International disaster response laws, rules and principles: Asia-Pacific coordinator

Purpose

The IDRL Programme seeks to reduce the vulnerability and suffering of people affected by disasters by raising awareness of the importance of legal preparedness for disasters and offering services such as advocacy, technical assistance, training and research.
Activities are carried out together with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and in close collaboration with other major stakeholders such as States, the United Nations and regional organisations concerned with disaster management.
The IDRL Asia-Pacific Unit forms an integrated part of the Asia-Pacific Zone Office and will work in close collaboration with other Zone Units and regional representatives and country offices in Asia-Pacific, as well as with IDRL Programme staff in Geneva
and other Zones. The IDRL Asia-Pacific Coordinator reports to the Asia-Pacific Head of Zone, with a technical reporting line to the global IDRL Programme coordinator in Geneva.

The purpose of this position is to coordinate and manage the implementation of the IDRL Plan for 2009-2010 in Asia-Pacific.

The major programme objectives of this programme are:

1. Provision of technical assistance on strengthening national legal preparedness
2. Capacity-building of National Societies on legal issues in disaster response
3. Advocacy for legal preparedness and dissemination of legal and policy instruments

This is a fixed term position for one year in the first instance, with possible extension to two years.

Key tasks and responsibilities

Responsibilities
-Development, management and implementation of the IDRL Strategic Plan in Asia-Pacific according to the Global IDRL plan and budget.
-Management of the Asia-Pacific component of the IDRL Programme budget in accordance with agreed sign-off and reporting requirements.
-Recruitment and supervision of IDRL Asia-Pacific Unit staff, consultants and interns.

Key tasks
-Provide technical assistance on strengthening national legal preparedness to governments, in particular through the initiation and implementation of IDRL technical support projects and supporting the development of a model IDRL act.
-Undertake capacity building of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on legal issues in disaster response through the conduct of trainings and workshops on disaster law and legislative advocacy and supporting the development of a capacity building manual and other materials.
-Draft articles, papers, newsletter content and other materials on legal preparedness issues and support global IDRL research projects with information from the Asia-Pacific region.
-Advocate for legal preparedness and dissemination of legal and policy instruments through the development of partnerships with key stakeholders such as RC/RC, States, UN, IOs, regional organisations, NGOs and academic institutions. Activities include the conduct of dissemination and information-sharing activities, delivering presentations at meetings and conferences, cultivating a regional pool of experts on disaster law issues and encouraging inter-governmental and regional forums to take note of and use the IDRL Guidelines.
-Develop strong partnerships with program donors, including AusAID (through Australian Red Cross). Submit funding proposals and report on the implementation of the program, as required.
-Use legal skills to make a real difference to vulnerable people in the Asia-Pacific

Duties applicable to all staff

1. Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation’s goals.
2. Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross/Red Crescent principles.
3. Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Person specification

Qualifications required preferred
-Bachelor of laws (LLB)
-Advanced qualification in international law or related field

Experience
-At least 3 years of legal work experience in a related area
-At least 3 years experience with staff and project management
-Demonstrated experience in legal/policy and field research
-Demonstrated experience in legal/academic writing and drafting
-Experience working in an international environment, preferably with the United Nations or similar organisation
-Experience with networking and communicating with different stakeholders such as government,UN, NGOs and other organisations
-Experience within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

Skills/knowledge required preferred
-Good knowledge and understanding of international and national law and policy-making processes
-Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written
-Good understanding of disaster preparedness and response concepts
-Strong organisational skills, methodical and logical approach to tasks and problem solving
-Ability to organise, analyse and synthesise large amounts of information
-Sound knowledge of Microsoft office applications
-Fluent spoken and written english and preferably another regional language

Competencies
-National society relations
-Results focus and accountability
-Teamwork
-Communications
-Professional mastery
-Leadership
-Managerial effectiveness

The Red Cross International Disaster Response Laws, Rules and Principles (IDRL) Program aims to assist people affected by disasters by raising awareness of the need for legal preparedness for disasters and by offering advocacy, technical assistance, training and research services.

Seconded to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Asia-Pacific Zone Office in Kuala Lumpur, the Asia-Pacific Coordinator will develop partnerships with key institutions and build the capacity of regional Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to address the legal aspects of disaster response.