Head of Project Urban Violence

Purpose of the post

The destructive force of urban violence on people’s lives and livelihoods – and the suffering it causes – is a major humanitarian concern in many contexts around the world, and especially in Latin America.

In some countries, large portions of – mostly urban - territories are unsafe for the population, as well as for State agencies or civil society organizations that try to operate in them. With gangs and armed actors clashing with State security forces, and fighting among themselves, some areas appear severely dysfunctional and practically ungovernable. This tends to perpetuate the instability and fragility of these areas.

The impact of armed violence on communities is profound and all-pervasive. Violent deaths and the risk of being wounded, or subjected to sexual violence, threats or extortion, are among a host of factors causing constant fear and stigma. Beyond the direct consequences of violence, the indirect and mostly invisible effects – such as forced displacement, disappearance, child recruitment into gangs and long-term mental health issues – can be just as harmful. They seriously impede people’s access to the most basic services, such as education and health, and to jobs that provide a dignified livelihood.

In order to reinforce the Red Cross Movement response to the humanitarian consequences of urban violence in the Americas region and beyond, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in partnership with the Norwegian Red Cross (NorCross), has launched a three-year “Learning & Innovation” partnership. In order to lead this initiative, the ICRC is recruiting a Head of Project.

The Head of Project position, under the supervision of the ICRC Regional Director for the Americas and in close coordination with relevant ICRC and NorCross field and HQ entities, aims to :

• Spearhead the regional reflexion on how to best respond to the humanitarian consequences of urban violence, based on existing activities and practices in four priority countries: Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras;
• Capture learning, share good practices and develop tools and methodologies  for Movement action in the region and beyond;
• Improve efficiency and effectiveness of Movement response to urban violence;
• Reinforce National Societies’ operational capacity and security management in environments affected by high levels of armed violence and criminality;
• Demonstrate ICRC and National Societies’ relevance in urban violence contexts and enhance positioning with governments, donors and other relevant stakeholders.

Main duties and responsabilities

Under the supervision of the ICRC Regional Director for the Americas and in close coordination with the ICRC Urban Violence Working Group and NorCross Urban Violence Focal Point, the main duties and responsibilities of the ICRC Urban Violence Head of Project are:

• Organization of a desk review of the main urban violence programmes undertaken and/or supported by the ICRC and the NorCross in the four a/m Latin American countries (and when relevant, beyond) and identification of main points of learning in the three following areas:           
  • Provision of basic services
  • Protection
  • Security and safer access
• Organization of regional workshops and seminars to capture learning, share experience and nurture innovative approaches on the a/m specific areas with participants (practitioners and experts) from various countries.
• Establishment of technical methodologies, guidelines and reports based on good practices in collaboration with relevant ICRC and NorCross entities, in particular the ICRC Urban Violence Working Group.
• Facilitation of exchange of practice through establishing and animating a Movement  Urban Violence  “community of practice” in the Americas and beyond, in coordination with the ICRC Urban Violence Working Group.
• Provision of methodological guidance to field colleagues as required with a particular focus on establishment of baselines, project design, and monitoring tools (in order to support contextualized and evidence-based responses).When gaps are identified, proposal of possible solutions and new practices or convening of meetings and exchanges with other institutions having the needed know-how or expertise.
• Regular field visits to the 4 countries contemplated by the partnership (Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras) and other countries when relevant.
• Coordination with the NorCross Urban Violence Focal Point based in the Northern Triangle, with a view of granting the best possible coordination and maximizing the capture of learning and sharing of experience.
• Identification of the main regional dynamics and mapping/networking with the main institutions related to Urban Violence, including specific regional/State/municipal institutions and platforms, academic institutions, think tanks etc. Subsequent positioning of the ICRC, the NorCross and the Movement in the areas of humanitarian diplomacy and policy making.
• Contribution to the reflection around Urban Violence response by the ICRC and the Movement in the Americas and beyond, with a view of greater institutionalization and external positioning in regional and international forums.
• Overall planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring/evaluation of the ICRC/NorCross partnership at global, regional and national levels.

Education and experience required

• Master’s degree or equivalent of five years’ University degree (Development studies, Public administration, Political science, Urban planning, etc.)
• 10 years of professional experience in international humanitarian field and/or development work and field missions, preferably in Latin American countries and/or urban contexts
• Experience and successful track record in multidisciplinary project management
• Fluent written and spoken English and Spanish. Portuguese and French are assets
• Field experience with ICRC/Red Cross Movement is an asset

Desired profile and skills

• Excellent analytical, synthesis and oral/written communication skills
• Strong listening and communication skills and ability to create group dynamics/animate group work
• Strong ability to work in team/networks and in a multicultural environment
• Strong organizational, planning and priority-setting skills
• Good capacity to work autonomously
• Readiness to travel around 30-40% of his/her working time

Additional information

• Location :                          Geneva
• Type of contract :              Maximum-term
• Activity rate :                     100%
• Length of assignment :      until 31.12.2020
• Estimated start date :        ASAP
• Application deadline :    Sunday, 28th February 2018