Health Coordinator Syria – Contracted by Syrian Arab Red Crescent

Organizational Context

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 health and humanitarian needs of vulnerable people before, during, and after health emergencies, disasters, and other crises.

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.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters is 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.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, the 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.

Health coordination and support are among the core mandates of the IFRC. While the responsibility of health response lies primarily with each National Society, IFRC has the mandate to provide technical and strategic support to National Societies to enhance their health response capabilities. Health support aligns with IFRC’s Strategy 2030, contributing to building resilient communities.

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.

Job Purpose

IMP Info: This position forms part of the IFRC Syria Country Delegation but will be contracted and managed directly by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC). The vacancy is being advertised by the IFRC solely to facilitate outreach and attract qualified applicants in Syria.

All applications must be submitted in accordance with the instructions and requirements outlined in the corresponding vacancy announcement on the Syrian Arab Red Crescent careers platform: Health Coordinator with IFRC – الهلال الأحمر العربي السوري

The Health Coordinator will oversee the comprehensive management, coordination, and strategic direction of health and care support programs into Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), ensuring alignment with the specific needs of the country and SARC priorities. This role focuses on strengthening resilient and sustainable health and care systems to address immediate and long-term health challenges. The coordinator will provide technical guidance to enhance SARC’s capacity in delivering high-quality health services and emergency responses to vulnerable communities.

The incumbent will manage all IFRC health and care programmes, offering strategic and technical support to SARC’s Health department, and collaborating with senior and mid-level management to ensure effective program implementation. The coordinator will prioritize emergency preparedness, health program development, and adherence to IFRC standards, while integrating Protection, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI) principles into health initiatives to promote accountability and inclusive service delivery.

Additionally, the role involves coordinating technical assistance from Movement Partners to advance SARC’s health and care strategies, including epidemic preparedness, community health, and health systems strengthening. As the primary health and care focal point for IFRC in Syria, the coordinator will represent the organization in health-related discussions internally and externally, ensuring coordinated support among Movement and external partners, particularly during emergencies.

The Health Coordinator reports to the Head of Delegation, with a technical reporting line to the IFRC MENA Regional Health and Care thematic lead. The position includes oversight of budgets under the IFRC Unified Plan and Emergency Appeals.

This role explicitly contributes to IFRC Health and Care Framework 2030, ensuring alignment with its four pillars: Global Health Security, Universal Health Coverage, and Transformative Partnerships, as well as the three enablers (National Society leadership, IFRC Secretariat health infrastructure, and digital/data solutions).

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Financial and Budgetary Management

• Lead the planning and development of Health program budgets in coordination with National society technical and program teams, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, operational capacity, and donor requirements.
• Ensure efficient, transparent, and accountable use of financial resources allocated to Health activities, while monitoring expenditures to prevent over- or under-spending and ensuring cost-effectiveness across interventions.
• Work in close collaboration with IFRC and National Society finance teams to track financial transactions, ensure timely disbursement of funds, and maintain compliance with internal policies and external donor regulations.
• Prepare, review, and submit timely and accurate financial reports and budget forecasts for Health programs, ensuring readiness for internal audits and donor reporting.
• Support the development and refinement of financial tools and systems to improve planning, forecasting, and reporting for Health programming.
• Participate in budget revisions, proposal development, and financial risk assessments to ensure that Health resources are effectively planned, managed, and sustained.
• Provide capacity-building support to Health staff on budget management, financial accountability, and compliance with procurement and financial guidelines.
• Identify opportunities for resource optimization and reallocation within Health budgets, maximizing impact and ensuring financial sustainability.
• Ensure that all financial activities related to Health meet IFRC and donor compliance standards, including procurement regulations, audit requirements, and internal control mechanisms.

Health Program Development and Support

• Lead the development and execution of health programs including emergency preparedness and response, and health system strengthening.
• Engage with NSs to develop medical services vision/strategy, operational plan, and SOPs to define the niche, sustainability elements, and to help guiding and channelling external support into their focus.

• Ensure provision of technical support for all medicines, medical supplies and equipment procurement processes for the NS including technical specifications, relevance/necessity, and cost-effectiveness aspects.
• Promote the continuum of health care approach via integration of medical services with community health, and cross-cutting thematic areas (gender, disability, migration, MHPSS, CEA, PGI, climate change, etc).

