Senior Officer, Community Health and WASH

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 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 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 four main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Coordination, (ii) Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, (iii) Management and Accountability and (iv) People and Strategy.

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

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.

Afghanistan is experiencing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, fuelled by implications deriving from a decades-long conflict, a deterioration of economic conditions, recurring natural hazards – including droughts, earthquakes, floods, and landslides – which often cause disasters, displacement, gaps in health services, and other pre-existing needs. It is estimated that around 24 million people, more than half of the country’s population, need assistance in 2025. The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, like elsewhere in the world, requires an approach which addresses immediate needs while at the same time providing durable solutions in a manner that also tackles root-causes and people’s vulnerabilities.

Under the supervision of the Manager, Health Program, the Senior Officer, Community Health and WASH will be directly responsible for providing oversight to implementation of IFRC’s Community Health and WASH activities by the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS). S/he will work closely with Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) to ensure Community Health and WASH activities are implemented effectively and efficiently in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and other relevant stakeholders at national and local levels, both during normal times and in emergencies. S/he will work closely with ARCS’ Community Based Health and First Aid (CBHFA) and WASH departments at the HQ and provincial/regional levels to build ARCS CBHFA and WASH team capacity in programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

This position collaborates closely with other technical teams, including Operations, Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA), Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI), and Quality and Accountability, to ensure effective implementation of Community Health and WASH interventions during emergency response, preparedness, recovery, and development phases.

The position holder is responsible for coordinating and managing all IFRC/ARCS community health and WASH related programs in Afghanistan. This includes contributing to the overall design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of water-related programming, ensuring sustainability and impact. This role involves working closely with ARCS to ensure effective and efficient implementation of Community Health and WASH programs, in coordination with the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and other relevant stakeholders at national and local levels.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Program Planning and Implementation:

Support the development, coordination, and execution of Community Health and WASH initiatives, including assessments, baseline studies, and project planning. Ensure the integration of climate-adaptive solutions and sustainability principles across all activities. Integrate Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) and Protection, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI) principles into project planning, implementation monitoring and feedback processes.

1. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:
   Utilize appropriate planning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting (PMER) tools in compliance with organizational guidelines. Conduct regular field visits for monitoring and supervision, prepare detailed reports, case studies, and success stories, and ensure timely submission of narrative and financial reports to donors and stakeholders. Monitor budget utilization, support procurement processes, and oversee infrastructure components (e.g., WASH in schools), ensuring all activities meet quality, accountability, and donor requirements.
2. Capacity Building and Technical Support:
   Organize and lead capacity-building activities for ARCS staff and volunteers, provide hands-on technical support during field implementation, and ensure standardized training and quality of work. Facilitate knowledge transfer on technical issues such as WASH construction and climate resilience.
3. Budget and Financial Management:
   Develop, manage, and monitor program budgets, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and organizational financial policies. Track expenditures, coordinate with finance teams, and oversee procurement processes to guarantee timely and compliant delivery of supplies. Ensure adherence to financial policies and budget management for community health and first aid initiatives. Review and approve financial documentation related to project expenditures in line with ARCS and IFRC policies.
4. Internal/external coordination and Stakeholder Engagement:
   Establish regular coordination with IFRC Asia Pacific Health and WASH team for updates and technical support to the ARCS community health and WASH programme. Further, maintain regular catch up with movement partners in country and outside and explore opportunities for programme and resource expansion. Foster collaboration and maintain effective communication with ARCS, government agencies, UN bodies, NGOs, RCRC movement partners, and other stakeholders. Represent IFRC in coordination forums, cluster meetings, and technical networks to promote integrated and inclusive community health and WASH programming. Conduct joint monitoring with government counterparts to strengthen programmatic outcomes.
5. Quality and Accountability:
   Ensure compliance with IFRC, National, and SPHERE standards throughout the program cycle. Ensure programme objectives are aligned with National health and WASH priorities.Mainstream cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, protection, disability inclusion, environmental sustainability, and disaster risk reduction in all interventions.

1. Emergency Preparedness and Response:
   Support IFRC/ARCS health and WASH preparedness and response to ensure timely health and WASH support to affected communities. Support ARCS in developing health and WASH contingency plans and its implementation. Be ready for national deployment to provide technical expertise in Community Health, WASH, activities during emergencies or other urgent needs

1. Coordination and Communication

• Build and maintain effective partnerships with ARCS, government agencies, UN bodies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to enhance community health and WASH program coordination.
• Organize and participate in coordination meetings and technical networks to align activities, share updates, and address operational challenges.
• Facilitate liaison between IFRC, ARCS, and key stakeholders, ensuring knowledge sharing and integrated, climate-resilient programming.
• Represent IFRC in relevant clusters and forums, providing regular updates and promoting collaboration across the health and WASH sectors

Required:

• University degree in Public Health, Community Health, Epidemiology, Nursing, Nutrition, WASH Engineering or a related health field; a master's degree in public health or a related discipline is preferred.

Preferred:

Relevant post graduate qualification/technical training (or equivalent experience).

Required:

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in community health and first aid programs, preferably in a humanitarian context.
• Experience in responding to epidemics, health crises or emergency health and WASH responses.
• Experience in program planning, implementation, and evaluation in health-related initiatives.
• Experience in managing multiple projects.

Preferred:

• A broad understanding of global humanitarian issues, disaster recovery and related areas.
• Experience in NS capacity building in preparedness, response and recovery.

• Experience of working for the Red Cross / Red Crescent or other humanitarian organization.

Required:

• Ability to prioritize, work well under pressure and meet deadlines. Able to achieve results through collaboration/teamwork.
• Able to strategically plan for community health and first aid initiatives.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, able to negotiate while maintaining effective working relations.
• Ability to adapt and adjust to change, take extra miles to accomplished work task.
• Ability to work well in a multicultural team and in a changing environment.
• Ability to manage and motivate teams.
• Good representation and facilitation skills.
• Computer skills: Windows, Word Processing, PowerPoint, Excel. (spreadsheet and database application) + Ability to use video conferencing application i.e., Microsoft Teams, Zoom etc.
• Ability to be flexible to work in pressurized working environments e.g., disaster affected area.
• Fluently spoken and written English.
• Fluently spoken and written Dari/Pashto.

Preferred:

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

Core Competencies: Communication, Collaboration & Teamwork, Judgement & Decision Making, National Society & Customer Relations, Creativity & Innovation, Building Trust.

Value : Respect for Diversity ,Integrity ,Professionalism ,Accountability