Officer, Red Family Fund

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-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 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 the 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 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.

The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

The Volunteering Development & Youth Engagement unit is part of the National Society Development/ Membership Services Department in the Americas Region. The position of Officer, Red Family Fund is based in the Americas Region. This is a national staff position open to nationals and other individuals who are legally eligible to work in any country where IFRC has a legal status (including Buenos Aires, San José, Santo Domingo, Guatemala City, Tegucigalpa, Kingston, Managua, Panama City, Lima, or Port of Spain). The role reports to the Regional Thematic Lead of Volunteering Development.

Job Purpose

The Officer supports the effective delivery of the IFRC’s security and protection priorities through the administration and management of the Red Family Fund (RFF), ensuring its efficient, compliant, and consistent implementation. The role is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, including case processing, verification, disbursement, record-keeping, donor reporting, and related communications. It ensures the timely and accurate provision of financial assistance to families of volunteers and staff who have lost their lives in the line of duty, in line with established policies and procedures. As part of the Fund’s operational cycle, the Officer contributes to monitoring, data management, and basic analysis to support reporting, accountability, and continuous improvement of the RFF. This includes maintaining data systems, tracking trends, and compiling lessons learned to strengthen the Fund’s effectiveness and inform risk mitigation measures related to volunteer safety and protection.

Administration of the Red Family Fund (RFF)

• Process payments for the Red Family Fund (RFF) in IFRC financial systems, ensuring compliance with procedures.
• Manage and follow up on RFF cases, including verification, documentation, and record-keeping.
• Prepare case files, summaries, and documentation for the Red Family Fund Manager.
• Support donor reporting by coordinating inputs for interim and final reports. 
• Maintain and update RFF data systems and dashboards.
• Compile data and prepare basic analysis, reports, and presentations to support Fund monitoring and improvement.
• Document and archive RFF cases in line with data protection standards.
• Support the development of communication materials (e.g. case studies) related to the Fund.
• Capture and share lessons learned and good practices from RFF operations.
• Provide basic analysis on trends and risks emerging from RFF cases to support Fund improvements.
• Support volunteer support mechanisms linked to the Fund (e.g. safety nets), as required.
• Perform other related duties in support of the Red Family Fund.

Duties applicable to all staff

1. Work actively towards the achievement of IFRC’s goals

2. Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles

3. Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

Education

• Relevant university degree (or equivalent) in social sciences, administration, development studies, quality and organizational management, international relations, or a related field (Required).
• A Master’s degree in a relevant field is an asset (Preferred).

Experience

• At least 2 years of relevant experience in fund administration, financial processes, case management, or programme support (Required).
• Strong administrative and organizational skills, with attention to detail and compliance (Required).
• Experience working in a membership-based, humanitarian, or volunteer-driven organization (Required).
• Experience supporting reporting processes and working with donor-funded activities is an asset (Preferred).
• Experience in building and maintaining productive relationships with multiple and diverse stakeholder groups in a large organization, including donor/partner relations (Preferred).

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Excellent skills on administration and financial management of a project/grant (Required).
• Excellent interpersonal, coordination and networking skills (Required).
• Strong analytical, research and organization skills (Required).
• Focus on quality and standards, learning and improvement (Required).
• Proven good judgement and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality (Required).
• Ability to work in matrix structures; strong teamworking and trust-building skills for inclusive Red Cross Movement relations (Required).
• Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision (Required).
• Excellent knowledge of computer systems and web administration (Required).
• Strong skills in systems-based information management (Required).
• Track record in producing high-quality work within short deadlines and high sense of prioritization (Required).
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural, multilingual, multidisciplinary environment and interact with diverse stakeholder groups (Required).
• Ability to work under pressure, towards tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks (Required).

• Fluent spoken and written English (Required).

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

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Responsibility. 

Core Competencies: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Judgment and Decision Making; Client and National Society Relations; Creativity and Innovation; Trust Building. 

Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Partnership building; Leadership; Empowering others.