EU4Health Project Assistant Consultant

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. 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 is a 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.

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

Over the past few years, the European region has typically seen an average of 2-3 active Emergency Appeal operations and has initiated approximately 15 DREF operations annually. Additionally, the Health, Disaster, Crises, and Climate Unit is providing support to several programs, either directly or through cluster and country offices. In February 2022, a significant shift occurred in the disaster and crisis landscape of the region when a new phase of armed conflict began in Ukraine. The escalation and widespread nature of the hostilities have had a profound impact on all of Ukraine, raising significant concerns about the safety of civilians and critical civilian infrastructure. Within a span of four weeks following this intensification, it was estimated that more than 6.5 million people had been displaced within Ukraine, and over 4 million people from Ukraine had sought refuge in neighboring countries.

The EU4Health project, funded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG Santé), entails collaboration between the National Red Cross Societies in Ukraine and 28 EU/EAA countries. It aims to offer mental health support to the people displaced from Ukraine through helplines, outreach efforts, and group activities conducted in multiple languages.

The participant National Societies include Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine.

The project started on 8 June 2022, with a planned duration of 41 months, concluding on 31October 2025.

The IFRC Regional Office for Europe (IFRC RoE) is responsible for the overall program coordination among partners, as well as direct operational support during the implementation to the National Societies. The IFRC RoE MHPSS team is in Budapest and provides overall support, in addition to MHPSS technical delegates in-country offices.

The IFRC Reference Center for Psychosocial Support (PS Center) has been involved in the response to the Ukraine and affected countries since the beginning of the crisis and has developed online training materials, training videos, guides, podcasts, and webinars, as well as briefings on topics as requested by Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies.

In collaboration with the IFRC Psychosocial Center, IFRC RoE ensures that standardized approaches and tools are applied, and peer support and technical capacity development of delegates are available. In addition, IFRC RoE leads and coordinates the learning events, mid-term review and final evaluation.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide administrative and logistical support to the EU4Health project Team to ensure timely and effective implementation of the project

The project assistant will be part of the IFRC Mental Health and Psychosocial Support team based in Budapest which currently consists of 5 staff: 1 Project Manager, 1 Regional MHPSS coordinator, 2 Project coordinators, and 1 Project officer. The assistant will provide administrative support to the team in close coordination with the project manager and the rest of the MHPSS team.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide the administrative, logistical support related to the planned activities including events and trainings in coordination with the project team as required and in line with IFRC systems and procedures and as guided and requested by the Project manager.
• Support day-to-day activities within the DG Sante MHPSS Project and within the Project team including minute taking from meetings, setting up filing structures, prepare presentations and keeping overview of reporting deadlines.
• Coordinate events such as meetings, workshops,trainings and other work-related gatherings including organizing venues, supporting travel arrangements, hotel bookings etc.
• Developing and maintaining relevant databases and filing systems for optimal management of information and contacts.
• Guarantee NS focal points to deliver bimonthly reports including key information and details according to the goals of the project and the donor requirements.
• Keep the RoE EU4Health team updated on NSs’ project implementation and any issues that need to be addressed in advance to minimize any impact on the project.
• Present the reports in a timely manner.

Education

• University Degree in one of the following: Social Science, development studies, public health, business administration, Humanitarian Affairs or any other related field (degree level or equivalent) 

Experience

• At least 2 years of experience in administration and support functions to a middle-sized team
• Manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Experience in general financial administration, budget preparation and events’ management
• Developing and maintaining relevant databases and filing systems for optimal management of information and contacts.
• Liaising with both external and internal contacts in coordination with the project manager to ensure follow-up and execution of planned activities.
• Perform any other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Project Manager.
• Experience within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and working with National Societies
• Prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.
• Complete tasks within set timeframes
• Proficiency in drafting formal emails, reports, and other documents with clarity and professionalism.
• All tasks and documents are completed with a high level of accuracy.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Fluently spoken and written English and preferably Hungarian

Competencies, Values and Comments

Engagement Details

• Location: The engagement will be conducted through a combination of remote and on-site interactions as necessary, with the office based in Budapest, Hungary
• Travel and Logistics: IFRC will cover the expenses for travel and accommodation of the consultant. The IFRC will also be responsible for booking the consultant's travel arrangements.
• Period of Engagement: The engagement is expected to span from February till October 2025 , up to 150 working days.

Application

Interested individuals are welcome to submit their applications, which should include the following:

• Curriculum Vitae and a letter of motivation
• Financial proposal for the consultancy indicating your availability and your current daily rate in CHF
• Three professional references who can verify the applicant’s qualifications and work experience.

Questions or inquiries related to the consultancy should be directed to hr.europe@ifrc.org