Health Coordinator with IFRC

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) is an independent humanitarian organization of public utility, is permanent and continuous, and has a legal entity and enjoys financial and administrative independence. SARC was founded in 1942 according to the decrees No/540/ 1942 and No/117/ 1966 which regulate the Organization’s work. It was recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva (ICRC) in 1946, and is committed to upholding the Geneva Conventions and the seven Fundamental Principles of the International Movement of Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies.

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent is seeking to recruit a “Health Coordinator with IFRC”

Interested candidates are requested to send their updated CV in English and must be PDF file only, otherwise will be rejected To: hrrecruitment@sarc-sy.org

• Should write the position you apply for in the Subject.
• Based In Damascus – Abou Remmaneh. Any resume without Subject will be automatically rejected.
• Any resume without Subject will be automatically rejected.
• Vacancy Open Date:09-July-2026 / Vacancy Closing Date: 24-July-2026.

Organizational context (where the job is located in the Organization)

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 health and humanitarian needs of vulnerable people before, during, and after health emergencies, disasters, 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 is 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, the 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.

Health coordination and support are among the core mandates of the IFRC. While the responsibility of health response lies primarily with each National Society, IFRC has the mandate to provide technical and strategic support to National Societies to enhance their health response capabilities. Health support aligns with IFRC’s Strategy 2030, contributing to building resilient communities.

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.

Job purpose

The Health Coordinator will oversee the comprehensive management, coordination, and strategic direction of health and care support programs into Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), ensuring alignment with the specific needs of the country and SARC priorities. This role focuses on strengthening resilient and sustainable health and care systems to address immediate and long-term health challenges. The coordinator will provide technical guidance to enhance SARC’s capacity in delivering high-quality health services and emergency responses to vulnerable communities.

The incumbent will manage all IFRC health and care programmes, offering strategic and technical support to SARC’s Health department, and collaborating with senior and mid-level management to ensure effective program implementation.

The coordinator will prioritize emergency preparedness, health program development, and adherence to IFRC standards, while integrating Protection, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI) principles into health initiatives to promote accountability and inclusive service delivery.

Additionally, the role involves coordinating technical assistance from Movement Partners to advance SARC’s health and care strategies, including epidemic preparedness, community health, and health systems strengthening. As the primary health and care focal point for IFRC in Syria, the coordinator will represent the organization in health-related discussions internally and externally, ensuring coordinated support among Movement and external partners, particularly during emergencies.

The Health Coordinator reports to the Head of Delegation, with a technical reporting line to the IFRC MENA Regional Health and Care thematic lead. The position includes oversight of budgets under the IFRC Unified Plan and Emergency Appeals.

This role explicitly contributes to IFRC Health and Care Framework 2030, ensuring alignment with its four pillars: Global Health Security, Universal Health Coverage, and Transformative Partnerships, as well as the three enablers (National Society leadership, IFRC Secretariat health infrastructure, and digital/data solutions).

Job duties and responsibilities

Financial and Budgetary Management

• Lead the planning and development of Health program budgets in coordination with National society technical and program teams, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, operational capacity, and donor requirements.
• Ensure efficient, transparent, and accountable use of financial resources allocated to Health activities, while monitoring expenditures to prevent over- or under-spending and ensuring cost-effectiveness across interventions.
• Work in close collaboration with IFRC and National Society finance teams to track financial transactions, ensure timely disbursement of funds, and maintain compliance with internal policies and external donor regulations.
• Prepare, review, and submit timely and accurate financial reports and budget forecasts for Health programs, ensuring readiness for internal audits and donor reporting.
• Support the development and refinement of financial tools and systems to improve planning, forecasting, and reporting for Health programming.
• Participate in budget revisions, proposal development, and financial risk assessments to ensure that Health resources are effectively planned, managed, and sustained.
• Provide capacity-building support to Health staff on budget management, financial accountability, and compliance with procurement and financial guidelines.
• Identify opportunities for resource optimization and reallocation within Health budgets, maximizing impact and ensuring financial sustainability.
• Ensure that all financial activities related to Health meet IFRC and donor compliance standards, including procurement regulations, audit requirements, and internal control mechanisms.

Health Program Development and Support

• Lead the development and execution of health programs including emergency preparedness and response, and health system strengthening.
• Engage with NSs to develop medical services vision/strategy, operational plan, and SOPs to define the niche, sustainability elements, and to help guiding and channelling external support into their focus.
• Ensure provision of technical support for all medicines, medical supplies and equipment procurement processes for the NS including technical specifications, relevance/necessity, and cost-effectiveness aspects.
• Promote the continuum of health care approach via integration of medical services with community health, and cross-cutting thematic areas (gender, disability, migration, MHPSS, CEA, PGI, climate change, etc).

Coordination and Networking

• Represent IFRC and Membership at relevant external health forums in Syria.
• Strengthening relationships with ministry of health, UN agencies, and health NGOs to enhance program integration.
• Coordinate with other Movement Partners (e.g., ICRC) to ensure comprehensive health responses of SARC.
• Coordinate and collaborate with all PNSs supporting medical services of the NS to assure efficient utilization of available resources.
• Maintain regular coordination and collaboration with the IFRC Regional office.

Technical Capacity Strengthening

• Lead the development of training programs and materials to strengthen SARC capacities in Health and WASH response and preparedness.
• Advocate for and promote knowledge-sharing and innovative practices among different branches of SARC.
• Ensure the use of IFRC health tools such as CBHFA and Epidemic Control for Volunteers.

Resource Mobilization and Sustainability

• Actively engage into drafting and preparations of DREF applications, Emergency Appeals, emergency operational strategies and implementation plans with a special focus on emergency health and WASH interventions.
• Engage with IFRC Regional Health and SPRM to explore fund raising venues for health Develop funding applications and proposals supporting SARC in their regular Health programmes and capacity strengthening.
• Ensure SARC develops sustainable health strategies aligned with IFRC’s global health objectives and national priorities.

• Ensure effective communication with donors and maintain an oversight of all Health programme-related funding and pledges and ensure these are delivered on time and are of quality.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

• Ensure the implementation of MEAL processes to ensure program quality and effectiveness.
• Ensure health related data is collected by the field teams as per agreed indicators and benchmarks.
• Analyze the data collected by field teams to inform health program improvements.
• Encourage the NS to present their work and operations at national, regional, and international scientific platforms and encourage peer to peer learning with NSs in the region.

Managing IFRC Staff

• Supervise, mentor, and support IFRC Disability Inclusion Delegate and Senior Officer WASH, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback and setting clear goals.
• Facilitate ongoing training and professional development opportunities for IFRC health and WASH staff to ensure program excellence and up-to-date skills.
• Promote best practices, standardization, and adherence to IFRC health policies and protocols among the team members.

General Management and Compliance

• Ensure adherence to IFRC policies, especially regarding safeguarding, PSEA, and financial integrity.
• Provide day-to-day management of health initiatives, promoting high standards of program execution and accountability.
• Support the IFRC’s commitment to ethical standards and safeguarding principles.

Duties applicable to all staff

Position Requirements