Delegate, Humanitarian Diplomacy

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, the 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.

Humanitarian diplomacy is defined by the IFRC as “persuading decision makers and opinion leaders to act, at all times, in the interests of vulnerable people, and with full respect for fundamental humanitarian principles” IFRC Humanitarian Diplomacy Policy, 2009).

Job Purpose

The Africa Regional Office (ARO) and its 15 country cluster delegations work with and support 49 National Societies in the region. The Humanitarian Diplomacy (HD) Delegate will be primarily focused on supporting the regional Humanitarian Diplomacy team, IFRC Country Cluster to ensure a strategic, coordinated, consultative approach to Humanitarian Diplomacy, and enhance the capacity of the Sudan Red Crescent Society (SRCS).

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Information gathering and analysis

• Prepare context analysis to inform Humanitarian Diplomacy in line with SRCS response plan and IFRC appeal.
• Participate in operational meetings of the IFRC, National Society, Movement and interagency coordination groups to ensure that humanitarian diplomacy messaging reflects the most urgent needs.
• Liaise closely with the Sudan Communication and Operations teams to identify key developments, and reactions to messaging, combat misinformation, and manage risks that could impede life-saving humanitarian aid.
• Bring together relevant colleagues, including Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) and Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) teams, to seek their perspectives, knowledge and concerns.

Strategic planning and preparation of key documents

• Identify interlocutors, decision-makers, opinion leaders, and influencers, relevant to the context for Humanitarian Diplomacy efforts at national, regional and global levels.
• Develop a contextualised strategic plan of Humanitarian Diplomacy engagement by SRCS, IFRC and Partner National Societies’ stakeholders with identified interlocutors.
• Develop targeted Humanitarian Diplomacy key messages to support engagement with strategic partners, including governments and donors, of the SRCS, IFRC and National Societies.
• Produce analytical pieces on contextual issues, operational challenges and advocacy positions (positioning, key messaging, updates, issues briefs, etc.).

Engagement with external actors

• Facilitate and support SRCS/IFRC in building and nurturing relations with government authorities.
• Facilitate, directly or indirectly, IFRC representation and participation to sectoral coordination mechanisms established by Government, UN and other external actors.
• If relevant, provide briefings or support briefings by colleagues at the regional and global level.

Coordination and Movement cooperation

• Establish a Humanitarian Diplomacy coordination mechanism adapted to the operational context. This would include ensuring there is strong internal coordination and communication between key IFRC colleagues, as well as two-way communication with key National Societies and IFRC colleagues in critical locations, to ensure the sharing of information about needs and positions of different stakeholders and enable all stakeholders to be on one message.
• Under the leadership of the Regional Head of Humanitarian Diplomacy and Regional Liaison, ensure fluid liaison with the Global HD team, including the multilateral and representation offices in New York, Geneva, Brussels, and Addis Ababa to identify opportunities to amplify key messages
• Keep the wider IFRC network informed on key developments related to the humanitarian response in the region, liaising with partner agencies on humanitarian diplomacy activity.
• Proactively support IFRC and National Societies Humanitarian Diplomacy and Communication colleagues across the globe to ensure effective engagement and supportively interventions as requested.
• Coordinate with ICRC Humanitarian Diplomacy team at the national (if relevant) and regional level to ensure coherent coordinated messaging and outreach with National Societies.

Duties applicable to all staff.

• Work actively towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals.
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Education

• University degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline (international relations, development studies, political science, law, public administration, etc.). Required.

Experience

• Minimum 3 years’ experience of working for the RC/RC or for another humanitarian relief organisation in an emergency setting. Required.
• Relevant work experience with the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, or another organisation working internationally, including in advocacy, partnerships or strategic planning, migration & displacement. Required.
• Solid track record in partnerships, advocacy or humanitarian diplomacy. Required.
• Working experience at leadership-level with several components of the Movement. Preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Proven skills in analytical and strategic thinking and strong track record in building contextual analysis development and dissemination. Required.
• Excellent communication skills and influencing skills. Required.
• Excellent written communications skills and ability to produce analytical pieces. Required.
• Proven good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality. Required.
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural, multilingual, multidisciplinary environment. Required.
• Fluent spoken and written English. Required.
• Good command of Arabic is an advantage. Preferred.

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.
• Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.
• Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others.