ADVISER ON NATIONAL SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT AND SAFER ACCESS

Purpose of the post

The Advisor on National Society Development and Safer Access is the main reference person within the Division for Cooperation and Coordination within the Movement (DIR/GEN/MOUV) of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on National Society Development (NSD), and the Safer Access Framework (SAF).

This post has a specific focus on advising ICRC delegations as well as relevant departments and units at HQ in supporting National Societies (NS) with their capacity building. He/She works closely with the Security Crisis Management Support (SCMS) Unit as well as the Advisor responsible for the file of Healthcare in Danger (HCiD). The post also acts as liaison and has a critical role in maintaining ICRC - IFRC relationship, by promoting and actively contributing to a coordinated Movement approach to National Society Development.

He/she plays a key role in promoting ways to strengthen National Societies’ operational capacity related to their access and acceptance (SAF), security management and protection of healthcare staff.

The post holder also provides technical support to the two SAF Regional Advisors, the Regional Movement Advisors and directly to delegations and National Societies particularly where no regional advisors exist. The post holder is also expected to work with the MOUV training unit.

Main duties and responsibilities

General

• Act as the ICRC reference point for National Society Development, encompassing organizational development (OD), operational capacity strengthening/building, and ICRCs work in relation with the Safer Access Framework
• Promote institutional learning on National Society Development and Safer Access
• Strengthen the overall capacity of Cooperation staff in the field of National Society Development and Safer Access, together with the Division’s Learning Advisor, the Regional SAF Advisors and Regional Movement Advisors
• Strengthen the impact monitoring of NSD and SAF investments and promote institutional learning.

In view of National Society Development, initiate, accompany and implement the capacity strengthening plan of action (2018-2020) which includes:

• Promoting a coordinated Movement approach to NSD within ICRC and with Movement partners
• Defining ICRC vision and institutional approach to NS capacity strengthening, in collaboration with relevant units and departments
• Providing technical support to the Heads of Sectors and to the field
• Liaising with technical experts on NSD in the Movement to mobilize NSD support in coordination with the Head of Sectors
• Liaising with the IFRC NSD team on all related issues
• Following the sector developments related to the localization of humanitarian aid debate
• Acting as technical focal person on the investment fund (under development) including liaising with and providing ICRC support to the investment fund’s office

In view of the Safer Access Framework, accompany and implement the Safer Access plan of action (2018-2020) which includes:

• Guiding and supporting the SCMS Unit on the implementation of the plan of action to strengthen Operating National Society security management capacity
• Advising Heads of Sectors, Regional Advisors and delegations where there are no regional SAF Advisor present, in their overall SAF implementation strategy
• Working with relevant units at HQ to identify meaningful ways to use Safer Access as a framework/reference to develop capacity strengthening support to National Societies
• Engaging with Movement partners to include and or integrate certain SAF elements into their NSD approaches
• Documenting lessons learned and best practices on the SAF website
• Managing the mobilization of the SAF “pool of facilitators” and maintain the “pool”
• Providing support to Regional SAF Advisors on roundtable discussions and further strengthening of innovative platforms promoting peer-to-peer exchange within ICRC and amongst NS, in collaboration with the Movement advisor, HCiD
• Ensuring integration of relevant SAF elements in Disaster Management, contingency planning and conflict response tools.

Education and experience required

• Bachelor Degree or other equivalent, with a strong focus on Organizational Development and disaster management as an asset
• Master Degree in relevant area- preferred
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in working with the Red Cross and Red Crescent in the areas of NS Development, Disaster Management/Operations and practical application of Safer Access to the operations
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in humanitarian or development sector in highly insecure contexts
• National Society experience in Operating National Society a strong asset

Desired profile and skills

• Solid knowledge and understanding of the Movement’s mandates and roles, in particular of National Society structures, systems and procedures

• Solid understanding of Security Management challenges
• Strong network and relations with NS in countries affected by AC/OSV, as well as with the IFRC

• Sound ability to advise on the practical application of Safer Access Framework in the structures, systems and procedures of the National Society
• Advanced innovative thinking and analytical ability
• Proficient in developing and coordinating networks to accomplish goals
• Proven negotiation skills and strong communication skills
• Proficient in oral and written English. Proficiency in French, Spanish or Arabic an asset
• Availability for short-term field missions

Additional information

Type of role:                     Mobile　

Type of contract:             Open-ended　

Length of assignment:    Minimum commitment of 3 years, extendable to 4 years　

Working rate:                   100%　

Starting date:                   ASAP

Application deadline:     Sunday, 22nd October 2017