Officer, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network, with 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. IFRC uses the Triple R – response, resilience and respect – to deliver on Strategy 2030. IFRC responds to disasters and crises, ensuring timely, coordinated and locally led humanitarian action. IFRC supports its members in building community resilience in the areas of climate and environment, health and wellbeing, and migration and displacement. IFRC promotes respect for our fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality, including in our work on values, power and inclusion. The IFRC focuses throughout on our core mandate – our raison d’être – of strategic and operational coordination, humanitarian diplomacy, National Society development, and accountability.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General and has its Headquarters in Geneva and five regional offices in Africa (Nairobi); the Americas (Panama); Asia Pacific (Kuala Lumpur); Europe (Budapest); and MENA (Beirut) as well as representation offices, service centres and delegations across the globe.

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 Delegation in Azerbaijan supports the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society (AzRCS) in strengthening institutional capacity, disaster preparedness systems, anticipatory action mechanisms, and community resilience programming. Azerbaijan faces a range of natural hazards including floods, earthquakes, landslides, droughts, and extreme weather events. Strengthening early warning systems, anticipatory action, and community-based disaster risk reduction is a key priority for reducing vulnerability and enhancing resilience.

The SAFER-AZ programme, funded by European Union (EU), supports Enhanced Vulnerability and Capacity Assessments (EVCA), early warning dissemination, anticipatory action mechanisms, community preparedness planning, and capacity-building initiatives including First Aid (FA) and Psychological First Aid (PFA).

Job Purpose

The purpose of the position is to support the IFRC and the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society (AzRCS) in strengthening community resilience and disaster risk reduction capacities under the SAFER-AZ Programme, with a particular focus on high-quality delivery of participatory assessments, establishment and support of Community Disaster Response Teams (CDRTs), implementation of awareness sessions, and integration of First Aid (FA) and Psychological First Aid (PFA) within preparedness activities at community level. The incumbent will work under the supervision and guidance of DRR Senior Officer.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Field Implementation

• Participation in conducting Enhanced Vulnerability and Capacity Assessments (EVCA) in assigned communities.
• Facilitate focus group discussions and stakeholder consultations ensuring inclusive participation (women, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities).
• Support preparation of EVCA reports and community risk profiles.
• Facilitate development and validation of community-based DRR and preparedness plans.
• Support integration of early warning dissemination and anticipatory action triggers into local preparedness plans.
• Assist in launching and promoting finalized DRR plans within communities

Early Warning & Preparedness Implementation

• Support dissemination of early warning information through community networks and AzRCS branches.
• Assist in organizing simulations and practical exercises to test early warning systems.
• Support community understanding of early action measures and safe behaviors.
• Coordinate closely with IFRC technical sectors in the Country Cluster Delegation and Regional Office, including PGI, CEA and IM

Capacity Building & Training

• Support establishment and training of Community Disaster Response Teams (CDRTs).
• Deliver or co-facilitate trainings in DRR, anticipatory action, FA and PFA.
• Support volunteer mobilization and ensure adherence to safety protocols.

Monitoring and reporting

• Collect and compile monitoring data in line with project indicators (EVCA completed, DRR plans developed, CDRTs trained, awareness sessions delivered).
• Maintain accurate training attendance sheets, activity reports, and photographic documentation.
• Contribute to periodic narrative reports in line with IFRC and EU reporting standards.

Compliance and safeguarding

• Ensure all field activities comply with IFRC Code of Conduct, safeguarding policies, and Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) standards.
• When introducing policies, guidelines, tools and trainings, the incumbent has the responsibility to explore and consult any existing documentation and practice within the IFRC network
• Ensure visibility of EU support in community activities in accordance with EU communication guidelines.
• Promote accountability to affected populations through feedback and complaint mechanisms.

Education

Required:

University degree in humanitarian, environmental sciences, public policy or related field

Preferred:

Technical training in disaster preparedness, response and recovery

Experience

Required:

• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in disaster risk management or early warning systems
• Demonstrated experience in participatory facilitation and community engagement

Preferred:

• Minimum of 3 years work experience with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement or other humanitarian organisations
• Experience working with volunteers or civil society organizations
• Experience in delivering training activities

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required:

• Knowledge of RC/RC Movement
• Good knowledge of disasters, disaster response and preparedness
• Partner relationship building
• Skills in training and developing staff capacity
• 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 Azerbaijani

Preferred:

• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Competencies, Values and Comments

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