Senior Officer, Liaison & Support

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs 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.”  IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

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 IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into four main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Coordination; (ii) Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; (iii) Management and Accountability; and (iv) People and Strategy.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. 

 As part of the Asia Pacific Region, the Afghanistan country delegation supports Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) through capacity strengthening and program implementation guided by the ARCS’s established strategic plan in the areas of health, disaster risk management, food security and livelihoods, social outreach, organizational development.

The Liaison & Support Senior Officer will provide critical administrative and liaison support to the Head of Delegation. S/he also undertakes analysis of contextual protocol approaches, procedures and practices to inform adaptation to liaison with Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), Red Cross & Red Crescent movement partners, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other public authorities’ agencies, consular and diplomatic representatives, and UN and international organizations.

The post holder will also provide translation and interpretation support and coordinating arrangements for high level visits, organizing special events, protocol functions and ceremonies in coordination with relevant focal points in the delegation. 

Liaison, Protocol, and External Relations

• Support the Head of Delegation in managing relations with ARCS, Movement partners, national authorities, diplomatic missions, UN agencies, donors, and international organizations.
• Maintain regular follow up with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the diplomatic corps on protocol and coordination matters.
• Support representation and advocacy efforts as delegated by the Head of Delegation.
• Provide translation of documents and interpretation support during meetings, visits, and official engagements.
• Coordinate protocol aspects of meetings, visits, events, and official communications with ARCS and partners.
• Prepare briefings, talking points, and background notes to senior management ahead of meetings and public engagements.
• Track and synthesize contextual developments and share analysis with senior management to inform decisions.
• Advise the delegation senior management on protocol norms and engagement approaches relevant to the Afghan context.
• Monitor political, diplomatic, and humanitarian trends and produce periodic landscape analysis.
• Maintain organized records of official correspondence and updated contact lists of key interlocutors.
• Coordinate protocol and logistical arrangements for high level IFRC missions and official visits.
• Work in close coordination with the Senior Administration staff on protocol and travel arrangements for official missions.
• Plan and support IFRC hosted ceremonies, official functions, and special events.
• Support internal coordination across units on external engagement priorities.
• Maintain the annual calendar of key events, visits, and deliverables.
• Participate and represent the delegation in meetings when local language support is required.

 Administrative and Management Support

• Coordinate internal and external meetings including agendas, logistics, minutes, and follow up actions.
• Act as coordination focal point for management meetings, Movement meetings, and staff briefings.
• Maintain accurate contact lists for IFRC structures, National Societies, and partners.
• Compile periodic reports and summaries with clear analysis for management use.
• Track management decisions and follow up with responsible units on agreed actions.
• Manage filing of incoming and outgoing correspondence from the Head of Delegation.
• Prepare internal presentations and briefing materials as requested.
• Respond to urgent requests and shifting priorities in a dynamic operating environment.
• Ensure confidentiality in handling sensitive information and communications.
• Record meeting minutes with clear decisions and action points for circulation and follow up.

• Other tasks assigned by the Head of Delegation.

Required

• University degree or Diploma in International Relations / Service Management/ Social Studies

Required

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar role, preferably in in foreign service, diplomatic mission, or international organization.
• Relevant professional experience in administration & secretarial work.
• Familiarity with Afghanistan’s political, cultural, and economic landscape is advantageous.

Required

• Practical knowledge of computers (Word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail)
• Experience in office management principles and procedures including experience in filing and archiving.
• Excellent knowledge of Afghanistan protocol procedures and etiquette.
• Able to conduct research, consolidate reports, analyse and conceptualize information.
• Good skills in networking, Communications and building relationship with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to establish effective working relation in a multi-cultural and cross-functional environment.
• Ability to prioritize, work to tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks.
• Fluent spoken and written English.
• Fluently spoken and written Dari and Pashto, including interpreting and translating.
  

Preferred

• Sound knowledge of relevant laws, regulations and policies.
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic).

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability 
Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust