Restoring Family Links (RFL) Officer at Nigerian Red Cross Society

Job Purpose 

Under the supervision of the Assistant Coordinator, DM-RFL/Migration Focal Point, the RFL Officer ensures the implementation of the strategy defined by the “Assistant Coordinator, DM-RFL/Migration Focal Point”, in every aspect in the HQ and branches, including human resources tasks such as supervision, training and coaching, ensuring the correct and timely accomplishment of the administrative procedures and implementation of activities and RFL services. It is the executive arm of the RFL Unit; under the leadership of his/her supervisor, organizes the decision-making process and ensures the implementation of its results, managing all activities and projects related to RFL at the national level. 

Key responsibilities     

MGMT and HR    

• Reports to the Assistant Coordinator, DM-RFL/Migration Focal Point in relation with RFL activities.
• Supports the Assistant Coordinator, DM-RFL/Migration Focal Point in supervising the RFL focal points based at the branches, facilitating countrywide coordination  and ensures that minutes of the meetings are drafted, shared on a timely basis and action points followed up.
• Ensures understanding of roles, responsibilities, lateral relationships and accountabilities by all staff of the RFL program.
• In case of need, temporarilly replaces the Assistant Coordinator, DM-RFL/Migration Focal Point. 
• Facilitates mainstreaming RFL programming in branch activities under the regional/branch structures.

Representation and liaison  

Supports the Assistant Coordinator, DM-RFL/Migration Focal Point or replaces her in case of need on:

• Networking with stakeholders within and out of the Movement and handles communication matters related to NRCS’s RFL program with them.
• Participates in relevant fora to establish partnership and enhance visibility of the NRCS RFL services (e.g. Regional meetings of the family links network).
• Following up with RFL focal points and supporting them to ensure their participation in relevant meetings in their respective AoRs. 
• Ensures that minutes of relevant coordination meetings are shared with the relevant key departments in ICRC and NRCS respectively.
• Engages in advocacy activities promoting the NRCS RFL services available, e.g., attending radio talk shows, campaigns (IDoD), etc.
• Facilitates awareness-raising activities to enhance visibility of the NRCS -RFL services and mitigate vulnerability.
• Internally within NRCS, updates and disseminates RFL activities/Strategies to staff and Management.

Strategy development    

• Organizes decision-making process in relation to RFL within NRCS and along its allies (e.g., ICRC), fostering the development of strategies and guidelines, and its implementation. Ensures that all RFL services and activities are carried out through the established Nigerian Red Cross structures and following the NRCS strategy, the Global RFL strategy 2020-2025, and in accordance with the Red Cross/Red Crescent fundamental principles and humanitarian values
• Makes field-based recommendations to the Assistant Coordinator, DM-RFL/Migration Focal Point on the best course of action for the RFL services. 
• Adapts innovative methods to better understand and engage with communities on key issues. Ensures community engagement throughout the RFL activities (projects lifecycle) by providing them with opportunities to participate, receive complaints and feedback and provide response. 
• Keeps abreast of policies, guidelines and instructions from the Central Tracing Agency in relation to the implementation of the RFL Global Strategy. Disseminates and implements as needed (e.g. global monitoring and evaluation survey, etc.)
• Supports, develops and implements the contextualization of the Code of Conduct on Data Protection of the RCRC Movement, with the support of the NRCS Legal officer, and in coordination with the ICRC PFL and Data teams.
• Participates in relevant coordination and strategic meetings on protection of family links issues, at the national and regional (Africa) level.
• Capacity development and technical support    
• Develops a strong and efficient Family Links Network in Nigeria and enhances the capacity of NRCS - RFL focal points and volunteers, by supporting trainings as needed, conducting field monitoring visits, and providing direction and technical guidance.
• Ensures RFL working guidelines and workflows are updated, disseminated, understood, implemented and staff/volunteers supported to do so.
• Supports the RFL focal points and FLAnswers focal points to follow up and provide qualitative support on data collection, reporting and the processing of RFL cases.
• Programme implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting    
• Participates in the designing and ensures the implementation of the operational agreement NRCS/ICRC, specifically its Annex related to RFL activities, ensuring proper planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and coordination meetings with the ICRC, as established in each yearly operational agreement, as well as with other relevant partners.
• Supervises and ensures the implementation of all activities and projects related to Restoring Family Links at the national level: the collection RCMs, tracing requests, photo tracing and other RFL services and registering unaccompanied minors and other vulnerable people; performing search activities to provide answers to their families; facilitating family reunifications; providing services to maintain family links such as antenna services; delivering prevention of separation messages; making referrals to other state and organizational services not provided by NRCS; and participating in the implementation of RFL activities, such as the accompaniment programs and the commemoration of the International Day of the Disappeared (IDoD).
• Contributes to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of NRCS Restoring Family Links activities in the branches. In addition, develops and maintains records for case studies, best practices, lessons learnt and testimonies. 
• Participates in coordination meetings, as defined in the yearly operational agreement NRCS/ICRC, as well in the frame of RFL activities in partnership with other allies.
• Ensures timely reporting of activities and coordinates with RFL focal points so that agreed reports are shared with the Assistant Coordinator, DM-RFL/Migration Focal Point for validation on a timely basis and for sharing with ICRC and other relevant actors.
• Ensures correct deployment and use of FLAnswers nationwide, participating in the design of the deployment, periodic evaluations and proposing and implementing relevant adaptations.

