Protection, Gender and Inclusion in Emergencies Officer (IFRC secondment)

Part time (0.5FTE) Australia-based position, supporting IFRC operations. 

Flexible location. 

Australian Red Cross' International Program is supporting IFRC's global Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) operations through the hosting of a 12-month, part-time PGI in Emergencies Officer position.

This specialist position will be embedded in IFRC Operations but work remotely from Australia (flexible location) for 19 hours each week. 

It is anticipated that some international travel will be required during the 12-month engagement, though such travel is expected to be infrequent and short in duration (1-2 weeks per trip). Accordingly, applicants must be in a position to travel, hold a valid passport and agree to comply with ARC's policies and guidelines for international travel and health.   

The successful candidate will be engaged on an Australian Red Cross delegate contract (SCHADS Award) and seconded into the IFRC Secretariat PGI Team, reporting to the Lead, Protection, Gender and Inclusion.

Please find a detailed Job Description below. If you are interested in being considered for this position, please review the job description prior to applying. You will be required to complete the standard delegate application form, and upload a recent CV. 

If you have any questions regarding the position, remuneration or contracting modality, please contact either Javeria Khalid ([email protected]) or Mat Orr ([email protected]) in the International Deployment Unit. 

Applications close midday AEST, Sunday 3 August 2025. 

Job description

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 the 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.” The 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 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.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. 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.

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.

Overview

- This is one of two seconded to the IFRC Secretariat—one by the Australian Red Cross, the other by the Canadian Red Cross. 

- Together, these roles form a strategic partnership to ensure global coverage, operational proximity, and the full strength of the PGI-in-emergencies network.

- The roles will coordinate closely to build coherence, complementarity, and reach in supporting National Societies and IFRC emergency operations.

This secondment is part time but may be required to travel on missions where full time work will be required for short, timebound periods.

Job purpose

The Officer, PGI in Emergencies will undertake activities to ensure protection, gender and inclusion (PGI) is systematically integrated across the emergency management cycle and the sectoral approaches of the IFRC teams in emergency operations. This includes ensuring strong and clear integration of PGI into the DREF funding mechanism; and providing hands-on support to operations, sectors, and programmes to embed PGI across the emergency response framework. 

The role will need to work with the Operations Teams which sits under the Disasters, Climate and Crises department; and the DREF and IM teams which sit under the Under Secretary General for National Society Development and Operations Coordination (NSDOC) management line.

Job duties and responsibilities

Embed PGI in Emergency Operations

- By delegated authority of the PGI lead: coordinate and spearhead the PGI technical review and feedback for all DREFs, Emergency Appeals, and Operational Strategies and input to the Emergency Support Groups, Crisis team meetings and operations structures to ensure continuous and clear accountability and support on protection, gender and inclusion concerns in operations.
-Flag and follow up on inclusion gaps, risks, and opportunities with operations teams and with PGI team or IFRC Senior Management in liaison with the PGI Lead.
- Drive uptake of PGI Minimum Commitments across emergency sectors; an dinput to the needed changes in the minimum standards.
- Develop context-specific SOPs and guidance for PGI integration into operations. - Map and address pushback in a constructive manner.

Strengthen Surge and Systems

- Coordinate deployment, support, and technical guidance for PGI Surge personnel including accompaniment of PGI surge remotely (supporting their work, debriefing and ensuring orientation to any coordination or tasks within IFRC operational framework) 
- Maintain active coordination with RRMS, Surge Desk, and emergency taskforces.
- Finalise and roll out the updated PGI in Emergencies Toolkit, based on 2023–2024 review: including updated materials on website and new guidance on where to capture PGI needs in the Appeal and Operational Plans (already developed, needs finalisation).
- Deliver joint training with operations teams to institutionalise PGI practices in field teams.
- Input into Operations Teams main trainings
– to support PGI competencies and knowledge across operations management and in sectoral training.
- Liaise with Shelter Cluster on needs and systems.
- Ability to work under general direction from senior employees within clear objectives and budget constraints and work with and support teams and people from diverse backgrounds and create a collaborative working environment - Ability to manage time, set priorities, plan and organise their own work and that of lower classified staff and/or volunteers

Drive Learning and DREF Accountability Framework

- Support operational research on PGI outcomes in DREF-supported responses (this is funded through DREF team and may require mission related travel). 
- Conduct reviews of application of the PGI Marker and feed into institutional reporting systems (for example FCDO business case data on application of PGI Standards in emergencies).

Joint Role Coordination and Network Activation

Work in tandem with the counterpart role (based in ARC or CRC) to ensure:
- Clear global coverage and coordinated prioritisation of support if multiple crises arise.
- Clear coordination with the PGI Coordinators in each region. - Shared tools, approaches, and messaging across contexts one unified voice.

- Contribute to stronger PGI networks at National Society Level 
- Maintain regular updates to both seconding National Societies on priorities and results.

Communication and Humanitarian diplomacy

- Translate technical insights and operational results into strategic communications that highlight impact, gaps, and areas for improvement, ensuring that PGI issues are systematically addressed in IFRC leadership and decision-making processes. Internal JD Template
- When requested represent IFRC Network in Movement or interagency coordination spaces.
- Develop key messages on PGI for specific emergencies when requested (for diplomacy, fundraising)

Additional Activities that might be requested

- Revise the PGI Surge Competency Framework.
- Translate revised PGI in Emergencies Toolkit.
- Support the Surge training in Asia Pacific.
- Run PGI core trainings for tier 1 (including TOTs) for NS at country and regional level

Duties applicable to all staff
1. Actively work 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

Position Requirements