Deadline: Not specified

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is seeking to fill the position of the Humanitarian Diplomacy Officer.

IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, with a network of 192-member national societies, with an aim to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities.

Responsibilities

•  Lead under the guidance of the head of delegation (HoD), the diplomatic engagements of the Abuja country cluster delegation
• Represent and maintain IFRC on behalf of the HoD at various platforms and international organisations to advocate for the position of the IFRC and national societies
• Lead on planning and delivering humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy to achieve the Africa Agenda for Renewal and four Pan-African Flagship initiatives
• Act as the humanitarian diplomacy focal point for the Abuja country cluster region, advising IFRC and the National Societies on humanitarian diplomacy approaches and tools
• Position IFRC leadership among key institutions and forums to achieve maximum influence
•  Research and identify decision-makers and power structures, and develop engagement plans
• Identify key policy opportunities and processes (such as those within key international policy frameworks and related platforms for the Abuja country cluster region, inter-agency initiatives, etc), events, conferences and forums
•  Lead on IFRC Abuja Abuja country cluster region’s participation, including positioning IFRC and representation, preparation for the meetings, organising side events, briefing colleagues and following up on actions and next steps
•  Develop and deliver advocacy plans in line with IFRC’s principles and strategic priorities, including identifying opportunities, developing key messages, identifying policy targets and entry points and representing IFRC at key fora
• Lead on policy engagement on relevant topics such as climate change, sustainable development goals, disaster risk reduction and set traction indicators for ACCD in the decade of action
• Engage with key stakeholder institutions in Africa, including governmental and inter-governmental bodies (e.g. AU, SADC, ECOWAS) to influence policies in support of humanitarian principles and IFRC strategic priorities
• Prepare and promote policy position papers and briefs on relevant topics
• Coordinate with movement and external partners on policy and advocacy efforts to ensure strategic use of movement capacities and resources
• Coordinate 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 Ababa to promote the humanitarian and development work of African National Societies to high-level decision and policymakers
• Foster knowledge sharing and exchange of best practices on humanitarian diplomacy via a network of movement actors and stakeholders

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience
• Five years, minimum, of work experience within the same or related position
• Work experience in the international humanitarian and development sector
• Extensive experience in 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, strategy-building, inter-governmental advocacy, and evidence-building
• Experience in building strategic partnerships with tangible outcomes
• Work experience in the ACCD (Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, and Benin)
• Experience in the UN system, ECOWAS, AU, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other intergovernmental organisations and/or development banks
• Experience in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement
• Strong 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 and the issues which impact humanitarian organisations
• Knowledge of international financing systems
• Exemplary influencing and networking skills
• Self-sufficient with the ability to plan and deliver own work to a high standard
• Culturally sensitive, comfortable working with people from diverse backgrounds and excellent relationship management and networking skills
• Ability to exercise initiative with discretion and judgement and apply risk management controls as needed
• Excellent presentation and public speaking skills
• Fluently spoken and written in English, fluency in spoken French preferred

To apply or for more information, click here.

Photo source: CRS