Senior Officer, Cholera Programme and Public Health

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 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, 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 Federation in delivering its broader Humanitarian and Developmental mission, hosts the Country Support Platform (CSP) of the Global Task Force for Cholera Control (GTFCC) as an operational arm of the GTFCC.

Together with other , the Nepal Senior Cholera Programme and Public Health officer will ensure the effective development, roll-out, and implementation of National Cholera Plans (NCPs) and  act as the primary liaison between national and sub-national stakeholders and the Regional Programme Managers (RPMs), facilitating seamless coordination and integration of cholera control activities within broader national health strategies.

Senior Cholera Program and Public Health Officer is responsible for maintaining robust relationships with both national and sub-national counterparts, ensuring that cholera remains a priority amidst competing health demands. They provide on-the-ground support and capacity building, support local government staff involved in NCP implementation, and monitor progress to ensure alignment with the GTFCC Global Roadmap to Ending Cholera by 2030. Additionally, Senior Officer play a critical role in advocacy and resource mobilization at the national level, working closely with RPMs to secure necessary funding and support for cholera control initiatives.

The IFRC Nepal Senior Cholera Program and Public Health Officer is also expected to provide strategic and operational advice to the Nepal Red Cross Society while overseeing the day-to-day implementation of public health activities.

Job purpose

Reporting to the IFRC Nepal Programme & Operations Coordinator and under the technical guidance of the Dhaka based CSP Regional Coordinator, the Senior Cholera Programme and Public Health Officer will play a critical role in overseeing the finalization and launch, national and sub-national roll-out, and implementation of National Cholera Plans (NCPs). The incumbent will ensure coordinated action and alignment with national strategies to combat cholera effectively. As implementer of the operational arm of the GTFCC, the role holder will directly liaise with GTFCC partners in country.

The Senior Cholera Programme and Public Health Officer will support cholera control activities at the national and facilitate the same at sub-national level, maintaining ongoing relationships with both national and sub-national counterparts to keep cholera as a key priority amidst competing demands. The role involves supervising and providing capacity-building support for local government staff involved in NCP implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluating the progress of NCP implementation at both national and sub-national levels.

He/she will ensure alignment with the multi-sectoral approach to cholera control as elaborated in the GTFCC cholera roadmap bringing together technical expertise in epidemiology, surveillance, laboratory testing, community engagement, immunization, and WASH to serve country level requirements.

The Senior Cholera Programme and Public Health Officer will also provide technical guidance and follow up on IFRC Nepal public health interventions, with a focus on quality insurance and knowledge transfer to Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS). As a member of the IFRC Nepal Programme Team, he/she will work in close cooperation with Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) and the IFRC membership network in Nepal, with guidance and technical support from the IFRC Regional Thematic Lead on Health and Care.

This position is located in Kathmandu, Nepal, with possible travel to the field depending on the operational needs.

Job duties and responsibilities

The IFRC Nepal Senior Cholera Programme and Public Health Officer is responsible for the implementation of National Cholera Plans (NCP), especially at sub-national level, ensuring their effective development, implementation, and alignment with both national health, WASH and development strategies and the GTFCC Global Roadmap. The role encompasses strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, technical support, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy, and resource mobilization to achieve sustained cholera control and elimination. The role will also provide support to the IFRC Nepal Country Delegation in Health-related programming and provide technical guidance and support to the Health Department of the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS).

National Cholera Plan

• With oversight from the CSP Regional Programme Manager, support the finalization, endorsement, launch, and roll-out of NCPs at national and sub-national levels, ensuring they are comprehensive, actionable, and aligned with national health strategies.
• Work day-to-day with national and sub-national counterparts and stakeholders to develop activity plans, budgets, and investment cases to support the NCPs.
• Maintain ongoing relationships with national and sub-national counterparts, including government entities, NGOs, and local communities, to ensure cholera remains a key priority.
• Facilitate multi-sectoral collaboration by engaging stakeholders from various sectors such as Health, WASH, Development, and Local Government.
• Ensure that cholera control activities are integrated into broader national health and development strategies.
• Advocate for the inclusion of cholera priorities in national policies and funding allocations.

Technical Support

• Provide capacity-building support for local government staff involved in NCP implementation.
• Organize and facilitate training sessions, workshops, and seminars to enhance technical skills and knowledge.
• Provide technical guidance on cholera prevention, control, and response activities, ensuring adherence to GTFCC guidelines and best practices.
• Assist in the dissemination and implementation of national cholera case management protocols and guidelines.
• Establish mechanisms for regular monitoring and evaluation of NCP activities at national and sub-national levels.
• Collect, analyze, and report data on program effectiveness, and areas needing improvement.

Coordination

• Under guidance from the CSP Regional Programme Manager, work closely with government counterparts, other agencies, NGOs, and stakeholders involved in cholera control to ensure a unified approach and the rollout of the NCP to sub-national level. 
• Work under the guidance of the Regional Programme Manager to align national activities with regional strategies and objectives.
• Participate in regional coordination meetings and share insights from the national level as requested.
• Facilitate the sharing of information and best practices between different organizations and sectors.
• Support cholera emergency response efforts at the national and sub-national levels, ensuring rapid and effective action, as requested
• Accompany and support counterparts in NRCS Health Department in coordination with government, UN agencies and other humanitarian and development actors.
• Ensure that all activities performed are closely coordinated with NRCS, and IFRC in-country members to ensure synergies.

Advocacy and Resource Mobilization

• Support advocacy initiatives with the RPM to secure political commitment and support for cholera control activities.
• Raise awareness about cholera prevention and control among policymakers, donors, and the public.
• Assist in developing investment cases and resource mobilization strategies to secure funding for NCP implementation.
• Facilitate and maintain an overview of existing and potential project proposals for sub-national activities under NCP implementation.
• Engage with local donors, private sector partners, and other funding sources to support cholera control efforts.
• In addition to the more specific advocacy and resurces mobilization for cholera prevention and NCP implementation, assist in resource mobilization initiatives to secure funding for health projects for IFRC and NRCS.

Monitoring

• Facilitate the development and maintenance of information management systems for tracking NCP progress.
• Ensure accurate and timely data collection, analysis, and dissemination.
• Prepare regular reports on NCP implementation, highlighting achievements, challenges, and recommendations.
• Contribute to internal and external reporting requirements, ensuring compliance with IFRC and donor protocols.
• Participate in periodic reviews and evaluations of NCP activities to assess effectiveness and inform future planning.
• Implement lessons learned and best practices to enhance program impact. Guide NRCS in documenting good practice and lessons identified and encourage their application in subsequent programming

Programme management

• Work with the Programme Coordinator to improve quality and effectiveness of health projects. Monitor and report on IFRC health projects and undertake field monitoring if required.
• As part of the Programme Team, contribute to strategic discussions of the Nepal Country Office, annual Operational Planning as well as specific discussions related to public health project implementation 
• Provide technical guidance to NRCS in the design of implementation plans for public health and community-based health programming

Duties applicable to all staff

Position Requirements