IFRC recruits 01 Humanitarian Diplomacy Coordinator
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
Pretoria, Afrique du Sud
Humanitarian Diplomacy Coordinator
Strong candidate identified
Closing date (Geneva time zone):14-12-2021Duty station:PretoriaCountry:SOUTH AFRICADuty station status: Family Duty StationAccompanied status: AccompaniedDuration:12Category of Staff: DelegateGrade: D2VacancyNo:IFRC04841
BackgroundThe International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with 192 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
Organizational ContextThe 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 the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. The 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. The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat. The IFRC Secretariat Strategy 2030 was approved and adopted by the Governing Board in December 2019. IFRC Africa Region is positioning itself to ‘work for and with’ membership to ensure strong, relevant and sustainable African National Societies that are able to directly and collaboratively implement the five strategic priorities and the three Enabling Approaches and deliver on the Strategy 2030. To operationalise Strategy 2030, the global Agenda for Renewal was developed to position the IFRC as a Focused, Engaged, Accountable and Trusted Secretariat. The Agenda for Renewal also outlines transformative priorities to enable it to meet the four objectives above. The Africa region has therefore developed an Africa’s Agenda for Renewal which seeks to transform the African National Societies to achieve Strategy 2030, and the objectives set on the Plan and Budget 2021-2025. The Africa Agenda for Renewal focusses on four major Pan-African flagship initiatives on which the region will focus from 2021 to 2030, these are centred around National Society Development and Sustainability, Food Security and Livelihoods (Zero Hunger Initiative), Tree Planting and Care, Red Ready disaster preparedness.
Job PurposeThe Humanitarian Diplomacy Coordinator will lead on all aspects of Humanitarian Diplomacy for the IFRC Africa region. The postholder will be responsible for creating and implementing plans to influence policies and decisions for the benefit and enhancement of IFRC and African National Societies. With a strong focus on delivering the Africa Agenda for Renewal and four flagship initiative, the Humanitarian Diplomacy Coordinator will actively lobby and advocate for specific outcomes with major African bodies and organisations, and will position IFRC Africa and African National Societies as partners of choice and agents of humanitarian change. The Humanitarian Diplomacy Coordinator will work closely with IFRC units, particularly DCPRR (Operations), PRD, Technical units (Health, FSL, WaSH, PGI). These units will provide the postholder with in-depth information to develop advocacy content and activities. The postholder will also have a strong collaboration with the communications department.
Job Duties and ResponsibilitiesLead on planning and delivering Humanitarian Diplomacy and advocacy to achieve the Africa Agenda for Renewal and four Pan-African Flagship InitiativesAct as the Humanitarian Diplomacy focal point for the Africa region, advising on IFRC and African National Societies on Humanitarian Diplomacy approaches and toolsPosition IFRC Africa leadership among key institutions and forums to achieve maximum influenceResearch and identify decision-makers and power structures, and develop engagement plansIdentify key policy opportunities and processes (such as those within key international policy frameworks and related platforms for the Africa Region, the Grand Bargain, Inter-Agency initiatives, etc), events, conferences and forumsLead on IFRC Africa region’s participation, including positioning IFRC and representation, preparation for the meetings, organising side events, briefing colleagues and following up on actions and next stepsDevelop and deliver advocacy plans in line with IFRC’ principles and strategic priorities, including identifying opportunities, developing key messages, identifying policy targets and entry points and representing IFRC at key foraLead on policy engagement on relevant topics such as Climate Change, Sustainable Development Goals, Disaster Risk Reduction and set traction indicators for Africa in the Decade of ActionEngage with key decision- and policy-making institutions in Africa, including governmental and inter-governmental bodies (e.g. AU, SADC, ECOWAS) to influence policies and decisions (including funding decisions) in support of humanitarian principles and IFRC strategic prioritiesPrepare and promote policy position papers and briefs on relevant topicsCoordinate priority work streams on partnerships and networks, and capitalize on work led by the Netherlands Red Cross Society and the Red Cross Red Crescent Society in Partners for Resilience Alliance to advance work on community engagement/locally-led action, Inclusion (particularly of women, young people), science and innovation, DRR and resilience, and ensuring this aligns with the IFRC Africa Region priorities on the Africa Agenda for Renewal Build and maintain strategic partnerships with external actors (governments, UN agencies, multilaterals, private sector etc) and identify funding and resourcing opportunities for IFRC and African National SocietiesCoordinate with Movement and external partners on policy and advocacy efforts to ensure strategic use of Movement capacities and resourcesCoordinate with and support IFRC Geneva and other regional offices to ensure alignment of messaging and approaches.Coordinate with IFRC Humanitarian Diplomacy offices in New York, Brussels and Addis Abeba to promote the humanitarian and development work of African National Societies to High level decision and policy makers.Foster knowledge sharing and exchange of best practice on Humanitarian Diplomacy via a network of Movement actors and stakeholders
EducationMasters degree in a relevant field or equivalent experienceUndergraduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience
ExperienceAt least 8 to 10 years of work experience within the same or related position.Work experience in the international humanitarian and development sector.Extensive experience of Humanitarian Diplomacy, advocacy, policy and strategy.Proven track record of influencing policy or decision-making in line with agreed strategic priorities.Successful experience in the development of policy campaigns, includingstrategy-building, inter-governmental advocacy, and evidence building.Experience supporting multidisciplinary and complex programmes.Experience of building strategic partnerships with tangible outcomesWork experience within Africa.Experience in the UN system, other intergovernmental organisations and/or development banks.Experience in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.Knowledge, skills and languagesStrong understanding of policy frameworks, systems, and initiatives relevant to humanitarian organisations in Africa.Excellent understanding of the dynamics, institutions and political context of the international humanitarian and development sectors.Strong understanding of the issues which impact humanitarian organisations.Knowledge of international financing systems.Exemplary influencing and networking skills.Self-sufficient with ability to plan and deliver own work to a high standard.Culturally sensitive and comfortable working with people from diverse backgrounds.Excellent relationship management and networking skills.Strong strategic planning and project management skillsAbility to exercise initiative with discretion and judgement, and apply risk management controls as needed.Excellent presentation and public speaking skills.Fluently spoken and written English.
Competencies and valuesValues: Professionalism, Respect for diversity; Integrity; Accountability.Core competencies: Proactive outreach and innovative creativity; Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National Society and customer relations;
CommentsThe Federation is an equal opportunity employer.
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