The Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) is a lead National Society in providing quality humanitarian work. It was established in 1956 and is a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). SRCS operates across Sudan with 18 branches, more than 75 units and an active volunteer base of about 35,000.

SRCS and the German Red Cross (GRC) have been working in partnership since 1990. Currently, SRCS, with financial and technical support from GRC, is implementing a Forecast-based Financing (FbF) project, with funding from the Deutsche Bank Stiftung (DBS). FbF is a programme that enables access to humanitarian funding for early action based on in-depth forecast information and risk analysis. The goal of FbF is to anticipate disasters, prevent their impact, if possible, and reduce human suffering and losses. A key element of FbF is that the allocation of financial resources is agreed in advance, together with the specific forecast threshold that triggers the release of those resources for the implementation of early actions. The roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in implementing these actions are defined in the Early Action Protocol (EAP). This ensures the full commitment of implementation among the involved stakeholders.

The FbF Project in Sudan aims to develop and strengthen the capacity of SRCS (headquarters and branches) to implement early (anticipatory) action in high-risk areas to effectively help communities prepare and protect themselves and their livelihoods before an extreme event like a flood or drought. The project has four expected results:

• FbF and a risk financing plan in Sudan has been developed together with relevant national and international stakeholders
• The FbF approach has been tested, activated, and evaluated in Sudan and is adapted based on lessons learned. The project has built the evidence for the implementation of an FbF mechanism and promoted the learning process on FbF
• The capacity of the SRCS and national and regional actors has been strengthened to ensure the implementation of anticipatory action and update existing Early Action Protocols (EAPs)
• The FbF concept in Sudan is established among national organizations and authorities and integrated in their disaster risk management and contingency plans.

OVERALL JOB PURPOSE

The concept of FbF is new to SRCS as well as to other potential partners. This will be the first Red Cross/Red Crescent FbF project in Sudan. Together with the GRC FbF Delegate, the National Project Coordinator (FbF) will lead the introduction and establishment of FbF mechanism within SRCS, linking well with the different SRCS Departments and Branches as well as with external partners.

Project Development and Management

• Coordinate and work together with the FbF Team, other Departments, and Branches at SRCS to plan, implement and monitor project activities
• Act as SRCS focal point for overall FbF coordination: initiate, nurture, and sustain coordination and collaboration with stakeholders (including Red Cross Red Crescent movement partners, IFRC, Government ministries, UN agencies, I/NGOs, academia, etc.)
• Develop the project logframe, work plan and budget and implement the plan as agreed with the donor and partners
• Draft periodic project reports, including supporting the preparation of financial reports, to be able to request for the next funding tranche
• Support the project documentation, monitoring and evaluation, including any assessment
• Develop terms of reference and support the recruitment of specific technical consultants for case studies, as needed
• Support donor and partner visits

Technical and Operational Management

• Analyse existing risk information (hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and capacity) to identify SRCS priority areas for FbF implementation
• Coordinate and build consensus with relevant government agencies, UN and other partner agencies on the early warning triggers (i.e., the risk indicators and thresholds as basis of rapid allocation of financial resources to prevent and mitigate the impact of a forecast hazard)
• Work with the scientific and humanitarian community to identify, validate and build consensus on hazard-specific early actions that can be implemented before a disaster strikes.
• Develop EAPs for SRCS to access rapid and flexible funding, including precise roles and responsibilities of the actors involved, a budget and a procurement and logistics plan
• Organize simulation exercises for the EAPs and/or its components to test and enhance preparedness for FbF
• Activate the EAPs in the event the trigger is reached

Advocacy and Capacity Building

• Design, organize and facilitate trainings, workshops, and meetings on the promotion of FbF at the national and branches levels, and ensuring cross-sectoral engagement (DM, Programmes, Finance, Procurement, Logistics, Volunteer Management), focusing on the following topics: FbF concept, hazards and impacts in Sudan, climate change, forecasting, early warning, disaster management and EAPs, internal conflicts, migration, refugee camps)
• Participate in national and international trainings, workshops and working group meetings on FbF themes, including the annual regional and global Dialogue Platforms
• Advocate for the integration of FbF into contingency plans, strategic plan and other DM and Emergency Response plans and programmes in the Sudanese context

Partnerships and Coordination

• Externally represent SRCS in partnerships and multi-sectoral efforts on FbF in Sudan, primarily through the Early Warning Early Action (EWEA) Technical Working Group (TWG). This includes coordinated FbF implementation and policy institutionalization in the country.
• Support communication efforts to promote FbF within SRCS and externally through IEC materials and knowledge products
• Carry out other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as required

Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in relevant field: disaster risk management, social sciences, development studies, geography, hydrology, meteorology, engineering. Post-graduate degree is an asset
• At least five years of relevant professional experience, with thematic focus on disaster risk reduction (DRR) and/or climate change adaptation (CCA) and project management, including financial management and monitoring and evaluation
• A good understanding of Disaster Risk Management landscape in Sudan, including end-to-end early warning systems, policies, and programs
• Familiarity with Emergency Response in Sudan, including key national partners and their respective areas of work and expertise
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
• Commitment to promoting collaboration and teamwork across organizational boundaries, and maintaining high standards for work products

Skills and Knowledge

• Highly driven attitude with priorities set on assuring project implementation progress through efficient planning and organization, as well as efficient prioritization of tasks
• Strong project management and proven coordination skills
• Experience in organizing and delivering trainings and other capacity building activities; strong facilitation skills
• Experience in report writing
• Excellent computer skills
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural skills, ability to communicate clearly and effectively and build relationships at all levels
• Oral and written fluency in English and Arabic language
• Previous experience of working with Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies, is preferable
• Willingness and ability to work in unstable environments and adhere to SRCS security policies

Required Competencies

• Ability to apply technical knowledge
• Communication
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Results orientation
• Analytical thinking
• Technological awareness