultural team is required.
• Excellent stress management skills are required.
• Demonstrated accountability is required.

Language

• Advanced level of fluently spoken and written English and Myanmar.

Competencies and values

• Core competencies: Communications, Collaboration & Teamwork, Judgement & Decision, National Society & Customer Relations, Creativity & Innovation, Building Trust.
• Functional competencies: Strategic Orientation, Building Alliances, Leadership, Empowering Others.
• Values: Respect for Diversity, Integrity, Professionalism, Accountability.