Officer, Programs

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 Lumpa); Europe (Budapest); and MENA (Beirut) as well as representation offices, service centres and delegations across the globe.

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.

On 24 June 2026, two strong earthquakes, preliminarily measured at magnitudes 7.1 and 7.5, struck north-central Venezuela in rapid succession, with epicentres near Morón, Carabobo State. The earthquakes were felt across much of the country, including Caracas, La Guaira, Aragua, Carabobo and neighbouring states. Therefore, the national government of Venezuela declared the state of emergency.

Preliminary information indicates damage to residential and commercial buildings, with reports of structural collapses in parts of Caracas and damage to infrastructure in several affected areas. Search and rescue operations have been activated while authorities continue rapid damage assessments. Power and telecommunications interruptions have been reported in some locations, and hospitals are receiving injured people.

The full humanitarian impact is still being assessed. Official information on casualties, displaced people and infrastructure damage remains limited. Significant aftershocks are expected, posing additional risks to affected communities and emergency responders. In addition, the National Headquarters of the Venezuelan Red Cross reported critical damage in the infrastructure.

Critical damage has also been reported to essential social infrastructure, including the airport and hospitals, while public services are intermittent or completely disrupted. The Programs Officer will report to the Programmes and Operations Coordinator. S/he is a member of the programmes and operations team. S/he may be deployed to various locations, where humanitarian response operations require. Deployments may be subject to additional terms of reference specific to the needs of the humanitarian response operation.

Job Purpose

The Programme Officer will facilitate cross-functional collaboration between teams within the Delegation to ensure the smooth and timely implementation of programmes and operations in accordance with established policies, procedures, and processes. In addition, the Programme Officer will be responsible for improving information management by enhancing data collection and visualisation to streamline decision-making processes.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Facilitate cross-functional collaboration, including:

• Provide administrative and programmatic support to the Programme and Operations Team to oversee project implementation.
• Review and validate programme outputs and deliverables at each stage of implementation.
• Support, guide and assist in the planning of programme and operation activities to ensure proper implementation.
• Organise and coordinate regular information for meetings with stakeholders and partners involved in programmes and operations.
• Ensure the smooth and timely implementation of programmes and operations accordance with established policies, procedures, and processes.
• Monitor the processes of contracts and pledges validations.
• Ensure the maintenance of the archive of programs and operations digital resources (guidelines, manuals, guides, SOPs, formats, among others) for reference and use by Federation staff in the Delegation in Venezuela. In addition, keep SharePoint updated with the different documents (plans, reports, reports).
• Monitor compliance with the activities, milestones and indicators set out in the action plans to ensure the programme and operational commitments are made on time.
• Maintain and update monitoring tools, timetables, deliverables and work plans to support decision-making and progress monitoring.
• Provide administrative and technical support for the drafting, monitoring, document control and closure of Letters of Agreement (Project Grant Agreements and other implementation mechanisms).
• Monitor the commitments, deliverables and reports arising from the aforementioned agreements.
• Support the review, validation and quality control processes for programme and operational documentation, in accordance with IFRC policies, procedures and standards.
• Support the follow-up of recommendations, corrective actions and observations arising from monitoring, auditing, reviewing or internal control processes..

Improve information management

• Maintain existing databases and information exchange systems deployed for Programs and Operations.
• Develop and supervise the creation of dashboards to monitor actions and to facilitate decision-making processes.
• Establish and improve clear information flows.
• Create base maps, infographics, presentations and other data visualisation products related with programmes and operations and CD Venezuela.
• Promote the use of the GO Platform and other IFRC platforms.
• Generate country contexts analysis based on the requirements.
• Strengthen IM capacities at the Venezuelan Red Cross, increased coordination and support to technical units.
• Other support activities as may be required within the framework of programmes and operations at the IFRC Country Office.
• Develop and maintain programme and operational monitoring matrices to track progress and compliance with indicators, as well as the implementation of activities.
• Support the consolidation of information and evidence for progress, donor and operational reports, as well as accountability exercises.
• Monitor and analyse the key indicators defined in action plans, emergency appeals, DREFs and other programme frameworks.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Cultivate relationships, maintain expertise, and undertake professional development.

• Establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with national and international staff in country, regional and global offices, as well as with counterparts in national Red Cross societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, government departments, academic institutions, donor agencies and the private sector.
• Contribute to the development of more efficient ways of running the office, troubleshooting, reviewing, and recommending changes to procedures, policies, and processes.
• Stay abreast of the latest developments, trends, and innovations in the field by regularly researching and studying relevant literature and undertaking relevant trainings.
• The aim is to contribute to strengthening the internal control, quality and compliance mechanisms applicable to programmes and operations.
• Identify opportunities for improving administrative and operational processes to promote efficient management in line with IFRC procedures.
• Support the preparation and organisation of documentation for audits, programme reviews, donor follow-up and quality assurance processes.

Education

Required:

University Degree or its equivalent in social science, or related.

Experience

Required:

• 3 + years' professional work experience in activities related to management of humanitarian, social and/or related programs.
• 3+ year(s) experience data visualization with the ability to translate complex digital information into clear and appealing graphical representations
• Strong computer literacy skills with advanced MS Excel skill

Preferred:

• Experience developing budgets
• 3 + years' experience with an international non-governmental organization, and/or government development agency
• Experience within Red Cross or non-governmental organizations Event management experience

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required:

• Proficient in computer literacy (Microsoft 365)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential, with the ability to craft an analytical narrative from data findings
• Skills in database management, web design and programming
• Ability to take initiative to create new processes from scratch and act to fill identified gaps
• Strong attention to detail in both listening design and visualization design Analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to synthesise, sort, process and prioritise large amounts of information
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and diplomacy to manage relationships with many stakeholders and in a complex situational environment. Strong team-working skills Proficient in inter-personal communication
• Proficient in stress management and highly organized

Preferred:

• Initiative, proactiveness and self-direction
• Flexibility, adaptability, and resilience

Languages:

Fluent spoken and written Spanish

Fluent spoken and written English

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