Networking Coordinator

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and 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.

Context

The ICRC Philippines is an operational delegation in South East Asia of/with national, regional and global thematic importance. The main Delegation based in Manila with 3 sub-delegations in Mindanao and a footprint in Visayas and Luzon responds with a wide range of multi-disciplinary activities (ass, prot, prev/com, coop) to needs emanating from several protracted NIACs.

ICRC currently considers there to be 5 NIACs in the Philippines, opposing the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) against New People’s Army (NPA), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), and IS-Ranao (IS-R) respectively.

The Moro armed groups (MILF, MNLF, BIFF and splinters) in Mindanao have a clear influence on key humanitarian concerns and risks identified by the delegation. Some concerns persist regarding ICRC’s access and security in certain areas in Mindanao. The ICRC does not have the same level of contacts and dialogue with these groups but is perceived to enjoy a positive acceptance by MNLF and MILF. The persistent, albeit reduced, presence of ISG-inspired groups with whom ICRC has only limited dialogue coupled with an increased trend of criminality, remains a challenge when it comes to possible security, access but also protection concerns in their respective strongholds.

Purpose

The Networking coordinator coordinates the overall engagement strategy and various programmes and approaches concerning Muslim Non-State Armed Groups and other non-State Players, such as religious circles and traditional leaders, academia, civil society organizations, national and international think-tanks and non-governmental organisations.

Relationships

Internally interacts with all levels of the delegation, all sub-sites and all departments, as well as the Global Affairs Operations Advidor based in geneva and other Networking Coordinators and focal points in neighbouring delegations as deemed appropriate and needed.

General Duties

• Understands and adheres to the seven Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
• Understands and adheres to the ICRC Code of Conduct
• Understands the roles of the components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
• Respects and observes staff regulations and security rules at all times
• Represents the ICRC in a professional manner at all times
• Develops and maintains a pleasant and conducive working environment with colleagues and line managers
• Performs all duties with the highest level of confidentiality in the interest of the employees and the ICRC
• May be asked to perform tasks not covered in this job description and to provide support to other departments when necessary

Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Contributes to maintaining and developing a solid and relevant network of interlocutors within the Moro Armed Groups (MILF, MNLF, BIFF and splinters) 
• Establishes/ updates, together with the Sub-delegations and in close coordination with PROT, PREV and ASSIST, a comprehensive mapping of the relevant stakeholders and influencers designed around the Moro NSAGs of interest to the delegation.
• Supports and advises field teams in developing competences and capacities on how to network with these actors, so that it is integrated into their operational approach.
• Analyses the evolvement of the local Jihadi inclined groups and dynamics, and their relations with the global Jihadi networks, in coordination with the relevant delegations and Geneva.
• Identifies, particularly amongst religious circles, indirect channels to NSAGs in case of emergency, security incidents or disruption to direct or existing channels of contact.
• Sustains efforts in Intra-Muros Networking, by joining relevant detention visits but also takes active part in the reflections and designing of engagement strategies with detainees of IMN value especially with the ISG-affiliated ones. 
• Contributes to the Delegation’s PREV strategy and develops future corresponding networking strategies in the framework of the PfR, institutional strategy and regional frameworks and on ad-hoc basis when needed.
• Assists the management in networking representations including participation in meetings. 
• Ensures proper environmental scanning, reporting/internal communication and documentation of information related to religious affairs (Islamic & Christian Circles), themes of relevance to the context of the Philippines, armed groups and other actors.

People Management Responsibilities

• Is the Red Line/directly supervises the Manila based Networking Advisor and is the blue line for 2 GLOB Focal points in Mindanao and consequently plays an important role and can be consulted for all HR-related matters
• Understands and supervises the Performance Management & Development (PMD) of the direct team member, makes sure that deadlines for the PMD cycle are met, engages in ongoing and continuous feedback and support.
• Contributes to the PMD cycle of the field based GLOB Focal points.
• Organizes regular meetings within the GLOB team to ensure optimal coordination of the work and proper flow of information.
• Coordinates and supports the employee under their supervision in their personal development by coaching and advising them on internal and external training and development possibilities.

Additional Duties

• Follows up on all work-related messages and correspondence with the relevant contacts and departments
• Is aware of the delegation’s objectives and has a good knowledge of the Movement and other contacts relevant to the position
• Collects and shares information to improve the ICRC’s understanding of the environment and humanitarian trends and responses
• Represents the ICRC in an appropriate way during activities, in meetings and in the field, and avoids any activity that may reflect negatively on the ICRC’s image
• Takes responsibility for their own professional learning and development

Selection Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in Social Sciences, Political Science, Law and/or humanitarian field is required.
• Typically, 10-12 years’ overall professional experience in addition to up to 5 years’ previous experience working in a humanitarian organization is an advantage.
• High proficiency in MS Office Suite, SharePoint is essential.
• Requires the ability to analyse, interpret and communicate complex information.
• In-depth knowledge of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Mindanao contexts required for the job
• Excellent communication skills in English and Tagalog.
• Proficiency of any other Moro dialect is an added value
• Willing to travel to different locations of ICRC operations in the Philippines