Coordinator, Programme

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 (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.

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.

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.

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.

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 British Red Cross (BRC) has been working in Ukraine since February 2022 following the escalation in conflict and established a country office in Kyiv in October 2022. The BRC Ukraine team works through and in close cooperation with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners, including Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS), the IFRC and ICRC, and other partner National Societies.

Job Purpose

The Programme Coordinator is a key internal role within the British Red Cross (BRC) Ukraine country team, responsible for supporting the effective delivery of BRC-funded programmes in Ukraine, including those funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and other bilateral donors. As BRC is not a direct implementation actor, this role is focused on enabling and supporting the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) in the day-to-day management and implementation of these programmes.

Working in close collaboration with URCS and Red Cross Movement partners, the Programme Coordinator provides strategic and operational support across programme design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting. The role ensures that BRC’s internal systems, donor compliance requirements, and quality standards are upheld, while also contributing to the capacity strengthening of URCS in programme and grant management.

This position does not involve direct implementation responsibilities but plays a critical enabling role in ensuring that URCS-led programmes are well-supported, well-documented, and aligned with both donor expectations and the URCS’s strategic vision.

In times of heightened humanitarian need, the role holder may be required to adapt to evolving priorities, work outside the standard role profile, and be available for flexible working hours.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

Programme Management

• Act as the principal liaison for day-to-day project management coordination with implementation partners, ensuring ‎smooth operational delivery.‎
• Work bilaterally with URCS in support of planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of BRC-supported ‎programmes in Ukraine, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and donor requirements.‎
• Lead the facilitation of monthly Budget Versus Actuals (BVA) reviews and quarterly grant performance meetings, ‎ensuring timely and accurate financial oversight.‎
• Ensure timely and high-quality narrative and financial reporting to donors and internal stakeholders.‎
• Serve as the primary point of contact for managing internal approval processes and addressing compliance-related ‎queries from URCS.‎
• Coordinate with logistics and finance teams, as required, to facilitate the timely review and approval of ‎procurement documentation in support of URCS-led procurement processes.‎
• Identify opportunities for technical support and coordinate engagement with UK-based advisors to enhance ‎programme delivery.‎
• Coordinate internal and external requests for information, including communications materials, field visits, and ‎situational updates.‎
• With URCS, conduct occasional field visits to better understand programme implementation and challenges.‎
• Support integration of cross-cutting themes such as safeguarding, community engagement and accountability (CEA), ‎protection, gender, and inclusion (PGI).‎
  
  
  

Grant and Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with BRC, donor, and Movement policies, procedures, and standards across all programme ‎activities.‎
• In coordination with the Programme Officer, lead on grant management processes, including donor reporting, ‎audits, and risk mitigation.‎
• In coordination with the Financial, Compliance, and Risk Manager, maintain oversight of programme budgets, ‎ensuring accurate forecasting, expenditure tracking, and financial accountability.‎
• Support the management of donor relationships, particularly with institutional donors such as FCDO, and contribute ‎to donor engagement strategies.‎
• Maintain regular coordination with the FCDO Programme Development & Grants Manager at BRC UK office.‎
  
  
  

Strategic Planning and Risk Management

• Contribute to the development and implementation of BRC’s Ukraine strategy and operational plans.‎
• Support the development of new programme proposals and funding applications.‎
• Support FCRM with monitoring of programme risks and input in country/programme risk register.‎
• Support internal and external audits, ensuring timely follow-up on recommendations.‎
  
  
  

Job Duties And Responsibilities (continued)

Team Member Expectations

• Actively participates in all team meetings, contributing constructively to discussions and decision-making processes.‎
• Communicates effectively and respectfully with colleagues and partners, fostering a culture of openness, trust, and ‎mutual respect.‎
• Demonstrates professionalism and integrity by working in accordance with all British Red Cross (BRC) policies, ‎procedures, and the organisation’s Values in Action.‎
• Upholds the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and embodies the core values of the BRC: inclusive, ‎compassionate, courageous, and dynamic.‎
• Supports a culture of safeguarding, ensuring that all activities are conducted in a way that protects people from ‎harm and upholds the dignity of those we serve.‎
  
  
  

Duties applicable to all staff

‎1.‎ Work actively towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’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

• University Degree
• Additional professional education
  
  
  

Experience

Required

• Minimum 4 years’ experience with internal and external teams
• Experience of project management.‎
• Experience of working in a partnership setting.‎
• Experience working with institutional donors, with preference for FCDO.‎
• Experience working in an international organisation.‎
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required

• Excellent administration and organisation skills, including attention to detail and maintaining ‎up-to-date and accurate records.‎
• Proven ability to prioritise and manage work effectively in a fast-paced environment, to ‎deliver on time and in full against specific objectives.‎
• Proven ability to prioritise and manage work effectively in a fast-paced environment, to ‎deliver on time and in full against specific objectives.‎
• Excellent IT skills, including proficiency with all basic Microsoft Office packages and ‎information management systems.‎
• Ability to write reports and proposals for internal and external audiences.‎
• An understanding of the international humanitarian system or international development ‎context.‎
• Specific knowledge of the Ukraine context.‎
• An understanding of financial programme budgeting and reporting.‎
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.‎
• Native or bilingual proficiency in spoken and written Ukrainian.‎
• Fluent spoken and written English.‎
  
  
  

Competencies, Values and Comments

VALUES: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.

CORE COMPETENCIES: Communication; Collaboration and Teamwork; Pro-activity; National Societies and Customer Relations; Creativity and Innovation; Building Trust.