Humanitarian diplomacy delegate

Purpose of Position

The position aims to develop the IFRC's capacity in the Pacific to persuade decision makers and opinion leaders to act, at all times, in the interest of vulnerable people, and with respect for the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.

This position will require the successful candidate to develop strong relationships with national societies, movement partners and external stakeholders - engaging diplomatically on some of the most important issues facing the movement today. The delegate will work with national societies to develop their voice and to support the needs and aspirations of vulnerable people through confidential diplomacy, environment building, public influence and public advocacy campaigns.

It is expected that approximately 50 per cent of the humanitarian diplomacy delegate's tasks will be directed towards the implementation of the IDRL programme objectives.

We are seeking an individual who will act in line with the values that the regional office strives to apply, namely, openness, integrity, leadership, teamwork, adaptability, innovation and making a difference.

Key skills will include; strong interpersonal skills and the ability to articulate messages clearly and concisely to individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds. The individual will need to always maintain constructive dialogue while representing the regional office's perspectives.

The Delegate will report to the head of the regional office and have a technical line to both the humanitarian diplomacy and the IDRL coordinators in the Asia Pacific Zone Office.

Description of Duties

- Strategic Objective: The extent of consistent and reliable Red Cross services in the Pacific in support of communities affected by disasters, crises and health-related threats is increased.

- Strategic Objective: Pacific National Societies scale up their efforts to build Community Safety and Resilience utilising their grass root branch and volunteer networks.

• Leading on the enhancement of humanitarian diplomacy capacities in national societies through: up-skilling and expertise building in relation to diplomatic liaison with decision makers and community level advocacy; mentoring and encouragement; peer exchanges with other Pacific national societies; development of tailored tools and guidance; and supported involvement in multilateral meetings.
• Supporting national societies to work with relevant partners/actors and to initiate strategic partnerships and participate in relevant networks.
• Supporting national societies to strengthen their auxiliary partnership role to secure greater support governments and other partners for improved humanitarian work.

- Strategic Objective: IFRC and national societies are respected and recognised as neutral, impartial humanitarian actors; and have a distinctive, authoritative and consistent voice that speaks out on behalf of vulnerable people, and which influences and improves policy and legislation affecting vulnerability.

• Research and analysis to inform IFRC's humanitarian diplomacy agenda in the Pacific region.
• Supporting the head of regional office in building the image and visibility of the IFRC by engaging strategically with international and regional organisations, diplomatic missions, donors, United Nations agencies and the media.
• Engaging key policy makers in the Pacific to understand and address priority humanitarian issues identified in the Pacific Humanitarian Diplomacy Strategy, particularly IDRL.
• Manage the IDRL programme including:
1. Providing technical assistance on strengthening legal preparedness to governments, in particular through the implementation of IDRL technical support projects.
2. Building the capacity of selected Pacific National Societies to advise their governments on the development of disaster management law through the conduct of workshops and trainings.
3. Advocating for legal preparedness, building partnerships on IDRL issues and disseminating existing legal and policy instruments in the Pacific, in particular, the IDRL Guidelines.

- Strategic Objective: Cooperation with external partners has contributed to complimentarily of action and coordination and improved understanding about the distinctive role of the IFRC and its individual members.

- Strategic Objective: Cooperation between movement actors is based on common and sustainable approaches to the development of national societies and the delivery of programmes.

• Work in partnership with Australian and New Zealand Red Cross and the ICRC to ensure support to humanitarian diplomacy initiatives at regional and country level is maximised.
• Ensuring consistency of message both within the IFRC and through consultation with the ICRC and other interlocutors and alignment of those messages and actions with the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement as well as relevant policies.
• Provide support on behalf of the Pacific to Global IDRL Programme activities, including:
1. Development of research on legal issues in disaster management, including with regard to disaster risk reduction and recovery.
2. Participation in the development of global technical assistance and capacity building products, such as models, guides and manuals.
3. Participate in information-sharing on legal developments and achievements of the IDRL programme by contributing to the regular E-Newsletter, reports, videos and events and the establishments of an information sharing network between national societies on disaster law issues
4. Cooperation in the development of communications tools, such as the programme's newsletters.

- Strategic Objective: A strong Pacific IFRC secretariat team with continuity of knowledge, experience and service in the region.

• Effectively manage humanitarian diplomacy/IDRL programme resources.
• Collaborate closely with other programme managers to design and deliver holistic support to Pacific national societies.
• Produce regular, timely and accurate narrative and financial reports and contribute stories to the internal and external newsletters produced by the regional office.
• Be the communications focal point in the regional office
• Collect, internalise and disseminate lessons from humanitarian diplomacy within the regional team, within national societies, with Zone and regional counterparts in the IFRC between movement actors and with external partners.
• Undertake other appropriate duties and assigned pieces of work by the head of regional office.

Lateral Relationships

- Ensure effective working relationships with national society leaders (management and governance), staff, volunteers and members.
- Ensure effective working relationship with all members of the regional office (based in Suva and other Pacific countries)
- Ensure effective working relationships with IFRC technical and service departments at zonal and global level.
- Ensure effective working relationships with Movement partners and non Movement donors and partners.

Accountability

- Ensure efficient and effective management of IFRC resources
- Ensure compliance with IFRC procedures, regulations and policies
- Seek management and policy advice and guidance as required

Duties Applicable to All Staff

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

Required Qualifications

Education

- A degree in law is preferred, but candidates with a degree in information, communication, advocacy, community development or other related field will also be considered

Experience

- at least 10 years of professional experience in advocacy including at the community level
- Experience in supporting capacity enhancement in advocacy in local civil society organizations at a national and grassroots level
- Experience in legislative advocacy
- Experience working in a Red Cross or Red Crescent National Society and/or the IFRC or ICRC
- Experience in facilitating and supporting networks of practitioners
- Experience within Pacific region or other small island context

Skills

- Demonstrated skill in analytical and strategic thinking and planning
- Open to learning and committed to acting on learning and sharing experiences, both positive and negative
- Commitment to utilising local civil society and community knowledge
- Skills in mentoring and developing people and ability to work in empowering and participative ways
- Ability to balance tenacity with patience
- Group process facilitation skills, coordination skills
- Programme management skills
- Able to work under stressful conditions and meet tight deadlines
- Excellent interpersonal and networking skills
- Strong communications and writing skills.
- Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spreadsheets, word processing, email)
- Valid international driving licence (manual gears)

Languages

- Fluency in English, written and spoken

Competencies

- Accountability;
- Diversity; Integrity;
- Professionalism;
- Collaboration;
- Building trust;
- Empowering Others;
- National Society relations/responsive to National Society priorities;
- Teamwork;
- Communication;
- Innovation;
- Judgement/decision making;
- Managing performance;
- Building Alliances;
- Influencing; Inspiration;
- Strategic orientation.