Health Diplomacy Advisor

Contract

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

Reports to (role)

• Head of Delegation (Addis UA)

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.

Your role

The Health Diplomacy Advisor (HDA) provides support to the ICRC (Addis, HQ & Delegations) in understanding and influencing the wider Health & Humanitarian environment in the Africa Region. The HDA represents ICRC in multilateral and bilateral fora related to health and humanitarian diplomacy relevant to his/her responsibilities. S/He is the focal point for ICRC Health & Humanitarian diplomacy on global health and COVID-19 in the Africa Region. S/He participates in meetings, monitors, analyzes discussions and trends, adapts and conveys ICRC’s key messages to resonate with external interlocutors to influence debates and negotiations and reports internally on Africa CDC, UN (especially WHO Afro), AU, and IFRC activities and issues reports relevant to these files. S/He builds and maintains a strong diverse diplomatic network within the Africa CDC, WHO Afro, IFRC, and beyond as a critical component to all Health Diplomacy objectives. S/he also provides support to the COVID-19 Crisis Management Team in Geneva on issues related to humanitarian diplomacy and global health. As a health specialist, he/she provides support on broader health-related relevant to the Africa Region issues in coordination with the ICRC’s Head of Health (e.g. global health security, engagement on routine immunization, community engagement). S/he works in close collaboration with ADO management and health and diplomatic and policy advisors working in/on the region. S/he is also part of an informal global health diplomacy network (GVA, ADO, NY, Beijing).

Main responsibilities

• Drives the health diplomacy strategy within the ADO Delegation – in coordination with Management and relevant Health and diplomacy colleagues – and establishes/cultivates a network with relevant organizations – Africa CDC, UN entities (especially WHO Afro), IFRC, and other humanitarian stakeholders such as NGOs, academia, think-tanks, Gavi, etc.
• Represents the ICRC in relevant meetings and conferences on health policy issues – with current focus on pandemics (COVID-19) and vaccination in contexts affected by armed conflict and service delivery along the last mile – and provides input on how these can impact/relate to ICRC’s operations and humanitarian diplomacy.
• Elevates new issues (or perspectives on current issues) that the Africa region sees as important to inform ICRC global health diplomacy (based on the needs they perceive and the ICRC’s operational footprint)
• Provides feedback on how ICRC messages on various health issues (e.g. equitable access to vaccines) resonate (or otherwise) with key interlocutors in the Region
• As needed, helps co-create the ICRC’s global diplomatic approach – in collaboration with health diplomacy colleagues stationed in NY and Beijing as well as policy and health colleagues in GVA
• Supports the institution in achieving Health diplomacy and policy objectives maintaining regular contact with specialists in HQ, the region and/or in other hubs
• Leads engagement to influence key audiences and policy makers, including bilateral meetings, email contact, event organisation, public speaking and supporting the production of written products
• Maintains a generic knowledge of ICRC health programs in the field – in particular, in Africa and in relation to the COVID-19 response
• Engages with the IFRC and ensures a coherent engagement of the Movement and a balances representation of the ICRC on relevant fora

Scope & Impact

• Shapes the design of the delegation's Health/humanitarian diplomacy objectives. Contributes to designing and achieving the ICRC's objectives in relation to Health/humanitarian diplomacy at the regional and global level.
• Is in charge of the delegation's Health/humanitarian diplomacy affairs budget.
• Participates in the annual planning and budgeting process (Planning for Results), leads on objectives for his/her portfolio and sets policy/diplomacy direction and monitors impact/outcomes. Determines work priorities related to the achievement of these objectives.

Education and experience required

• Masters and/or Minimum 5 years’ experience in Public Health/Global Health, Global Health Diplomacy and/or Health Policy is a must
• Health Background (nurse/MD/psychologist) is a plus
• Ten years of experience in the humanitarian field with vast knowledge on the African Region;
• Excellent writing skills
• Very good knowledge of English and French
• Prior ICRC field experience and/or experience with government Foreign Affairs or similar.
• Proven experience in cultivating networks and influencing others.
• Strategic understanding of national/regional/global relations and their interplay with humanitarian affairs.
• Knowledge of multilateral organizations/fora/agencies and platforms.

Our operational & field constraints

• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals
• Candidates must be in good health and will have to do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field
• Candidates must possess a driving license (for manual transmission vehicles)
• Candidates must be prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for at least the first 24 months

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
• A two-week orientation course and other opportunities for further in-house training
• Attractive social benefits
• Length of assignment: 18 months
• Join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere

How to join?

Ready to apply? You will need to upload your resume and a cover letter as well as copies of your diplomas and certifications, passport and driving license.

Application deadline: Sunday 20 March 2022.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. The ICRC values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment.