Programme Support Officer – Restoring Family Links

Title: Programme Support Officer – Restoring Family Links

Duration: Full-time, fixed-term contract (12 months)

Reporting to: RFL Programme Manager

The Irish Red Cross Society (IRC) is part of the world’s largest independent humanitarian network, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent (RC/RC) Movement. The IRC is committed to and bound by, its Fundamental Principles of Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality. The vision of the Irish Red Cross is to be a leading humanitarian organisation, providing impartial services and support to vulnerable communities both at home and abroad. Our mission is to identify and deliver humanitarian assistance to those who are most in need.

The Irish Red Cross Restoring Family Links (RFL) Service is part of a global network of Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies. These National Societies work together to restore and maintain contact between families who have been separated by armed conflict, political upheaval, natural disaster or migration. In these situations, communications often break down and families become separated. As a result, people do not know where to turn to find a missing relative or how to get a message to them. Knowing what happened to family members left behind or who have migrated around the world is vital.

SUMMARY OF ROLE

The Programme Support Officer provides administrative and operational support to the Irish Red Cross Restoring Family Links team. The role supports the RFL Programme Manager to ensure accurate case administration, effective coordination of services and the smooth day-to-day running of the IRC’s RFL function, in line with organisational policies and humanitarian principles. This is a demanding role that combines technical complexity with the need to engage and communicate compassionately with distressed clients, in line with protection best practice.

ROLE RESPONSIBLILTIES

• Provide administrative and coordination support for IRC Restoring Family Links services under the guidance of the RFL Programme Manager.

• Maintain accurate and confidential case files in line with Irish Red Cross Policies and data protection and safeguarding standards.

• Support the registration, tracking, and follow up of RFL cases, including documentation and correspondence.

• Assist with the preparation of reports, including statistics, for donor or internal programme updates as required.

• Assist with the scheduling of meetings and the preparation of agendas or other documents and follow up on action points as required.

• Support filing, record keeping and archiving systems for RFL cases.

• Manage the RFL email inbox and answer general queries or refer more complex matters issues to appropriate RFL staff in line with procedures.

• Support financial administration related to RFL programmes, including purchase order requests, expense tracking and reconciliation in line with IRC finance procedures

• To undertake other tasks as may be required from time to time as requested by the RFL Programme Manager.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Essential Criteria

• Experience in an administrative or programme support role preferably in a humanitarian, NGO or social services setting.

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines and priorities.

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail, especially in record keeping and documentation

• Demonstrated ability to work sensitively and respectfully with vulnerable individuals and families

• Ability to engage and communicate compassionately with distressed clients, in line with protection best practice

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Able to work independently as well as part of ateam

• Able to handle confidential information appropriately

• Proficiency in MS Office application and experience using databases or case management systems

  
  

  Desirable Criteria

• Experience supporting case-based services (e.g. migration, protection, family reunification, etc.)

• Familiarity with protection, RFL work and/or Red Cross and Red Cresent Movement

• Knowledge of the work and fundamental principles of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.

• Additional language skills relevant to RFL service users, such as Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Somali.

  
  

FURTHER INFORMATION

The Irish Red Cross offers the following benefits in addition to salary

• Up to 5% employers' matching contribution to a company contributory pension scheme. Closure of the office on Good Friday, plus two additional ‘privilege days’ to be used at Easter and Christmas respectively.

• Death in Service benefit of four times salary

• Flexible working hours, including opportunities for hybrid working.

• Further education, training and learning supports

• Professional subscriptions (as applicable)

• Travel (bike-to-work schemes/tax saver commuter tickets)

The Irish Red Cross is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and aspire to reflect this in our workforce. We welcome applications for people from all sections of the community, irrespective of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community.

This role requires applicants to have the right to work in Ireland.

This role is based at our Head Office in Dublin. Requests for remote working within Ireland may be considered. 

Applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and the closing date may be brought forward accordingly. 

Closing date is 6pm on 14th May 2026.