Coordination and Networking

• Represent IFRC and Membership at relevant external health forums in Syria.
• Strengthening relationships with ministry of health, UN agencies, and health NGOs to enhance program integration.
• Coordinate with other Movement Partners (e.g., ICRC) to ensure comprehensive health responses of SARC.

• Coordinate and collaborate with all PNSs supporting medical services of the NS to assure efficient utilization of available resources.
• Maintain regular coordination and collaboration with the IFRC Regional Office.

Technical Capacity Strengthening

• Lead the development of training programs and materials to strengthen SARC capacities in Health and WASH response and preparedness.
• Advocate for and promote knowledge-sharing and innovative practices among different branches of SARC.
• Ensure the use of IFRC health tools such as CBHFA and Epidemic Control for Volunteers.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Resource Mobilization and Sustainability

• Actively engage into drafting and preparations of DREF applications, Emergency Appeals, emergency operational strategies and implementation plans with a special focus on emergency health and WASH interventions.

• Engage with IFRC Regional Health and SPRM to explore fund raising venues for health programmes. Develop funding applications and proposals supporting SARC in their regular Health programmes and capacity strengthening.
• Ensure SARC develops sustainable health strategies aligned with IFRC’s global health objectives and national priorities.
• Ensure effective communication with donors and maintain an oversight of all Health programme-related funding and pledges and ensure these are delivered on time and are of quality.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

• Ensure the implementation of MEAL processes to ensure program quality and effectiveness.
• Ensure health related data is collected by the field teams as per agreed indicators and benchmarks.
• Analyze the data collected by field teams to inform health program improvements.
• Encourage the NS to present their work and operations at national, regional, and international scientific platforms and encourage peer to peer learning with NSs in the region.

Managing IFRC Staff

• Supervise, mentor, and support IFRC Disability Inclusion Delegate and Senior Officer WASH, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback and setting clear goals.
• Facilitate ongoing training and professional development opportunities for IFRC health and WASH staff to ensure program excellence and up-to-date skills.
• Promote best practices, standardization, and adherence to IFRC health policies and protocols among the team members.

General Management and Compliance

• Ensure adherence to IFRC policies, especially regarding safeguarding, PSEA, and financial integrity.
• Provide day-to-day management of health initiatives, promoting high standards of program execution and accountability.
• Support the IFRC's commitment to ethical standards and safeguarding principles.

Education

• Relevant University degree in Public Health, Medicine, Health Management, or related discipline with at least five years of relevant professional experience - Required
• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Medicine, or Health Management - Required

Experience

• At least 10 years of progressive experience in a similar role - Required
• Minimum of 8 years of job-related experience in clinical, public health, emergency health, community health, or humanitarian response - Required
• Minimum 5 years of work experience in health programming/management - Required
• A minimum of 5 years of experience (at senior/ mid-management level) in change management and experience in supporting strategic planning and management - Required
• At least 3 years of experience within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement or membership-based non-governmental organizations - Preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• Proficient in providing strategic advice to leadership
• Proven experience in health project management, including needs assessments, project design, MEAL, planning, and reporting
• Ability to provide strategic guidance on Health program planning and execution
• Solid knowledge in supporting strategic planning and policy processes as well as systems development in the context of a non-profit organization
• Ability to transfer knowledge on public health principles and health systems strengthening
• Experience in data analysis and health information management for program improvement
• Excellent communication and training skills for health program capacity building
• Proficiency in managing health budgets and financial planning
• Skill in managing, mentoring, and supporting health staff
• Excellent coordination skills
• Expert in problem-solving approaches and techniques
• Ability to work in a cross-cultural and cross-functional environment
• Strong interpersonal skills and a good understanding of working in partnership
• Drive for change and improvements and ability to deliver strategies in a challenging environment
• Fluent in spoken and written English and Arabic

Required

• Profound understanding of IFRC health tools such as Community-Based Health and First Aid (CBHFA) and Epidemic Control for Volunteers (ECV)

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust
• Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

IFRC Disclaimer

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.

If you appointed to or undertake a role within IFRC, whether as staff, staff on loan or secondees, you will be subject to the organization's Code of Conduct, which is available here and on our website.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which include prior professional conduct checks and review of criminal records. IFRC will request a conduct check from all prior employers for a period of 5 years, including but not limited to employers who like IFRC participate in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. For more details on the Scheme, please see ont-style: italic;">THE MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE SCHEME — SCHR.

IFRC ensures equal employment opportunities!