Background
The 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 Context
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, with a network of 192 member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world. The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. The 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 fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
Job Purpose
Humanitarian Diplomacy
As set out in its Plan and Budget 2021-25, the IFRC secretariat aims to support the greater IFRC network to exercise effective influence in three ways:
(1) Profile building: achieving widespread understanding, appreciation and trust by policy makers, partners and the public of the role, achievements and ways of working of National Societies and the IFRC network as principled humanitarian and development actors;
(2) Behaviour change: influencing public behaviour so that individuals and communities take the steps that are available to them to safeguard their health, strengthen their resilience to crises, and build peaceful, caring and inclusive communities free from any sort of discrimination; and
(3) Policy change: influencing policy makers at the domestic, regional and global levels to adopt new or updated decisions, laws, policies and practices that promote the safety, well-being and resilience of vulnerable persons and enable the work of National Societies.
The Humanitarian Diplomacy delegate will be based in the IFRC Country Delegation for Turkey but will work very closely with Europe Regional Office (Budapest) because advocating on behalf of the refugees and migrants in Turkey has a significant impact and ramifications in Europe.
The role of the Humanitarian Diplomacy delegate is to support Turkish Red Crescent, IFRC and other National Societies with an effective framework for advancing core influencing objectives, aiming to support the greater visibility and influence. Humanitarian diplomacy complements and supports all existing policies, programs and strategies of the IFRC.
The Humanitarian Diplomacy delegate will support in positioning IFRC’s advocacy approaches and advise on humanitarian analyses, focusing primarily on the situation of refugees and migrants in Turkey but also the wider European region. Given the recent health and socio-economic impact of COVID-19 in both host and migrant populations, it is anticipated that advocacy efforts on COVID-19-related issues would be part of the priority as well.
The Humanitarian Diplomacy delegate will:
• Be responsible for devising a concise Humanitarian Diplomacy (HD) plan of action for the Europe region with a specific emphasis on Turkey and the ESSN.
• Advise and support on the development and publication of research conducted by the IFRC, including regular research activities that take place in Turkey with the ESSN.
• Facilitate effective influencing and advocacy, including through supporting the development of positions on critical humanitarian issues.
• Work in coordination with National Societies, Red Cross EU and the communications unit among others on key messages that help position IFRC on specific humanitarian issues with decision-makers and other stakeholders.
• Support management in identifying and narrowing key HD objectives for IFRC in Turkey and the Europe region in alignment with global priorities and strategies.
• Identify relevant decision makers and other opinion leaders in Turkey and Europe region and understanding the decision-making processes in which they are operating.
• Provide support on areas that require specific programmatic advocacy activities to improve the implementation of the ESSN programme; and advice on risks related to the engagement in these advocacy efforts.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Through close engagement and coordination with TRC and IFRC colleagues in Turkey and regionally, the Humanitarian Diplomacy delegate will focus on the following:
- Support management in identifying and narrowing key Humanitarian Diplomacy (HD) objectives for ESSN program in Turkey and Europe region with a strong focus on migration, refugees and COVID-19.
- Be responsible for devising a concise HD plan of action for IFRC Europe region with a specific emphasis on Turkey and the ESSN.
- Identifying the relevant decision makers and other opinion leaders in Turkey and Europe region and understanding the decision-making processes related to the specific culture and context in which they are operating.
- Produce analytical pieces on key contextual issues, operational challenges and RCRC advocacy positions (key messaging, positioning, updates, issues briefs, etc.)
- Support dissemination of approved advocacy materials at all levels (country and regional office) to nurture consistent policy dialogue and enable collective influence capabilities (including towards partners and donors in liaison with PRD colleagues).
- Work with the NS technical leads and IFRC leadership as appropriate to support HD work related to strategically prioritised HD areas.
- Ensure alignment of country and regional efforts with global IFRC plans and strategies.
- Ensure adequate coordination and collaboration between IFRC initiative on humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy in Turkey and the activities and initiatives carried out by other humanitarian actors or authorities.
- Support sustainability of humanitarian diplomacy functions.
- Develop or contribute to orientation package on HD to support capacity of Turkish Red Crescent and other NS IFRC and other Movement partners to advocate collectively, strategically and effectively for the response.
- Support Turkish Red Crescent and other National Societies to develop HD strategies, in particular with regard to strengthening their auxiliary role.
- Engage in HD capacity building training for key staff, particularly frontline staff engaged in day-to-day advocacy activities to remove barriers for accessing ESSN assistance (e.g. workshops for R&O staff, or contribution to CEA and PGI learning activities).
- Identify and work with local counterparts to ensure ongoing follow up on HD include linkages with broader RCRC Community of Practice.
- Contribute to increase the overall quality and scope of humanitarian diplomacy through engagement with staff in European national societies who have skills in advocacy, negotiation, communication and other diplomatic experience or knowledge to encourage a network of humanitarian diplomacy ambassadors to exchange information, lessons and good practice and to support competency development.
- If necessary, support European National Societies’ and IFRC staff on perspectives and participation in the IFRC’s global HD initiatives, events and plans and ensure alignment between national, regional and global approaches. Advice on risk and opportunities for engaging in advocacy activities within the ESSN context.
Effective matrix management
- Ensure effective coordination between IFRC delegation in Turkey with PRD team Budapest, Country Delegations and Programmes teams, regional SMT, PRD Disaster Law and other technical leads as well as the Policy and Communications teams in Geneva to be involved in performing aforementioned tasks.
Education
Required
- University degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline (international relations, development studies, political science, law, public administration
- Relevant Master degree or similar
Preferred
- Relevant professional training courses
Experience
Required
- Solid track record in partnerships, advocacy or humanitarian diplomacy
- Relevant work experience with the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, or another organisation, including in advocacy, partnerships or strategic planning
Preferred
- Proven work experience with EU and other regional European multilateral institutions
- Knowledge about humanitarian action in the Europe region from advocacy perspective
- Contextual knowledge of relevant stakeholders in and political environment of Turkey
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of local, national and regional policies and policy-making processes related to migration
Knowledge, skills and languages
Required
- Proven ability to work in a team and in a multicultural environment
- Proven skills in analytical and strategic thinking and strong track record in building contextual intelligence and share knowledge
- Ability to work in a stressful and demanding environment while keeping a consistent, courteous and positive attitude towards others
- Excellent communication skills and influencing skills
- Ability to take initiative and to work with minimal supervision
- Demonstrated skill in analytical and strategic thinking.
- Excellent written communications skills and ability to produce analytical pieces
- Fluently spoken and written English
Preferred
- Ability to understand, interpret and make use of programmatic data
- Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)
- Good command in local language
Competencies and values
- Communication
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Judgement and Decision Making
- National Society and Customer Relations
- Creativity and Innovation
- Building Trust
How to apply:
Please submit your cover letter and your resume online HERE or www.ifrc.org .
Deadline: February 07th, 2021
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
The IFRC is an equal opportunity employer and committed to workforce diversity.