ADVISER FOR GLOBAL AFFAIRS

Contract

This is a ICRC - Open-ended contract. More about ICRC - Open-ended contracts.

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Purpose

Directly with field missions and through the field network of networkers the Operational Networking Adviser maintains detailed knowledge of non-State armed groups (NSAG) active in the region(s) under responsibility (NAME and Horn of Africa) and oversight on ICRC relationships with these groups, ensuring a balanced approach to humanitarian action on both sides of asymetric conflicts. S/he follows thematically the transversal file of sunni jihadism and IHL & Islam. S/He ensures structured interaction between the Global Affairs and Networking Unit, regional operations management and the respective delegations, based on a shared strategy and plan of action. S/He is the reference point for other units/departments at headquarters for his/her region(s) for thematic working group, tasks forces and crisis management teams when necessary.

Reports to (role)

• Head of Global Affairs & Policy

Relationships

• Internally, interacts with Operations Coordinators, Heads of Sector and Unit, Heads of Delegation and their deputies, and networking colleagues.
• Externally, interacts with prominent ideologues, academics, commanders and shadow ministers when needed, and also meets with think-tankers, journalists, NGO directors and activists.

Scope & Impact

• Follows up two operational regions as well as institutional files
• Supports the Head of Global Affairs & Policy in managing a small budget for organizing specific internal seminars.

Accountabilities & Functional responsibilities

• Oversees the work and functionning of a network of networkers in the field, ensuring it is effectively contributing to regional engagement strategies at operational level.
• Ensures horizontal information flow on networking operations and status between the delegations concerned and focal points through smooth management of communication, information sharing and regular/ad hoc regional meetings on networking activities.
• Continuously evaluates the quality and scope of interaction between the ICRC and the main stream of Islamic communities in general and with armed groups and their larger social environment in particular.
• Provides the ICRC with a global overview of jihadi and other networks, anticipates trends and their consequences on ICRC work in the region(s) of responsibility.
• Develops tools to support delegations and regional operations management in analysing multi-contextual actors and defining strategies to convey the ICRC's identity to the groups of concern.
• Contributes to yearly planning discussion
• Contributes to drawing up messages (key messages, standard speaking points) intended for specific target audiences such as radical Islamic groups or other armed groups.
• Maintains regular contacts with peers in the humanitarian and informal diplomacy sector to improve networks where necessary and ensure diversity of sources used for ICRC's overall analysis
• Ensures relevant and regular/ad hoc analytical reporting on evolving and emerging phenomena related to jihadi discourse, doctrine and literature, etc.
• Acts as a focal point for the security cell (crisis management team) of the Office of the Director of Operations and supports it on request.

People management responsibilities

Participates to the recruitment of networkers under his blue line responsibility

Certifications / Education required

• University degree or equivalent.
• Fluent command of English and French. Proficiency in a Muslim world language, in particular Arabic, a clear asset.
• Computer proficiency.

Professional Experience required

• Typically 10-12 years' professional experience.
• Track record of successful transversal strategy implementation
• Expert-level knowledge of the Muslim world.
• Proven ability to convince and to explain complex issues in an intelligible way.
• ICRC experience necessary.

Desired profile and skills

• Conceptional and strategic thinker
• Collaboration oriented
• Able to adapt to HQ dynamics

Our operational & field constraints

• Candidates must be in good health and will have to do a medical check-up
• Candidates must be ready to travel for short term field missions

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
• Opportunities for further in-house training
• Attractive social benefits
• Length of assignment: 48 months
• Join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere

Additionnal Information

• Open-ended contract
• Working rate:100%
• Starting date: 17.01.2022 or ASAP
• Location: HQ (Geneva)
• Length of assignment: 48 months
• Application deadline: 9/12/2021