Administrative Support 

• Accountable for providing professional administrative expertise and support to ensure the timely and smooth implementation of tasks and responsibilities linked to the project plans and priorities. Ensures follow-up of the corresponding administrative procedures. 
• Provides a quarterly budget request for NRCS RFL activities for validation by ICRC, after coordination and input from NRCS RFL focal points.
• Receives, reviews and clears vouchers/invoices related to implementation of RFL activities from NRCS branches and closes the advances with the Finance department. Maintains accurate records of all transactions.
• In coordination with the ICT team of NRCS, ensures the correct use of the equipment assigned to the RFL Unit, periodically verifying that it is assigned to the RFL team, and oversees the status and operation of the equipment.

Job duties and responsibilities 

Education & Professional experience required 

• Relevant university degree in Social Sciences, Law, Counseling Psychology, Community Development, Social Work, Program management, Public Administration, or other related fields (Required)
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in Program implementation on any program intervention with international non- governmental organizations (Preferred) 
• Experienced in Humanitarian work. Previous experience in RFL is an important asset.
• Strong leadership, organizational, communication and advocacy skills.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills to build synergies and collaboration with partners, beneficiaries and donor agencies.
• Ability to develop, monitor and evaluate RFL activities for vulnerable people, especially children, Internal Displaced Persons, persons with disabilities and the youth. 
• Strong facilitation skills and knowledge about RFL programming and intervention.
• Experience with supervision and mentoring skills.
• Experience in writing reports, case studies and M&E.

Knowledge and Skills 

• Very good interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
• Motivated, self-starter personality, sense of responsibility and organization skills.
• Ability to multi-task, work under pressure, and prioritize workload to meet tight deadlines. 
• Ability to identify and handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion. 
• Good knowledge of the operational context and area. 
• Flexibility and ability to travel in the operation’s areas. 
• Work closely with the Assistant Coordinator, DM-RFL/Migration Focal Point in ensuring effective planning, monitoring, and evaluation of the activities and services. 
• Ensure timely submission of reports by the National Society for the different active projects. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and appropriate software such as database software like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. 
• Facilitation and training skill. 
• Basic secretarial skills. 
• Perform any other task assigned by Line or Technical Manager.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.  French language an asset as the RFL response includes a regional dimension within the Lake Chad Basin (mainly French speaking countries neighboring Nigeria).