Head of Humanitarian Affairs

Reports to (role)

Head of Delegation, ICRC Global Cyber Hub

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and, at the same time, promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organisation, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

The humanitarian sector has been undergoing a significant digital transformation in recent years, creating both opportunities and risks. On the one hand, people affected by humanitarian emergencies are increasingly connected, and humanitarian organisations are developing and offering digital humanitarian services. On the other hand, unauthorized access to or extraction of humanitarian data by malicious actors, to gain operational advantages or for other non-humanitarian purposes, can create significant risks for the dignity and safety of vulnerable people whilst undermining the work of humanitarian actors.

The recent creation of an ICRC Delegation for Cyberspace and its transition into a Global Cyber Hub aims at strengthening the organisation’s capacity to deliver on its mandate in the digital age. The delegation explores new ways to support, enable, and protect the ICRC’s digital footprint, which is made up primarily of the data that affected populations entrust it with and of the digital means – products and services – it deploys in conflict zones. The delegation maintains a safe R&D environment to develop a response to the challenges brought by digitalization, notably in conflict settings, and anticipate those that will continue to emerge. Understanding what adherence to the fundamental principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence of exclusively humanitarian action means in the digital age, and adapting its operating modalities and technology choices accordingly, is a key component of this. This is essential for the ICRC to gain and preserve the trust of affected people as well as interlocutors, to continue to have access to affected areas, also digitally, to ensure that affected people access essential humanitarian services, and to ensure the acceptance and safety of its own staff.

Purpose

The Head of Humanitarian Affairs manages a small dynamic team based in Luxembourg, who take the lead, as requested and agreed with the Head of Delegation, on the delivery of relevant strategies and implementation of various delegation objectives. 

The Head of Humanitarian Affairs is in charge of designing, planning, implementing, coordinating and following up the delegation's outreach, policy and techplomacy activities. The Head of Humanitarian Affairs is also responsible of the related budget and acts as an enabler for cross-cutting areas of work.

S/he is also the substance owner of the problem-analysis section of the annual Planning and Monitoring for Results process, and is the focal point for interaction with headquarters departments relevant to the programmes supervised.

Accountabilities & Functional responsibilities

Strategy setting and implementation:

• Contributes to analysing the political, humanitarian and security environment per Planning for Results and, based on assessments and findings, identifies humanitarian needs and together with his team defines priorities and strategies for outreach, policy and techplomacy activities, in line with the strategic orientations of the delegation set by the Head of Delegation.
• Advises the delegation on cyber related issues and political affairs, and how they impact/relate to humanitarian action.

Supervision and representation:

• Engages or supervises the engagement with various stakeholders (universities, tech actors…) as agreed with the Head of Delegation and in coordination with other departments. Manages agreements with relevant stakeholders and follows-up.
• Supports in improving ICRCs understanding of the impact of digital technologies on people, conflicts and humanitarian action, through diverse engagements.
• Oversees the organisation of outreach events and trainings.
• Helps maintain and strengthen the ICRC’s role as a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian actor.
• Collaborates with other coordinators in the delegation and HQ.

Additional responsibilities

Financial management:

• Participates in the annual planning and budgeting process (Planning for Results), leads on objectives for his/her portfolio, sets outreach, policy and techplomacy direction and monitors impact/outcomes. Determines work priorities related to the achievement of these objectives within allocated and approved budget.
• Monitors implementation.

People Management:

• Supervises, coaches, trains and provides technical support and strategic guidance to the team members in his/her department.
• Contributes to achieving institutional and delegation’s objectives.

People management responsibilities

Yes

Scope & Impact

Geographical remit: Global

This position is based in Luxembourg. No remote working.

Relationships

• Internally: Manages the Humanitarian Affairs team. Interacts with the delegation’s staff and with the coordinators, ensures cohesion through transversal and multi-disciplinary approaches when needed. Works in close collaboration with the HoD and interacts with relevant staff at Headquarters and in the field.
• Externally: In coordination with HoD, contributes to creating, maintaining, and developing a network of interlocutors with a broad range of stakeholders that have an influence on policy matters.

Certifications / Education required

• Master degree or equivalent training or experience in a relevant subject.

Professional Experience required

• 12-15 years overall professional experience, including as a manager, in strategy, human resources, and budget management.
• Strong experience in humanitarian policy, advocacy, diplomacy, conflict analysis and/or a relevant policy position.
• Prior field experience with the ICRC or another humanitarian/development organisation.
• Knowledge and experience of working with government departments, as well as humanitarian/development organisations and think tanks.
• Excellent written and spoken English. French or other second language a plus.

Desired profile and skills

• Proven experience in networking and influencing.

Our Values

At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this

Additional information

• Location : Luxembourg
• Activity rate : 100%
• Length of assignment : Open ended
• Estimated start date : 01/01/2025
• Application deadline : 15/11/2024
• Resident Position

What we offer

Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment