Officer, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

Organizational context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the largest humanitarian network in the world, bringing together 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Through its Triple R approach — response, resilience, and respect — it works in line with Strategy 2030 to support people affected by crises, reduce disaster risks, and strengthen community resilience. Its work spans climate and environment, health and wellbeing, migration and displacement, as well as strategic coordination, humanitarian diplomacy, National Society development, and accountability.

Headquartered in Geneva, IFRC also operates through regional offices in Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, and MENA, along with representation offices, service centres, and delegations worldwide.

IFRC applies a zero-tolerance stance toward sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and misconduct, including financial misconduct. It also follows strict child safeguarding standards.

The Country Delegation in Azerbaijan supports the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society in strengthening institutional capacity, disaster preparedness, anticipatory action, and community resilience. The country is exposed to hazards such as floods, earthquakes, landslides, droughts, and severe weather, making early warning, anticipatory action, and community-based disaster risk reduction essential priorities.

The SAFER-AZ programme, funded by the European Union, supports enhanced vulnerability and capacity assessments, early warning dissemination, anticipatory action mechanisms, community preparedness planning, and capacity building in First Aid and Psychological First Aid.

Role purpose

This position supports IFRC and the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society in improving community resilience and disaster risk reduction under the SAFER-AZ programme. The role centers on participatory assessments, setting up and supporting Community Disaster Response Teams, delivering awareness activities, and integrating First Aid and Psychological First Aid into community preparedness work. The post reports to the DRR Senior Officer.

Key responsibilities

• Take part in conducting Enhanced Vulnerability and Capacity Assessments in assigned communities.
• Lead or support focus group discussions and stakeholder consultations while ensuring participation from women, youth, older people, and persons with disabilities.
• Help prepare assessment reports and community risk profiles.
• Support the development, review, and validation of community-based disaster risk reduction and preparedness plans.
• Help incorporate early warning dissemination and anticipatory action triggers into local preparedness plans.
• Assist with introducing and promoting the final disaster risk reduction plans in communities.
• Support the circulation of early warning messages through community networks and Azerbaijan Red Crescent branches.
• Help organize simulations and practical exercises to test early warning arrangements.
• Support community understanding of early action steps and safe behavior during emergencies.
• Work closely with technical teams in the Country Cluster Delegation and Regional Office, including PGI, CEA, and IM.
• Support the creation and training of Community Disaster Response Teams.
• Deliver or co-facilitate training on disaster risk reduction, anticipatory action, First Aid, and Psychological First Aid.
• Assist with volunteer mobilization and ensure safety procedures are followed.
• Collect and organize monitoring information against project indicators such as completed EVCA exercises, developed DRR plans, trained CDRTs, and awareness sessions delivered.
• Maintain accurate attendance records, activity reports, and photo documentation.
• Contribute to regular narrative reporting in line with IFRC and EU requirements.
• Ensure all field work follows the IFRC Code of Conduct, safeguarding policies, and Protection, Gender and Inclusion standards.
• Before introducing any policy, guideline, tool, or training, review existing IFRC documentation and current practice within the network.
• Ensure EU support is properly visible in community activities according to EU communication rules.
• Promote accountability to affected people by supporting feedback and complaints mechanisms.

Education and experience

A university degree in humanitarian studies, environmental sciences, public policy, or a closely related area is required. Technical training in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery is preferred.

The role requires at least 3 years of relevant professional experience in disaster risk management or early warning systems, together with demonstrated experience in participatory facilitation and community engagement. Experience of 3 or more years with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement or other humanitarian organizations is preferred, along with experience working with volunteers or civil society groups and delivering training activities.

Skills and knowledge

Applicants should understand the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, have strong knowledge of disasters, disaster response, and preparedness, and be capable of building effective relationships with partners. Experience in training and staff capacity development is required. Strong digital competence is also expected, including digital communication and collaboration, basic content creation, digital safety and security, data literacy, and problem solving with technology, including responsible use of AI assistants. A strong commitment to IFRC’s mission and values is essential. Fluency in spoken and written English and Azerbaijani is required. Knowledge of another IFRC official language such as French, Spanish, or Arabic is an advantage.

Values and competencies

Expected values include respect for diversity, integrity, professionalism, and accountability. Core competencies include communication, collaboration and teamwork, sound judgement and decision making, national society and customer relations, creativity and innovation, and the ability to build trust.

Additional information

This position is based in Baku, Azerbaijan, and is a full-time onsite role. No salary details, number of openings, start date, or contract duration were specified in the source.