United States of America: Humanitarian Affairs Officer /Adviser (national position)

The Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Adviser supports the Head of Delegation and the NY office humanitarian diplomacy team in representing the IFRC at the United Nations, including at the UN General Assembly, its Committees and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and in engaging on humanitarian issues with Member States, Observer missions, the UN Secretariat, UN agencies, and NGOs. The Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Adviser also contributes toward implementing the NY Delegation’s plans, strengthening the role of IFRC as a Permanent Observer mission to the UN, and promoting active IFRC participation at the UN by engaging in profiling (visibility) and positioning (promoting IFRC interests and providing substance inputs on humanitarian issues).

Monitoring and Engagement at the UN

• Monitor the work of the General Assembly and its Committees and ECOSOC with a focus on relevant humanitarian and development issues, such as climate change, movements of migrants and refugees, sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda, humanitarian assistance in natural disasters and other crises, gender and diversity, and UN reform.
• Support the Delegation’s representation activities at the UN through presence at the sessions of the main bodies of the UN.
• Combining the monitoring and representation activities above, function as a focal point of the IFRC at the United Nations in New York.

Relationship-building and Cooperation

• Build strong working relationships and conduct active liaison with UN Member States, Observers, UN System departments and agencies and other partners.
• Coordinate and cooperate with the ICRC New York delegation on relevant matters.
• Maintain reporting and communication lines and substance management with the IFRC Secretariat in Geneva and in zones.
• Support the Delegation’s operations liaison functions and assist in the coordination of the IFRC’s humanitarian operations with UN OCHA and members of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee.
• Support the Delegation’s cooperation with National Societies
• Support the Delegation’s cooperation with local, national and international media.

The UN process: Profiling and positioning of IFRC

• Seek active engagement in the reports and prepare the IFRC’s inputs in consultation with the Secretariat and Field.
• Engage in ECOSOC and the UN General Assembly with Member States, participate in the negotiation of UN resolutions in such fora, prepare the IFRC’s inputs in consultation with the Secretariat and Field, and mobilize support for our priorities through active lobbying and advocacy.

Desk research

• Conduct research and produce analytical reports pertaining to the work of the main bodies of the UN and other relevant matters.
• Provide inputs to the IFRC New York Delegation communication materials, distributed regularly to the IFRC Secretariat and zones.
• Respond to inquiries, providing analysis when needed, to the IFRC Secretariat and Heads of zones on matters relevant to the UN.

Speeches

• Prepare and contribute to statements delivered at United Nations and be ready to deliver statements in the 2^nd and 3^rd Committees and other UN bodies when needed.

Implementing and furthering IFRC strategies and visions

• Work to further the Strategies of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, IFRC Strategy 2020.
• At all times embody and promote the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
• Take appropriate action as the IFRC strategy for Partnerships develops.

Qualifications

Education

University degree in relevant discipline

Relevant post-graduate degree or MBA (in International Relations/Affairs, International Law, Political Affairs/Science or similar)

Relevant professional training courses (Red Cross/Red Crescent related, humanitarian and development sector, management)

Experience

Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in the UN/Multilateral context, multilateral diplomacy, including in the humanitarian field

Experience working in a multi-cultural environment

Knowledge and skills

Excellent spoken/written English, and working knowledge other UN languages preferred

Strong organizational, interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills, including presentation skills

Background in research, writing, reporting (oral and written), outreach and programs dealing with policy, disasters, and humanitarian matters

Substantial skills in networking and interaction with multilateral organizations and diplomats

Self-supporting in computers (MS Office, Internet, email)

Note: This is a national position and only citizen of US or people with work authorization can apply.

Please send your CV and motivation letter toNewyork.delegation@ifrc.org